Furryhead's luminous nightvision eyes reflecting all the light from the flash of the camera.
9 days into work!
On saturday I had to attend a group animal meeting to discuss how territory within the hunting grounds and tasks had to be divided. It was a waste of time, really. So I missed piano lessons for that day and had to do make up lessons on sunday. The makeup process has spilled over into Tuesdays thanks to medical certificates and tardy students who forgot about their makeup schedule. Grrr.
I haven't slept more than 6hours for a while now. Man this can't go on for long, especially when I start getting into the swing of things, and arts groups will start offering me tickets to attend their gala nights (as an observer) which will usually fall on saturdays.
Anyway, I am quite enjoying my work, I wish I could take photos to show you my cubicle and the view from my window which overlooks regular art exhibitions in the foyer on level 1 (I'm on level 3). Not to mention that the building houses 5-6 art dealers and galleries. There was a short period of time where a really large (about 2m tall and 2m wide) and gorgeous portrait of Angelina Jolie's face was hanging in the window display where I could see it whenever I looked out of the window.
I guess I'm also very lucky to have had Sparrow as a buddy. Sparrow is very sociable and belongs to the 'popular and young' clique in the Hunting Ground, which ensures me that I'm accepted by all the other nice animals. Provided that I don't act too weirdly. I have quite a few fruitful conversations and gotten some great insights into how to look at visual arts. One of the few places in Singapore where you can actually get that.
And like any place with a lot of girls around, there's a lot of gossiping and complaining about XXX or YYY at lunch. I'm only glad that I've not done anything that'll earn universal dislike like some of the weirder characters have. And the higher ranking staff regularly lunch alone, because no one is comfortable lunching with their direct superiors. Tell me about it.
高处不胜寒
Today I met the Wildebeest and presented the work that I've been doing so far that will require her deliberation and approval before it can be completed. I can only say that I was quavering mentally, because Wildebeest is a know-it-all in every sense of word. I really do think she's one of the most analytical and intelligent women I've ever met. And she would have to be, she's in charge of keeping all different departments of the Arts in the place. I don't know how she keeps it straight in her mind.
Anyway in case anyone starts sniggering now, no I was not trembling or blanking out. My heartbeat was actually quite steady, I was very alert and my head was clear. It's just that the fact of her intelligence, experience and power over me was hovering over me like the Sword of Damocles, knowing that any lack of research, preparation or due diligence will ensure that I get found out in the first instance.
I did manage to present my pieces successfully, with my direct superior Cricket piping up to add in more details to substantiate my case. It's good to have protective bosses hahaha. Wildebeest is essentially a very nice figure, just that she's so high up there being a Director and all and tends to be very firm when it boils down to work.
In any case I guess I will have to get used to presenting in a more to-the-point manner - CNM certainly didn't teach me anything except to smoke. My thoughts became more and more jumbled the longer I stayed in that institution.
Another nice thing about this hunting ground, lots and lots of freebies. Free food in the pantry, free flow of coffee, tea, milo, as long as you bring your own cup. And did I mention free stuff? I've already gotten 5 notepads, 2 sheaves of post-its, 1 management diary, several ring files with the company's insignia on it, and as many plastic folders as I want. Okay now I sound like a cheapo. It's just nice! Coming from teaching at a music school where the only thing provided is plain water. It's just the novelty.
Anyway today Sparrow showed me this when we were talking about cats.
I really like how this cat is so fat that its preferred mode of transport around the house is by swimming around on its back. It really brings laziness to a totally new level.
A random conversation with my sister today.
J: What time do you get off on Friday? K: 6pm? J: Huh? Don't they give you half an hour off for fridays? K: Yes. Usually I get off work at 6.30pm J: Huh... then aren't you usually feeling very peaky by then? Aren't you hungry? K: You think what? I'm not you. J: *spits out all the water she's drinking and starts coughing* THROUGH THE HEART SISTER, THROUGH THE HEART!!!! *a moment's pause* J: Okay actually you're right.
Currently the cubicle I'm in will not be my final resting ground at work, they'll eventually shift me into a room with another newcomer in the following months, so I can't really decorate the place as I wish until then. The portraits of Chopin and Beethoven are still hanging on my bedroom wall... and Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott.
