A rusty brolly – a review
November 2nd 2007 07:09
No, it’s not a film review, but an appraisal of my morning. I had a job interview and I’m sure I’m not the only person to say they are daunting events. But like dental check-ups (which I am due), they are part of life.
So I got all spruced up, trying to get that balance between looking professional but not overdone as it wasn’t a corporate position. All was going well, I was pretty pleased with my appearance and I was actually comfortable. There’s nothing worse than wearing a pair of shoes that slowly amputates a toe as the day passes.
Then the rain clouds that had been hovering over my head all morning decided to speak. By the time I got off the train, they were yelling obscenities to each other. I wasn’t bothered. I was as focussed as Superman in a phone booth. I had a brolly in my bag and not just any old one; it was especially small and nifty. I was safe.
Now, usually I don’t really use the contraptions. I think they can be dangerous if not used correctly. I think people need some sort of licence to prove they are not going to poke one of my eyeballs out. Plus, I don’t like carrying them and I usually lose them, so I’m lazy and forgetful, a great combination. But for emergencies, there are three in a wardrobe at home.
Anyway, I pull this infamous brolly out of my bag to discover it won’t open. All the spokes were rusty. Does that not seem ironic to you? It did to me. I questioned the very essence of its existence. Isn’t the main role of an umbrella to be rain/water-proof? It reminded me of my printer dilemmas the day before. My printer wouldn’t print. And why? Who knows? Probably only the printer. Is it that hard for a piece of equipment to do what they are supposed to do, especially if the clue is in the title, and is a verb, i.e., to print.
I decided it was definite that the dratted thing wasn’t going to work, so I dumped in a bin. It was now bucketing down, mostly on my head and no-one else’s, but I’m not paranoid. They all had umbrellas, I didn’t. Not that I was jealous or anything.
I started looking for a shop where I could find a new one. I think I must’ve been in Sydney’s least-likely-to-find-an-umbre lla suburb. I could hire a piano, buy a violin, have sushi, order a rare book, do some Pilates, but there were no supermarkets or chemists anywhere that I could buy a brolly from.
Normally I wouldn’t be that bothered. If I see rain when I’m toddling about I would just put one of my jackets on with a hood and look like a plonker with a huge cover. No big deal. I don’t have the sort of hair that rain makes a big difference to, it looks how it wants to look. But today I needed to look nice and pristine. And my biggest concern was that I wasn’t sure if my mascara was waterproof.
Hmm, so I decided to do the old paper on the head trick, which wasn’t too bad. Then I spotted the office I needed across the road. Salvation. It was next to a huge supermarket with umbrellas out the front.
When the interview was over, it was only sprinkling. I refused to buy an umbrella. I had survived the important journey unwettened (is that a word? In my angst I created one) and I was going to survive the one home without one.
I’m a proud girl. Although I admit there could be other adjectives to describe me.
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Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
all she needs now is the trolley.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, she is a bit saucy looking isn't she?
Byeeee
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Where was the handsome man that always comes along in the rain in the movies and helps the lady across the street with his huge umbrella, before he invites her to have a cup of coffee?
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, where was he?! Huh....
Byeeee
Comment by Ashley
College of Cash
Sometimes I think like Will Smith in the beginning of I,Robot - that if there are too many of them they'll take over somehow. jkjk
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
He he, your comments made me laugh. Yes, they always break when we need them most....oh gosh, I hope they don't take over. Can you imagine a world full of rusty brolleys?
Byeee
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Aaahhh well....
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
oh what an interesting day! Gotta love the rain. I must admit I feel the same way about umbrella`s - just can`t be bothered with them. Being caught in the rain is cause for celebration in my books - nothing quite like it,
How did the interview go? How exciting! I don`t envy you though they are rather terrifying. I spend days before having imaginery interviews in my head where I wow them with my wit and clever answers and then arrive there just to stumble through them and think NO WAY AM I SAYING THAT IT~S JUST DUMB!
As for things doing what they are supposed to? Oh my word iw on`t even get started on that one! We could be here all day. When something has ONE function in life you would think it not too much to ask that it be able to do it without a single worry
Ash
Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
I forgot my brolly as well Friday, and was seen darting from cover-to-cover like a headless chicken. Not very dainty, considering I was wearing (open-toe!) shoes -- gross!
Adjectives...how about determined...or cool?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Ash
Yes, it was an interesting day, exhausting too. I was pooped when I got home, there was no way I was walking Fergs, he had to make do with sleeping on my feet as I napped on the sofa.
I do love rain and weather changes, but it can be a bit of a pain when I need to look lovely and presentable for something. Otherwise, I’m not really bothered about my caveman hair look. I just shove a hood on and off I go. What’s a bit of rain really?
I think the interview went well, thanks for asking. Like you said, I spent days before practising, trying to remember my CV and aiming to sound confident.
It was with an agency so it’s always hard to know whether they are just being nice or if I am actually suitable. But it was my first interview in ages and I managed to sound reasonably sane so I was pleased with that. I was just aiming to get some sentences out!! The way that I’m thinking is that this is my practise one (i.e. trying not to put too pressure on myself) and I will get better as I do more.
I had to do a test, I thought it was OK, but of course it could be utter bollocks. We’ll just have to see. I’ll let you know how I go if anything interesting happens...if not, I’ll just carry on.
There’s bound to be something out there...I’m trying to send off positive vibes....
Thanks for popping in, it’s always good to chat,
Trace xx
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I love the whole picture actually. But it doesn't look anything like I looked on Friday
I wasn't looking up at the sky with a contented face...but I wasn't angry either, just a bit exasperated...
Trace
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
So I was in a lack-of-brolly company on Friday? Hope you didn’t get too soaked. I managed to just get a few trickles at the bottom of my hair and my mascara stayed in its proper place. But open-toes shoes? That would’ve made it far harder to duck and dive through the rain. Your poor elegant tootsies must’ve been soaked. I don’t tend to wear them although I like them as I’m a bit of a clumsy traveller, plus I always seem to end up walking no matter what sort of transport I use
Thank-you for those adjectives and for your well-wishes. As I said to Ash, I actually managed to speak reasonably well so I was quite pleased with myself. Now, I’m just waiting plus looking around too, who knows what else is out there?
Glad you like the pic, it’s very elegant isn’t it?
Byeee and thanks for chatting, it’s been great,
Trace xx
Comment by JoH
I had a particularly good laugh about the shoes! The feeling of having a toe amputated by ill-fitting shoes is one I know too well!
Hope the interview went well! Good luck!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Nice to see you. Isn't that toe/foot pain awful? The things we do for interviews....!
Thanks for your thoughts,
Byeee