Perceptions (7)
The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. I'm not working at the agency anymore. I actually got fired - ha!
That's the first time I have even been fired from anywhere. I am a victim of the guilt associated with a Catholic upbringing, so I always follow the rules. It felt really fucking good to break them. Liberating.
So, I accepted the offer. I mean, like I said before - how on Earth could I justify not doing this. It's practically too good to be true. I finished my profile. I was really proud of a few cute jokes I put in there. The dissapointing part is that, after completing the profile, I did not gain access to anyone else's profiles. I thought, join this thing, then you get to see the private information posted by the worlds cultural elite from Jay Z to Julian Schnabel. I thought this was my ticket to the in crowd. Actually, they basically told me that. I am actually still irritated about the fact that they have now invaded my privacy, and lied to me.
I didn't tell Mike everything. I thought that he wouldn't believe me, honestly. I also am suspicious that he is a better person than me. I think that he would tell me that I don't need this to succeed. I admire him, he's brave enough to be an idealist, which unfortunately leaves him disappointed in the world more often than not. He always takes the high road though. I know I've told you that I am an optimist, but I know the reality of things. I know enough reality that I know to get what I want I need this. I don't see harm in joining a club. It's not like I am selling my soul to the devil.
What I did tell Mike, is that JK Rowling DID visit me(true, though hard to swallow). I told him that I met her through work (true), that I gave her my info (true), that she actually read my novel (true, still floored by this), and that she wanted to support me (kinda true). I told him that she was mentoring me (errr, not true), and that though she lives in the UK she plans to help connect me to the right people to get it made (errr, again...) and that she will be giving me advice over email. OK so that whole second bit is lies. I know it's not good to lie in a relationship. I have always been honest with Mike. I really love him. I just think in this one case it's better. He will want to know too much, and I don't think that's a good idea at this point.
Ok, back from the great Mike tangent of 2013. I almost forgot to write about how I got canned, pink slipped, the ol' cut her loose.
Well, after the meeting with JK Rowling, I had renewed self confidence. She reminded me that yes, I am talented, yes I have material that's great, and that this hell hole cubical is not my destiny or my obligation. So, I started to get a little sassy at the office.
1. I didn't take the trash out for 3 weeks. Someone noticed the smell. If I am being totally honest, I think it drew some rats. One of the assistants saw a big one in the ladies room prompting her to quit. In my opinion, it serves them right for being a company that earns millions each year, but is too cheap to hire a proper janitor.
2. I started full on writing at my desk. That means that I spent the entire work day for three weeks writing the a good portion of the sequel to "Chasing Avalon". I had to answer the phone and say hello to people in person and stuff, but I did not respond to one email. This was the most efficient writing that I've ever done. This has completely confirmed my theory that email is the world's biggest waste of time.
3. I "abused my control of the company's social media accounts". Those are their words. In my eyes, I promoted some of their more developing talents, like myself. While I had access to a few million followers, I figured I should take advantage of it. I just tweeted some good news "Just signed @blondelarson. Can't wait to put her book "Chasing Avalon" on shelves."
I guess it didn't matter that there wasn't an ounce of truth in the tweet. My getting fired happened at the right time. Six other agencies reached out to me within a week. I am now signed with Kushner, Feinstein & Associates. That is one of the best lit managers in New York. They are shopping my book now, as I apply for retail jobs and gigs cater-waitering on Craigslist.
That's the shitty part about my little rebellious streak, no severance, and no unemployment benefits. Ugh. All this was spawned by my visitor last month. However, I still don't understand what THE CIRCLE is going to do for me.
Maybe it's all bullshit, but then why on earth did JK Rowling buy me key lime pie?