It's That Time Again - It's Interview Time

Well, 2012 is zooming past as month 2 is almost at an end.  This weekend, I am chilling and recovering from a fever that was like a hazy cloud hanging about over my mind for most of the week.  At least now I feel much more like me.

So this weekend also involves me prepping for an interview that I have next week.  Scary stuff but I am going to give it my best.  It is strange having to  update my CV the other week as having worked for 6 months I was getting used to not having to think in interview mode.  The job is to head up the team and be the big boss. It's something that I can certainly do but at times I do doubt my own abilities.  I need to get more bolshey and confident about what it is I can do, I can't help being modest but actually singing your own trumpet at times is what we all should do now and then.

Personality test done yesterday, now time to start on a 15 min presentation and swot up on all the stuff I've done in the past. God it really does get harder and harder to remember but I'll give it a go.

2011 closes as 2012 hammers on the door

2012 is here and who the hell knows what life will chuck at us in the months.  Just sitting here and thinking about 2011 which has certainly had it's highs and lows.

Here are some of the things that stick in my mind:

• I found  a job that I am still in and in many ways still enjoying it.  Six months of searching and I finally got one. No easy task but back in the construction sector so I was one happy bunny. Hopefully 2012 will be my year and I'll get a perm job and be able to save up for a home of my own. 
• The London riots were shocking and disturbing, I've never felt uneasy in London, the city I call home.  A sad week of chaos in August was certainly not an image that we should have been portraying to the world.
• I learnt more about me and how to cope with the dullness of having to look for work for six months. Writing this blog, being active and getting out and about helped me a lot. 
• That life is precious, you can't plan for everything and that the simple things can make me happy. 

Govt to announce £1bn Youth Contract

The Government has announced a new £1bn pot of cash to get young people into work called the 'Youth Contract'.  The idea is that they pay half the salary of someone doing an apprenticeship scheme.  So far so good.  As a country with young unemployment now topping at about 1 million people something must be done.  We can't have a generation that are so dejected with life, the world and society that they effectively drop out of view. We can't risk exasperating the gap between rich and the poor by condemning many to a life of benefits and having to be wheeling and dealing to survive.

The idea of this scheme sounds good by effectively encouraging employers to take a chance on hiring the young. But there are a few things about the scheme that do worry me:

- Where are the safeguards that the training will be up to an adequate standard - internships, apprenticeships and the like do sometimes have a reputation for effectively offering employers cheap labour that they can flog to death for a certain period. Once that person is burnt out bring they  can simply bring in the next ones.  Don't get me wrong though, there are good schemes and firms out there and people who move onto fulfilling roles.

- If you drop out we stop benefits, if you do such and such we stop benefits - Taking my point first point above. If through no fault of yours you end up with a bad placement and for legitimate reasons decide to quit you would not be entitled to benefits.  This again smacks of the Government  using what in many ways seems like a good scheme as a way to massage the job figures down.  If you sign up and then discover it's not working for you you are well and truly scuppered.  I do admit that there are work shy people out there who do not want to work so making sure that they do not just drop out as they can't be bothered is important too.

I have two nephews aged 26 and 24.  I have helped them rewrite CVs and shared my knowledge about job hunting. The thing that struck me was that no one was helping them.  No one said what was best practice  or showed them how to draft a captivating CV that hits an employers button.  A CV with one word bullet points tells me nothing about what you can do for an employer.  With my tips my nephew started to get lots more interviews and he got a job. 

Our job centres are a mere box ticking exercise and they do not have staff with the skills to advise people properly, schemes for young people such as Connexions which helped them to find jobs in an increasingly tough market have been cut so it's no wonder youth unemployment is rising and will continue to do so. Good advice and support will help young people compete.

The Economic Storm Clouds Are Gathering

So unemployment is up. Stock markets are still continuing to freefall and the economy overall is flat lining.  It really is not good news for the UK. Our confidence is at such a low ebb that it is quite frankly scary.

Reading the various unemployment reports on the BBC, it's woman and young people that are making up the brunt of the rises.   Government cuts are necessary but services that are designed to help people get back into work, support them to set up on their own and help to guide young people along the right career path are too essential to cut.

