Shambles

I'm currently looking at the 2005 Big Issue calendar illustrated by Andrew Weldon. One of my favourite cartoons is where two farmers are gazing over a field of cows. One says "That is one sexy cow." The other replies, "What? The young one?" to which the first one blasts, "NOT THE YOUNG ONE!! WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM?!"

The reason I am looking at last year's calendar is because my desk is in shambles. In fact, my whole Monday is in shambles and it's only 12:49pm. There's an archaeological pile of documents from last week consisting of a map of the Cumberland State Forest (from last week's Clean Up Australia Day), a March of the Penguins poster (can anyone tell me why it has been out everywhere else in the world for a year and hasn't hit Australia yet?), a 2006 IOSEA turtle calendar (that Skippy gave me), my diary which is screaming at me to pay off my credit card, some stray articles I've cut out because I thought they'd be useful as research, info about Australian Volunteers International, my Operation Website notebook with all the scribblings about how to create my website, some Emily the Strange stickers, a Zoo Friends sticker, a photo of the Teoh family in Canada and some other random pieces of paper including three "things to do" lists that I need to get me through the week.

Stuart and I have stopped doing Tuesdays because he's quit Knotts Pine and has started labouring for his dad. Although he insists he wants to get into carpentry eventually he keeps putting off applying for whatever it is you apply for to train as a carpentry apprentice for reasons that I can't quite understand. He had nothing on last Tuesday but I did some work for Jade's company and was supposed to go to an interview at 4Square Media but it was moved to Wednesday, which cut out Wednesday as well.

The interview went strangely and I only say that because I felt mixed when I left the venue. The tech publishing company is housed in the fairly new development on Kings Street Wharf overlooking Darling Harbour. Nice view, good location. Unfortunately they were besieged by technical problems, which I know are particularly detrimental if you are a media and/or technology company. Publisher David, a former Fleet Street journo, showed me a bit of what they did and how they worked. His questions of me involved my background and my former salary (I think I was underpaid by $10K p.a. at my previous job so I hope he doesn't decide to pay me similarly). At almost everything I said he affirmed with a "yes!" which I couldn't decide was a good thing or just his way of saying "I hear you". The job itself is all right, do-able by my standards although there'll be a lot of newsy things, which I'm not fond of but will do. (I distinctly remember Willa McDonald, my tutor in one of my newswriting classes, always complimenting my work so I think I'm capable but reluctant to make it my full time job). I'm not going to be disappointed if I don't get the job but will feel a bit torn if I'm offered. Should hear about it this week.

On Thursday I walked to Skippy's place and had a nice long chat with her about everything the world has to offer. We did wander the streets intending to go to the George Thornton Reserve but ended up at the little park on Ellerslie Drive instead. She's off to Brisbane soon, running away again, and I hope it turns out to be a better experience than some of the trials she endured in Bangkok.

Friday was the new Tuesday as I trekked over to Stuart's place to spend the day. The young man was tired and generally irritable despite (or perhaps because of) my buoyant mood (it was Friday after all!). In the evening we travelled into the city with him grumbling about Easy Way on our way to The Vanguard to see FourPlay perform some old favourites and a handful of pieces from their forthcoming album.

Saturday was reading the newspaper day as usual. Didn't find any good jobs, though I have been commissioned my charity challenge article "on spec" for Body+Soul (paying 60c/word and I bet on time). Hopefully I can get a semi-regular gig with them if I can think of some snazzy pitches.

Yesterday was pretty full on - Sir and I went to see 'Kinky Boots' (mainly for Joel Edgerton) and then I hiked into the city to see Jade who had free tickets to see 'Imagine Me & You' (which is just begging to spark The Turtles' 'Happy Together' song) then went back to her place for pizza, Strongbow and a long chat. Ended the night with a search for petrol (the Shell at Beecroft has closed so I had to drive to Pennant Hills).

Today I've been informed that I didn't get the Vodafone job because it has evolved into a more multimedia role and I haven't sighted any good jobs online. I will be applying for a part-time journo role at CHOICE, which is a mag I'd like to work for and perfect in many ways. It's in the inner west, it's part-time so I can do some freelancing on the side and the part-time pay is decent enough for me to live off and move out on (to the inner west). The job itself is for a well-respected consumer magazine whose reputation relies on its integrity in reporting and reviewing products that otherwise get swallowed by the PR spin. Yay!

Wish me luck.