Working overtime when you have no money is a good thing. I spent two days this weekend working overtime and earned what I would have in a week otherwise. So I feel good about that. Now that I'm settled into my job, its kind of easy. Here's a list of things I do on a daily basis:
Answer calls
Send faxes
Receive faxes
Prepare invoices
Send invoices
Send Fedex packages
Send messengers
Order cars for clients
Order food for clients
Sign receipts for food for clients
Use filemaker to input sent items
Use Excel to organize and add bills
Keep track of what gets billed to what client
Tell clients where to go
Surf the internet
After leaning all the basics, the job became....easy. And now that I have succeeded in the apartment hunt I am not sure how to occupy my down time. Hence bogging. I go on Stumbleupon a lot, which is a really interesting website. But facebook and gchat just are not enough to fill my time. So today I tried something a little different. Desk exercises! Since I get up when it's dark out (and its really freaking hard to work out when its really still night time) I decided to be less lazy at the desk. So I did squats, lunges, and desk pushups. Hey, at least it's something. I suppose I'll be updating my blog more now that I have some more free time. I feel like I'm ready to move up!
Actually, last week I asked my supervisor if I could take some time to sit in with editors. She said it was ok, but she said "Ahh I can't believe you're trying to get off the desk already!"
Well...I need to have goals right? Though I feel fairly confident that I will move up in this company, so that's good. I talked to the tech guy (who I honestly can't stand) and he said he would install Photoshop on my computer. At least then I will be able to play around and learn a new program. That will be good. I've started watching After Effects tutorials. I can't play with the program at this computer, but at least this way I'll have a better understanding of it when I do manage to get my hands on it...I hope.
So for all of you tech people out there....anything I can do on the computer that would be more productive than just stalking my friends on facebook?
A new leaf
Sunday, January 16, 2011
So its January 16th and I'm back in the city. Christmas went really well- it was great to be home and see my family. I got to see Sara's grave and say goodbye to Gracie. So sad that the two of them had to get old at the same time. The three weeks I spent at home were relaxing. I knew I had a job to come back to, which was great.
One thing that I worked on while at home was my wardrobe. As my mom said, I've lived the past five years in the desert in a college town. My "look" was not exactly up to date nor very adult. So my mom and I spent a few days shopping for basic and more grown up pieces. Now, I remember shopping in high school was fun. I would go to the mall and spend an entire day there. But not this time. I have to wonder, what kind of world do we live in when one can wear FIVE different sizes? That's right. Depending on the store and cut of a garment, I can wear anything from a size 2 to a size 10. I, obviously, feel much happier when able to fit into the smaller size, but who wouldn't. Another frustrating thing about shopping? The top half of my body is a different size from the lower half. This makes it fun to try on dresses. And don't even get me started on the skirts. I must have tried on 50. And I am so sick of seeing skirts that are too tight in the butt and too small in the waist. Really, shopping is an awesome confidence booster, especially with fluorescent lighting and three way mirrors. But, despite my frustrations, we were able to find some great pieces for good prices. Even so, I don't even want to think about how much money I did spend. But I never shop for anything so I don't feel that guilty.
Flash forward to the city. By the first week of January, I had already given A, my landlord, my month's notice. So...we had to be out by February. Let me tell you, apartment hunting in New York is one of the most stressful, difficult things I've ever done. We saw tons of apartments. There was the 3 bedroom in the East Village for $2,700 a month that was the size of a small storage space. It was really dirty, had no closets, and smelled like a soiled cardboard box. There was the place on the Upper East side for $1,750 that had one decent sized room and one closet sized room. So many things have to be taken into consideration when apartment hunting. Space, location, commute, price, closets, dishwasher...etc. By the end of the first week I knew I wasn't going to find my dream apartment. At least not while my salary is so low. A major problem was, K and I have different wants. She doesn't care about space; for her it is all about location. I was more interested in space, and location and space don't go hand in hand. We did find a huge place in Park Slope, Brooklyn for which we put down a deposit. But at the last minute K decided she didn't want that apartment. I understand. We came here to live in the city, and there's something about being outside of Manhattan that both of us find a little unnerving. The problem is, we really wanted time to think about our decision and make sure it's the right one. But in New York, you have to walk in and decide if you and the apartment on the spot. If you don't apply for it right away someone else will, which is what happened to us with the affordable hell's kitchen apartment. We saw it during lunch this past Wednesday. We told the broker we would meet him at 7pm to put down a deposit and give him our paperwork. Before we could meet with him, however, someone else had applied. Lucky for us, their application fell through and we did end up getting the apartment finally! It was coming down to the wire and I don't like not knowing where I'm going to live in fifteen days. So yesterday we finalized everything and got our keys.
K and I were on the subway last week and she made a very good point. Finding a good apartment is like finding a good boyfriend. Sometimes they look great on the outside but once inside you discover how disappointing they really are. Some have qualities you really like, but are lacking in other equally important areas. And no matter how hard you look you are never quite satisfied with what you find. But, no matter how disappointing the apartment is, its nice to know its waiting for you at the end of the day.
So the next step is moving. Blegh. The good news is my mom is flying out on Friday to help me with the move. Thank god, because if she wasn't I really have no idea how I would go about this. I have no furniture or anything, so shes driving up some of my grandpa's stuff. And she'll also help me decorate. I really don't know how we're going to make this apartment work. It has a really funky layout and is really tiny. But I'm sure we'll figure it out. So that's what the next two weeks will be dedicated to: moving. Cleaning, hauling, lifting, organizing. I really look forward to being settled and having my own room! And a kitchen. But especially my own room.
When I first came to New York I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish.
Find a job. Check!
Find an apartment. Check!
Reinvent my style. Check!