Regular readers of this blog know that I am not the biggest supporter of the job centre as it is merely a box ticking exercise designed to make people jump through hoops for just shy of £60 a week.  I'm not that disillusioned to think that all those out of work actually want to get back into work but for those that will proper support is a must.  The types of things that would work would be:

• How to write a killer CV
• How to look for a job (online and using your own networks)
• Who are you - looking at your skills, strengths and where you wanna be - always think that this self analysis stuff is so easily overlooked
• Shoe shopping - ok this one is pure vanity as I like a nice pair of shoes but appearance and feeling confident all helps and acts as bodyarmour when you are about embark on the interview 'battle'
• Interview skills and how to prep for them properly

The volatility of the global markets could well plunge us back into recession which would be a scary prospect.  This would result in even more people heading towards the dole queue so the Government needs to make sure that the right support is out there so that people aren't left to fester, become despondent and ultimately unemployable in the longer term. 

Got One - The Wonders of Rejoining The World of Work

"Woo hoo" in true Vicky from Realhousewives style

Well, having gone through lots and lots of interviews has finally paid off.  Overqualified, under qualified, not the right fit, having the wrong shaped head etc!; I have finally got a job.

Being selective has worked and I've nabbed a role in the construction sector; no mean feat in this current downturn. My role is starting of part time and will be reviewed at the end of August, this suits me fine as I can gently ease myself back into work and still have time to sort out the heaps of stuff that needs sorting with dad's estate.

I started last week and it does have to be said that I had forgotten the horror of rush hour.   Hot, sweaty cattle trucks, that's the Northern line to me.  Think my plan will be to leave half an hour earlier and hopefully this will be a more pleasant journey.

The other thing that I have had to get used to is focusing my mind for a whole working day.  My days of afternoon naps will now be a rarity and watching "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and season six starts this Wednesday.

Top Ten Things I've Learnt Whilst Being Unemployed

What a beautiful day.  The sun is out, I've had a lie in to get over some bug I seem to have and just had a message on my phone saying that I've been invited to an interview.  The third one that I have in the offing so result. So as my job hunt mood is good today I thought what better time to write the ten things that I have learnt while being under employed

1. Have a routine
My week day routine involves getting up by 8am.  Not too early but early enough for half the day to not suddenly flown by.  Ok today I got up at 10 but I try not to make that the norm.


2. Make friends with your jobcentre adviser
Strangely my job centre adviser has now become my friend and we tend to have fun chats.  Ok he can't actually advise me about my job search but he seems enthralled by the type of marketing that I do. Our past few discussions have been about Government cuts and how their job centre is over budget and cutting back all over the place. Last week their water dispenser was removed in order for candidates to have appointment cards. Things really are getting that bad.  He also said that in terms of people chasing up on things it'll take them six months to a year at the moment as they are so behind.


3. You can't job hunt 24/7
Unlike what the latest Government says whereby they tag all job hunters with the same lazy tag, I firmly believe that you really cannot job hunt 24/7.  A few focused hours each day is more than adequate before you lose the actual will to live.

4. Still lead a normal life
Being unemployed or being made redundant no longer has that stigma.  The days of having a job for life are long gone and now our workforce is having to be more flexible.  Don't hide or be ashamed, loads of fab people have been out of the work in the past few years and with employers still worrying about our economy many more will surely be headed that way. What was it I heard on the news today - four major retailers have gone into administration in a week.

5. Exercise
The one constant that I try to do for a few hours each week.  Exercise is certainly a happy pill and leaves you wanting to take on the world with gusto.  Plus boxing also helps to release anger when people may have annoyed you.


6. Use your own network to hunt for that elusive role
I have got a job through my personal network so don't overlook the power of who you know.  Often jobs aren't advertised or you may have just missed it.  Talk to many and you never know what you may uncover.

7. Seek the advice of a professional
Professional advice can make sure that you are on the right track and that you stay there.  Plus they can give you a bit of a motivational kick too.  In terms of getting you CV up to scratch, talking to you about how the job market now works (it moves just like everything else) and being an understanding ear the right career consultant is worth their weight in gold.


8. Know what it is that you want
Agents bombard you with anything they have; all they want is to place someone and make commission. So have a clear idea in your mind what it is that you are after, salary, location, perks, team structure etc.  I get ones that want to put in roles that effectively take my career back over five years in terms of salary and responsibilities.  I know this would demoralise me and also mean that I would have such a hard slog to get back to where I was. 


