Perseverance pays off

I FOUND THE CONTEMPLATION ROOM!!!

Ok so it was after having a truly stressful morning in work, with a personal life which is getting too complicated (and not in a good way) and after having an overwhelming desire to break down into tears - perhaps it is like the Room of Requirements in Harry Potter?

I must admit to not going in - was way too busy - but I am going to experiment and see if I can find it again.

But after I find it what should I do?

Work being too close to home

I had a disturbing moment this evening on my way home from work.

I discovered that a work colleague from my floor literally lives around the corner from me. We smiled at each other on the train, we laughed at the bus stop and then had a chat about the area on the bus route - we both found it strange when we got off at the same stop and then we realised that we live about a 3 minute walk from each other.

In theory there is nothing wrong with that.

But it completely destroys those moments that I use the public transport as an excuse for my inability to get to work on time.

Day 1

Miss M: Sorry there were bad delays on my train this morning

Day 2

Miss M: The station was shut due to over crowding this morning

Day 3

Miss M: Someone got ill on the train and we were held up for 30 minutes

Day 4

Miss M: Stupid trains, they are always delayed!

So yes, if she overhears me say this she'll know I'm lying!

Oh no paranoia is kicking in now!

Plus if I ever pull a sickie now I'll be nervous about going out in Wombletown in case I run into her.

The unreliable London public transport has always been the best excuse for an extra lie in with a hangover or the general lack of desire to leave your warm bed.

Damn. Foiled again.

You work on what show?!?

We all seem to hold our shows in such high regards over here.

I went for a coffee (and yummy biscuit) catch up with my old Production Manager and fellow co-ordinator this afternoon which was really nice. They are some of the only people that I actually feel the need to continue connecting with after our show ended and I enjoy our chats.

This afternoon we sat around the table and completely trashed our new respective shows. It filled us with such warm glows. But in retrospect we should have more faith and respect for the shows we work on shouldn't we? We shouldn't consider them to be utter crap.

Co-ordinator: So our show was supposed to be put up against Gordon Ramsey but they've decided to change the airing time.

Production Manager: I don't really blame them, that is a good show.

Miss M: You can't go up against Gordon, I mean (the show) is really good - you'll get panned!

Co-ordinator: I know!

Miss M: Hey least you're not working on my show - our biggest scoop has been two men trapped down a well. That will be fantastic prime time viewing

All of us pack up laughing

Production Manager: Well my show is so amazing that we can't even find any contributors to be on it. High class tv we work on hey girls?

Miss M: Well it pays the bills

Co-ordinator: Sometimes I wouldn't mind working on a high brow show ...

Miss M: But then we couldn't have conversations like this!

Giggling ensues

We then proceeded to trash a couple of work colleagues and continued on this wonderful catch up.

It got me to thinking though how I can love my job so much but actively despise the shows that I work on. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to admit that my name is attached to them because they really are utter crap.

But the British public still watch them.

And I still get paid.

Find me a Researcher, dear god please!

You'd think that trying to find a Researcher to work on a TV show would be extremely easy. Well this week it is turning into quite the complicated mission. First off the girl that my Series Producer wanted took another job in between her interviewwith us and us offering her the job. Then everyone that I call who is updating their CV on Productionbase (a wonderful database filled with the incredible people who work in this industry) is not available for a Monday start.

Note aside, why on earth update your CV and post yourself as available if you aren't actually until the end of June? It is incredibly frustrating.

I am trawling through this database and trying to find people who vaguely appear to be something along the lines of what my Series Producer wants.

Did you know that it is very hard to find a Researcher with a Journalism background, who has worked with the Police or Emergency Services, is willing to relocate themselves North for 6 weeks and is available to do so on Monday morning?!

This industry just moves so fast I swear.

Plus I'm not the largest fan of making these phone calls as I kind of feel sorry for the people who have to go up north and work on this show.

Most conversations I am having seem to be going like this.

Miss M: Heart beating really fast as I actually hate speaking to strangers on the phone Hi there, I'm calling from (Insert Production Company name). My Series Producer saw your CV on Productionbase and she was wondering what your availability is at the moment as we're looking for someone to work on our show in (Insert town name) for the next 6 weeks.

Stupid annoying Researcher who is not going to take the job: Oh that sounds so cool but I'm not available until end of June

Miss M: Oh no, unfortunately we're looking for someone to start on Monday.

Researcher: Well can you keep my CV for when something else comes up? Actually can I grab your number and I'll give you a call when I'm available? I'd love to come and work at (Insert Production Company name)

Miss M: I'll keep your CV on file but unfortunately by then the show will be finished filming.

What I'd really like to say

Miss M: Oh shut up you TV whore, why on earth did you market yourself as available when you clearly are not? Why did you make my waste my time and energy calling you? Seriously I am going to throw your CV out the minute we are off the phone - actually wait it has gone in the bin right this second and I am going to actively never call you for anything else again! I hate you.

