Hoo boy, I must have spent about five hours on the train or the tube yesterday. That plus a fun night with the lads and it took me just about all of today to rest up. A phone call with my parents and watching The Guns of Navarrone with their good friend Penny were the weightiest tasks I set myself.
Lo and behold, yesterdays interview was in fact the real thing and not a practice interview with a recruitment agency (like my escapade on Tuesday). This was the first half of a two part process, apparently, wherin the first interview is a test of writing ability. If you prove that you have the necessary skills then you get to have a second interview where they decide if you would be a decent fellow to work with or if you're someone out of a Ricky Gervais television show. If I progress to this second stage than I would probably be called in sometime late next week or early into the next.
The test was actually a rather enjoyable exercise. You see, Lead Generators are a company which is hired by other companies to provide them with copy for their websites which not only tries to effectively sell the product in question (Travel packages are a big earner) but also word their pitch in such a manner that it will appear as high on a search engine inquiry as possible.
My job, were I to start there, would have the primary duty of writing this kind of text - utlizing a list of most commonly searched relevent phrases which I would then weave as tightly and frequently into the sales copy without being absurd (typing "super cheap vacation super cheap vacation super cheap vacation Scarlett Johannson Nude" might get a lot of hits, but it won't really read very well!). It is not a lot unlike playing an advanced kind of Scrabble, using whole words instead of letters. This can get very tricky because it is not enough for the key words in a phrase to be present, they have to all be put in a very close row - though you can shuffle them about a bit.
For example, the phrase "cheap tropical Fuerteventura holiday" might be a popular search entry. Thus an improper weave migth read thusly:
"Come to sunny, tropical Fuerteventura, where you can find cheap acommadation which will free up more precious pounds for enjoying your holiday"
While a successful weave might read:
" Cheap holidays in tropical Fuertenventura can be had by all, thanks to new deals offered by..."
And so it goes. Now I doubt I need to make anyone aware that one does not need to pass any tests of linguistic ability to utilize a search engine. Thus part of the challenge was integrating some truly inane searches. The most challanging line I can remember was one which involved an unecessary repetition of the "Costa" in "Costa De Antigua". The actual string was something like "cheap apartment holiday costa costa de antiquga". Yes it is a dumb typo to have that second "costa", but because it is a typo that is made by approximatly 1100 people a day...then it is worth big points if you can weave it in. After an awful lot of shuffling, I eventually conquered the bugger by making a terrible pun about the low "costa" accomadation in Costa de Antigua.
This may sound terribly dull and I am sure that if I get the job there might be days when I find myself trying to perfect voodoo rituals that I might lay down more than terrible invective upon the masses of internet users who I wouldn't trust to cut the crusts off a sandwich....but gosh darn it, I love the prospect of being able to play with language and get paid. Plus the area where the office is situated, East Sheen, is very nice. I can see myself living there and wearing a smile more often than not.
I look forward to this, as a job is the key step to knocking down a series of very important dominoes (bank account, place to live etc). As it stands, I will have to retreat to Reading at the end of the month - but the fact that rent is paid weekly, instead of monthly, in England means that I am not then consigned to a full month outside of the city I am trying to get started in. It's annoying, but I shall take care to polish that old silver lining. Aside from enjoying my friends in Reading, I think I would try to hop over to Oxford and visit the fine family friends who first introduced me to Richard Dawkins via his collection of short essays and speeches.
I feel a little stressed out right now, it's hard not to when you have so little under your feet, but I do still feel very much in control and the publishing interviews have left me feeling vindicated in my decision to come here. Homesickness paid a visit earlier while I was on the phone and hearing all about today's Carp Farmers Market - but I managed. I wish I had the time and energy to better keep on top of my emails. Trust me guys, I always read them right away -it's finding time and energy for the replies that gets tricky.
Heck, I wish I was a wealthy fellow who could afford to just hop on a jet and visit Ottawa for a while (Toronto and Taipai too, for that matter!). But for now I just need to endure this transient lifestyle for a handful more weeks. I'm rolling back in for my last week in Tottenham on Tuesday morning and I guess we'll see what develops!
Plaid shirts over a white or black tee on one side, understated Polo shirts with faux family crests on the other
1) There is a definite reduction in the amount of clever t-shirts over here. Mens clothing is a lot less attention seeking, favoring a good fit and streamlined design instead of bold colors forming a work of art upon the chest, back or shoulders.
2) Meanwhile, most women seem to favor the "If you've got it, flaunt it" policy - which is perfectly compatible with my "If you've got it, can...can I see?" policy.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The Lead Generators Interview...
...was an amusing little adventure which I shall write up later today. Long story short, I am in Reading for the weekend and I am currently recovering from last nights shenanigans. Chili was involved.
