wrinkles

I discovered two wrinkles the other day! On either side of my mouth. Laughlines, I believe they call them... just a lame attempt to disguise the awful truth.

There's no going back now is there? It's all downhill from here. Thank god I at least have a toy boy to keep me young in other ways.

Last night I went to a gig with Ally. The main attraction was very good, better even than I expected. But before she came on, we had to endure hours or standing around listlessly listening to substandard opening acts. That sounds rough actually. I didn't mind the first guy, and the second band started out promising, but then got dull and annoying. The singer seemed so bitchy and bored. And the crowd... way too cool for school. It was a bit intimidating in fact. Just when you think you know a scene and the people in it... where did they all come from??? I grew weary and impatient the longer I stood there - signs of my advanced age, I've no doubt - and it didn't help matters much that we missed the last train by about 5 minutes and I had to walk miles back to the city just to catch a cab.

Ah well. At least I had Ally to entertain me. I kept referring to it as our hot date, in front of Richard no less, almost hoping to make him even the slightest bit jealous. But no. He even played along, pouncing me as soon as I got home to ask if Ally was a good kisser, if he paid for everything, etc.

In other news, I had a very cloak and dagger interview the other day. I had responded to this advert for an "exciting new publishing venture", figuring it would be some new trade magazine or something. So a guy phones me on Monday and asks to meet me at a local coffee shop the next day to discuss it, still not giving anything away. I turn up, looking for a man in a suit, no idea what he looked like. It was like a blind date, only without the telltale lapel rose or foreign newspaper.

We eventually found each other and he started interviewing me, which was a bit unnerving as I had no idea how to tailor my responses. Should I appear excited about community journalism in case it's a new weekly title he's launching? Or do I go for cool and sophisticated, in case it's a magazine?

I should have done my research first. If I had plugged his name into some of my media sites, I would have learned that he launched a weekly title last year, with the help of a famous footballer, and that he recently sold it for a large, undisclosed amount... that he helped launch the Scottish version of the very tabloid I have been freelancing for... that he was head of circulation and marketing for the largest Scottish tabloid... that he's a pretty big deal, in fact. D'oh.

All I knew was that he was very well groomed and very good at maintaining lingering eye contact. Ack! Also, very soft spoken, which was unfortunate as I kept missing things he said. Not that he told me very much. When his quizzing of me finally ended, he admitted that he couldn't actually reveal much about the new venture, as it's still top secret. In the world of media, I suppose, no one can be trusted, not even potential employees. Fair enough. Not that I'd write in to my local media gossip page... but I might.

He spent a great deal of time trying to sell me the idea, however, while revealing as few specifics as possible. Usually it's the other way around, usually you spend most of the interview trying to sell yourself. So that was a nice change I suppose. Very flattering.

And the enterprise did have its appeal. It would mean returning to reporting, but as part of a very small staff. And my role would be variable. I would also do some subbing and.. a bit of everything really. It would be a massive project, and I'd be involved on every level. Great experience, but a lot of work, especially in the beginning. It would look amazing on my CV.. and there would be lots of opportunity for rapid advancement, as he plans to create a bit of an empire, with other titles launching as well - titles, he said matter-of-factly, that would require editors... Ha! As if my immediate aspirations involve becoming a newspaper editor! Lordy. Still, the fact that he would suggest such a possibility would be open to me... wow!

He kept saying he enjoyed my CV, and I'm just the type of all-rounder he wants... I'm not sure whose decision this will ultimately be... mine or his? He said he still had lots to iron out - like an office maybe? - but wants to have the hiring done by the end of the month, and the publication launched by June. He promised to get back to me within 7-10 days.

It all seemed a bit crazy! It could be a really great opportunity. But, if offered the choice between it and the other subbing job, I don't know which I'd choose! I suspect the latter would be better paid, and definitely more secure. But this other one does has its appeal... a true project! Could be fun! Ack. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose... IF we come to it, because as of yet I haven't been offered EITHER job of course. Talk about getting ahead of myself!

I've spent much of the day listening to long lost CDs as I finalise my set list for tomorrow's debut DJ gig. Woo! I'm the first one on, at a very early 8pm, which is a bit shite, as chances are no one will even be there to hear my fab tunes. Grrr. Ah well. Gotta start somewhere eh? It's in the tiniest venue ever, and considering all the publicity it's been getting, it will likely be packed! Which is kind of exciting, but annoying. If only it was in a bigger place... no one will be able to move, let alone dance! Still, it's fun to see all the hype - and Richard's photo in the newspaper! Ha! I'm so sad. A media junky, yet still fill with pride when I see my baby gracing the pages of a free rag...

I'm almost embarassed to admit it, but I've spent the past two days engrossed in this novel. I just finished it... in a matter of hours. Scary. I'll refrain from commentary, except to say that much of what it discusses is exactly why I stopped believing in the Church. I'm glad it's a bestseller. The people, they needs educatin'. Now, to get my dad to read it...