I'm trying to decide what my next goal will be. I think one will be to go out more. Try to be more social. I can tell that K is frustrated with me for being such a homebody. She says I'm going to look back on my twenties and regret it. Sometimes I feel that way. And I understand what she's saying. But it's very crappy to go out when it's 10 degrees outside. And sometimes when I'm out I just wish I was at home watching a movie. I hate getting dressed up and then feeling disappointed. Or being tired or hungover the next day. Or checking my balance to reveal how much money I've actually spent. But, I'm going to try and put in more effort to go out.
Any suggestions of what my next big goal should be? A promotion perhaps? Or maybe that would be moving a little too fast?
One thing that I worked on while at home was my wardrobe. As my mom said, I've lived the past five years in the desert in a college town. My "look" was not exactly up to date nor very adult. So my mom and I spent a few days shopping for basic and more grown up pieces. Now, I remember shopping in high school was fun. I would go to the mall and spend an entire day there. But not this time. I have to wonder, what kind of world do we live in when one can wear FIVE different sizes? That's right. Depending on the store and cut of a garment, I can wear anything from a size 2 to a size 10. I, obviously, feel much happier when able to fit into the smaller size, but who wouldn't. Another frustrating thing about shopping? The top half of my body is a different size from the lower half. This makes it fun to try on dresses. And don't even get me started on the skirts. I must have tried on 50. And I am so sick of seeing skirts that are too tight in the butt and too small in the waist. Really, shopping is an awesome confidence booster, especially with fluorescent lighting and three way mirrors. But, despite my frustrations, we were able to find some great pieces for good prices. Even so, I don't even want to think about how much money I did spend. But I never shop for anything so I don't feel that guilty.
Flash forward to the city. By the first week of January, I had already given A, my landlord, my month's notice. So...we had to be out by February. Let me tell you, apartment hunting in New York is one of the most stressful, difficult things I've ever done. We saw tons of apartments. There was the 3 bedroom in the East Village for $2,700 a month that was the size of a small storage space. It was really dirty, had no closets, and smelled like a soiled cardboard box. There was the place on the Upper East side for $1,750 that had one decent sized room and one closet sized room. So many things have to be taken into consideration when apartment hunting. Space, location, commute, price, closets, dishwasher...etc. By the end of the first week I knew I wasn't going to find my dream apartment. At least not while my salary is so low. A major problem was, K and I have different wants. She doesn't care about space; for her it is all about location. I was more interested in space, and location and space don't go hand in hand. We did find a huge place in Park Slope, Brooklyn for which we put down a deposit. But at the last minute K decided she didn't want that apartment. I understand. We came here to live in the city, and there's something about being outside of Manhattan that both of us find a little unnerving. The problem is, we really wanted time to think about our decision and make sure it's the right one. But in New York, you have to walk in and decide if you and the apartment on the spot. If you don't apply for it right away someone else will, which is what happened to us with the affordable hell's kitchen apartment. We saw it during lunch this past Wednesday. We told the broker we would meet him at 7pm to put down a deposit and give him our paperwork. Before we could meet with him, however, someone else had applied. Lucky for us, their application fell through and we did end up getting the apartment finally! It was coming down to the wire and I don't like not knowing where I'm going to live in fifteen days. So yesterday we finalized everything and got our keys.
K and I were on the subway last week and she made a very good point. Finding a good apartment is like finding a good boyfriend. Sometimes they look great on the outside but once inside you discover how disappointing they really are. Some have qualities you really like, but are lacking in other equally important areas. And no matter how hard you look you are never quite satisfied with what you find. But, no matter how disappointing the apartment is, its nice to know its waiting for you at the end of the day.
So the next step is moving. Blegh. The good news is my mom is flying out on Friday to help me with the move. Thank god, because if she wasn't I really have no idea how I would go about this. I have no furniture or anything, so shes driving up some of my grandpa's stuff. And she'll also help me decorate. I really don't know how we're going to make this apartment work. It has a really funky layout and is really tiny. But I'm sure we'll figure it out. So that's what the next two weeks will be dedicated to: moving. Cleaning, hauling, lifting, organizing. I really look forward to being settled and having my own room! And a kitchen. But especially my own room.
When I first came to New York I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish.
Find a job. Check!
Find an apartment. Check!
Reinvent my style. Check!
I'm trying to decide what my next goal will be. I think one will be to go out more. Try to be more social. I can tell that K is frustrated with me for being such a homebody. She says I'm going to look back on my twenties and regret it. Sometimes I feel that way. And I understand what she's saying. But it's very crappy to go out when it's 10 degrees outside. And sometimes when I'm out I just wish I was at home watching a movie. I hate getting dressed up and then feeling disappointed. Or being tired or hungover the next day. Or checking my balance to reveal how much money I've actually spent. But, I'm going to try and put in more effort to go out.
Any suggestions of what my next big goal should be? A promotion perhaps? Or maybe that would be moving a little too fast?
I'm officially employed!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Well, the interview that I had went very well and I am now officially employed in a full time position. An adult job. Yay! I'm working as a receptionist at a post house which edits commercials and promos, some of which I'm sure many of you have seen. Today is day three of the job and I'm beginning to get the hang of it. The most difficult part is answering the phones and trying to transfer calls and remember all these names of people I don't know yet. I'm feeling more comfortable every day and I'm sure I'll have it down in no time.
Now that I have officially landed a grown-up job, the search for a good apartment begins! I started looking last night and have a few agents who can show to me, now the only problem is finding the time! I'm working from 9-7 three days a week and 9-6 for two. The client services guy switches off with me because he goes to culinary school in the evening. The hours are long but that's ok because I get overtime. Yay for making money! Now I just have to wait for my first paycheck...
Thanksgiving in Virginia was lovely. It was great to get away and the food was delicious! I'm really looking forward to going home though. I can't believe I've been away for seven months; I think that's the longest I've ever been gone from home! Yay for Christmas! I hope I get to see New York's first snow before I go, but somehow I don't anticipate the temperature dropping fifteen degrees in the next two weeks. But who knows with New York weather?
