surviving first day ... part 2

so, yet another first day at yet another agency, all in a matter of 1 month. i'm totally chicken shit reincarnate.

unlike the other place, i immediately feel at home here. well, not because we're all walking barefoot, but because the people are nicer, much much crazier and friendlier, friendlier than friends, actually; jobs are so far agreeable with life; the environment is much more comfortable; much more relaxed .. i mean they even put out a memo reminding people to activate their YM the moment they're in the office. can't be much cooler than that.

well, accept for some of the rules written on their SOP book : "protruding nose hair is unacceptable" which i totally applaud by the way, i mean who likes protruding nose hair? and "thou shalt not reveal thy chest" which is a drag because most of my clothes are well, cleavage friendly. but otherwise ... they're all cool.

i hope i've finally found my 2nd home.

oh, and it finally rained tonight. it's definitely a good day.

i found my way out of this mess

im resigning today.

because i realized today that the job is slowly sucking my precious life away. i didnt even know my little brother has started his practical training until today, on my way to work when mama, papa and falie were discussing about him. despite ayis driving me home, i dont talk much to him in the car because i'd be so tired and sleepy and he cant even make plans to surprise me because he's not sure when and if i'd be away from work - like going to the japanese drum concert he wanted to see, or boyz II men concert he knows i'd love to go. shit man, i cant even make plans for myself. i had to cancel going to my good friend's 1st solo photography exibition this weekend because i'd be stuck at work. i feel so out of touch with my surroundings, my friends, my family.

i keep quiet more often than not because sometimes my mind wanders off to distant nowheres trying to find concepts for this and that job briefs. i dont even listen to people talking anymore. im slowly losing myself. and this job, its not worth it.

and also because i found another job. a place only 2 minutes away from home, i can practically walk to work. but i wont because by the time i reach the office, i'd be sweaty and smelly. i dont have to trouble anyone sending me to and fetching me from work. and should i have to stay late, home is only 2 minutes away.

i hope im making the wise move.

when one hell gate closes ... more shall open up

all these times i was afraid to leave was because i was unsure that i could make it outside of friends. and now i just cant believe my luck (and rezeki) - it's been so overwhelming. all the places i went for interviews, i managed to score the job and i turned down all of it because there's always something better around the corner.

the CD from interview number 4 offered me a job and wants me to start the 2nd week of January. but my agent who's trying to hook me up with interview number 5 advised me to buy more time so that i check out the other offer - which sounds better.

new year, new job, new challenge, new prospects.

and all i can say is alhamdulillah.

still contemplating

ayis drove me to the 2nd interview for job interview number 3 this morning. the job is mine .. if i want it. still can't make up my mind yet. i sort of have set my mind up for the place at interview number 4. let's just give it a couple of days before i give them my decision.

met up with my agent (huhuh .. got agent now, dont play play) who wants to hook me up for job interview number 5. she strongly feels that the job is right for me and will try to push the client into considering me. should i get it, i will be doing strictly malay copy and translation - on a salary of a bit more than what i'll be getting, and have gotten doing bilingual. i'm exited about that prospect too.

interview number 4

this one, they didn't even advertised for a writer, i just simply randomly sent my resume ... must have done something right coz the cd was impressed that he called me up for a chat over coffee. nice place. pretty international-looking. kinda overwhelming - from a small-agency copywriter's perspective. all in all, it went well, he liked my flow although he thinks i could use some brush-ups. heck i KNOW i need to brush-up. they're willing to offer me good money.

and that, is the most important thing when i'm doing my critical options-weighing.

everything is and will be okay

so, i told off the fucker from interview number 2 whom felt was kencing-ing me into writing their company profile for free ... and this was what he said to me :

"the reason why i wanted you to re-write your copy is so that we can get it right the first time (?) .. we really wanted to employ you but since you're giving me this attitude ... nevermind then."

and then he slammed the phone down.

fucker.

i rather he thinks i have an attitude than thinking i'm a fool. the whole idea of an audition copy is to prove to that interviewer whether one has it or don't. obviously he doesnt think i have what it takes so why does he even bother to consider me in the first place ... right? nobody rewrites their audition copy. i haven't even signed any contracts whatsoever yet he's already treating me like i'm his kuli. wtf? thank god i havent signed anything. it was a good save, man.

