Any body who knows me well from letters, email and newsletters I have written in the past, knows I can't type and hate proofreading. Years ago I had a very good friend who was always calling or writing me notes about my typos, misspellings, correct spellings but the wrong word and other items I skipped or just plain missed. I had a piece on the back page I used in conjunction with address and postal information. There I added all kinds of humorous descriptions of our work or location. In one newsletter I identified my friend as my post production proof reader (Need one again). I have not improved with age. I have learned to use spell check, but at times cannot seem to remember to use it.
I am now responsible for a small newsletter here at "The Home." It is a fairly simple little paper, with a large print calendar on the inside, a personal profile of a resident on the front with a question quiz on different topics. This month the quiz is on Polar Bears (don't ask why - choices make very little sense). The back is announcements, jokes, the answers to the front page quiz. I am bright enough to have proofreaders, but anyone in publishing knows that errors still get through. I have even made the corrections and then closed the document without saving it. I like auto save programs.
I did it again with the April newsletter. The day after I delivered them to the apartments a friend came and asked, "do you know you missed a date?" No I did not, but that never stops a snappy coverup. "Oh, I see you found my April Fool joke." To confirm that it was indeed the error I intended I asked what she found. Apparently I skipped the date of "21". Now all activities were on the right DAY and my list of special days for the month are on the right DATE. However, two birthdays were on the correct number, but the wrong day. Make sense? Actually I had no idea I had missed the day. That's not unusual. I'm surprised it has taken me so many months before I made that big of an error. Fortunately many are accepting my excuse that it was an April Fool joke. It is now, but it was never my intention to play a joke. I just messed up. When we have a "Manor" meeting next Monday, I will award a corrected calendar to the winner of my unannounced contest. Got to cover my tracks somehow.
Today, I was forwarded a note from our head office that a resident had called to complain about the newsletter because it was sure to confuse our many easily confused people about when their social security check will come. I doubt that. They all watch for that like hawks. Then there is the damage done to the poor people whose birthdays are on the wrong day. I am one of them and of course, am horrified that I would do that to myself. How will I get my cards? How will I get the presents due me because I am such a wonderful person? That rotten editor (me). Then there is the woman who may miss her birthday because of the error. I will talk to her personally. She will get over it, I hope.
I felt like I had been reported to the principle and will be put in detention for a month. The "reporter" did want it corrected, and the editor reprimanded. To help out I slapped my hand, had a small cry and refused to reprint. Stubborn! Give me a break. Relax. We only print 65 newsletters. Half the residents say they never read it. Several transfer the activities they want from the newsletter to their own calendar. The two whose birthday appeared on the wrong date will heal with extensive counseling (except for me - I'm crushed). The complainer lives just down the hall from me. Everyone knows who edits the newsletter. The hand full of actual readers come directly to me if something seems confusing or they had an idea for the paper. The complainer talks to me nearly everyday to report some complaint she has for the day or something she would like me to complain about, correct or make another do. Since I love it here and am content with how and when things are done, I have nothing to report or complain about. If she wants a certain type of light bulb installed, she should buy that one for maintenence to install for her. They don't have to provide the bulb - sorry it was too yellow for you.
What did I do to deserve this? Oh,I know. I was born. Why oh why was I born? I blame it on my parents, thankfully.
All was just a sample of the melodrama of Sunset Manor or commonly known As The Stomach Churns.
Loved the NCAA championship[ basketball game. With no connection between either Duke or Butler, I wanted Butler to win. I love a good underdog story. Besides, I had seen all their games and was delighted with their drive and determination. I'm sorry they did no win, but proud of their play. They have nothing to be ashamed of. They were great. The clock got them and the final basket by Hayward was outstanding. Shocked he came so close.
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