I'm excited because tomorrow I'm going on another date with the guy from last week who I really liked- not one of the assholes I mentioned in my earlier blogs. Finally, things are turning around in all aspects of life!
Now that I have officially landed a grown-up job, the search for a good apartment begins! I started looking last night and have a few agents who can show to me, now the only problem is finding the time! I'm working from 9-7 three days a week and 9-6 for two. The client services guy switches off with me because he goes to culinary school in the evening. The hours are long but that's ok because I get overtime. Yay for making money! Now I just have to wait for my first paycheck...
Thanksgiving in Virginia was lovely. It was great to get away and the food was delicious! I'm really looking forward to going home though. I can't believe I've been away for seven months; I think that's the longest I've ever been gone from home! Yay for Christmas! I hope I get to see New York's first snow before I go, but somehow I don't anticipate the temperature dropping fifteen degrees in the next two weeks. But who knows with New York weather?
I'm excited because tomorrow I'm going on another date with the guy from last week who I really liked- not one of the assholes I mentioned in my earlier blogs. Finally, things are turning around in all aspects of life!
And....the news is good!!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Well I had my big interview today. It went really well, though he seemed to have some reservations. His first was, "You may need to be in this receptionist position for 12 to 18 months before any change. I hope you can be patient." I told him I have been working for seven months for free and that he doesn't have anything to worry about. He also seemed worried that I may not get along well with the editors because they are really artsy. I feel like when people first meet me their brains automatically go straight to "dumb blond" and then they are surprised to discover that I'm actually very intelligent. I told him I spent the past five years in film school hanging out with artsy kids. Honestly, I'm a nerd; I'll fit right in.
The agency called me and told me he liked me. Yay! It's a temp-to-hire position so I'll come in for a few days before I leave for Christmas break and if they like me I'll start working there in January. But what's not to like? I've been going to post houses for a while and it's where I want to be. I'm sure that will come through.
Finally!!! SOMETHING. It does seem odd that out of all of my industry connections and all of the work I have done as an intern that I would find employment through a temp agency-and in my industry no less.
I'll be sad to leave the post house I'm interning for now. I've gotten to know a few of the editors and I really like it there. The other intern "B" and I have become great friends as well, and I'm happy to be staying there until the middle of December at least. But it does feel good to know that I'll be making money soon.
Now if I can only find an apartment that's not a hole....
The agency called me and told me he liked me. Yay! It's a temp-to-hire position so I'll come in for a few days before I leave for Christmas break and if they like me I'll start working there in January. But what's not to like? I've been going to post houses for a while and it's where I want to be. I'm sure that will come through.
Finally!!! SOMETHING. It does seem odd that out of all of my industry connections and all of the work I have done as an intern that I would find employment through a temp agency-and in my industry no less.
I'll be sad to leave the post house I'm interning for now. I've gotten to know a few of the editors and I really like it there. The other intern "B" and I have become great friends as well, and I'm happy to be staying there until the middle of December at least. But it does feel good to know that I'll be making money soon.
Now if I can only find an apartment that's not a hole....
A New Chapter
Sunday, November 21, 2010
How do I even begin to recap the past two months? I find myself avoiding this page just because I anticipate that writing about the sheer amount of information will be incredibly daunting. I suppose it would be easiest to approach it as I would a college paper: with a thesis, a detailed outlining of points, and then a conclusion which reiterates my overall hypothesis. Hmm. Well. The thesis of this paper will be this: While these past few months in the city have been incredibly stressful due to my current employment status and a series of awful dates, recent events have left me hopeful for the future and I look forward to taking the next step in my life, whatever that may be.
Point number one: A recapping of the past month in terms of employment and job search.
I returned from Scotland ready to begin working on a project for a senior person at the place of my internship. I was to edit a bar mitzvah video for a friend of his, the VP of another department. No problem. I'm a good editor and I've worked on family videos in the past (many of which I'm sure some of you have seen) and I knew that I was the right person for this job. After collecting an incredible amount of home video footage and pictures, I cut together a solid piece using company graphics and current music. For a family viewing, it would be ideal. It took me about two weeks after which I was ready to move on. I had met with a temp agency on my first week back from Scotland and had been looking forward to the end of the bar mitzvah project so that I could begin making some money by temping. This, however, did not go as I had planned. The senior person who had put me in contact with the VP had decided that he wanted the video to have more pizzazz (why his involvement with another person's family video was necessary, I am still pondering) and had other interns pulling tapes and trying to find footage from past shows to incorporate. Now, let me reiterate that the video was fine as is and did not need a bunch of random stuff added which would just add time to an already long piece. I began to feel extremely frustrated at the situation. I approached the VP who I was making the video for, expressed my frustration and asked for extra compensation since I would be putting in an extra two weeks on the project. It was then that he told me he had been thinking that $500 was the amount he wanted to pay. For four weeks of work.
Here's a lesson I learned with this. Set a rate before you begin working. Just because you like and respect the people you are working for doesn't mean you don't deserved to be paid for the time, effort, and talent you are putting into the project. Stand up for yourself, and don't allow people to walk all over you.
In the end, the VP agreed with me that the new ideas were superfluous and detracted from the video. So really, not much was accomplished in the extra two weeks. The final payment was $750. I was very grateful that he upped the compensation, but I still felt as though I would have liked to have earned about $2,000. After adding up all expenses which this VP didn't have to pay had he been paying a non-discounted rate ($650 a day for an editor, $350 an hour for voice-over, $350 an hour for sound mixing, not to mention rights to music and show graphics) it was determined that he got a 95% discount. That's a lot of money he saved for a very good product. I can safely say that I walked away from the project having learned a few valuable lessons. But I can tell you that the size of the smile I had on my face after exiting the building for what might be the last time was enormous. The ending of a chapter with a company who did not live up to my expectations and who did not give me what I feel I deserved from them: employment. I took my 750 dollars of cash and handed it straight to my landlord. Another lesson learned: money goes quickly. I was holding four weeks of compensation in my hands for 45 minutes before I had spent it. Welcome to the real world.
