Late articles (again)
I do some writing for an arts and entertainment magazine. My editor is a really, really nice guy, and we get along very well. Apart from when I don't hand in my articles on time, that is. Then, he gets a little cranky.

This past Canada Day (July 1) my sister and I went to her cottage for a bit of a weekend break. I had her laptop, and was finishing up my article, which was due on the Monday. Unfortunately, she couldn't connect to the Internet because she'd forgotten the password. The ISP was some tiny little business in the nearby town, and it being a holiday weekend, they were closed. Ergo, no Internet connection, no e-mail, no article to the mag. I sent it off when I got home on the Monday night, but my editor wasn't impressed, as I found out the next day.

I went into the office, made normal chitchat, had a bit of a laugh with said editor. Finally, he gets down to it.
Editor:"BlackArmadillo, you do realize your article was late this week, again?"
BlackArmadillo: "Well, yes..."
E: "And why was that?"
BA: Err...yes...sorry about that..." explanation follows regarding ISP issue.
E:"So there was a telephone at this cottage, then?"
BA: "Yes." (and two cellphones, but I thought it would be a bad time to mention that additional detail).
E: "Well, then, would you like to explain why you didn't call to let me know that the article was going to be late?"
BA: "Sorry, didn't really think of it at the time."
E: "Well, the next time that happens, make sure that you do. Is that understood?"
BA: "Er...yes..." *cries*

Okay, I didn't really cry. But he must be taking lessons from his kids' headmaster, or something. I felt about 10.

And I've certainly learned my lesson: I haven't handed in anything late since.*





*May not be the truth. Check out my long-standing signature for more accuracy.
(BlackArmadillo Avoided writing that article on, Fri 21 Sep 2007, 21:29, Reply)