Sorry everyone, I was deep-sea diving. For a month. No, I kid. I've been swamped with work and life. But I'm back now and better than ever!
My husband says I should go to Blog Jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. He's a funny guy. Maybe he wants to write this for me?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fashion Crimes Round Up
Last week it was slightly warmer in our offices. Now, normally I work in an icebox. I'm naturally a cold-blooded person (no laughing and no comments!) and that makes for some rather chilly days. Everyone else can seem to work like this, but not I. I wear an unnamed promotional item from one of our clients and a sweater wrap and sometimes even a blanket too.
Last week, FC wore a sleeveless top. In air conditioning. No cardigan, shrug or sweater. Here's the kicker though. The top looked like some sort of nightgown. A cream coloured sheer nightgown. EW! EW! EW! It's September. And remember, SHEER NIGHTGOWN=bedroom attire. It's not office attire. Unless your office is... Well, I'm just going to let you finish that sentence in your own mind, dear readers. Demerit points 30
One of her most horrifying outfits was yesterdays. Now, I'm not perfect here. I've been known to wear some things that should have been left in the closet. The point is if I look in the mirror and realize I made a bad choice, I leave it in the closet. I don't wear that outfit again. Monday's was a gem. It was the world's tightest, too-short sweater. You could see her belly. And her muffin top. And her camel toe. Wrong. Klassy with a K. The truly wrong thing is that she wears this outfit A LOT. Evidently she does not own a mirror. Demerit points 20
In advertising, we talk a lot about the whole package. What does it say about a person when what they are selling looks trampy, poorly fit or just plain ugly? It says that they are advertising themselves as being easy or not taking themselves seriously. I didn't go to Catholic school, so I didn't get to wear the kilt or a uniform. But I can see both the point of a uniform and a dress code. This way, what you're advertising is the inside, because the outside is advertising something classy and non-distracting. I honestly believe that a well-dressed person is taken more seriously than a person who is dressed too revealingly or like they rolled out of bed. Would you believe a stock broker who showed up wearing jeans when everyone else was wearing immaculately pressed suits? No, I would head straight for the person who looks dressed nicely. They are advertising the package deal. I don't want my stock broker taking shortcuts with my money, so why would I want someone who clearly took shortcuts with their attire that morning?
However it does depend on the environment. My office is casual. We all (except for FC of course) make an effort to be stylish and APPROPRIATELY dressed. We have to advertise ourselves as being worthy to do business with. If someone walked in the door right now and saw yesterday's outfit on me (would never happen, btw), do you think that they would take me seriously? We do dress up when a big client is coming in. We know how to market ourselves appropriately.
Still to come, fighting in the office...
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Fighting in the office
What's appropriate? (I say never)
When is it okay? If it serves a purpose? If it fixes the problems?
What if it only makes things worse?
Stay tuned for the full story...
When is it okay? If it serves a purpose? If it fixes the problems?
What if it only makes things worse?
Stay tuned for the full story...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Food in Real Life
I love this site and think it is so funny. It really shows how the marketing and advertising teams do a 'great' job of making food look appetizing. Or not
Food In Real Life
http://foodirl.com/
Food In Real Life
http://foodirl.com/
Monday, September 14, 2009
Evidently, I like the word deadline
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Deadline FAIL
When I first got into advertising, I was told that deadlines were absolute, can't miss 'em or the client gets mad kind of deals. In my many years in this industry, I've seen this philosophy (or should I call it policy?) get left in the dust. And it makes me angry!
You see, I am definitely the type of person who plans, and sticks to her plans the best she can. I like my planning nature and I LOVE LOVE being in control. Some call that controlling or Type A. That's where I disagree (and that quiz that said I was Type A was wrong). I like knowing that I'm doing my job to the best of my ability, which in my opinion and my bosses, is pretty darn great. Call me crazy, but I also think that the people I work with should respect the same deadlines as I do.
Fashion Crimes (that's her name for this blog. In real life I call her something much worse.) is literally making my life a living H$%^ these days. Ever since I got this promotion, she has gotten worse. Her main problem, besides not doing her work and being slow is that she deliberately misses deadlines. Seriously, she's been here since February and has not met a deadline ONCE!! The most recent example was two weeks ago. Every month I set a deadline. Sometimes it's five weeks in advance or I give her a warning of the impending deadline a few days ahead. The important point to remember is that she knows that the deadline is coming at around the same time every month. However, this time, did she even attempt to make the deadline? NO! Did she come to me and say that she wouldn't be making the deadline? NO! (That is a whole other ball of wax...) Instead, she told her boss who is sort of my boss, but kind of not, that she was afraid that she might miss the deadline because of... What? What reason? NO reason at all? He told her to get a move on. Guess what happened next? If you said deadline not met, you'd be right. Then again, you already read the answer above. What makes me most angry is that she didn't even attempt to make the deadline. The deadline was a Friday at noon. Everything was finally finished the following Wednesday, leaving me two and a half days to get 5 days worth of work done. DEADLINE FAIL!