Point number two: men in New York are assholes. But they make for good blog updates.
Bad guy scenario #1: The overtly-sexual guy.
Where do I even begin with this one? I suppose I'll start with a "friend" of mine called "R." R is one of the friends I made during my first internship in New York. I had just happened to run into him at one of my old haunts, Tortilla Flats. We went out one time to a place called 230 5th, which is a beautiful rooftop bar with an awesome view of the Empire State. But I just don't feel...romantically interested in him. It was two or so months later that I received a text for him while I was at the office.
"Can I ask you a question?" it said. "Are you a lesbian?"
My response, "No I'm not."
"Oh, that is funny because when I meet you I think you are lesbian," (Spanish accent). "I try to kiss you but you don't seem interested so I think you are lesbian."
I'm already off-put by someone that would think that just because a girl isn't interested in him that that must mean she must be into women. What an ass right? It gets better.
"Because I have this friend who is bi and I tell her I know a lesbian who would have threesome with her."
The assumption here is unbelievable.
"So you are not lesbian?"
"No."
"Ok, because I have to tell her that you are not interested but I tell her already that you want to have threesome."
I don't respond.
"Unless you still want to have threesome?"
Now, for those of you that know me, I think you'll agree with me that I don't come off as the type of person who is open for threesomes. Or casual sex, for that matter. The lesbian thing I understand; I've gotten that before and I generally don't have much of a reaction when uninteresting people come onto me.
"No, not interested."
I can't recall exactly how that conversation ended, but I have not talked to him since.
Bad guy scenario #1: The biggest asshole ever guy.
It was a Wednesday night and I went out with a friend of mine, "V", who I met at Cafe Lalo, to a cigar bar on the east side. After my lungs adjusted to the smoke, I thought the place was pretty cool. It was underground and had red lounge chairs everywhere. It was very swanky and felt very...old Hollywood 1920's. V and I sat down at the bar. The guy next to me (obviously drunk) began having a conversation with us. Well, I guess you couldn't really call it a conversation as much as an...insult....session...?
(In a British accent) "Your friend is really much sexier than you are. She has smoldering eyes. You....you're very generic. You have issues with your hair. And are those tights or stockings? Stalkings are sexier."
Well, obviously I didn't take any of this to heart as he was obviously drunk and obnoxious. But I did turn on the bitch. I can't quite recall what exactly I did say to him, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't nice. At which point he continued the insults and called me selfish. The bartender asked me if I had a problem. I told him this guy was being as asshole. And he was promptly removed from the bar. Tee hee hee. Jerk.
After that rather insulting half-hour, I met a guy named "B" who seemed a little bit off...but who I was still willing to talk to because he was tall and good looking. I gave him my number and went on a date with him this past Tuesday. You won't believe this one.
Bad guy scenario #3: The boring yet presumptuous guy.
We met at a wine bar called Wine and Roses. Beautiful little spot that I would love to visit again with different company. We talked....kind of. I asked him a lot of questions and he asked me....if I like Steinbeck (my most hated author). On occasion he would look off in the distance as if he was contemplating something....but now I believe he was just staring. Turns out he's 40 (looks 30), works on the trading floor, travels to Paris often, owns multiple properties...basically has all the elements of someone date-able. But I can't even convey to you how awful the conversation was. There were multiple awkward silences and I felt like I was asking so many questions just to keep up any kind of conversation whatsoever. Meanwhile he asked nothing about me...an obvious red flag.
We left Wine and Roses and walked up to this wine bar called Tolani (which I adore) for another glass. I had been there once before and the owners are wonderful and the place is charming. But all of that was dulled down by the dolt which was sat on the bar stool next to me. The conversation continued to lag. I had to get up early the next morning so I began the "Ok, I really need to get home now" speech. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just shy or really introverted. He and I are both leaving the day before Thanksgiving for vacation and he was trying to figure out when he could see me again.
"Call me when you get back from Paris and we can meet up then."
"No, why not this weekend?"
"I have plans. It's only couple of days."
"What am I supposed to jerk off for five days?"
Dead silence. What? Did I hear that right? Let me find out.
"I'm sorry?"
"I think that means the same thing in English as it does in Swiss." (He's Swiss).
"Ok....I have to go to the bathroom."
I went over to the owner and told him what this jerk had said. I also told him to put all of my wine on his tab. The owner asked me if I needed help with the guy. Oh no. I can handle this dick myself.
We left the restaurant and he was still trying to get me to go to another bar. I refused and he seemed pissed. So I went home. The next day he texted me and told me I was very nice and he had a great time. I did not text him back.
Bad guy scenario #4: The guy who just doesn't care.
I had met a guy called "A" one night while on my way home. I remember him being very attractive, sweet, and almost younger. An actor who graduated from the Tisch school at NYU (an incredibly difficult program to get into) I was very intrigued by our similar interests.
We met up a few days later in Riverside park to walk his dog. He was nothing like I remember at our first meeting (I blame the vodka). He was born and raised in New York, an only child, lives with his parents, and works as a bouncer. He said things like, "I'm sure I could get an agent if I wanted to, but I'm just lazy" and "I hate living at home, and I keep my room messy because I don't care, but I don't want to live with my parents anymore. I stay because its easy and I don't have to pay rent."
