Saturday, April 25, 2009

Deadlines and more alcohol

First, if you haven't done so already, check me out on twitter: MOMmagRocks

Second, the mag went to press yesterday but not without a few glitches (BIG friggin' surprise!)

This issue has forced me to get back on schedule - which is a good thing - but it happened at the expense of my family. I spent the last two weeks literally glued to my chair working on ads, design, writing... if it had to be done, I had to do it.

Now, I can relax for a few days, get reaquainted with the kids and maybe - just maybe, mind you - catch up on some sleep before the next issue demands my attention.

I've had tonnes of interest in the magazine from other areas of the country! They like what I am doing and recognize that it is a unique twist on an old concept. HALLE-freakin' LUJAH!!

Someone out there other than me, gets it! I was beginning to think I was alone in this process but am glad to see there are people out there who are smart, too.

If you're one of the smart ones who read the mag and the blahg, FABULOUS! If you're not, and read this just to find something to complain about, here's something for you to ponder: "Don't tell me about rules, dear, wherever I go, I make the gawddamn rules!" opera diva Maria Callas

And on that note, cue the music!

t.

Monday, April 20, 2009

deadlines and alcohol

Ok, OMG!

The window of opportunity to get this next issue to press has been SO tight!! But holy crap does this issue ever ROCK!!

I know, I know, I say that EVERY issue but MOM continues to kick MAJOR ass!!!!

Our cover is off da hook! Our content smokes! Our design is faboosh!

I'm so pleased! Can you tell?!

Now I only have 2 1/2 days left till press but I wanted to give you a quick update.

ALSO
If you aren't a member of our Facebook group, get on it!!! We've had some pretty fan-freakin'tastic contests that you've missed out on because you're not there!

I'll chat more later... gotta run!

Friday, April 10, 2009

dear diary, two weeks till press time!

How the HELL did I lose track of time?! It's April 10 and I need to send the files to press April 24 in order to have my street date of May 1!




Big Daddy and I are going to Vegas April 28 for his 40th birthday and I'm super pumped HOWEVER if something goes wrong while I'm away, it means I'm screwed. SCREWED I tell you!!




I'm also dissapointed in the ad sales. Our numbers our wayyyyy down and I think that is due directly to all the gloom and doom of the gawddamn media!!




I saw an article on Canoe.ca about

Sunday, April 5, 2009

dear diary, i need an assistant!

No this isn't a help wanted ad, I'm not actually hiring anyone but when I can afford to do so, I will let you know!!

I just put together my to-do list for tomorrow and I want to go back to bed and cry. PMS is a bitch that way. I get sooooo overwhelmed by all of the things I want to do and then when I start to organize it and look at how I have to accomplish it, I think WTF!!! Why do I do this to myself?!

I have a couple of big projects in the works and realize that maybe - just maybe - I have to learn to delegate. Hmmm... delegate. Such an odd and foreign concept to me. But it may just be the answer to saving my sanity and my marriage.

I mean, look at this for Gawds sakes!! It's Sunday afternoon and I'm blogging about all the crap I have to do this week. Gawd forbid, I actually tear myself away from the computer to clean my house! LMAO! Now why the hell would I do that?!?!

Seriously, though, I need to start getting up early again so I can accomplish more... I'm pretty productive at 4 a.m.

Fortunately, I have some fabulous girls working with me so maybe - just maybe - I can throw some stuff their way.

On another note, Spring looks like it's here (about f'kin time, too!!) so I am adding a personal to-do list to my day and even programming it into my Imposter Barry. Tanning, nails, showering... these are all things a girl should really do!! And, what the hell!! I think I'm gonna do it!! Uhm, kidding about the showering thing, though... :D

In the meantime, I am looking for some "volunteers" to do some stuff... let me know if you're interested!!

cheers!
t.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

dear diary, I was in awe...

For the past three days, I have been at the Alberta Women Entrepreneurs conference at the River Cree.

It was basically a gathering of business women to network, listen to amazing speakers and learn how to be innovative and successful.

I can't say it was the best use of my time but it wasn't a total wash.

Personally, the hilight was a phenomenal speech given by Ben Barry, the creator of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. You know that campaign - it's the reason we all LOVE DOVE!

He is YOUNG!! 26 to be exact! His story is amazing but I'm not going to tell you right now...

Anyway, he was so inspiring and fabulous that I had to show him the magazine. He LOVED IT!!! Because we do what he does - only on a much smaller scale but with the same empowering message!!

Also, I truly enjoyed listening to Eveline Charles, CEO extraordinaire of EvelineCharles Salon and Spas... I had heard things about her prior to meeting or hearing her speak. Things like: She's a bitch, she's a piranha, she will eat you ALIVE, she has no time for anyone who is "beneath her"... I'm sure you've heard the rumours.

But, having never met her I was curious about her story and what she had to say. As I listened to her speak, I realized we had very similar personalities and similar drive and passion for what we do. Now, I admit, I've been called a bitch, too, among other things but I truly beleive that those who do the namecalling are weak and jealous.

I had the chance to chat with Eveline after her speech and was thrilled that she took some time to look at the magazine and offered to follow up with a phone call to chat further. That is one phone call I am looking forward to!!

Another "piranha" who was there was Venture Publishing CEO Ruth Kelly. The rumours about her are similar to those of Eveline Charles. However, having worked for Ruth I could see why and where those rumours came from because she IS tough and she can cut you into a thousand little pieces with her comments. God knows, she did it to me. But you know what? She didn't get to where she is by mothering her staff or playing nice with the boys. She did it by kickin' ass and takin' names. But there is another side of her that, if you're perceptive enough and smart enough to recognize it, is caring and thoughtful. If she weren't, I don't think I would've been able to approach her for mentoring with my magazine. But when I did, she took time out of her INCREDIBLY busy schedule to help me. Some of her advice I took and some of it I filed for future reference.

I digress.

The point is, the conference was "meh" and I would have like to see more hands-on training in smaller groups.

Oh, and Debbie Travis was there!! She closed out the conference talking about sex and alcohol. Seriously, I think she's a dirrty girl the way she was handing out dating tips like "Have sex on the first night!" and how she enjoyed "Drinking lots of wine and lots of coffee to recover!" I loved how real she was!!

Well, it's Saturday and I haven't seen my kids for EVER so I'm taking the Oz man with me to deliver magazines. Quality time with the boy! Oh, and I think Monsters vs. Aliens is on, too, so we might take that in...

What do you have planned for the weekend?!

Be safe, regardless of what it is!

t.