Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Great News: I'm Screwed!
And I thought things were bleak on the job front yesterday. That's nothing compared to this headline in today's New York Post. Ha, ha, ha, I'm just laughing... through my tears.
Kristina's Farewell Blast-Off
With my darling Kristina Tunzi headed to 
Los Angeles for her new job, we hosted a farewell blast-off at Central Bar in the East Village on Friday, Feb. 5—ironically this was the same location as my Fare-Thee-Well party last March, after Billboard swept me off payroll. There were a good 50 folks in attendance, including co-workers, past co-workers, industry associates and that good ole gang from Lunasa.
I have precious few photos here, but offer what I's got...
After the party, against my better judgment, I accompanied a hearty bunch for karaoke at some hole in the East Village, where you rent a private room in the bowels of the building, have your own playlist and push a button on the wall to order drinks. It felt like some sleazy bordello—but in a bad way. I sang "Fame" and dueted with Sylvia Tosun on "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)." Ironically, the worst singer among the bunch: Billboard editor Bill Werde. I guess you ain't gotta be able to sing to know song. God knows I wasn't much better.
Los Angeles for her new job, we hosted a farewell blast-off at Central Bar in the East Village on Friday, Feb. 5—ironically this was the same location as my Fare-Thee-Well party last March, after Billboard swept me off payroll. There were a good 50 folks in attendance, including co-workers, past co-workers, industry associates and that good ole gang from Lunasa.I have precious few photos here, but offer what I's got...
After the party, against my better judgment, I accompanied a hearty bunch for karaoke at some hole in the East Village, where you rent a private room in the bowels of the building, have your own playlist and push a button on the wall to order drinks. It felt like some sleazy bordello—but in a bad way. I sang "Fame" and dueted with Sylvia Tosun on "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)." Ironically, the worst singer among the bunch: Billboard editor Bill Werde. I guess you ain't gotta be able to sing to know song. God knows I wasn't much better.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
To All The Jobs I've Loved Before
One of my fave blog reads is Snig’s Spot. A year ago, she posted every job she’s been paid to do in her life. I loved it so much that I did the same, and it remains one of my favorite exercises in blogland. Now that I’m working for the U.S. Census, I thought I’d offer an encore.
* Crew Leader, the U.S. Census Bureau/Brooklyn, N.Y.
* Would-be author "Joyride." Publication pending!/NYC
* Licensed non-denominational minister, able to legally marry (straight) couples in NYC
* Features editor/writer Radio & Records/NYC
* Artist bios for Backstreet Boys, Jim Brickman, Oleta Adams, Weird Al, Jordin Sparks/NYC
* Liner notes for Celine Dion, ‘N Sync, Time-Life compilations/NYC
* Published songwriter, Young Pals Music/Brooklyn, N.Y.
* Freelance cover stories for NYC gay rag Next/NYC
* Host, Billboard Radio online countdown/NYC
* Tech columnist, Pro Audio Review magazine/Washington, D.C.
* Writer, editor, columnist Billboard magazine/NYC
* Editor Tuned In radio management/programming monthly/Washington, D.C.
* Subscription card data processor IMAS/Washington, D.C.
* Stretch limousine driver/Washington, D.C.
* Wedding videographer/Washington, D.C.
* Reporter TV Technology/Washington, D.C.
* FCC reporter, columnist, tech editor, Radio World/Radio World International/Washington, D.C.
* Editor-in-chief corporate real estate newsletters, Clark Construction Group/Bethesda, Md.
* Host, Dalts restaurant/Falls Church, Va.
* Medical textbook proofreader/Arlington, Va.
* Reporter/section editor/researcher, Washington Business Journal/Arlington, Va.
* Receptionist for ultra-right-wing think tank Capital Research Fund/Washington, D.C.
* Conference director for Georgetown University journalism programs/The Fund for American Studies/Washington, D.C.
* Telemarketer for oceanfront condos in Florida/Alexandria, Va.
* College newspaper features editor, The Breeze/James Madison University/Harrisonburg, Va.
* Editor Curio magazine/James Madison University/Harrisonburg, Va.
* Intern/reporter The News & Daily Advance/Lynchburg, Va.
* DJ/country WWOD-AM & AC WKZZ-FM/Lynchburg, Va.
* Subject for topical acne medication/Lynchburg, Va.
* Pizza cook, Pizza Inn/Lynchburg, Va.
* Dishwasher, Pizza Inn/Lynchburg, Va.
* Dog-sitter/Lynchburg, Va.
* Lawn boy/Lynchburg, Va.
* Drying dishes/cutting grass for weekly allowance/Lynchburg, Va.
With the current economy, I'm looking forward to exploring that career in dog-sitting again.
* Crew Leader, the U.S. Census Bureau/Brooklyn, N.Y.
