A little about everything

Today I woke up, had to wait for the bathroom, showered, watched some tv, then went to get a money order and lunch. While I was walking I realized that I don’t have a job, I don’t have an apartment, I’ve been stood up by friends since I’ve been in the city on 4 occasions, and men here are disgusting. If you think I’m beautiful, great, I’m flattered, but I don’t care to know. So I had to get this money order, not for myself, but to pay my friend’s mom’s bill with my friend’s money. My friend’s mom’s $445 bill. That is something I will never understand. I can’t imagine my mom asking me to pay her bills. I talked to her about it a little and she said she’d get a second job first. I am so fortunate sometimes; not that she would get a second job, but for the family I was born in to.

So I spent the majority of the afternoon shopping for bedding. I know I want brown and white, but do I want brown and white with pink or brown and white with green? I can’t find ANY brown and pink, which is what I really want, but there is a lot of brown and blue, which really is very cute. I’d like to do brown and green and pink, but I think that would be too much going on. So, while I’m deciding on my colors I need to buy a bed, a night stand, a lamp, and a dresser. I want to put my bed frame on the plastic 6 inch or so stand things they make so I can fit plastic storage tubs under my bed.

Today I tried to get everything with the apt squared away. This endeavor has been so frustrating. Last Thursday the girl told me she should have my stuff processed by the end of the day and to contact her if I didn’t hear from her. I didn’t, so on Saturday, thinking an apartment management property would be open, I emailed her. I heard back Monday and it was her telling me something I already knew — she didn’t have my transcript. She said they wouldn’t touch it until they did. I proceeded to email my advisor because she originally told me they’d take a letter from the school. Since a school is a thing and doesn’t write letters I thought he might let them know I was a recent grad. He wrote me the note and I forwarded it. Wednesday morning about 9:30 she emailed me saying she would print it and let me know if it would work. I called about 1:30 when I hadn’t heard from her. She was out to lunch. At 4:15 I got an email saying she didn’t have my guarantor’s 1040. This I knew. We agreed when I saw her Thursday that she would call him and talk to him about that, he didn’t want to give it to me. I emailed her back and said only, you were supposed to call him last week. At 4:30 I called her. No answer. At 4:50 I called again; reception said she had left for the day. So frustrating! This morning I started calling about 9:15. At 9:45 with no answer and about 5 calls behind me I emailed. I told her I’d like to discuss everything with her and that if I didn’t hear from her I was going to come by. Very shortly she called me. First I asked if the letter would work, she said yes. I asked if she had called my guarantor. She said she had just left him a message. Well, he was out of town in meetings all day and couldn’t get her the papers today. I just want to get this all taken care of and out of the way so I can buy some furniture and get into my own place!!

Between Wednesday of last week and Tuesday I had 7 interviews. Some were promising, others were not. SS+K, Saatchi + Saatchi, a head hunter, Wieden + Kennedy, Lowe, and 2 different teams at Grey. I haven’t heard anything back yet, but sure hope I do. “They” say that for every 10 interviews you have you get 1 offer. I wonder A) how long an offer takes and B) if a MA makes a difference in that statistic. Maybe I’ll get an offer next week to start the first week of June. That would be perfect. I guess we’ll see what happens. Hopefully I can get some more interviews too. I’m working on it.

This morning a press conference was held where Bush talked about everything that’s going on right now. Sometimes I really question him and I’m not very happy with what’s going on in the world, but this morning he got me behind him again. He answered questions eloquently, and he was sensible. So he’s not the best public speaker, that doesn’t make him unintelligent. He and his team have thought things through and have a plan. Maybe people aren’t behind it, and there may be a lot of reasons for that, but when he said he was allowing his commanders to make decisions rather than politicians it made me smile. It makes sense for the people who are on the ground in the middle of the war to advise what happens concerning it, not politicians who are in comfy offices here in the US. I support Bush…still.

Subway endeavors

This morning I had an interview with Grey and after I took the 6 to Grand Central and was waiting for the 4/5. While I was I was listening to my iPod and reading a book. Neither activity was screaming “talk to me.” A guy who’d been on the same car as me on the 6 tapped me on the shoulder, so I took out an ear bud. He said, “sorry to interrupt you, but I just wanted to tell you you are the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.” He wanted to know if I’d like to go get coffee sometime. I said, thank you, I’m flattered, but I can’t.