So basically he's a very lucky guy who is too lazy to make anything of himself? Unattractive. He was another one of those who asked me no questions and we found ourselves walking in silence for much of the time. On a first date. Not good. Plus he was just very inconsiderate. We were stopped at a light and I bent down to get something out of my shoe. The light turned green and he was already across the street before I even realized what happened. That's not lack of chivalry, that's just lack of respect. So I told him I had to meet a friend for drinks. And I haven't talked to him since either.
In conclusion, good men in New York are incredibly difficult to find. No wonder everyone is single here. I've never had so much trouble. But then again perhaps I've never dated this much. I've had three dates this past week. But I digress. Let me move on to the more positive developments in my life, beginning with my professional life.
Point number three: Developments on the job front.
Through a friend I know at an edit facility I was offered an internship. It's not a job, but its another step. I began interning at the edit house last week. The studio manager says she gets job inquiries on a weekly basis from people at places like Animal Planet and USA. I figured if I took the internship for a few days a week my face would be remembered and I would get to know editors and be able to sit in on their sessions. Since I'm really interested in becoming an editor, I think this is a good step for me. The internship isn't glamorous; it's mostly just making sure that the candy in the edit suites are stocked and making sure that clients are treated well. But I feel as though it's a step in the right direction, or at least I'm not just working at a restaurant. It does have its perks. I get lunch everyday and they pay for my metro card ($89 a month). Plus they have fruit trays and stuff sometimes so I don't really have to spend money on food.
In addition to this internship, I've begun temping. Nothing too exciting. I have a job on Monday that pays $10 an hour to organize boxes. But that's $60 I didn't have before. I just have to look at it positively. But the good news is that they found a boutique edit facility that is looking to hire a full-time office assistant. I have an interview with them early this week and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be one of the first industry interviews I've had. I'm hopeful about that, but I'm not expecting anything. Whenever I get too excited about stuff it just seems to fall through.
Point number four: Upcoming trips.
On Wednesday I'm taking the Bolt Bus to D.C to spend Thanksgiving with my extended family. I'm sad I will miss the annual "Turkey Bowl" that my family does on Thanksgiving morning, but it will be very nice to visit my family and I really look forward to a big Thanksgiving, which I never really have.
I leave mid-December to go home for Christmas and I'll be there for three weeks. Yay! It will be my first time home since leaving for New York and I think it will be really good to get back, but I worry about my room being so empty without Sara (my late kitty). I'll get to see her grave for the first time. It will also be the first time in eighteen years that I will sleep in that room without her tucked under my arm. But on a good note, I'll get to see my dog and other cats who I love. And I'll get to see my sisters who I haven't seen in almost 7 months (the longest I've gone without seeing them). I'll return to the city in January, where I'll be back to the grind and stressfulness of finding employment in this economy.
Point number five: A good date.
And I come to the last topic of my "paper": the excellent date I had last night. That's right. A good one. I met him yesterday at a restaurant in Chelsea where K and I were having brunch. Right away I thought he was gay. I mean, we were in Chelsea and he was tall, had a ridiculously good body and an excellent sense of style. Anyways, turns out he's not and he asked for my number. We went out last night for drinks and had such a great conversation. We talked about religion and history and movies and sci-fi and X-files and acting and technique and food and wine and lounges. We have so much in common and he is so interesting. He's very involved in the acting community and spends a great deal of his time in the artistic lower east side, a place I've been wanting to spend more time but haven't really ever been to. It was only a first date, but I look forward to seeing him again, though I feel he is too good looking for me.
So, in conclusion, this city has proven to be very stressful to me lately, though from the stress I have learned many valuable lessons and my life is moving forward. To quote Chumbawamba (that's right, Chumbawamba) "I get knocked down, but I get up again," because if you don't you'll live your life laying down.
Here's a link to a song I listen to when I need to feel inspired:
It's Amazing.
Point number one: A recapping of the past month in terms of employment and job search.
I returned from Scotland ready to begin working on a project for a senior person at the place of my internship. I was to edit a bar mitzvah video for a friend of his, the VP of another department. No problem. I'm a good editor and I've worked on family videos in the past (many of which I'm sure some of you have seen) and I knew that I was the right person for this job. After collecting an incredible amount of home video footage and pictures, I cut together a solid piece using company graphics and current music. For a family viewing, it would be ideal. It took me about two weeks after which I was ready to move on. I had met with a temp agency on my first week back from Scotland and had been looking forward to the end of the bar mitzvah project so that I could begin making some money by temping. This, however, did not go as I had planned. The senior person who had put me in contact with the VP had decided that he wanted the video to have more pizzazz (why his involvement with another person's family video was necessary, I am still pondering) and had other interns pulling tapes and trying to find footage from past shows to incorporate. Now, let me reiterate that the video was fine as is and did not need a bunch of random stuff added which would just add time to an already long piece. I began to feel extremely frustrated at the situation. I approached the VP who I was making the video for, expressed my frustration and asked for extra compensation since I would be putting in an extra two weeks on the project. It was then that he told me he had been thinking that $500 was the amount he wanted to pay. For four weeks of work.
Here's a lesson I learned with this. Set a rate before you begin working. Just because you like and respect the people you are working for doesn't mean you don't deserved to be paid for the time, effort, and talent you are putting into the project. Stand up for yourself, and don't allow people to walk all over you.
In the end, the VP agreed with me that the new ideas were superfluous and detracted from the video. So really, not much was accomplished in the extra two weeks. The final payment was $750. I was very grateful that he upped the compensation, but I still felt as though I would have liked to have earned about $2,000. After adding up all expenses which this VP didn't have to pay had he been paying a non-discounted rate ($650 a day for an editor, $350 an hour for voice-over, $350 an hour for sound mixing, not to mention rights to music and show graphics) it was determined that he got a 95% discount. That's a lot of money he saved for a very good product. I can safely say that I walked away from the project having learned a few valuable lessons. But I can tell you that the size of the smile I had on my face after exiting the building for what might be the last time was enormous. The ending of a chapter with a company who did not live up to my expectations and who did not give me what I feel I deserved from them: employment. I took my 750 dollars of cash and handed it straight to my landlord. Another lesson learned: money goes quickly. I was holding four weeks of compensation in my hands for 45 minutes before I had spent it. Welcome to the real world.
