Posted by: Thomas Stephan
Category: Dyer Straits
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Thomas (Tom) Stephan

*sigh…Okay…I’ll try to explain it again…

What part of deadline are you unsure of?

Really? I’m wondering. Because you come to my cubicle, you ask for something beautiful, readable, understandable, and then I say “It will take two weeks if you can get me the info by Monday.”

MONDAY.

YES, the MONDAY that just passed a week ago.

And I appreciate the ‘gift’ of 90 percent of the information on that MONDAY DEADLINE. I do. I’m not being ungrateful here. But 90 percent is another way of saying “I am crippling you from doing your job.”

I needed that 10 percent of information from you. I needed it MONDAY. On the DEADLINE.

Oh, wait…what was that? You’re sure I can get it in there? Really? Well, as it turns out, I can get it in there. Yup. No problem. But your two weeks have already turned into three weeks.
Calm down. Calm Down…Calm the *&@* down!

I said two weeks if you can get me the info by Monday. It’s now TEN days since the deadline.

Ten Days.

Yes. Yup. Ten.

No, it will not arrive a week before September the First. Because August the 22nd is six working days from September the first and the printer needs 7-10 working days.

Okay, let me back up and do this very slowly so you get this: You turn in data. I put it on paper, send to printer.
Printer say ten days.
You whine like beyotch and drag feet.
I scream.
I drag info from you slowly and painfully like back alley abortion.
After i send to printer you try to change info.

NO.
BAD.

Don’t make me have to kill you, man. Proof does NOT mean “Last chance to change everything.” Proof means “last chance to fix the one error 400 people missed.”

What?

*sigh…Okay…I’ll try to explain it again…

until the next
Dyer Straits
Tom


Thomas (Tom) Stephan | Director of Something Clever
BoDo Author | Dyer Straits

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Comments to this post:

Comment: WebChicky says

Tom, you just described 90% of my days. :-P

27th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Piers says

Man that drew a tear!!!!! :-(

27th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Catherine Morley says

Tom, this is one of your best ever yet! And man, oh man, does it bring back memories.

cat

27th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Tamar Wallace says

Tom…have you been in my brain lately? If so, could you let me know next time…leave a note…something? Great freakin’ article, man! But, I’m sorry…when did you need that stuff by? ;-)

28th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Rick O says

I am constatntly fighting for information, yet expected to do a 1 hr turn around on a 4 color brochure from the printer. I refuse to pad my deadlines, so I just require dated signatures now. Too true Tom.. TOO true.

28th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Dagmar says

Your article gave an excellent glimpse into the “life,” Tom. I can bet it will strike a chord deep within us all. The jury is still out on whether that’s a “good” thing, but I digress, lol.

I’ll be looking forward to the next one.

28th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language) says

“Lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.” Can’t remember where I saw it but it seems appropriate!

29th August 2007 Quote

Comment: Shanna Korby says

Things like this make me happy I’m not in printing anymore. I love web.

31st August 2007 Quote

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