But what I will post for the open scorn and praise of whoever may pass, is the review of Dawkins new book that I did up as my writing example for Lead Generators. I keep wanting to post quotes from the book into this site, but I really don't want to turn this into a religious-debate site and besides...quotations of any sort would put me on a slippery slope towards this just being a showcase of whatever book/movie/tv show/dead animal that I am currently consuming. So I will use this as a compromise.
More later, as my head clears!
-----------
A Secular David Slings His Heaviest Stone
by Oliver Brackenbury
Straight from its title, The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins makes it clear to us that the kid gloves are off for his latest literary effort. Though his unapologetic criticism of all forms of religion was made clear to the public at large through his latest BBC documentary, The Root of All Evil?, it is in this book that Dawkins has made his most comprehensive application of the scientific method upon religion.
To those of you who are unfamiliar with Richard Dawkins, he can be summed up as a staunch Darwinian who teaches at Oxford University. He has become a literary celebrity over the last few years, in a similar vein to the American author Noam Chomsky. Neither author feels that any institution is “out of bounds” for dissection, logical analysis and criticism. The God Delusion is as topical and relevant to current international events as any of Chomsky’s work, given the undeniably religious underpinnings of the conflict between Western and Muslim peoples of recent years.
Though many of Dawkins fans and fellow atheists will certainly pick up and enjoy this book, it isn’t strictly written for them. Dawkins has set himself the Herculean task of putting together a straightforward and enjoyable read which has the goal of persuading religious readers to at least seriously doubt their faith, if not abandon it all together. This is a brave task not only for its size and difficulty, but for the possibility of a violent backlash. It has been less than a decade since Iran withdrew its fatwah against Salman Rushdie for his own remarks about their beliefs. Unlike Rushdie, Dawkins does not have even the curtain of fiction to hide behind if someone should take offence at his merciless appraisal of all major religions - including the Muslim faith.
This is not to say that The God Delusion is nothing but vitriol bound in a cover. With a grace, charm and sense of fairness that has been his stock in trade since The Selfish Gene (1976), Dawkins weaves three hundred and seventy-four pages of very readable and enjoyable material. Also, a detailed appendix provides the reader with an easy foothold into their own research on the topic. Well researched and properly sourced enough to be a University textbook, The God Delusion reads as easily as the daily newspaper.
Though his personal opinions are clear, Dawkins is careful to use the steady and reasoned voice of the University professor that he is - steering away from simply sounding unto a general at the head of a secular crusade. Regardless of personal belief, anyone can benefit from reading The God Delusion with the same kind of thoughtfully sceptical approach utilized by the author.
Richard Dawkins The God Delusion is currently available at most major bookstores and can also be found online at www.amazon.co.uk. Those in search of a bargain can also find it at www.books-bargains.co.uk.
But what I will post for the open scorn and praise of whoever may pass, is the review of Dawkins new book that I did up as my writing example for Lead Generators. I keep wanting to post quotes from the book into this site, but I really don't want to turn this into a religious-debate site and besides...quotations of any sort would put me on a slippery slope towards this just being a showcase of whatever book/movie/tv show/dead animal that I am currently consuming. So I will use this as a compromise.
More later, as my head clears!
-----------
A Secular David Slings His Heaviest Stone
by Oliver Brackenbury
Straight from its title, The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins makes it clear to us that the kid gloves are off for his latest literary effort. Though his unapologetic criticism of all forms of religion was made clear to the public at large through his latest BBC documentary, The Root of All Evil?, it is in this book that Dawkins has made his most comprehensive application of the scientific method upon religion.
To those of you who are unfamiliar with Richard Dawkins, he can be summed up as a staunch Darwinian who teaches at Oxford University. He has become a literary celebrity over the last few years, in a similar vein to the American author Noam Chomsky. Neither author feels that any institution is “out of bounds” for dissection, logical analysis and criticism. The God Delusion is as topical and relevant to current international events as any of Chomsky’s work, given the undeniably religious underpinnings of the conflict between Western and Muslim peoples of recent years.
Though many of Dawkins fans and fellow atheists will certainly pick up and enjoy this book, it isn’t strictly written for them. Dawkins has set himself the Herculean task of putting together a straightforward and enjoyable read which has the goal of persuading religious readers to at least seriously doubt their faith, if not abandon it all together. This is a brave task not only for its size and difficulty, but for the possibility of a violent backlash. It has been less than a decade since Iran withdrew its fatwah against Salman Rushdie for his own remarks about their beliefs. Unlike Rushdie, Dawkins does not have even the curtain of fiction to hide behind if someone should take offence at his merciless appraisal of all major religions - including the Muslim faith.