Then when the train came as I was getting on a man stepped right in front of me. There was 1 seat open and of course, he took it which left my standing in my skirt and heels. Whatever. (This morning there were 4 guys standing around a seat that opened up and none of them sat down, they all just looked at me…so I sat down.) Anyway, I shot this guy a look that basically said, nice…ass. Then when someone next to him got up he moved over. I had been reading standing up, but sat and continued to read. After a minute he decided to start a conversation with me as well, so again I took out an ear bud. He told me his friend’s boat had the same name as my book, “Perfect Pitch.” Greeeeatttt. I care? Then he started to tell me about his boat and had a picture ready to show my on his blackberry. I think I was supposed to be impressed. Then he said something about everyone needs a 23 year old girl in their life. What?!? I think he was talking about his boat, but I just wanted to get back to my book.

What are you passionate about?

I have been asked this question twice this week by interviewers and the best and only answers I can come up with are these: sports, advertising, and my family. Is there anything else I am passionate about? What are you passionate about?

Cat calls

It never fails to amaze me that I can be surprised by a new level of crassness every time I come back to the city. I love the invention of the iPod for the simple fact that I can stick my ear buds in and act like I don’t hear the cat calls. Today I had a guy walk by me and tell me I “would look sexy in lingerie.” I lost count of the “beautiful” mumbled under a man’s breath as I passed. I had something else said to me that disgusted me, but have since forgotten because I was thinking about how that guy thought I’d look in lingerie. Gross. I was whistled at by men in trucks/cars…and all this while wearing long pants and long sleeves. Go figure.

Tell him “hello.”

So I’m staying with my friend and lately everyone I have talked to has told me to tell him hello. I politely say I will, and then I don’t. He doesn’t need to know everyone in my life not only knows who he is, but also knows I’m staying with him. So, I appreciate all the thoughts, and I’m sure he would too, but if you tell me to tell him hello, I don’t.

Interviews: Day 1

So starting today and going until Friday I have 5 interviews. Todays was with SS+K, tomorrow I meet with Saatchi&Saatchi, a recruiter who wants me to work at Grey Worldwide, and Weiden+Kennedy. Friday I meet with Lowe. People all seem to have faith in me and think that these 5 interviews are enough, but I am afraid that they are not. I feel like I need more.

The one this afternoon went well I thought, for the most part. I met with a VP and then an account exec, both of whom I had good conversations with. They were both insightful and helpful and I enjoyed talking to them. I felt like they were impressed with me and that this interview might lead somewhere. Then the HR lady came in and was a bit of a buzz kill. She told me that they don’t have anything open, and if they don’t they don’t, but she told me she didn’t think she saw me there (this is right after the second person I spoke with told me I seemed to be a very good fit) and that she’d be happy to give me some other contacts if I just email her. I will take her up on those contacts, but bleh. She doesn’t think that a small agency is a good place to start and feels that I would be better suited at a large, structured agency. That’s not what I want. She seemed be be under the impression that I don’t know what I want and thought that a large agency would help guide me. I know what I want and that is planning, but I know there are very few junior level planning opportunities available, so I am open to account as well, because I feel like that will be a good place to start and continue to grow. I told her that, but it didn’t seem to matter, she continued to offer me other industry contacts. Again, I understand that if they don’t need anyone right now they don’t need anyone right now, but they told me they’re in the process of pitching some new business, so if they win that they will need someone. Hopefully that someone will be me. We’ll see. Maybe the way I got on with the other two will affect the overall decision.

I’m back.

Well, I’m in New York and nervous as hell. I have my first interview this afternoon and believe it or not I have so much to do. I interview today with SS+K, an agency I’d really, really like to work for. I hope it goes well. I don’t know how to prepare for an interview. I also have to go see the apt. lady to turn in my rental application. She’s about to get so much money from me. Boo. Anyway, just letting you know I’m here. I missed the city and it’s great to be back.

Goodbyes

Today I said the first of many difficult goodbyes. This will be the last time I see a lot of these people. People say they’re going to come visit and I don’t doubt that they want to, but most of them will never make it up to see me. Life will get in the way. Today I had my going away bbq. Some of the people I expected to see didn’t make it out. I guess other things are just more important. So I guess I know where I stand. At the same time a lot of great people I really appreciate made it and I am so greatful for that. I love them all and really hope that we don’t lose touch. I had a good day. For almost 6 hours we sat, told stories, drank, ate, and talked. I’m going to miss my friends, and who knows, maybe I’ll miss Austin too.

