Lou Pickney's Online Commentary
Sparkled & Startled
Monday
April 7, 2003
"I missed the good part, then I realized
I started looking and the bubble burst
I started looking for excuses..."
-Coldplay "Warning Sign"
Storman's last night was a bad idea. Believing we'd actually be out of there by 1:15 was about as naïve as believing an auto repair place when they tell you it'll take "a half hour" to have your car ready. We didn't get back to Tampa until past 3 AM. What's more, I didn't even have my ace gimmick, being tall, working for me, with 6'6" James and 6'7" Namore flanking me to either side. My mind was preoccupied with the interview I had scheduled for 10 this morning, and I seemed to be "wearing the invisible shirt", as John Pouncey would say. On top of that, I seemed caught in a charisma vacuum when talking with the girls there.
This brings up another issue... my job. I really enjoy working with Bubba, but in any initial chat-up with girls it's gone over about as poorly as I could imagine. It's the polar opposite from the TV producer job, which got me over more often than not. But when girls find out I work for Bubba, I tend to get one of three responses:
1. Look of dismay/disgust followed by an unenthusiastic "Oh".
2. Look of dismay/disgust followed by a harsh reply, like "Bubba -- that pig" or "Oh God, you work for Bubba?!?" (not said in a good way) or at best a pseudo-sympathetic "I'm so sorry."
3. Stunned silence (like the Undertaker vs. Undertaker match at SummerSlam '94), ending the conversation.
Occasionally I'll receive a neutral response. But it's a far cry from the TV producer gig, I can tell you that. And trying to talk around it doesn't work well, either.
Girl: So what do you do?
Lou: I work in radio over at Clear Channel Tampa.
Girl (curious): Really, what do you do there?
Lou: Uhh, I work as an affiliate relations director.... for the 98 Rock morning show.
Girl: What does that mean?
Lou: Well, have you heard of Bubba the Love Sponge?
(See above list of three responses for how this conversation ends)
So that's not such a good thing. But hey, as if I didn't have enough incentive to land this Research Director position for CC Tampa that I'm going for now, now I can factor in picking up girls at the bar in the equation. Lovely.
But actually I'm in a good spot. I'm trying out for the newly created Research Director job, which would involve me analyzing ratings information and communicating it effectively to management and sales. If I land that, I'll have my full time status (just as my contract with WTSP runs out, ending my non-compete). Plus I'll still be able to handle affiliate relations for Bubba, so I'll have the potential to be in a rather lucrative spot.
Of course, I have to actually get the job. But I have Bubba and his crew pushing for me, so hopefully that and my interview will get me over. I had Part One of my interview this morning; Part Two takes place tomorrow.
Well it's basketball time now. Kansas vs. Syracuse. Should be a fun one...
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