This is not to say that The God Delusion is nothing but vitriol bound in a cover. With a grace, charm and sense of fairness that has been his stock in trade since The Selfish Gene (1976), Dawkins weaves three hundred and seventy-four pages of very readable and enjoyable material. Also, a detailed appendix provides the reader with an easy foothold into their own research on the topic. Well researched and properly sourced enough to be a University textbook, The God Delusion reads as easily as the daily newspaper.
Though his personal opinions are clear, Dawkins is careful to use the steady and reasoned voice of the University professor that he is - steering away from simply sounding unto a general at the head of a secular crusade. Regardless of personal belief, anyone can benefit from reading The God Delusion with the same kind of thoughtfully sceptical approach utilized by the author.
Richard Dawkins The God Delusion is currently available at most major bookstores and can also be found online at www.amazon.co.uk. Those in search of a bargain can also find it at www.books-bargains.co.uk.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
And now I am a man
As of this writing, my first Shepherds pie is in the oven and is only ten minutes away from reaching a point halfway between "edible" and "perfection". I'd forgotten, until tonight, how I had actually been quite the little chef until I was about 14. Then the hormone-fueled idleness of adolescence must have driving it out of my mind with ill-formed thoughts about personal identity and existential questions which would embarrass Burt Reynolds, let alone Bertrand Russell.
After dinner I face the challenge of coming up with "an example of my writing" to show to the good folk over at Lead Generators in my interview tomorrow. They only just emailed me today about the need to bring such a thing, which I suppose I should have anticipated. Old University papers would make it look like that is all I have written. I am tempted to use a segment of script, but most things I write are far less impressive when taken out of context and I can't rightly see them wanting to read an entire script. I tried digging through my hard drive for old articles that I did for The Comic Book Shoppe, but was amazed to find that I must have typed most of them at work and saved none of them in a digital format to my old home computer.
A friend of mum's had the bright idea that I look at the company website, assess what it is they are looking for in my work, then make up something new in the form of an advertisement for another website/business. I guess we'll see what I can come up with...
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning an odd bit of organized...not graffiti, so much, but a reclaiming of corporate space for a public message. Right now a good deal of billboards have a primarily black advertisement which features large white text reading "And they say nothing good ever came out of America". I cannot tell you what this is an ad for because every single one, without exception, has been defaced so as to become anti-American propaganda. The simplest method is unto the first I saw, which was at night while driving back from a nice dinner with my cousin Suzanne and her husband. All details but the text are blacked out, and the text is manipulated slightly so as to read "Nothing good ever came out of America". This first sighting had me momentarily convinced that someone with a good deal of money was running a public opinion campaign of epic proportions...
Other ones are either messy versions of the first, or they are covered up with posters - most notably one which was covered in bright red posters of Lenin (the text was in Russian, otherwise I'd tell you what it was about).
I have always been without my camera upon spotting one of these, but I shall try to remember to come back with it on the next occasion that I spot one.
After dinner I face the challenge of coming up with "an example of my writing" to show to the good folk over at Lead Generators in my interview tomorrow. They only just emailed me today about the need to bring such a thing, which I suppose I should have anticipated. Old University papers would make it look like that is all I have written. I am tempted to use a segment of script, but most things I write are far less impressive when taken out of context and I can't rightly see them wanting to read an entire script. I tried digging through my hard drive for old articles that I did for The Comic Book Shoppe, but was amazed to find that I must have typed most of them at work and saved none of them in a digital format to my old home computer.
A friend of mum's had the bright idea that I look at the company website, assess what it is they are looking for in my work, then make up something new in the form of an advertisement for another website/business. I guess we'll see what I can come up with...
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning an odd bit of organized...not graffiti, so much, but a reclaiming of corporate space for a public message. Right now a good deal of billboards have a primarily black advertisement which features large white text reading "And they say nothing good ever came out of America". I cannot tell you what this is an ad for because every single one, without exception, has been defaced so as to become anti-American propaganda. The simplest method is unto the first I saw, which was at night while driving back from a nice dinner with my cousin Suzanne and her husband. All details but the text are blacked out, and the text is manipulated slightly so as to read "Nothing good ever came out of America". This first sighting had me momentarily convinced that someone with a good deal of money was running a public opinion campaign of epic proportions...
Other ones are either messy versions of the first, or they are covered up with posters - most notably one which was covered in bright red posters of Lenin (the text was in Russian, otherwise I'd tell you what it was about).
I have always been without my camera upon spotting one of these, but I shall try to remember to come back with it on the next occasion that I spot one.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Things are looking up for Mr. Brackenbury!
The last few days have been an absolute whirlwind and so I desperatly need to take stock of the situation while steadying my head. Writing here seems as good a way as any!
