I know how some days at work, you're upset with just one person for making your job harder/more, but take it out on everyone else as well? I know, I've been there, and do feel that way from time to time.

But truth is, NO ONE REALY CARES. No one cares if you're having a bad day or if someone else has made your work life just that bit harder than it already is. Least of all your bosses.

So don't carry your weight around like the whole world owes you something, or start yelling at me because you can't finish your work. Because nobody owes you anything or cares. Worse, your bosses now think you're unprofessional.

So you owe it to yourself to just snap out of it.

We came, we chatted, had tea and dumplings together, saw and chatted some more, and parted ways after more than 2 hours.

I had the pleasure of catching up with one of Singapore's pioneer artists last Thursday. He's really old now, something like 88 this yr. He is entirely self-taught, and doesn't believe in using oils and the typical paintbrushes, prefering to stick to Chinese inks and Chinese brushes for his art. And he paints whole landscapes from MEMORY. *gasp*

I won't say I'm a big fan of his works or that he has a great variety in the first place, but just listening to him speak about his inspiration, about the times when the Singapore Art and Equator Art Societies were flourishing, and when Tampines had only 1 school of 64 students and he was the principal (and the teacher, and the janitor, etc, you get the general drfit), was simply awesome. I feel as if I had been in the presence of greatness.

What NOT to do at your first client meeting

To my agency friends, I speak from the client's perspective - Never under-estimate first impressions. They determine just about EVERYTHING.

Most agencies who meet me come fully prepared for this first meeting - a short presentation about their firm, who they are, what they do, and almost everyone would read up about your company on the website or fire a series of questions at you even before the first meeting.

Typically, that's what most firms do, typically. I think it is the very least you can do, esp if you want their business.

The agency I met today, was simply APPALLING. They didn't:

1. bother to do their show and tell about who they are (maybe they assume I should know... RIGHT....)
2. While they read up a bit about who the client is and what we do, but somehow still didn't seem to understand us at all (they should have clarified on email beforehand really, if they din get it at the beginning)
3. forgot to bring their brains along with them to the meeting, constantly clarifying the things they had clarified like 2 mins ago
4. constantly gave me spaced out looks throughout the meeting
5. did not get most of the points i've expressed be it in the brief or spoken, even after repetitions and re-phrasing of sentences by me and my colleague
6. were just exasperating to speak to for 45 mins.

And this is all after an exasperating first phone call to the company to find out who'd be the right people to talk to for this project. The phone receptionist spoke with a ching-chong accent, didn't know what MICA is, who it stands for, much less that it is a dept under the government, then proceeds to transfer me twice to the wrong account managers before the final acct manager who took my brief said that she wasn't the right person to speak with but will pass me on to someone else.

It no longer matters how big a brand name you are. YOU SUCK.

Its been more than 3 days since I've heard Harry Connick Jr live in concert, and I'm still gushing!

The jazz was nice and smooth, his tone was simply divine, and the piano-playing was just jaw-dropping. Of course it helps that he still looks cute even at 40. He ended the evening with the song he's most known for, It Had To Be You, but without the big band, just his voice, a saxaphonist (I think its a bass one) and the double bass. More mellow, yet shows how he has matured with his music as well over the years. That made my day!

And my boy topped off a wonderful evening with drinks at the Bar and Billard Room (another place with plenty of good memories). My evening was complete. *contented smile*

Super looking forward to Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra tomorrow night. I have to say the line-up for this year's Mosaic Music Festival is pretty amazing!!

I can watch this over and over and OVER again..... *muahahahaaaaa*

Thanks, Frankie!

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's" Your Personality Type?

This is probably one of those times when I'm more pensive, reflective.

There were some really high points in 2007 - moments of great joy, pride and achievement. But the moments of great anguish and pain (including the moments I'm not proud of), populate my memory more than the good ones, and sometimes still ache in my heart.

I pray I'd never have to re-live some of the unpleasant moments from 2007 ever again. I felt I was tested and reduced to pulp, and even now, am still trying to recover from it.

And if, by some fluk of a chance, I end up in those same situations again, I pray that it'll be a better me that can stand strong in the midst of the storm.