november 22

fun and games in the agency world

Wow. Thanks so much for this. I can hardly believe I've been nominated in the same category as Sara Astruc. I realize that is a totally cliche thing to say, and I've never said that before, but now I can see why people say that. I still remember the night, back in the days of The Big Agency, when I stayed at work until 2 AM reading through her entire Robin archives. I still believe she is one of the few people out there who is using this medium to its fullest extent.

Again, thanks so much. I'm really honored.

***

More fun and games at work. Andi is still the best thing that ever happened to this company. Her ability to keep people (clients and talent) rational, keep the projects on budget, and make sure everyone is thinking about the big picture and the details at the same time is amazing. And it's been a very good thing because we've got some disorganized client right now. Nothing alarming--really, they're mostly amusing--but I would probably have lost it with them by now because I've got so many other things going on.

Things are all patched up with the contact from The Big Client, thank the G*d who looks over big accounts. I can't believe I let that get to where it was. The client and I patched things up a few weeks ago and went to lunch yesterday and spent the whole time talking about balancing marriage, motherhood and work. The theme of my life these days, even though I still don't have babies.

Today we go to make a presentation to new decision-makers at one of our accounts. The former contact got fired last Friday. We have to re-sell ourselves and convince them that they're too far into this to start over again. These kinds of meetings are always nerve wracking. The other twist is this is also Polly's biggest client so she's completely wigging out, convinced she's getting fired. And as much "fun" as it is to work on a fairly large account with your best friend, I need her on this project. I have to convince them that not only do they need us, they also need her. She's responsible for all the strategic messaging and content and I sure as hell don't want to have to find someone to do that with them.

It sounds like I'm bitching. I'm not. While this is scary stuff in some ways (because we obviously don't want to lose the revenue) these are the situations where I shine. I'm good at figuring out who people are, what they care about, and what I need to tell them to be convinced we're the agency for them.

Wish me luck.

***

In other news, I continue to be a big klutz. I guess I don't spend a lot of time detailing my injuries here, but they have been numerous over the last few years. I'm not sure why. They say that these kinds of things are always the Universe's way of telling you to slow down. I really don't want to hear messages like that right now. Which is probably why I keep hurting myself. Besides, if I slow down (meaning at work), I and all of my employees will starve. What kind of universal advice is that, anyway?

So a few weeks ago, I was at a hot springs resort with Kim (h.s. friend, introduced A* and me when we were all in college) and I slipped on a deck and completely wiped out. I'm black and blue (or green and purple) from the knees down on both legs. Don't ask me how I did that, because I don't know. I also hit my head, but that didn't really hurt. And fortunately all of my breakfast sausages and birthday chocolates cushioned my ass so it was only sore for a few days. But I've definitely bruised my shinbone pretty good because I still can't walk right.

***

Saturday by brother and I are throwing a surprise party for my mom's 60th birthday. I don't think she has any idea. Friends from out of town are coming, as are old friends from work (she's been a reporter at the same newspaper for over 30 years). I'm nervous because I haven't bought food, haven't cleaned up the house and I'm not sure how many people will be there. But seeing as how we just decided to do this last weekend, and people are coming from California, I think it's going to be okay. She'll at least be surprised.

***

The board of A*'s company is getting antsy again. They're giving them 3 weeks to make a sale or bad things will happen. It's not clear how bad those things will be but none of them are good. I'm really sick of being on this emotional rollercoaster about money. I thought it was over. Or at least the worst of it was over.

Andi and I have been noticing how the whole world seems crazy right now. Especially the world in downtown Portland. There have been days when the police and fire sirens never stop, there are full-on fist fights on the streets outside our window (there have been two in the last week, the first two in three years of being down here), and everyone is on edge. First we were blaming it on the meteor shower and the full moon, but now I'm not sure what it is. The last time I felt like this the whole world blew up. I'm just hoping this is holiday anxiety exacerbated by economic woes.

***

Have a great weekend! Kiss everyone you love.

- november 22