Point number two: men in New York are assholes. But they make for good blog updates.
Bad guy scenario #1: The overtly-sexual guy.
Where do I even begin with this one? I suppose I'll start with a "friend" of mine called "R." R is one of the friends I made during my first internship in New York. I had just happened to run into him at one of my old haunts, Tortilla Flats. We went out one time to a place called 230 5th, which is a beautiful rooftop bar with an awesome view of the Empire State. But I just don't feel...romantically interested in him. It was two or so months later that I received a text for him while I was at the office.
"Can I ask you a question?" it said. "Are you a lesbian?"
My response, "No I'm not."
"Oh, that is funny because when I meet you I think you are lesbian," (Spanish accent). "I try to kiss you but you don't seem interested so I think you are lesbian."
I'm already off-put by someone that would think that just because a girl isn't interested in him that that must mean she must be into women. What an ass right? It gets better.
"Because I have this friend who is bi and I tell her I know a lesbian who would have threesome with her."
The assumption here is unbelievable.
"So you are not lesbian?"
"No."
"Ok, because I have to tell her that you are not interested but I tell her already that you want to have threesome."
I don't respond.
"Unless you still want to have threesome?"
Now, for those of you that know me, I think you'll agree with me that I don't come off as the type of person who is open for threesomes. Or casual sex, for that matter. The lesbian thing I understand; I've gotten that before and I generally don't have much of a reaction when uninteresting people come onto me.
"No, not interested."
I can't recall exactly how that conversation ended, but I have not talked to him since.
Bad guy scenario #1: The biggest asshole ever guy.
It was a Wednesday night and I went out with a friend of mine, "V", who I met at Cafe Lalo, to a cigar bar on the east side. After my lungs adjusted to the smoke, I thought the place was pretty cool. It was underground and had red lounge chairs everywhere. It was very swanky and felt very...old Hollywood 1920's. V and I sat down at the bar. The guy next to me (obviously drunk) began having a conversation with us. Well, I guess you couldn't really call it a conversation as much as an...insult....session...?
(In a British accent) "Your friend is really much sexier than you are. She has smoldering eyes. You....you're very generic. You have issues with your hair. And are those tights or stockings? Stalkings are sexier."
Well, obviously I didn't take any of this to heart as he was obviously drunk and obnoxious. But I did turn on the bitch. I can't quite recall what exactly I did say to him, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't nice. At which point he continued the insults and called me selfish. The bartender asked me if I had a problem. I told him this guy was being as asshole. And he was promptly removed from the bar. Tee hee hee. Jerk.
After that rather insulting half-hour, I met a guy named "B" who seemed a little bit off...but who I was still willing to talk to because he was tall and good looking. I gave him my number and went on a date with him this past Tuesday. You won't believe this one.
Bad guy scenario #3: The boring yet presumptuous guy.
We met at a wine bar called Wine and Roses. Beautiful little spot that I would love to visit again with different company. We talked....kind of. I asked him a lot of questions and he asked me....if I like Steinbeck (my most hated author). On occasion he would look off in the distance as if he was contemplating something....but now I believe he was just staring. Turns out he's 40 (looks 30), works on the trading floor, travels to Paris often, owns multiple properties...basically has all the elements of someone date-able. But I can't even convey to you how awful the conversation was. There were multiple awkward silences and I felt like I was asking so many questions just to keep up any kind of conversation whatsoever. Meanwhile he asked nothing about me...an obvious red flag.
We left Wine and Roses and walked up to this wine bar called Tolani (which I adore) for another glass. I had been there once before and the owners are wonderful and the place is charming. But all of that was dulled down by the dolt which was sat on the bar stool next to me. The conversation continued to lag. I had to get up early the next morning so I began the "Ok, I really need to get home now" speech. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just shy or really introverted. He and I are both leaving the day before Thanksgiving for vacation and he was trying to figure out when he could see me again.
"Call me when you get back from Paris and we can meet up then."
"No, why not this weekend?"
"I have plans. It's only couple of days."
"What am I supposed to jerk off for five days?"
Dead silence. What? Did I hear that right? Let me find out.
"I'm sorry?"
"I think that means the same thing in English as it does in Swiss." (He's Swiss).
"Ok....I have to go to the bathroom."
I went over to the owner and told him what this jerk had said. I also told him to put all of my wine on his tab. The owner asked me if I needed help with the guy. Oh no. I can handle this dick myself.
We left the restaurant and he was still trying to get me to go to another bar. I refused and he seemed pissed. So I went home. The next day he texted me and told me I was very nice and he had a great time. I did not text him back.
Bad guy scenario #4: The guy who just doesn't care.
I had met a guy called "A" one night while on my way home. I remember him being very attractive, sweet, and almost younger. An actor who graduated from the Tisch school at NYU (an incredibly difficult program to get into) I was very intrigued by our similar interests.
We met up a few days later in Riverside park to walk his dog. He was nothing like I remember at our first meeting (I blame the vodka). He was born and raised in New York, an only child, lives with his parents, and works as a bouncer. He said things like, "I'm sure I could get an agent if I wanted to, but I'm just lazy" and "I hate living at home, and I keep my room messy because I don't care, but I don't want to live with my parents anymore. I stay because its easy and I don't have to pay rent."