And people thought that looking for a job was stressful.

Thank Goodness It's Friday

My three colleagues and I seem to all have had the same illness. Some more than others. The joy of mine was horrible stomach cramps and the desire to throw up for about 48 hours. My Production Manager and Series Producer seem to have had the symptoms for a bit longer and are slightly worried about them.

The lovely Production Manager has even gone to the doctors to have blood tests to find out what is wrong. He has now spend the past 24 hours utterly convinced that he is going to die.

We've been researching the various illness's that he could possibly have via the pills he's taken and the blood tests that have been done.

We've narrowed it down to pancreatitis or gastric flu.

Neither are very nice.

But neither are life threatening.

However he is still panicking. Especially as the doctor has asked him to come in so they can go over his results. I think he thinks he is going to die.

A gay Production Manager who thinks he is going to die is providing me with many a good giggle.

Miss M: Notices that he has gone a shade of white What's wrong?!

Production Manager: Oh my god, do you think I could have Insert bizarre tropical disease in here? I've got some of the symptoms!

Miss M: Have you been to the Amazon of late?

Production Manager: No ...

Miss M: Then I think you're fine

Production Manager: But I have the symptoms!

Miss M: Sighs I think we'd know if you had Insert bizarre tropical disease in here

Today is not the day to try and play with Miss M. I have a raging hangover due to a VERY drunken night out with Lopz, Fire Poi Boi and The Queen of Melodrama/High School Obsession.

Granted it was one hell of a brilliant night but not very conducive to work.

Lopz and I keep emailing/texting each other silly things we saw/did last night.

We're special.

This is NOT art

Ok this has really upset me today.

Happy Snapper wrote an entry about this horrid art exhibition that took place last year where the artist took a dog off the street, tied it to a pole in the art gallery and starved it until it died. That was considered art. People actually went to go and see this. That is most disgusting thing I have ever heard.

And they are going to repeat it again this year.

What?!?! Torturing animals for our enjoyment? In the name of art?! What is this world coming to? Seriously!

I can not bring myself to post up the photos but please go and look at her entry - after seeing those images please sign the following petition.

How can we allow this to be done?

Please, please, please, please, please sign the petition!

I can't be satisfied can I?

Things aren't that exciting at work at the moment.

I got what I wished for - a show - but it isn't the most fulfilling one. I feel like I'm just going through the motions. I can do this job backwards and at the moment it isn't inspiring me.

I have until the end of June on this show but I'm wondering if I can even stick it out until then. It's tedious. Granted I get to start at 10am and actually leave at 6pm which gives me plenty of time to indulge in climbing after work and actually get away for the weekend but I need something more than that.

I want to be so busy I am run off my feet. I like working late and getting things done. I love the urgency of TV. I love the insanity. I thrive on it.

Jailbait got mad at me on Sunday when I told him about a show I want to put myself forward for. It would be a promotion but it would mean working solidly for 3 weeks until midnight without a day as it is a live studio show. For my career it would be amazing. For my social life it would be death.

I guess I'm just bored?

Overheard in the Office

So the other day we were just having some general chatter about the different shows that are going on in our department - we were discussing if they were running smoothly and whether they'll be good TV when this wondeful statement was dropped in.

Miss M: So how is (The Show) going up North?

Production Manager: Apparently it is going quite well. I wouldn't want to be working on it though because a lot of the cases they are following have ended up dying. That must be quite stressful.

Edit Producer: With a totally straight face Well that is good isn't it? Makes for fantastic TV

Silence

Miss M: Completely shocked You can't say that!?!? Take it back!

Edit Producer: But it's true. People dying makes for really good viewing. You have to think in those terms Miss M

Production Manager: I hate to admit it but he is right

Miss M: Big sigh Sometimes I wish I worked with sane people

Edit Producer: We are, we just think constructively in TV

My colleagues are sick sick sick people.

My first, and probably only meme

I’ve been tagged by PDX Fashionista to do a Six-Word Memoir.

Quoted from Smith Magazine: "Six-Word Memoirs: The Legend"

Legend has it that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Last year, SMITH Magazine re-ignited the recountre by asking our readers for their own six-word memoirs. They sent in short life stories in droves, from the bittersweet (“Cursed with cancer, blessed with friends”) and poignant (“I still make coffee for two”) to the inspirational (“Business school? Bah! Pop music? Hurrah”) and hilarious (“I like big butts, can’t lie”).

"I'm always scared. But I'm strong."

Here are the rules:

1) Write your own six word story.

2) Post it on your blog [and include a visual illustration if you'd like].

3) Link to the person that tagged you in your post [me!], and to the original post if possible [so we can track it as it travels].

4) Tag at least five others with links.

5) Don't forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

6) Have fun!

For some reason I actually have done this meme. No idea why but now I am going to pass on the joy to five others. Phillygirl, The Blonde Bombshell, Happy Snapper, Kab and finally Sweets.

