Not worth the money

So it turns out that a client has decided not to continue their advertising relationship with Dynamic Export. Based on what my boss has told us, it was for some pretty lame excuses. We've had problems with them ever since Gillian came along but it isn't because G has ever done anything wrong - the main contact has just decided she doesn't like G. Anyway, this is the stupidest situation ever because they have, for several months now, been blocking access for editorial purposes while complaining they're not getting enough coverage.

Their last complaint was that G "wasn't doing anything different" with the magazine (well, steady on, she was only two issues in and is still finding her feet in the topic area) and now their complaint is that they "don't like the direction" of the magazine despite the fact that we are still following the features list we compiled last year and we run editorial through a committee of which they are part. Lies, damn lies.

G was grateful that Colin supported her "in any other workplace I'd be gone by now" and I said that I couldn't abide by bullies and that he was right to see that putting up with their tantrums as not worth the money they bring to us. I say 'they' but really it's just one person being very difficult and juvenile. G reckons it's because when I stepped down they didn't get a say in the editor's appointment so have transferred that to her. So unfair.

Nothing much else. Went to the NSW Export Awards on Thursday night. The awards themselves were pretty boring, I amused myself by picking lots of winners (I think I managed 8 or 9 from 12 and the overall winner, Atlassian). Australian Post sponsored these cool photo booths in the reception area so G and I had a lot of fun playing with hats and feather boas.

On Friday I started my first shift at Vinnies. I need to tell you about a mysterious lamp that turned up in my room. Anyway, I gave the lamp to Vinnies and in trying to negate the possibility that the lamp was cursed, I decided to volunteer. I've been meaning to anyway. Sandy gave me the task of sorting the books because the other two vollies (developmentally disabled ladies of 50+) didn't know their alphabet. So I spent a joyful four hours alphabetising the book section. So meditative. This week I'll be pricing them.

In the evening I met Boff at St Peters station. We had tickets to 'Hooked' at the Fantastic Planet Film Festival but it wasn't until 9pm so we ended up trying all the playground equipment before ending up at the Pastizzi Cafe for dinner. It was the most fun I've had just doing whatever for a while. The movie wasn't that great and unfortunately it was a very slick film featuring fast-talking Russian teenagers so my eyes went nuts trying to read the subtitles so fast while following the action.

On Saturday Boff, Robert, Assie and I decadently played cards all afternoon and well into the night. Yesterday the Ma twins, Assie and I went to Aki's Indian high tea and then wandered over to the new Westfield on Pitt St Mall. I'd forgotten my water bottle so was hanging for a drink and found an EasyWay which happened to be having a grand opening sale selling all drinks for $2.50. Then popped into Kinokuniya to buy my sis a birthday present (she wanted a vegetarian recipe book that "wasn't just salads") and they happened to be having a 20% off all cookbooks sale. Win!

Today I ticked off most of the things off my list (except typing up my short story for writers' group). I even remembered to place my bets for Melbourne Cup tomorrow (the TAB is always crowded on race day). Then went to meet Boff to see 'Lunopolis' at the Dendy in Newtown. I thought it was a pretty good film (mockumentary style) but it got a bit silly at the end.

That's about it. Full week this week. Lots of work on my plate soon...