9. Recruitment agents can both help and hinder
They certainly can.  Informing you of jobs that they don't have meaning that you may potentially not apply directly and then find out when you speak to the HR person that no agencies are being used for the role. For me that happened recently and the chat with the HR guy is ongoing and I am still in contention for the role. 

10. Smile
Smiling helps to lift the spirits. So chin up, hold your head up high and smile. 

Just Do It!

I can't believe that it's almost the end of June, time is certainly flying.  Well what's been happening with me

Jobhunt stuff - well it's all systems go.  I am still applying for jobs, not just any job but the right job. Being slightly picky makes sense as if the job is not right there is no point in time.  Started to get asked what I have been doing for the past 6 months my fav response has been "sitting on my fat arse all day!" - ok I only say that to agents who I have known for a long time and it is said in a comic manner.  Gotta add some humour to my day or else life would be rather dull.  

Anyway the perseverance seems to be paying off and now have two interviews coming up in the next week or so. Fingers and toes crossed everyone. 

Start Up - being a bit of a procrastinator I am still working on my business plan and have been to a business bootcamp at the British Library.  The British Library IP Centre is brilliant and being the geek I am, heading to conduct market research is pure pleasure.   Zzzzzzzz I'm sure I can hear some of you cry! Well I am getting there, have some useful lists etc. so that I can develop my plan of action and forecasts. My first quote to my first potential client has been sent so I am definitely headed in the right direction.

Had lunch with one of my former bosses today which was good.  He thinks my business idea is a goer and use the immortal line "Just get out there and do it". Fired up, I am now booked into loads of networking events and have my business cards at the ready - I will be heading out and about and selling my wares. 

You're Fired - How The Apprentice Shows The Worst of UK Business!!

I have to admit that I am an avid fan of the Apprentice and always have been. The genius that is Stuart Baggs cannot be underestimated and the general cartoonish extreme traits that each candidate displays are always very entertaining.    Although most of the pantomime that features in each episode is down to fantastic casting and great editing, the types of back stabbing and general one-upmanship are things that we have all have encountered at work although to a much lesser degree.

Watching the past few weeks has made me reflect on the world of work and what I want to be a part of next. Having been out of work for a few months now, it has to be said that in many ways I actually am starting to enjoy not having to deal with all the hassle and protocols that you have to follow in an office. Being in control what you do each day and when is actually quite liberating although self-dicipline certainly has to be exercised or before you know it, the day has flown by.

So what next for me? Well still plodding on with applying for jobs but starting to realise that maybe my days working for someone else may have come to an end. So I am looking into setting up on my own working for companies that I actually want to work for so watch this space people. Creating my business plan as we speak so one day I can emulate my hero Stuart Baggs!

Life just gets in the way

Well,  the past 10 days have been the toughest that I have faced in a long long while. On the upside I have had in four requests for interview although I have had to reschedule three of them and pull out of one altogether. I guess it really is a case of life getting in the way of job hunting.

Sadly my father passed away last week Sunday.  I was the one who called the police to break in where they found his body in the lounge - amazing what a hunch can lead to although secretly I kept wishing that he would suddenly appear and berate me for being silly and that he was fine. I was the one that had to track down lost relatives and tell his sister that she had lost yet another member of her family. I was the one who spoke to his brother who I never knew existed but it turns out is alive and well in Manchester. I was the one who arranged a Muslim burial although I am not religious in the slightest.  The ceremony today was lovely and I do feel a lot better about things than I did last week.  My dad was certainly a character, forthright in his opinions and at times charming and at times harsh.  At least now he is at peace.

Anyway, I have to say that in terms of my job hunt which at the start of last week suddenly went up to 5th gear (a driving reference even though I am a rubbish driver 5 tests and 3.5 years worth of lessons and only driven once since I passed). The people who were due to interview me have been fantastic from agents to a chief exec who sent me a lovely email today saying that he thought I had a stand out CV and that he did not want me to pull out so would arrange a time to meet me tomorrow. I guess at times things like these bring out the best in people.   So this evening I will be swotting up for my interviews tomorrow with a glass of wine (not very Muslim but that's me all over - bacon sandwich anyone! :))

RIP Dad xxx

Friends Like These

What an absolutely gorgeous day - the sun is shining through the window as I job hunt so it is hard to be down. Will be heading out in a bit to buy some food to cook up a storm tonight - can't wait.

Right on with my blog.  Last night one of my well meaning friends managed to rile me.  It was post conversation where my mind started to whirl with what had actually been said - I'm one of the people who needs time to fester and reflect.