This morning I took George to the airport. We talked and bullshitted all the way there and when we got there I just wanted to keep driving so she didn’t have to get out. I just wanted to keep talking. I’m going to miss her and all the random things we have in common. In another year I will be in New York and she will be in LA. We’ll have to fly across the country to see each other…and we will. When she got out of the car I had this wave of emotion as I realized I don’t know when I’m going to see her again. I’m going to miss late night chats, tv watching, shit talking, complaints, and a little homework with her. I’m going to miss her falling asleep on my couch. I just realized this morning how much I’m really going to miss her; we have so much in common and we have gotten pretty close this year. It made me sad. Tomorrow I am leaving town and I won’t be here to pick her up from the airport next week. It just really hit me this morning how hard this move could potentially be. I’ll be moving to a place where I am able to achieve my “dreams” and who knows, maybe find love (yes, I realize it’s unlike me to say that), but I’m leaving my best friends halfway across the country and I know that’s going to be very difficult. Stay tuned to find out how it goes.

In one week exactly I will be on an airplane which will be returning me to New York. Jobless and homeless, but returning me none the less. I miss it and I can’t wait. I get there the 15th and have interviews the 16th, 17th, and 18th. Hopefully something will come of them, but I’m really worried that 3 just aren’t enough. Yesterday I spent the better part of the hours going through the redbooks and emailing companies. I made it to “L.” Today I need to finish. My apartment lease will/should start June 1 and I really, really need to have a job by then. I only have so much money. Hell, maybe I’ll just try out for broadway. I can do anything I set my mind to, right? My mom would come see my show!

Anyway, I am super excited about returning to the city and super nervous about the job/money thing. Everyone keeps saying it’ll work out and I’ll be fine, but how can I really know that for sure? Yeah, I’m smart and all, but what if I interview badly? I mean, something has to work out, we can’t all be homeless…I just hate not knowing what it is or how it’s going to work out. I guess that’s where faith in God comes in. I know I’ve gotta trust Him and I know he’ll take care of me, but I want to be able to take care of me. Is that bad?

Life and stuff

So there has been a lot going on. I don’t really know that I’ve written about any of it, so I’m just going to write as I think of things. First I will start with my craptastic job and how it’s over. So very over. My las day was a week ago from Saturday. I was supposed to work Sunday 2-7, but Chontae (my craptastic boss) was there. She is supposed to open and close the first and last Sundays of the month, but she admittedly does not. She usually schedules me to come in and close so she can go do whatever. Well, I had my final case study in ICM Monday and a LOT to do for portfolio and my nonprofit class as well…plus Mom and Dad were here…so I called in and said, I’m sorry, it might be inconvenient, but I won’t be coming in today. She got mad and yelled at me and tried to make me feel like crap, which made me want to stay home even more. She told me that I quit that job a long time ago, which I agreed with, and that I was only thinking of myself, which I was, and that I knew I was going to do this before, which I did, blah, blah, blah. Then she wanted to know if I’d be there Tuesday or if I was going to do “this” to her again. I assured her I’d be there multiple times. Basically she hit the head on the nail while trying to belittle me and cut me down. Finally, when she took a break to breathe I told her, “Sorry, I’m not coming in. I have to go.” Then I went to brunch with Mom, Dad and Athena. From there we went home, Mom and Dad left and I set out on the homework.

Monday we had our ICM final case study which I feel like I did really well on, which scares me. I either did well or very poorly. I hope it’s that I did well. Maybe I just think I aced it and got one thing wrong which would have made it all wrong. That scares me. Either way I’m finished with ICM forever.