However the story doesn't end there. Her list of excuses this time as to why the deadline was not met are priceless.
1. It was the client's fault. (there was a mid week change a couple of days before the deadline. The changes should take two hours to do. She took eight.)
2. It's too much work to do.
3. Again, the client's fault.
Blaming the client as an excuse? Not cool. I don't care if you are being held hostage by a band of wild monkeys hired by the client, don't blame the client* for your shortcomings. Just meet the freaking deadline instead of spending all of your time on MSN and smoking outside! That is not the client's fault!
Coming soon, the advertising rule book as penned by Miss Adventures. It's going to be legen...wait for it...dary... You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love the epic tale of love and loss...Oops wrong tag line..
*Key rule: even if you want to, don't blame the client. It will get back to them somehow, some way.
You see, I am definitely the type of person who plans, and sticks to her plans the best she can. I like my planning nature and I LOVE LOVE being in control. Some call that controlling or Type A. That's where I disagree (and that quiz that said I was Type A was wrong). I like knowing that I'm doing my job to the best of my ability, which in my opinion and my bosses, is pretty darn great. Call me crazy, but I also think that the people I work with should respect the same deadlines as I do.
Fashion Crimes (that's her name for this blog. In real life I call her something much worse.) is literally making my life a living H$%^ these days. Ever since I got this promotion, she has gotten worse. Her main problem, besides not doing her work and being slow is that she deliberately misses deadlines. Seriously, she's been here since February and has not met a deadline ONCE!! The most recent example was two weeks ago. Every month I set a deadline. Sometimes it's five weeks in advance or I give her a warning of the impending deadline a few days ahead. The important point to remember is that she knows that the deadline is coming at around the same time every month. However, this time, did she even attempt to make the deadline? NO! Did she come to me and say that she wouldn't be making the deadline? NO! (That is a whole other ball of wax...) Instead, she told her boss who is sort of my boss, but kind of not, that she was afraid that she might miss the deadline because of... What? What reason? NO reason at all? He told her to get a move on. Guess what happened next? If you said deadline not met, you'd be right. Then again, you already read the answer above. What makes me most angry is that she didn't even attempt to make the deadline. The deadline was a Friday at noon. Everything was finally finished the following Wednesday, leaving me two and a half days to get 5 days worth of work done. DEADLINE FAIL!
However the story doesn't end there. Her list of excuses this time as to why the deadline was not met are priceless.
1. It was the client's fault. (there was a mid week change a couple of days before the deadline. The changes should take two hours to do. She took eight.)
2. It's too much work to do.
3. Again, the client's fault.
Blaming the client as an excuse? Not cool. I don't care if you are being held hostage by a band of wild monkeys hired by the client, don't blame the client* for your shortcomings. Just meet the freaking deadline instead of spending all of your time on MSN and smoking outside! That is not the client's fault!
Coming soon, the advertising rule book as penned by Miss Adventures. It's going to be legen...wait for it...dary... You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll love the epic tale of love and loss...Oops wrong tag line..
*Key rule: even if you want to, don't blame the client. It will get back to them somehow, some way.
An Open Letter to Fashion Crimes
To my ridiculous, immature and annoying subordinate -
GET A LIFE, HONEY.
Your passive aggressive little attacks and hostile attitude are most unbecoming. You really need to get over whatever little thing it is about me that gets under your skin - I've done nothing to you, yet you still try your darndest to make me as miserable as possible. I dread coming into the office and dealing with you and your terrible work ethic. Satisfied?
So, as much as I'd like to face plant your sorry a$$, I can't - but I WILL tell you to grow up and ACT YOUR AGE. You're 28, for goodness sake. Isn't it time you started acting like it?
You're an idiot, and I pity you.
Ahh, I feel better now. Good thing this is anonymous, eh?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
12 Things You Should Never Wear to the Office (Or Why I wish I could issue Fashion Police tickets)
Well, children, it's time for a round of "Why didn't you look in your mirror today?"...
I work (using that word very loosely) with this girl who is... (can't find right words) a real pill? A piece of work? The reason for today's post? (For those of you who actually know me, you know that things got off to a bad start between the two of us*. The things are pretty much in the toilet right now. We do not like each other, and now that I have a higher position than her, I'm kind of expecting a meltdown from her any day. )
I found this article, and it really makes me wish that I could anoymously send it to her.
http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/07/28/12-things-you-should-never-wear-to-the-office/3
Yes, that's right, dear old girl is a Fashion Faux Pas. If I could write Fashion Police citation tickets I would. (They actually have pads of paper for this exact purpose... See? http://www.peppersgaggifts.com/44605.html)
Now, I'm no angel, I've been known to come to work in yoga pants, flip flops and way back when, Crocs. Those Crocs are hidden away, and my office is pretty casual so the flip flops are not really a no-no. But, as I am rising up through the advertising (today's word is advertising, brought to you by the letter A for advertising) ranks, I'm beginning to realize that yoga pants at the office are NOT okay, no matter how casual we are. As my mother said, "You're a manager now, you need to dress like it..."