Enjoy!

What are my working hours again?

About a month ago I was helping out on a show that needed me to contact some Media students at different Universities around England to see if anyof them would be able to canvas for contributors. I was the main point of contact.

That was a month ago.

You'd think that they'd stop calling by now.

But they don't.

And the worst part to it is that they seem to have no sense of propriety. They call me at all hours on any given day. That is the part that I don't get. If you are looking for a job - regardless of your age and experience - you call the person during work hours; am I correct?

Not these people. I get called at 8am in the morning, 10pm at night, texted/sms'd at any time and they don't even use my work number they've been going straight for the cell/mobile!

Last night one of them called me at 2130. Yes folks half past nine on a Sunday evening one month past the intial advertisement!

I was probably a bit rude

Miss M's mobile rings with it's obnoxious tone

Miss M: Wondering what random number is calling her at this time Hello, Miss M speaking.

Stupid annoying horrid student: Hi there, I'm calling in response to your advertisement about runner work on the (TV show)

Miss M: Harsh, rude cold voice Look I'm sorry, do you mind calling me back during working hours? It is 930pm on a Sunday evening, I'm at home and have absolutely nothing with me in regards to this. It is a working time question.

Stupid annoying horrid student: Scared little voice I'm sorry. I will call back then.

Miss M: Good night.

Sorry folks but Miss M does NOT like being disturbed for anything other than a drastic work emergency on a Sunday evening.

Plus she was interrupting my special dinner cooked by the housemate and his girlfriend.

How dare she.

P.s: Climbing with Jailbait did happen. Two of us out on the rocks on Saturday. Had to return on Sunday due to snow, yes folks snow on the 6th of April in England. Absolutely mental. About 15cm's of it! Back out there this coming weekend though. This is addictive!

My idea of hell

Just because you're busy does not necessarily mean that it is all going to be fun. At the moment I am ready to shoot myself. I am in rushes hell.

RUSHES - The raw footage that comes back from the filming day in the form of numerous different tapes depending on what cameras were used at the time

They then need to be sorted through, labelled up, put into the tape log, double checked that everything is there and then sent to Post Production.

This would be fine if there was only a couple of them but we are shooting with a massive crew and there are loads! Seriously! Far too many!

Plus we are using this new system called Cinegy where the rushes are immediately logged into the wonderful system where we can view them in DVD quality and there is no pesky need for logging off of a VHS so I am trying to get my mind around using this wonderful tool too.

It's exhausting.

Did I mention how much I hate rushes?

It's ironic that I hate them so much considering that the rushes are what make the show as they are the footage. But I seriously could do without them.

Although that means I could do without TV.

Oh I'm confusing myself now!

P.s I'm going climbing with Jailbait again this weekend but this time we are camping! I don't camp! I hate camping! There is no toilet! Oh my god! Can I survive this?!

How to sucessfully make new friends ...

My new show has had me move to a different floor. I didn't really know anyone when I started here last Thursday but I managed to make some new friends on the Friday afternoon all thanks to a kitsch pair of false gold eyelashes.

Friday was my housemates birthday party and she organised an evening at The Roller Disco party in London. Apparently you need to dress up for this experience so the dress code was strictly 70's and 80's gear. The lovely Midnight Gem loaned me a TINY gold boob tube dress, gold disco ball earrings, chunky gold necklace and a beautiful pair of gold eyelashes.

These were the problem. Miss M has no idea how to put on eyelashes, hers are long enough thank you very much! So at 545pm on Friday Miss M had to wander around a bunch of strangers and beg for SOMEONE to apply her eyelashes for her.

Miss M wandering around like a lost puppy dog walks up to a random show

Miss M: Excuse me, do any of you know how to put on false eyelashes?

Random stranger: Puzzled expression Umm no. Why?

Miss M: I have some that I need put on. I need help.

Random stranger: Do I know you?

Miss M: I don't think so but can you help?!

Random Stranger: To the entire office area Hey, do any of you guys know how to put on false eyelashes?!

Most answers are no but 3 gay guys walk up to Miss M and start debating how to do it

Miss M: Anyone, I need anyone!

Very nice girl who's name I can not remember: I'll give it a shot, shall we go to the bathroom and try?

Miss M: OH THANK YOU!

So she managed to glue my eyelashes on perfectly, however the problem was that by now I had gathered quite the audience of people curious as to what I was doing and where I was going. They convinced me to get all dolled up and come and show them.

Miss M: Walking out of the bathroom and into the office I feel completely naked! Do I look absolutely terrible?!

10 people turn around and pack up laughing.

Everyone: You look great Miss M!

This is when I realise that I'm standing there in a truly tiny gold dress where my boobs might pop out any minute with horrific makeup and extremely large gold eyelashes in a room full of complete strangers.

Well we're all now best buddies.

And they just love my boobs.