Monthly Assignment Timing Issue…

Shouldn't we have the entire month in which to take pictures to be entered in the Monthly Assignment?

I guess, technically, we do—any picture taken within the specified month, and meeting the specified theme, would be eligible; but lately, there has been a consistent failure to announce what the theme is until well into the month. The eligibility period ends sharply with the end of the month, but for any practical purposes, has not been beginning until well past the start of the month, unless, by sheer luck, a picture taken earlier in the month just happens to fit the theme that we didn't know until it was later announced.

For example, we're already nearly a week into the current month—a quarter of the way through it—and the theme for this month's challenge has not yet been announced. July's theme wasn't announced until the 8th of that month, and June's wasn't announced until the 10th (leaving only 20 days, ⅔ of the month, in which to complete it.)

By contrast, the weekly assignments have been run for exactly a week, and the last two, a point has been made of announcing the theme a day or two ahead of the start of the eligibility period, truly giving us the entire week in which to participate.

Rather than waiting until a significant chunk of the month is already gone before announcing the theme of the monthly challenge, shouldn't the theme be determined and announced no later than the beginning of the month? And failing that, should the eligibility period not be extended until a month past the date on which the theme was announced?

What usually happens with the previous months judging etc? Is it normally over a week before the results for that are announced?

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

gqtuazon said:

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

Click to expand...

No problem, I was just curious. I hope your father in law gets well soon.

Remember guys, our mods are a volunteer group. (and a damn good group at that) They, may, at times, run into real life issues and/or just need a break. I'll go ahead and offer to QUADRUPLE their current pay, just to say thanks. Thank goodness 4 x nada still equals zero!!!!

Glenn, here's to hoping your Father in Law gets well soon!

gqtuazon said:

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

Click to expand...

Nothing to apologize and I hope your father in law gets well soon

our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family Glenn,

gqtuazon said:

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

Click to expand...

My thoughts are with you and your family Glenn, take care of your father in law we will still be here.

Mine as well. I hope all turns out alright.

He finally checked out from the hospital after 12 days at the hospital. The doctor installed a pace maker inside his chest for his heart. He is 86 years old and too weak.

Thank you all for your prayers and understanding.


Glenn
Caution: Typos may occur randomly.

glad to hear hes been released. I hope he recovers fully now he's going home. (It took my MIL 3 months to get over a pacemaker op)

not sure how the theme selection process works but why not come up with 2 or 3 ideas one month and write them down so now you have a list to reference come the next month - and maybe the month after that, etc. having been selected in advance, they can be posted on the first and we'd have all month.

I think it should be said that there isn't really any need to finish judging one month's challenge before the next month's can begin. In fact, it seems to me that getting the next month's challenge started should be higher priority than judging the previous month's.

A third of this month is over and gone, now, and we don't yet have a theme for this month.

Glad to hear the good news, Glenn! Taking care of family is the highest priority .... THEN this other stuff can follow.

There will always be next month's challenge. Don't sweat the small stuff. I'm sure we can all survive until then. Maybe even carry over that huge prize and add it to next month's prize!!

Bob Blaylock said:

I think it should be said that there isn't really any need to finish judging one month's challenge before the next month's can begin. In fact, it seems to me that getting the next month's challenge started should be higher priority than judging the previous month's.

A third of this month is over and gone, now, and we don't yet have a theme for this month.

Click to expand...

You must have missed this.

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.

Click to expand...

Bob Blaylock said:

I think it should be said that there isn't really any need to finish judging one month's challenge before the next month's can begin. In fact, it seems to me that getting the next month's challenge started should be higher priority than judging the previous month's.

A third of this month is over and gone, now, and we don't yet have a theme for this month.

Click to expand...

Blacktop said:

You must have missed this.

gqtuazon said:

Folks - I would like to apologize for being behind with the results and for not being active. My wife and I are taking care of my father in law due to health complications.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I didn't miss it. I just don't see the relevance to it and my gripe.

Judging the previous challenge, I can understand. I don't know what the process is, but it seems plausible enough to accept that it may involve the entire team of moderators who deal with the monthlies, including the one who has other issues.

I am aware that there are more than just one moderator who have charge over the Monthly challenge, and I just don't see any good reason why one of them cannot have already posted a theme for this month's challenge. Surely that doesn't take nearly the amount of time and effort that judging the previous one would take.