August - Ernest Gaines

I can't sleep. :( *sniffle* I'm reaaaaally not feeling well and can't get comfortable. SO, instead even attempting to go to fall into deep slumber, I've decided to finally write about my last month of work. The August Issue.... which I delightfully refer to as... the abomination.

I'll be quite honest with you... July was hell (do I end up saying that every month?). Each time one of our sales staff popped into our office, both Susan and I had the same expression as the poor burrow that just got paired with the 300 lb man, wanting to tour the Grand Canyon. The result of all this unpleasant glances between coworkers is this...


Click on the Magazine Cover and it will automatically open a
new browser window and you will be able to view the entire issue.

There are some great articles and pictures, including the obvious cover story (pg 11) and a style shoot that focuses on the sexy backside of women's clothing (pg 16). The focus of this issue is culture & cuisine. There are recipies offered by some of the best chefs in Louisiana (pg 26). Three culinary masterpieces are showcased, including one served by Chef John Folse, complete with custom invitations (pg 24). Ever wanted to see the cake that looks like Tiger Stadium? We had one made for us (pg 25).

For storytelling purposes... and well I might do this for now on because it might be easier... I shall put within my blogs examples of my work for the month.

First... the normal... (mostly) non-problematic ads.

Quarter Block Ads


1/2 Vertical Ads


Web Skyscraper Ads


... now for the... "OMG if they change one more thing" ads.

First up. I Love Shoes. They really didn't have a direction, or any clue, of what they wanted for their ad this month. So I got the... "oh just do something colorful and cute" line. The result of such direction was this:



Stock photography of a random shoe on some sort of tapestry. Not gonna work though... because it's this kind of shoe and they don't have that kind of shoe even though that kind of shoe can't even be identified because there's nothing that says on the shoe that it's this kind of shoe. *shrugs* okay... well "We love the colors, so can you do something with the same colors, no shoe, cute and colorful". Got it. Done. Now, lets open door number 2.



I liked it. I love Fruit Loops/Fruit roll-ups/Lifesavers Candy... and I guess I like anything that involves those colors that is edible. BUT, it's not going to work. The reason - never really clear on that. *shrugs* here comes more ambiguious instructions. "do something with the same colors, maybe a shoe or cloth or pattern... you know... cute and colorful". Swing open door number 3.



I had found a picture of a cute tapestry with the same colors after much searching. Surely this was it. Surely the madness was overwith.

"ehhhhhh... I think we're gonna go with the first one"

Great. *throws a shoe*


... but wait there's more. As there was to be further nitpicking. In chronological order of their creation... Versions 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5.




Can anyone guess how big of a headache I had? Oh well, I guess it could be worse... I could have someone give me step-by-step instructions on how to navigate a font menu to select the option for Small Caps... thus insulting my education, 20 something years of experience, and well... general knowledge of a computer... all at the same time, right Susan?