"Don't go looking for Mr Right. Look for Mr Right Now. And after a while, the 'Now' will just drop away naturally.

-- Cameron Diaz in The Sweetest Thing

A lovely 3-day weekend but I'm headed back into the office tomorrow at 11am.

There's another major presentation on Friday and we've got reviews of concepts tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be a whole day affair but my CD (let's call him Max) is such a workaholic that it just may be. Sigh!

I've got a bunch of freelancers joining the creative team this week. It's going to be hectic and crowded for at least a month. Longer, if we 'wow' the client with our ideas and they award us everything in the campaign ie. print, TVCs, online and retail materials.

But on a lighter note...I've just picked up several copywriting jobs. I didn't actively seek them out but an old client contacted me. Woohoo! All this goes towards my "Send Me On A Holiday" fund. However with my current workload, the only time I have to write is on weekends or at night, if I get home early enough. Thankfully I have a VERY understanding client.

It's been a rough week with deadlines creeping out from every crevice. And if the Agency gets lucky with a presentation we just did, it's going to get even tougher. At least for a couple of months.

Here's my news in brief:

1. Singapore is headed for the polls on 6 May. And I think I'm finally getting a chance to vote. The last few times saw a walkover in my district and so I've never voted except for the first nominated President, and that doesn't quite count.

2. I bought a new toy. Nice but takes some getting used to especially after the last model I owned. I got this one specifically for its more robust Contacts list.

3. On 1st May, my sister will be taking the US oath of allegiance. I'm happy for her, yet a bit sad too. Silly, isn't it? There could be a US work permit for me in the cards, only I think should wait till I've been in this job for at least 1 year. There's still so much for me to learn in creative services, if that is something I even want to continue doing.

More to follow as days go by.

A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
by Marina Lewycka
1. This is not exactly about tractors.
2. There is a Ukrainian blonde - a gold-digger type,
3. And two sisters determined to get rid of her.

Update on Stephen King's Cell: It started out well with some great characters as only King can trump up but it never explained the Pulse, where it came from, who was behind it and why. We're just left with assumptions and more questions. And the ending has got to be the most inconclusive one I've ever read. A satisfying read but oh! so frustrating!

The Agency is in the midst of preparing for the production of TVCs and print ads for model A of a popular mobile phone brand, while preparing for a major creative presentation for model B, due to be released later this year. As creative services, I'm to find, propose and get competitive quotations based our visuals while making sure everything runs like clockwork which also means the availability of freelancers when my CD needs them. Right now I'm flying solo, but if work picks up ie. more clients and more projects, I'll need help to manage traffic (one of the things I least enjoy).

I've been here for 1 month, 1 week and 3 days, and counting down to my confirmation date (June 9). So far, the Agency is proving to be an interesting place. There's a lot to learn here: on-the-job and through an all-round nice CD with tons of industry experience.

Cell :: Stephen King
The master is back and up to his old tricks again. King hasn't lost his touch, and this book is reminiscent of his earlier stuff. You have to see the picture of King on the back cover. He looks as spooky as his tales!!

Cracks In My Foundation :: Marian Keyes
Or titled Further Under The Duvet in the UK and Singapore. I love her quirky sense of humour which shine in these short short stories. An especially easy weekday lunch read.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann
Copyright 1952

(This is my gripe about a malaise plaguing the creative industry with good news at the end.)

Why oh! why do companies still subject designers, writers and illustrators to spec jobs!?

All that effort and money wasted in stupid competitions where odds are stacked against the design team from the outset. Most times, the company has already decided who they want to work with but company policy dictates that a pitch must be called. Spec jobs don't always go for the cheapest campaign or to the agency with the best idea and media plan.

It's all about company politics and damm good industry PR. Of course an agency with crystal, gold and silver awards, many earned for scam ads from international competitions, are already halfway through that door.

And for those who did their best and failed? Well, they drag themselves back to funky cubicles and offices, shrug off this loss and move on to the next pitch. By the way, did you know some agencies hire teams of people who do nothing but spec work?

Do I sound mad? You bet I do. (Read a really good analogy of what spec work is like here.) You see, I've had more than my fair share of pitches and spec work. I've seen really good ideas sweated out by super talented people, fail to win. Sure, the only cost to an agency are the number of man-days wasted on that one pitch. What many fail to see are the 2 to 3 weeks of back-breaking work, long days and late nights, not to mention the total absence of any kind of life till after the pitch.

The bosses at my new place absolutely refuse to do any pitches or spec work. Alleluia! We have enough to do without wasting time on work that may not happen. I personally think spec work should be banned, and companies who do insist on pursuing it, should be fined and blacklisted. So you can imagine my glee when I stumbled across NO!SPEC. It was formed by "a group of designers from all over the globe [who've] banded together, fueled by passion and a lot of caffeine, to bring NO!SPEC to the public."

Finally someone is taking a stand. Now if only we can make people accept that specs and pitches do not benefit anyone, least of all the company who's in need of good creative ideas to market their products and services.

I tried, I really did. But when I found myself within the doors of Borders last night, I caved.

I didn't buy just one book, but 3 books, 2 bookmarks, a bag and the latest Pride & Prejudice DVD. And no! I haven't finished the other recently bought books like Stephen King's Cell or Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic. Or ther other I think 20+ books I have scattered around my room. But these just jumpled out at me, really they did! Especially Julie & Julia which cornered me in the cooking section.

It must have been a full moon last night because I actually purchased A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. It was highly recommended by Flee during one lazy afternoon of coffee, canollis and shopping. I don't usually buy a book because someone tells me to but I chanced it. The few minutes I spent reading random chapters proved interesting. More to come once I tackle it.

I'm a fan of Marian Keyes' short stories. I loved Under the Duvet and was excited when I found her second volume Further Under The Duvet on the 'Sale' table. Funnily enough, I can't find it on Amazon US but it's available on Amazon UK.