Back to the task at hand. This girl has broken every rule on that list. And yesterday she broke an unspoken rule. Two words: sheer shirt. Yeesh. Where's Stacy and Clinton when you need them?
Today's outfit is a rather ugly kilt-type miniskirt. YUCK! This is not a Catholic high school for girls. Cover up your cellulite..
I wonder if I printed that article out, would she get the hint? Probably not.
Maybe I should do a weekly post of her bad outfits. That could be very interesting.
(*Stories about her and her antics to come in future posts)
I work (using that word very loosely) with this girl who is... (can't find right words) a real pill? A piece of work? The reason for today's post? (For those of you who actually know me, you know that things got off to a bad start between the two of us*. The things are pretty much in the toilet right now. We do not like each other, and now that I have a higher position than her, I'm kind of expecting a meltdown from her any day. )
I found this article, and it really makes me wish that I could anoymously send it to her.
http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/07/28/12-things-you-should-never-wear-to-the-office/3
Yes, that's right, dear old girl is a Fashion Faux Pas. If I could write Fashion Police citation tickets I would. (They actually have pads of paper for this exact purpose... See? http://www.peppersgaggifts.com/44605.html)
Now, I'm no angel, I've been known to come to work in yoga pants, flip flops and way back when, Crocs. Those Crocs are hidden away, and my office is pretty casual so the flip flops are not really a no-no. But, as I am rising up through the advertising (today's word is advertising, brought to you by the letter A for advertising) ranks, I'm beginning to realize that yoga pants at the office are NOT okay, no matter how casual we are. As my mother said, "You're a manager now, you need to dress like it..."
Back to the task at hand. This girl has broken every rule on that list. And yesterday she broke an unspoken rule. Two words: sheer shirt. Yeesh. Where's Stacy and Clinton when you need them?
Today's outfit is a rather ugly kilt-type miniskirt. YUCK! This is not a Catholic high school for girls. Cover up your cellulite..
I wonder if I printed that article out, would she get the hint? Probably not.
Maybe I should do a weekly post of her bad outfits. That could be very interesting.
(*Stories about her and her antics to come in future posts)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Nosy=Rudeness
My biggest pet peeve is people being nosy. Case in point, people reading over my shoulder. Sometimes I take the bus home. Now, the bus is not your average bus. It masquerades as a luxury 'town bus.." Think Greyhound for shorter distances (and no beheading*. What? Too soon?) and certain buses are packed. People are standing in the aisles. For those of you who actually know me, you know that I really really hate the bus (as much as I hate the train. And commuting. UGH). I hate everything about it. I hate the people on it, and I really really really hate how nosy they can be.
Now, here's my point. A couple of weeks ago, I had to take the bus home. In order to save some time, I was working on my advertising work to do list (Ah! there is the point of the blog in there! Bahahaha!) and this woman sits down beside me (nevermind the fact that it was a tiny seat, and she was bigger and she was squishing me.) and starts reading over my shoulder. Yes, she starts reading my sensitive advertising work. Work that if it got out, Advertising would melt into nothingness. Okay, that was a touch dramatic. Back to the story. So I moved my arm and paperwork to cover it up. She then lets out this big sigh like I took away her toys. EXCUSE ME!! Am I rude? No, I don't think so. Anyway, I finished off what I was doing and put it away. And she sighs again because evidently she thought I was going to leave it out for her to read. Nope, sorry, if you want reading material, you can go to Chapters.
Was I rude?
*http://www.thestar.com/Article/470913
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/03/03/mb-li-trial.html
Now, here's my point. A couple of weeks ago, I had to take the bus home. In order to save some time, I was working on my advertising work to do list (Ah! there is the point of the blog in there! Bahahaha!) and this woman sits down beside me (nevermind the fact that it was a tiny seat, and she was bigger and she was squishing me.) and starts reading over my shoulder. Yes, she starts reading my sensitive advertising work. Work that if it got out, Advertising would melt into nothingness. Okay, that was a touch dramatic. Back to the story. So I moved my arm and paperwork to cover it up. She then lets out this big sigh like I took away her toys. EXCUSE ME!! Am I rude? No, I don't think so. Anyway, I finished off what I was doing and put it away. And she sighs again because evidently she thought I was going to leave it out for her to read. Nope, sorry, if you want reading material, you can go to Chapters.
Was I rude?
*http://www.thestar.com/Article/470913
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/03/03/mb-li-trial.html
Miss Adventures in Advertising is here
After seeing Julie & Julia on Saturday with the hubs, I thought "I think I'll give this blog thing another try... What should I write about?" Then the pieces fell into place... Write an anoymous blog about work, life and advertising... I could write a book about the stuff I've seen, heard and written. The key is not to get dooce'd. (Look up 'dooce' if you don't know what I'm talking about).
The last time I tried to blog, I lasted exactly 6 posts. Whoops. So my goal is to post three times per week for a month. Let's see how long that lasts.
The last time I tried to blog, I lasted exactly 6 posts. Whoops. So my goal is to post three times per week for a month. Let's see how long that lasts.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)