The upshot was that my friend who does not really know what I do in terms of marketing and has not known me for that long was happy to give me advice on work and where I live.  One gem was that I should move to a cheaper area - you know one where you can rent a one bed flat for £600 each month! This was coming from someone who has owned his own place for 26 years and never faced the perils that come from renting in London.  I live in South West London, not in the most glam place in the world but not the dregs either. He is going to look over the weekend to find suitable areas for me!  I guess being self reliant and renting for over 10 years has qualified me for nothing.

The next piece of wisdom was on the job hunt front. OK I have not had paid work since the end of Nov but I have done some volunteering.  Admittedly December/early Jan was a slow month.  But I have chased jobs etc.  The main thing is that I have 10 years experience and I can't really go for a junior role with a substantial salary cut.  I don't spend money frivolously  but do need to earn above a certain level in order to meet my commitments.  I am a B2B marketing specialist so not as many roles as consumer led ones from what I see and so on.

Anyway, my friend was very much like "oh you must go for anything now even taking a £10k pay cut.  The job you are after does not exist."  I know the market has dropped since its peak but it certainly has picked up in the past year or two as firms are now starting to regroup and rehire those that they culled in 2009. Taking a next step that involves taking my career back at least seven years to me is not the right move even if it does mean that I am in a job.  I just need to keep on going and have the confidence and drive to get the job that I know is mine.

The 'M' Factor

Ok, I have to admit that these past few weeks have been tough and I have been very unmotivated.  I  just don't want to do anything.  Having a cold for the past few weeks, being under employed and worried about whether I'll be able to make my rent in a few months time is starting to weigh down on me. I need to be motivated but currently just don't feel like it. I officially hate all the crap that comes with looking for a job.

All of these things make it hard to focus my mind on what should be the main task in hand, finding a job.  I guess I am starting to feel a bit worn down by everything and the idea that life is always a struggle or a fight that in the main I have to contend with alone.  At times life does certainly suck.

Keep On Track

The Lovely Beijing Stadium 

As an Londoner born and bred or make that a proper East Londoner actually born in Bow, I have to admit that I think the London Olympic Stadium is not quite my design cup of tea.  Bit bland with any ideas for embellishment being value engineered i.e. cost cost.  As someone who has visited the Olympic site in Beijing and was quite frankly blown away by it - most of the design for the London Games is rather run of the mile apart from Zaha's Pool and the recently completed Velodrome.  I know "but London is all about the legacy etc" but can someone show me a clear plan about this yet? I think not.

Anyway, rather than bore you with my thoughts on the design merits of stadia past and present, I'll get back to why I am talking about keeping on track (see the my seamless sporting analogy - Olympic stadium - running track etc).   I had a call yesterday from a rather pushy agent.  I am registered with his agency and the guy I have met and tend to speak to is nice, professional and listens.  Anyway, the one I spoke to yesterday wasn't really any of those things.

He called at an inopportune time, I'd just cooked up a feast for breakfast and was about to tuck in when he rang. "Do you have a moment", he asked. "OK" I said as I scoffed on a piece of toast.   He then went on about a new role that he has for a mid sized accountancy firm.  Nice broad marketing role, in London blah blah blah. He went on to ask me a million question - kind of making me justify my worth as to why I am a good marketer.  I did say I'd  been in to meet his colleague a few weeks ago so couldn't he chat to him. In my head I wasn't too fussed and wanted to continue scoffing my breakfast which was quite frankly far more exciting than chatting to him.

Then the crunch, he asked me to come in on Monday to discuss the role and my response was "Why".  After a while I do get a bit sick of having to jump constantly for agents who ultimately have nothing for me plus I'd been in to see his colleague recently so why could they not have seen me in one hit?  He blathered on that I had to meet his boss to find out more about this great role.  I sighed - my food was getting cold after all. Then he said how much are you looking for in your next role.  As I said the figure (based on previous salaries) the phone went silent.  "Oohh the max they want to pay is this" which equated to a £3k drop for me. My response was that we should forget it then.  He then went on and on at me until I gave in and I found myself agreeing to go in on Monday.