Tuesday I got all ready and went to work. I don’t know why I got dressed like I was going to actually work. As I was walking up I could tell the light was on, crap. When I looked in there was some guy counting the money and Chontae’s purse was on the cash wrap. I walked to the back where she was and said, I guess you don’t want me to work today? She said, “I’m just here to get your keys,” which were in my hand. I dropped them, turned around and walked out. On my way I said, you could have told me before. She said, “yeeeaahhh……sorry.” I said, “no you’re not,” to which she replied, “you’re right.” Then I called Mom and told her what happened. She reminded me that they had to pay me for that day since I’d put in my 2 weeks and they hadn’t fired me. If they fired me then they didn’t have to pay me for that day, but I could collect unemployment. I called Chontae, who was still there and told her I expected to be paid for today. She told me she thought I wasn’t going to show up for today, so she took whatever action she thought necessary to open the store. I called in on Sunday and therefore she didn’t have to pay me. She said everything she was doing was okayed by Lindsey (our DM) and that if I wanted to take it up with her I could. So, I called Lindsey and left her a message explaining what was going on. I didn’t hear back from her all day, so I called her again the next day and left another message asking for a return call to acknowledge mine. Shortly after, Chontae called me to tell me they’d pay me for Tuesday. Hah! Whore, I win!

Friday my final project for my Nonprofit class was due at noon. I’d spent all week, however, thinking about my copy for our Honda, Be.ez, and Palm Beach Tan ads. About 4 on Thursday I went to the lab to sit and work on my Nonprofit project, which I had already spent a little time on (and by that I mean I had done the first half of the project that was due in March, and I had sat down to talk with the woman from my company the week before) and really get it done. I wanted to be done by about midnight and 8 hours was plenty of time…until you add in a 2 hour Grey’s Anatomy, distractions, portfolio copy, and procrastination. I think I really got cranking about 2am. I took a nap on the couch for 2 hours (I planned to lay down for 30 mins and Valerie said she would wake me), then I went to move my car and get coffee. Then I got to cranking again. I finished a mediocre project about 12:05 and turned it in. I’m hoping for a B!

Friday I was supposed to start the day at 11 with some friends at Trudy’s north for 2 mexican martini’s. I missed that, so I planned to meet them at the Duck Tour of Austin about 1:45. They missed it because of the waiter at Trudy’s. I should have gone and done something to keep myself awake, but went home to take a short nap. I was supposed to meet them at Trudy’s Central for happy hour and 2 more Mexican Martini’s. I was woken up at 7pm by a phone call from a woman who wanted to buy my livingroom tables. I was so disoriented and thought it was Saturday morning. I couldn’t figure out why someone was calling me at 7am on a Saturday. Then I freaked out because the group doing the Trudy’s tour was going to see the 7pm showing of Spiderman…we already had tickets. I got up, told her I’d meet her at my place a little after 9 and sped to Barton Creek. I ended up sitting in the front row by myself, but I still saw the movie…which was quite cheesy. Then I left as soon as it was over, without seeing my friends to go home and meet her to sell my tables. They showed up, we moved them, and I headed down to Trudy’s South for 2 more Mexican Martini’s and some food. I had no makeup on, was still wearing the same thing I had put on at 6:15 Thursday morning, and was exhausted, but dammit, I wasn’t going to miss the whole day! I didn’t pay for one of my drinks…some random at the bar bought it. From Trudy’s we parted ways and I went home to PASS OUT.

Saturday morning I woke up at 6am and could NOT go back to sleep…what the heck?! I don’t sleep for 2 days and wake up after only 6 horus? I don’t get it! About 6:30 I got a drunk text from Vegas…and finally fell asleep about 15 minutes later. I got up at 11 when I had set my alarm to go off and had a pretty good Saturday. Got a lot done. Sold some things. All I have left to sell are my ficus tree and my couch/love seat. That evening was Becca and Justin’s couple’s shower. It was a good time full of BBQ, stories and alcohol. I stayed there for like 6 hours. I miss hanging out with her…it’s so good when I get to. It’s going to be even more hard from NY. Then that night I agreed to go with Matt to Hooter’s for some food and then downtown. I had no idea that at Hooter’s it was going to be 8 guys and myself. Good odds. Hehe. Anyway, we had a good time…and time with fried pickles is a good time.

Yesterday was spent in the lab…again working on copy. I think I’m finished though. Now we just need to print campaigns! My partner and I don’t for 2 of the campaigns don’t work well together and it’s frustrating. Yesterday she sent me a text she meant to send to someone else talking crap about me…nice. I’m just ready to be done. 3 more days. Then I have a bbq this weekend…then I’m leaving here on Sunday and flying to NY on Tuesday!! Still don’t have a job…but hopefully everyone from all my interviews wants me! Nervous, but can’t wait!