So basically he's a very lucky guy who is too lazy to make anything of himself? Unattractive. He was another one of those who asked me no questions and we found ourselves walking in silence for much of the time. On a first date. Not good. Plus he was just very inconsiderate. We were stopped at a light and I bent down to get something out of my shoe. The light turned green and he was already across the street before I even realized what happened. That's not lack of chivalry, that's just lack of respect. So I told him I had to meet a friend for drinks. And I haven't talked to him since either.
In conclusion, good men in New York are incredibly difficult to find. No wonder everyone is single here. I've never had so much trouble. But then again perhaps I've never dated this much. I've had three dates this past week. But I digress. Let me move on to the more positive developments in my life, beginning with my professional life.
Point number three: Developments on the job front.
Through a friend I know at an edit facility I was offered an internship. It's not a job, but its another step. I began interning at the edit house last week. The studio manager says she gets job inquiries on a weekly basis from people at places like Animal Planet and USA. I figured if I took the internship for a few days a week my face would be remembered and I would get to know editors and be able to sit in on their sessions. Since I'm really interested in becoming an editor, I think this is a good step for me. The internship isn't glamorous; it's mostly just making sure that the candy in the edit suites are stocked and making sure that clients are treated well. But I feel as though it's a step in the right direction, or at least I'm not just working at a restaurant. It does have its perks. I get lunch everyday and they pay for my metro card ($89 a month). Plus they have fruit trays and stuff sometimes so I don't really have to spend money on food.
In addition to this internship, I've begun temping. Nothing too exciting. I have a job on Monday that pays $10 an hour to organize boxes. But that's $60 I didn't have before. I just have to look at it positively. But the good news is that they found a boutique edit facility that is looking to hire a full-time office assistant. I have an interview with them early this week and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be one of the first industry interviews I've had. I'm hopeful about that, but I'm not expecting anything. Whenever I get too excited about stuff it just seems to fall through.
Point number four: Upcoming trips.
On Wednesday I'm taking the Bolt Bus to D.C to spend Thanksgiving with my extended family. I'm sad I will miss the annual "Turkey Bowl" that my family does on Thanksgiving morning, but it will be very nice to visit my family and I really look forward to a big Thanksgiving, which I never really have.
I leave mid-December to go home for Christmas and I'll be there for three weeks. Yay! It will be my first time home since leaving for New York and I think it will be really good to get back, but I worry about my room being so empty without Sara (my late kitty). I'll get to see her grave for the first time. It will also be the first time in eighteen years that I will sleep in that room without her tucked under my arm. But on a good note, I'll get to see my dog and other cats who I love. And I'll get to see my sisters who I haven't seen in almost 7 months (the longest I've gone without seeing them). I'll return to the city in January, where I'll be back to the grind and stressfulness of finding employment in this economy.
Point number five: A good date.
And I come to the last topic of my "paper": the excellent date I had last night. That's right. A good one. I met him yesterday at a restaurant in Chelsea where K and I were having brunch. Right away I thought he was gay. I mean, we were in Chelsea and he was tall, had a ridiculously good body and an excellent sense of style. Anyways, turns out he's not and he asked for my number. We went out last night for drinks and had such a great conversation. We talked about religion and history and movies and sci-fi and X-files and acting and technique and food and wine and lounges. We have so much in common and he is so interesting. He's very involved in the acting community and spends a great deal of his time in the artistic lower east side, a place I've been wanting to spend more time but haven't really ever been to. It was only a first date, but I look forward to seeing him again, though I feel he is too good looking for me.
So, in conclusion, this city has proven to be very stressful to me lately, though from the stress I have learned many valuable lessons and my life is moving forward. To quote Chumbawamba (that's right, Chumbawamba) "I get knocked down, but I get up again," because if you don't you'll live your life laying down.
Here's a link to a song I listen to when I need to feel inspired:
It's Amazing.
Back to the city
Monday, October 18, 2010
Well, Scotland was fun. It was very good to relax. And sleep. The countryside there is so beautiful. Everywhere you look there are miles of green grass, sheep eating the grass, and old stone walls which were built hundreds of years ago. It's interesting to go from a place where you could drive for miles and not see another person to a place where you can't help but bump into them on the street. While I love New York, I really enjoyed the tranquility of the countryside. Many of the trees had just begun to turn and there were many shades of yellow and orange and red...all the reasons I love fall!
I really think one of my favorite parts of the trip was going to the highlands, mostly because we stayed in this unpronounceable bed and breakfast called the Tigh Na Bruach. The woman who runs it, Catherine, is as sweet as she can be and everything was perfect. She even had sherry and chocolates in each room....major plus for me! We stayed there for two nights and from there went on the Harry Potter train. Very cool! It was exactly like the Hogwarts Express. It's too bad my sister wasn't there; she loves Harry Potter. Above is a picture we took while going over the viaduct which is used for filming in the second film.
It's nice to retire to the country...but I couldn't help but notice the extreme differences between Scotland and the city. Many of the stores, for example, are only open for a few hours day. It felt like every time I went downtown to buy something specific....there was a closed sign, even though it was 1pm. Hm. In New York you can buy anything at anytime. In fact, you can have anything delivered at anytime. What's even more strange are the people. Everything is no. No, no, NO!
My parents and I walked into a really cute tea house for afternoon tea. The host said he could seat us but, "had no soup" as if implying we wouldn't want to go there if there because of that. Another time, my mom asked the bartender what a certain beer was like....as in an ale or a lager, and he looked at her like she was stupid and responded, "it's like beer." Asshole. I didn't even want to ask him what the menu meant when it said a "round" of sandwiches (turns out...its just a sandwich that's been cut).
Speaking of the bars....what the heck is up with Smirnoff? Everywhere you go that's the ONLY vodka they have. In the states it's considered to be the lowest you can get....besides PopOv that is. I mean I just look at a Smirnoff bottle and years of college binge drinking hangovers come to mind. That's enough to make me sick right there. So while I'm not a big fan of beer, I drank water when my parents went out for their pint. Sorry Smirnoff, but you're not on my good list.