Then a few hours later when I reflected on the mornings events and I came to a few conclusions:

- I really did not like that agent and once I get his email confirmation for Monday I will respond saying that I will not be going. Stuff him, he caught me off guard and did a sales job on me.
- I am not convinced about going for a role that is at the top end of their pay skill and still quite a sizeable drop for me.  Taking the role would effectively mean that I would not be progressing my career or salary scale any time soon as they are obviously looking for someone more junior who will grow into the role. Therefore the likelihood of me getting to the next level in terms of seniority and pay would be even further from my grasp.
- If I will sell my soul to the devil for a role in a sector that I am not too interested in (accounting) I expect you to pay me well for doing so. A pay cut for a role where I will grow and develop in a sector that I am interested in would be an altogether different matter.

So in summary - I shall be in the warmth of my own home on Monday.  I will send that agent an email to say thanks but no thanks boyo! I will reread some of the stuff that I did about my wants/needs a few years ago with a bit of a 2011 refresh to make sure that my job hunting keeps on track and doesn't deviate due to unscrupulous people out to make a fast buck.

Is Finding A Dream Job Asking Too Much?

Well,  job hunting is not that much fun really.   Tailoring your CV, chasing agents and putting on a performance when you get that all important interview.  I think the thing that is troubling me most is the what if factor.  I think it's that thing of watching your savings creep down before your eyes, the fact that nobody wants to make a decision let alone a bad one so the sense of urgency in terms of hiring someone has been overtaken by not wanting to take a chance and the fact that there's not that many good jobs out there.  

My CV since being made redundant in 2009 has been a bit choppy so I want to make sure that my next role is right for me.  That is something that I really want to do, something that I find inspiring and something that utilises my skills and enthusiasm.  Oh and working with people who I respect and admire.  Is that too much to ask?  I don't think it is although it does mean that I am being pretty selective about the jobs that I go for.  That does mean that I spend time crafting each application but in terms of success, it does seem to work. Three interviews secured and very few rejections.  Still waiting to hear back on two of them to see if I get to the next round.  Both jobs are good and match what I'm after although one really really really appeals more than the other.  Fingers and toes crossed. 

Goodbye 2009, Bring on 2010

Well 2009 was one of the most turbulent ones for me for a rather long time that's for sure.  In my mind as I saw in the new year, barely keeping my eyelids open in San Francisco (I was ill so early night was as wild as I got), I could neer have envisaged I'd have done so much this year and come out of the other side happy.

Without doubt the biggest thing to be thrown at me this year was hearing that I was being made redundant in March and then heading out of that door on April 8.  It was a shock and in many ways scuppered the plans that I had been devising in my head for the year (save a deposit to one day buy a place being the main one).

Looking back now it certainly was not the end of the world and life certainly does go on. I got to travel to South East Asia exploring part of a world that I'd always dreamed of going to; I got to spend a lazy summer in the main doing what I wanted (whilst looking for work granted but with lots of downtime too) which resulted in impromptu walks and dates around town with my then new man, heading out to dinners, seeing old friends and hitting the gym whenever I wanted during the day (yes my buns were certainly made of steel as summer drew to a close).  I've never had a summer like that so it was definately nice.

OK, I can't deny that there were down sides too. Namely hearing the redundancy news, seeing friends suffering a similar fate, having to deal with the endless monotony of looking for work and their accompanying sad feelings.

As the year draws to a close I have an interim role until March which I am enjoying - working for a chhaarrriiiddee, am figuring out what things I want to accomplish  next year and to me that's just so exciting as I know that no matter what life chucks my way I can handle it so bring it on.

Hopefully, the economy will pick itself up but to me it will never return to what it was.  There will be a new state of play and rules that govern society so it's certainly gonna make for an exciting year.

Is There Any Such Thing As A Dream Job?

In the pub last night, was talking to one of my friends about whether there is anything such as a dream job. You know that thing that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning, all bright eyed and bushy tailed.

There must be people out there who have found their calling and are so enthused by what they do but I have a feeling the true figure may be rather low. I've enjoyed aspects of all the jobs that I have done but in truth most of the things I have enjoyed about work have been connected with the people I work with as opposed to the job itself.

In my current job, I am enjoying the team that I am part of but it has to be said that I am kind of doing lots of things that I've done in the past so is it riveting enough that I just want to leap out of bed in the morning to get to work - not quite but at least I am enjoying it. One of the cool things about having a 6 month contract is that I can start exploring and trying to get my dream job and make it happen.