speaking of being saved ... i've ressurected my iPod yesterday. it's all good and new now, everything seems to work perfectly. i've lost 2436 songs but at least my iPod works okay - i've already put in 1700 songs. and now i can finally proceed to finish my artworks.

i feel like somehow all the planets are orbiting and aligning right where they should be, like the signs are telling me that everything is back in order and i know that everything is gonna be okay.

you think i is stupid?

i got a feeling that company from job interview number 2 is taking me for a ride. yesterday, the CD called me for an 'audition'. he wanted to see if i have the flair and flow, i guess. so he brief me this 'situation' over the phone ... told me to write a company profile intro for a pseudo ad agency, he explained to me the strategy and visuals and all.

and so i did.

and today, he called me and asked me to re-write my audition copy. make it longer, more friendlier, not too technical and harsh, soften it up a bit, he said. wtf? that's not an audition .. that's a freaking job brief already. belum apa2 lagi dah nak kelingtong aku. what the hell do they take me for?

i'm not gonna re-write. hell no. for all i know, they could be using my copy for their own company profile. nak kencing aku? i'm gonna show those fuckers who they're messing with.

interview number 3

surprisingly, it went great. it was the most comfortable, confident, unitimidating interview i've ever gone to so far. the CD liked my copy (finally, someone thinks i'm good enough) ... and he was impressed that i put my portfolio up online, oh .. and also the fact that i come from a graphic design background ... and that i take nice pictures.

i was impressed that with such a small team, they've managed to make such a name for themselves. 2 servicing. can you believe that? just 2 servicing persons, and 8 in creative ... they've managed to win some kancils (i think, but not too sure). what an amazing team.

as for the interview ... well, like any typical interviews with a creative head .. it didnt go without the weird random questions. this time it was "so, what else do the goverment use our tax contribution for?" which he then answered himself before giving me the chance to proof that i too can be witty " .. to send people to the moon to make teh tarik, i think"

we didnt discuss about my salary though. maybe they don't really wanna waste their time with me afterall.

interview number 2

downside : the agency was set-up only a few months ago
upside : new set-up, small group of people, low politics, not that high expectation

downside : half-arab, half indian-muslim owned
upside : the arabs are filthy rich!

downside : the location is at the not so easily accessible part of Damansara
upside : but hey, there's a Subway outlet on the ground floor

downside : " .. your concepts are good. but you need to work on the headline. it's too literal" critiqued the Creative Director who interviewed me
upside : " ... maybe you should try something along this line ... " he commented. at least he's constructive and gives better directions. i'll learn more

i'm still kinda 50-50. i can see myself working there ... but somehow im not too sure if i want to. i guess i still have a few days to think about it and make judgement when and if they call. for now.. more calls to expect, more places to go to, more creative directors to meet.

jual mahal

just one interview and i've got the job. don't think i'd go for it though. just RM100 more than what i'm getting now; considerably miles away from home; 6 months contract bound - which means that i have to stay there for 6 months even if i don't like place, people and accounts - and upon completion, i still have to look for a job. dude, i am getting married soon, i can't afford being jobless in the middle of the year; no overtime claims ... and i CAN'T SWEAR aloud. don't think it's worth it. and besides, i'm not desperate enough just yet.

kinda makes me think ... i actually have it good here at friends.

why the hell did i resigned?










oh yeah. coz the people, place, pressure, politics and pay suck.

interview number 1

it was probably one of the weirdest interviews i've ever gone to ...

mr. dude : so.. do you swear a lot?
me : (thinking) wtf kinda question is that?
me : i think it goes with the job...
mr. dude : but i don't condone swearing ...
me : erk. it's ok. i can do without.
me : (actually thinking) like fucking hell i would! dude ... your CD's fucking gay weh! wtf do you wanna get on my case if i swear?

before that...

mr. dude : is your period pain really bad? (referring to the 'disabling period pain' i wrote on the 'serious illness / allergies' section)
me : yah. really bad. can't even walk properly. have to take at least 1 day MC.
mr. dude : get married lah!
mr. dude : so, when are you getting married anyway?
me : hopefully next year ...
mr. dude : don't lah. not a good idea. bad luck. tell your boyfriend.. no need lah. bad luck.
me : (confused)