Dullards

Despite the undisputed fact that most of our current staff are vastly more intelligent that those we had a year or two ago, it's depressing to realise that even they need babysitting.

This week we have no deadlines, so I'm supposed to be training a bunch of them. Production today and tomorrow, Editorial Thursday and Friday. Those in Production who wanted training - had asked for training, in fact - were told on Friday that they needed to think about what training they needed or wanted so I could help them out this week...

...And so I was sat around doing my own work - I always have something to do, but this week I can easily put it aside when required - until after lunch before any of them even casually mentioned training, and that was to arrange something for tomorrow. After some cajoling from above, a couple more came up with a few things they wanted further training in, most of which would be no bloody good to anyone (why, on God's green Earth, would one actually want to export paths from Photoshop to Illustrator in our line of work?). Even when they said they wanted specific training, they weren't specific, so I ended up on some vague, rambling 'lesson' that they'll probably have forgotten by tomorrow.

I can confidently predict that the one who asked for more detailed training in a couple of things (because the training she received in the basics of Photoshop was supposedly very useful to her) probably won't get round to making time for any training, despite pointedly asking for some of my time just last week.

Honestly, I'm there if they want training, but I will not drag them into training they've asked for. It's also very frustrating that these people moan that they're being asked to do more than ever before, and yet ask to be shown how to do still more. Are they overworked or not?

Elsewhere, a couple of canny salespeople asked if our underworked designers could knock up some sales tools for their upcoming features... only to find that the meetings intended to work out exactly how to pitch the features aren't happening until later in the week. This means that nothing can be done on these sales tools until after the meeting, by which time we'll all be gearing up for the first deadlines of next week.

Sheer stupidity.

And then sometimes things go well

Could have left work an hour early today... Chose not to, as my deadline is Friday and it's not necessarily looking peachy. I hung back at finished an extra job or two, but almost everyone else - having completed today's magazine by 4.30 - got out of there and enjoyed an extra hour of their day. The biggest surprise was that one of our number - noted for being ungrateful at the best of time - did thank our boss for allowing us to leave early.

Other news: I hold in my hand (not right now, obviously, as I type with both) a piece of paper which describes me as a Manager. No official announcement just yet, as we're expecting a whole raft of pay disputes (April Review, and all), and those above me would rather not rub salt on the existing wounds. Meh. I could really go off on one here, but I won't...

Tried to fly my kite one the way home but there just wasn't enough wind... Supposedly Friday will bring perfect kiting weather, so I'll have my maiden flight yet. You see if I don't!

And when I got home, the last of my packages was waiting for me. By this point, naturally, I was ready for another disappointment. I'm happy to report, though, that the limited edition Superlink Black Rodimus is in perfect condition - no problems at all. HUGE sigh of relief.

I've also heard from the company from whom I bought Masterpiece Megatron, and they have advised me to send him back, and they'll replace him quickly enough, assuming there's no further damage in transit. That shouldn't be a problem, but I may pack some cotton wool in there or something... Just in case.

Well, dang...

My run of bad luck continues.

BT-17 Black Convoy, the Wonderfest 2007 exclusive, limited edition 'last ever' Binaltech model arrived today. I opened the package and started to transform it... and noticed a small problem with the bonnet/hood of the car. It didn't sit right in vehicle mode and, in the midst of transforming it, I saw why. The hinge/slider arrangement that allows it to open as a bonnet and flip round to be the robot's chest plate is glued together on one side. As factory defects go, that really takes the biscuit. Where was Quality Control? How did superglue get in there?

By the whitish residue all round, I'd guess it was a spillage which vapourised and settled all over the 'engine cavity'... and there's no way to fix it.

Hopefully I'll be able to send it back and get it replaced (let's hope that I was right when I said 'limited to 800' would probably be closer to 1000!)... otherwise it's a refund, and I'll do without unless I can find it elsewhere. Right now, that's not necessarily difficult... but it'll get more so, not to mention more expensive.

And I still haven't heard back from the vendor about returning my Masterpiece Megatron.