* Would-be author "Joyride." Publication pending!/NYC
* Licensed non-denominational minister, able to legally marry (straight) couples in NYC
* Features editor/writer Radio & Records/NYC
* Artist bios for Backstreet Boys, Jim Brickman, Oleta Adams, Weird Al, Jordin Sparks/NYC
* Liner notes for Celine Dion, ‘N Sync, Time-Life compilations/NYC
* Published songwriter, Young Pals Music/Brooklyn, N.Y.
* Freelance cover stories for NYC gay rag Next/NYC
* Host, Billboard Radio online countdown/NYC
* Tech columnist, Pro Audio Review magazine/Washington, D.C.
* Writer, editor, columnist Billboard magazine/NYC
* Editor Tuned In radio management/programming monthly/Washington, D.C.
* Subscription card data processor IMAS/Washington, D.C.
* Stretch limousine driver/Washington, D.C.
* Wedding videographer/Washington, D.C.
* Reporter TV Technology/Washington, D.C.
* FCC reporter, columnist, tech editor, Radio World/Radio World International/Washington, D.C.
* Editor-in-chief corporate real estate newsletters, Clark Construction Group/Bethesda, Md.
* Host, Dalts restaurant/Falls Church, Va.
* Medical textbook proofreader/Arlington, Va.
* Reporter/section editor/researcher, Washington Business Journal/Arlington, Va.
* Receptionist for ultra-right-wing think tank Capital Research Fund/Washington, D.C.
* Conference director for Georgetown University journalism programs/The Fund for American Studies/Washington, D.C.
* Telemarketer for oceanfront condos in Florida/Alexandria, Va.
* College newspaper features editor, The Breeze/James Madison University/Harrisonburg, Va.
* Editor Curio magazine/James Madison University/Harrisonburg, Va.
* Intern/reporter The News & Daily Advance/Lynchburg, Va.
* DJ/country WWOD-AM & AC WKZZ-FM/Lynchburg, Va.
* Subject for topical acne medication/Lynchburg, Va.
* Pizza cook, Pizza Inn/Lynchburg, Va.
* Dishwasher, Pizza Inn/Lynchburg, Va.
* Dog-sitter/Lynchburg, Va.
* Lawn boy/Lynchburg, Va.
* Drying dishes/cutting grass for weekly allowance/Lynchburg, Va.
With the current economy, I'm looking forward to exploring that career in dog-sitting again.
U.S. Census Employee: Week Three
A slower week with the U.S. Census as our office supervisor announced that in all of New York City, Brooklyn Northwest—my district—was first in completing its Group Quarters initiative. Great! So now what do we do for the next month, until the next phase of the Census begins?
For Crew Leaders such as myself, that pretty much meant that we were whored out to other departments, which is a good thing, since the alternative is not working. At all. So I spent a good part of the week working in staff recruiting, which is short some 2,600 staffers in the district. (I still don't get that: 10% unemployment and folks aren't kicking each other to get in line for these jobs?)
Specifically, the task came down to two humbling activities: leaving fliers with local businesses, like coffeehouses and delis; and... ready for this?... putting job cards on the driver's side door of every single car within a given radius. A wide, long radius, throughout the Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill nabes.
By the end of the first day, my feet hurt so much that I was walking like your 95-year-old bald grandmother,
sans the convenience of a cane. My boots were not made for walking. After day two, despite more appropriate shoes, forget ever walking again. Just slide my ass down the street in the snow.
I just kept repeating to myself, "Adventure, adventure, right?" and finally recognized this as an ideal photo opp in new nabes, filled with funky/stately/historic architecture... in addition to singing all day long, in my head, "There Are Worse Things I Could Do," from "Grease."
Whoof!
For Crew Leaders such as myself, that pretty much meant that we were whored out to other departments, which is a good thing, since the alternative is not working. At all. So I spent a good part of the week working in staff recruiting, which is short some 2,600 staffers in the district. (I still don't get that: 10% unemployment and folks aren't kicking each other to get in line for these jobs?)
Specifically, the task came down to two humbling activities: leaving fliers with local businesses, like coffeehouses and delis; and... ready for this?... putting job cards on the driver's side door of every single car within a given radius. A wide, long radius, throughout the Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill nabes.By the end of the first day, my feet hurt so much that I was walking like your 95-year-old bald grandmother,
sans the convenience of a cane. My boots were not made for walking. After day two, despite more appropriate shoes, forget ever walking again. Just slide my ass down the street in the snow.I just kept repeating to myself, "Adventure, adventure, right?" and finally recognized this as an ideal photo opp in new nabes, filled with funky/stately/historic architecture... in addition to singing all day long, in my head, "There Are Worse Things I Could Do," from "Grease."
Whoof!
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