READING
Reading was a great deal of fun and it felt good to go out for a drink after two weeks of frantically trying to set things up (with a nice break in Broadstairs as well!). I renewed my friendship with Tim's younger brother, Alex and also have made a decent acquaintance out of a fellow I only tangentially met last time I was here (Michael). Those three, myself and about seven others had a big night out on Saturday in celebration of Tim's 28th birthday (which actually took place on Monday). Last time I was in Reading we went to the local regular joints (The Afro Bar and The Rev) but, as it was Tim's birthday, this time we shared black cabs out to the nearby town of Henley. It took a little while for my mouth to power up, as it can be tricky finding a conversational foothold with a large group of old friends, but soon enough I was relaxed and having as good a time as any.
Conversation flew over a number of topics, including the day's Premier League match between Reading and Chelsea. It was because of this match that the first thing I saw when I got out at the train station was that the streets had a rather high police presence, in anticipation of a different kind of inter-city competition. Later on I asked Tim and Alex if the English reputation for football fan violence was deserved. They explained to me that largely it was not. You do not get small wars breaking out in the stands or any of that. Mostly you can hold the various football clubs responsible for what has almost become an institutionalised form of energy release. Apparently it is not uncommon for two clubs to phone each other up and make sure they're both going to the same pub after the game, so as to ensure a brawl for all to enjoy! I said to Alex that it made them sound a bit kinky, almost like sado-masochists. Little arguement was offered!
The game itself was remarkable not for the score (0-1 for Chelsea) but because both of Reading's goaltenders were knocked unconscious and one of the regular players (left forward, I think) had to sub! You'd think that was what gave Chelsea their goal, but no....it was an own goal. Dear oh dear...still, it was still kind of impressive because this was the first time that Reading had made it into the Premier League in years.
So yeah, drinks and dance and all that jazz. Alex got a bit mashed up and took a girl's number - which was funny because he didn't hear her name and didn't want to look stupid, so he just jammed a thumb at his cell phone. Thus she ended up with the moniker of "Gajm". I think that would be a great name for a dog, which is appropriate since Alex kind of had his vodka shades on.
I thought about bringing my camera, but wisely thought the better of it - who the hell wants a digital camera flash going off in their face while trying to dance or have a drink? So I am afraid the only picture I have from Reading is one of Alex at the end of the night when he swore he would play a great song, then fell sound asleep about seven seconds later. Ah well! The house is in the middle of being redone by the way, 'tis not a drug den. [Editors Note: I removed the picture as it occurred to me that, in my enthusiasm for a good anecdote, I never asked permission to put it up!]
As with my last visit, the lads were very generous and I didn't have to worry about an empty stomach or dry lips for the entirety of my stay. On the Sunday I met up with Tim and Alex's parents, Penny & Julian, for a great lunch (Shephard's Pie) before heading back to London and precious, precious sleep.
EMPLOYMENT
So it would seem that I was a little off about the interview, but it worked out for the best. Today I was to meet with Linda (publishing recruiter for Greythorn) at her office in Holborn for a practice interview as well as a more in-depth assessment of me as a client. This was handy as it gave me more insights in to how job interviews and CV's are done on this side of the Atlantic. I'm told that I did really well and that I can expect an interview with the actual hiring company, Emap, within ten days. I was pleased to learn that Emap is genuinly respectable and they really take care of their employees (full benefits etc). The pay, as it turns out, is actually 24,000 pa plus a 2,000 to 4,000 performance based bonus. I was also glad to get a more detailed job description since the one I got through email was a bit vague, to say the least. I don't know if it is something I would want to do for the rest of my life, but the pay is outstanding (I could defintely afford to live in the heart of London, say Islington or Camden) and it would be really valuable job experience.
When I got home I found a request for an interview on Friday in my gmail box. It was from LeadGenerators, who'd like to see if I would like to create "highly-searchable articles and other content" for 15,000 pa. I'd be a fool not to go check it out, so that is now in the books for Friday. Plus I have tomorrow's, now much less exciting, interview at the Reed office for temp PA and Secretary work. Ah well!
I feel like that is it for now. So it shall be!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Things look promising!
I have an interview tomorrow for that Conference Producer job - so I have to get ready and therefore cannot post as much as I'd like tonight.
But to sum up, things are taking a turn for the better! Reading was magnificent. I got another reply from an interesting job (Website content writer - 15,000 pa) and I am finally getting a better grap of London neighborhoods and the rental scene. I also cracked a bit of writer's block and came up with a good idea for a short film related to global warming.
More details will follow tomorrow!
But to sum up, things are taking a turn for the better! Reading was magnificent. I got another reply from an interesting job (Website content writer - 15,000 pa) and I am finally getting a better grap of London neighborhoods and the rental scene. I also cracked a bit of writer's block and came up with a good idea for a short film related to global warming.
More details will follow tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