Then I got to thinking about one of the best marketing campaigns ever - Queensland Tourism's best job in the world. So simple but pure genius. The job only lasts a year but the knock on benefits from such a simple idea are immeasurable. The idea of being stuck on a beautiful island does sound kind of appealing come to think of it maybe I'll apply next year although I'm not too keen on water so that could hinder my chances of success.

Stats The Way It Is!

Nothing like a good pun to wile away a dull afternoon. My usual fortnightly visit to the Wood Green Job Centre Plus was today - whoopee. I didn't have to wait around for ages - at least I was seen promptly for a change.

Anyway, I was having a nice chat with the man who was signing off my form today. Turns out that whenever I sign in not only do I have to complete my form saying how I have applied for 3 jobs in 2 weeks (I can do more than that in a mere few hours but that's by the by). Anyway, it now turns out that when I go to sign in I must select 2 jobs from their job search points (basically an online job vacancy database that is so general that it has hardly any marketing roles let alone B2B ones so something that could be construed as rather pointless). I said this to the nice man that 'what's the point if I've applied for lots of jobs through other means'. He said that's what we've been instructed to do by the minister in charge.

So now I will have to go in earlier, scan through a pile of rubbish totally unsuitable jobs, select 2 and print off a slip of paper with them on. Another hurdle to go through and guess what if I don't do it - they'll stop my benefits. That will then mean that I will no longer be one of those unfortunate unemployment statistics and make Mr minister look better and hopefully stay in power for a few moments longer. Using stupid pointless exercises to try and cut the staggering rise in unemployed people seems rather ridiculous to me. Why doesn't Mr minister concentrate on sorting out the economy, providing jobs and proper support to those looking for work. That would be far more beneficial. There is no hiding from the fact that unemployment is spiralling month upon month even if they try and make so many ridiculous demands to try and encourage people to sign off from their books.

The nice man in the jobcentre agreed with my point and said that they had repeatedly stated that the hoop jumping exercises were pointless to the powers that be. Anyway, as I have time on my hands I might just start complaining to Mr Minister - nothing like a good rant.

Interviews - now just where is that hoop!

OK - I am chuffed that I managed to get 2 interviews this week. No mean feat in the current climate. Just 4 weeks into my job search so have to keep on going on that endless treadmill of applications.

Hhhmm, interview number one was the job that I wanted. It was a role in fundraising for a university. Of course there were many hoops to jump through. A 20 mins written test, a 10 min presentation (about developing a fundraising strategy), followed by a 3 panel interview. OK, that was a pretty intense process for someone who hasn't worked since the beginning of April. I was shattered once it was done but also somewhat elated. Anyway, I thought I performed well but what do I know? Needless to say I had the thanks but no thanks email waiting for me by lunchtime the next day.

Interview number 2 almost got off to a bad start. I was running late or at least I thought I was. Turns out the recruitment agent gave me the wrong time - half an hour too soon. So the fact that I rang the interviewer to apologise for running late was news to him. Turns out my mad dash from the tube to get there was unnecessary. I didn't need to work up a thin layer of sweat after all! Ho hum, the interview went fine. The upshot is the role is busy and technically I would be selling my soul to the devil. I would have no life but earn lots. One to ponder - that is if they want me in the 1st place.

Are Job centres the most depressing place on earth?

The answer is yes they are. The fact that entering a new job centre now feels as if you're entering a closely guarded fortress doesn't do much to enhance the user experience.

It's been 2 full weeks since I have been officially looking for a job. One thing for sure is that it is a lot harder than it seems. There are still jobs out there but competition is fierce and it really is a case of having to put the hours in.

The last time I had the pleasure of signing on was 8 years ago when I was a young fresh faced marketing grad looking for her first proper job. It would have been nice to say that in those 8 intermittent years that our job centre service had grown and continuously developed but that would be lying. What we have, in the main, is a creaking system that is quite frankly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people now looking for work and a series of people who are just there to tick boxes. My first time of signing on was on Weds and I obviously didn't know what to do. Was there anyone to help me - oh no. So I ended up standing around like a lemon for quite some time until the man behind the desk told me that I was supposed to put my signing on book onto his desk.

In the end I waited around for half an hour to be seen. The man behind the desk had been quite rude to most people prior to me but when I got there he began to flirt with me. I was slightly taken aback, "where's your name from?" - he enquired. He even made a joke about the date being 2010 then called me "sharp" when I said "I think you mean it's 2009!". Anyway, I signed and left as soon as I could. Till next time.