I'm so angry that I'm about to turn into the Hulk.

The BDSM group that I'm a part of (but try not to talk about very much here at b.org, b/c of privacy -- or the lack thereof) is run by many committees. And we all know committees are hell.

I'm on the PR committee, which encompasses all kinds of communications-related things. We have a newsletter, which I recently took over the layout of.

Our committee chairman, who was appointed by the president of the group, has no experience or skill in any communications-related area. I have no idea why he was appointed. But because he's the committee chairman, he gets to tell me that I am not allowed to *edit* poorly-written articles, because it "changes people's writing styles."

Dude, using commas instead of periods when making ellipses is NOT a style. It's flat-out wrong.

But that's not actually why I'm so violently angry right now. No.

As I said, I recently took over the newsletter, including designing a new layout from scratch. Which is this: [link]

Chairman sends me an e-mail today with a link to another group's newsletter, asking me if I could do a layout that's "more professional and flows well," like this group's newsletter: [link]

Question #1: You think my layout is "unprofessional" and doesn't flow well?!?

Question #2: You think that my layout is actually very different from the other newsletter that you showed me?!? (Hint: it's not.)

Question #3: On what planet do you think it's acceptable to pull shit like that?

Bonus question: Do you NOT think it's rude to show someone an example of the type of work they do and then ask if they can make their work look more like the one you showed them?!?

I would say that a miracle is going to have to happen for me to not quit the committee.

Fucking asshole. I do DAMN good work.

Tep, I'm sorry you put so much of your time and effort into creating a (clean, spare, totally professional) layout for such an unappreciative and frankly stupid asshead.

eta: Gah. The more I reread the idiotic and rude things he said, the more aggravated I get on your behalf. Fuck him. Quit the committee unless someone can give him a good cluesticking. This is supposed to be your fun, joyous thing -- you get enough stupid editing orders and irritation at work; you don't need to take on more for free in your spare time.

(clean, spare, totally professional) layout

I'm not just being egotistical, then? The layout I did is good? Or, at the very least, not unprofessional?

The layout I did is good? Or, at the very least, not unprofessional?

Totally! And a bit more businessy but otherwise not substantially different from the other newsletter. Except the other newsletter has a logo -- if that's what he wants, why couldn't he have just asked you to incorporate your logo in the header instead of being a tactless dick?

(Though personally I think the logo makes the other one look a bit less professional, but, whatev.)

It's certainly not unprofessional, Steph. It's very good.

I am betting that what he likes are the little "didos" as my mother calls them -- the vertical text on the right, the big colorful logo. Stupid things that he, being completely unprofessional and unaware of what exactly it is you do, thinks are actual differences.

I had someone complain about a website design I did. Turns out it's because I hadn't yet put the flash banner in and he was unhappy because it didn't have that pretty colored flash thingy in there. He didn't know how to say that though, so it was all ... it's not the look I want. There's something off about the color. blah blah blah.

edit, or, you know, what JZ said. And, whatever he was looking for, he A) Didn't tell you before you started and B) told you that you were WRONG and UNPROFESSIONAL and probably EVIL, instead of just letting you know what about the other one he liked and asking nicely if it could be incorporated and, since you're the professional, if not what was wrong with it?

I like yours better. It's easier to read and doesn't feel cluttered. Also the calendar section of the other one is too confusing. Yours definitely looks more like the newsletters I get at work.

And, whatever he was looking for, he A) Didn't tell you before you started

Nope. And he let me spend a hell of a lot of time coming up with this apparently shitty newsletter.

Except the other newsletter has a logo -- if that's what he wants, why couldn't he have just asked you to incorporate your logo in the header instead of being a tactless dick?

No one -- anywhere -- has a high-res version of our logo. Because, like I said -- chairman has NO experience in communications.

OY, Tep. What they all said. Ass him in the ear!!

Gah. Now Mr. Jane says he hasn't decided if he's going or not. Imma give him until 6:00 tomorrow evening, and then I'm booking.

What Juliana said, Steph!

YAY for DJ visitage.

do you want them tomorrow or Sunday?

Sure and sure! Thank you!

Juliana, I didn't mean that as a yes or no question-- should I bring them tonight, or tomorrow?

She's ALMOST big enough for it now!

YAY