I met a 20 year old kid who was working as a bartender in a worn-down pub. He had chosen not to go to college but was very excited because he was going to begin work with his father laying pipes. And that's him for the rest of his life. It's really interesting how different people of the same age can turn out isn't it?
I arrived back to the city yesterday. I'm very happy to be back. After I got home, I went for a little walk through my neighborhood and did some people watching. Certainly very different from the people of Scotland, that's for sure. It's like a new start all over again. I'm editing a Bar Mitzvah video for a friend's friend at work...but except for that....I really don't have anything going on. I spent some time this afternoon sending in applications to temp companies and head hunting firms. Hopefully I'll be able to at least interview with some of these companies...maybe get some advice. It's difficult to know where to turn next, but I guess I'll just have to keep trying. I'll start looking for another serving job I suppose, but I am NOT going back to Cafe Lalo. That reminds me, I still need to call the labor department about him.
Alright. I'm off. Just finishing my Starbucks green tea at 81st and Broadway. After this I suppose I'll go home, I am jet-lagged after all.
A California Girl in Scotland
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
So at the request of my cousin, I'm giving you all an update on my life. Allow me to recap....
It was all brilliant news when I learned a few weeks ago that I had been hired by the department I interned for to do some temporary production assistant work on a short project. Hell ya! I was pumped. I worked on the project consistently for two weeks. I was told that I would be able to work through October- not a permanent position but enough to get my feet in the door.
This position had me terribly excited also because I knew I would have to quit Cafe Lalo (in order to work full time at the company). I marched down the steps into the office and told my manager at Lalo that I was not going to be able to work anymore (yay!!!) I was leaving for Scotland on the 27th with my parents. I had managed to find a week to take off. I really needed the break and was looking forward to having a brief vacation and coming back to a job....even a temporary one.
As luck would have it, I was on my way to the airport when I decided to check my phone and found that the company wasn't unable to budget the project which I was to work on and that I can't really continue coming into the office unpaid.
I went to the airport.
I checked my bag.
I headed for the gate.
I found the nearest wine bar and proceeded to drink a glass and try a round of pinot's (on the house of course).
It has been a little over a week and I've come to terms with the fact that where I had two jobs a few weeks ago....I now have none. After a few deep breaths (and a few more glasses of wine, I'll add) I think that this is just a hiccup in the job search and hopefully I'll be able to find something. Soon. Right?
When I get back to the city, I've decided to go the route of temp agencies and head hunters. As my friend has said to me many times, "no one said this would be easy." It's definitely proving not to be. Not at all.
Onto Scotland. While I was originally supposed to be here for just a week, my stay has now been extended to three....it's not like I have a job to go back to. We've been staying in the quint town of Moffat, a very lively town of 2,000 friendly and outgoing residents. Sense the sarcasm.
It's cold and rainy, but there have been a few good days; we've even managed to see some sun! My parents were generous enough to take me shopping for winter clothes, which I'll need in New York, and it's been awesome catching up on sleep, though I have been sick every day thus far.
Currently, we're staying in Keswick, a little town in "the lake district" of England. It's really beautiful here. Scenery is fantastic and there are sheep everywhere! Black sheep and white sheep, black sheep with whote faces and white sheep with black faces. Really cute! The hotel we're staying in really reminds me of the house where the film Atonemnet was shot. Really beautiful. And huge!
Tomorrow it's back to Moffat and onto more pubs, and....well, making fun of the Scottish!
It was all brilliant news when I learned a few weeks ago that I had been hired by the department I interned for to do some temporary production assistant work on a short project. Hell ya! I was pumped. I worked on the project consistently for two weeks. I was told that I would be able to work through October- not a permanent position but enough to get my feet in the door.
This position had me terribly excited also because I knew I would have to quit Cafe Lalo (in order to work full time at the company). I marched down the steps into the office and told my manager at Lalo that I was not going to be able to work anymore (yay!!!) I was leaving for Scotland on the 27th with my parents. I had managed to find a week to take off. I really needed the break and was looking forward to having a brief vacation and coming back to a job....even a temporary one.
As luck would have it, I was on my way to the airport when I decided to check my phone and found that the company wasn't unable to budget the project which I was to work on and that I can't really continue coming into the office unpaid.
I went to the airport.
I checked my bag.
I headed for the gate.
I found the nearest wine bar and proceeded to drink a glass and try a round of pinot's (on the house of course).
It has been a little over a week and I've come to terms with the fact that where I had two jobs a few weeks ago....I now have none. After a few deep breaths (and a few more glasses of wine, I'll add) I think that this is just a hiccup in the job search and hopefully I'll be able to find something. Soon. Right?
When I get back to the city, I've decided to go the route of temp agencies and head hunters. As my friend has said to me many times, "no one said this would be easy." It's definitely proving not to be. Not at all.
Onto Scotland. While I was originally supposed to be here for just a week, my stay has now been extended to three....it's not like I have a job to go back to. We've been staying in the quint town of Moffat, a very lively town of 2,000 friendly and outgoing residents. Sense the sarcasm.
It's cold and rainy, but there have been a few good days; we've even managed to see some sun! My parents were generous enough to take me shopping for winter clothes, which I'll need in New York, and it's been awesome catching up on sleep, though I have been sick every day thus far.
Currently, we're staying in Keswick, a little town in "the lake district" of England. It's really beautiful here. Scenery is fantastic and there are sheep everywhere! Black sheep and white sheep, black sheep with whote faces and white sheep with black faces. Really cute! The hotel we're staying in really reminds me of the house where the film Atonemnet was shot. Really beautiful. And huge!
Tomorrow it's back to Moffat and onto more pubs, and....well, making fun of the Scottish!
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