July 24, 2003

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Posted by Guy Brighton at 6:48 PM

Guy Brighton's Wishful Thinking In New York

Guy Brighton moved to New York from London in Summer 2003 to seek work and new experience. This blog is a tongue-in-cheek online diary of Guy Brighton's trials and tribulations together with Guy Brighton's guide to New York's restaurants, bars and nightlife; and it also includes some tips for other alien job hunters too.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 6:27 PM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2003

THURDAY 16TH JULY : RETURN ALREADY

I had to return to merry England to go to a wedding and a stag do / bachelor party.

Continue when i get back.

My head hurts already.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

WED 16th JULY : GOOD NEWS?

Good news: on Wednesday I got an informal meeting with an e-marketing agency in Soho. Remember my drink in Toad Hall? Well the guy got me names and I called them and they said 'yes' they'll see me for 20 mins.

How refreshing vs. the UK

So all you job hunters out there - take faith: they're hiring and they're willing to pass my name onto other contacts. I'll get a job in new Yrok no problemo. Blimey, networking really works. Seems that the market has changed recently: 3 to 6 months ago they wouldn't have been so keen.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 12:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 14, 2003

TUESDAY 15TH JULY : GETTING BUSTED


I had a slightly different New York experience last night but one which I will remember for many moons. The Lady had come back from a business trip to Puerto Rico (should I believe her?) and I decided to celebrate by getting a bottle of Pinot Grig. Have you been to the Hudson River Park?

Fk! It's a Mediterranean promenade! Miles and miles with landscaped garden-piers, free canoe/kayaking/ cycle hire and even a clown school.

And what is lovely is that you can sit on a beautiful day and watch te sun go down - all that's missing is a Salinas Beach (Ibiza) DJ playing Balaeric tunes and maybe some of the beach residents.

So me and the lady smuggled a bottle of wine up to the end of the pier and she read through the first draft of my screenplay 'Robert Two Bellies'. I had to sedate her by pouring quite a lot of wine into her glass as the criticism was pretty harsh at first. The sun went down and it was beautiful (she didn't say "I don't get it for at least five minutes). Then when we forgot where we were and she was squinting to read under the lamp-post light two of New York's finest turned up in green on their cycles.

"Is that Alcohol you have there?" the mouthstached one said. I answered no, the lady answered yes.

"I could smell it you see," he continued. What? Smell white wine above the pong of the Hudson? I took a look at the other green-shirt. She was bigger built than oustache so I thought I'd comply. Mstch told me that it was an offence and that he could take us down the precinct.

For a moment I thought what a great USA experience to get nicked and spend some time in a cell like the one Dan Ackroyd was in in Trading Places. Then I realised that the film was shot in the 80s when people realy were freaks and NYC was a little dodgy.

So the Lady nudged me as we handed over the bottle hidden in her bag and I did an over the top Brit on vacation skit. I told him that I was very sorry and that we could drink anywhere we wanted in England (except Coventry I think - but who would dare go there). He turned round, looked at my belly and asked if I drank a lot? That did it... there is only so much you can take fromt he boys in Green. I went for the bottle (it still had half a glassful) and the bigger officer grabbed me. Fk - she was strong.

They let the lady off with a warning and I had to go to the precinct. Have you ever riden on the handlebars as an adult? And handcuffed? After that experience the jail was fine. I was even given my one call - but I really didn't know what to do with it. I waited.

And waited.

And then the Lady's father turned up to get me out.

Now I'm in real sht.

I mumbled something about "Nanny State" and the possible father in law explained to me in not too simple terms how he'd "look after me" if I carried on the way I was going.

Better get a job soon to show that I am caring and not daring future possible son-in-law or I'm back to blighty with weekends in the park or pub garden getting sozzled. Do I miss it? Not one jot.

Posted by Guy Brighton at 7:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

MONDAY 14th JULY : VIVA LA FRANCE NYC

bastille2So it hit me. I was lying in a sand pit on my way to have a beer with somebody who worked (still and luckily) in New Media at Toad Hall; when I realized something about the recent French vs. USA issue.

I walked through Macdougal street down towards Houston and there were all these orange-red-white-n-blue balloons. Behind the road closed barrier I noticed a large further inspection showed a number of champagne bottles on and then it happened: I was playing in the sand… well in fact everyone else around me was I was just lying there being jeered at. It transpired that I had stepped on a boule. There was a Petanque championship going on around me and I had upset play in one of the quarter finals.

All was resolved luckily when I fled the scene. As I quaffed a Stella (which is almost French) waiting for my contact to turn up I thought about New York’s great love affair of France. Of course there’s the lady with the big light in the harbor, there are thousands of French cafes and restaurants – and if you go to others, you’ll find French offerings on the menu – and the city is packed with the little grenouille. Thousands of them – I saw them all at the Gotan project remember. They don’t seem to have been put off by Mr Bush.

It’s an interesting feature of New York and an arresting one too. Despite what the politicians say there certainly is a love affair between New Yorkers and all things French and vice-versa. And it won’t take 200,000 men messing around in a big sand pit to change that!

Posted by Guy Brighton at 7:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

JOB HUNTING IN NEW YORK

NYC BarJOB HUNTING IN NEW YORK TIP OF THE DAY FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS

Buy the 'International Business in New York City' Directory from New York City Store.

This well crafted directory contains a list of all (or a lot) of the foreign companies operating in New York by country of origin.

My suggestion is to spam every company from your country - who knows, hopefully it will land on a xenophobic HR or CEO's desk who would employ one of their own rather than a local any day of the week.

Check it at: NYC.gov/citystore

Click on Job Hunt Advice under categories on the left hand bar for more advice.

Below are some books on the subject available on Amazon:

Posted by Guy Brighton at 3:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

9th-12th JULY : WEATHER IS BEAUTIFUL

SUNDAY 12TH

Weather was beautiful and showed the Lady the Hudson River Park walk way. She's lived near the river for four years and has never walked along it. They've done wonders - we met a few of the lady's friend near Battery Park and I got the lowdown on their love life and so on - as you do with NYC girls.

We then went round to dinner to Anna's and had a barbeque on her terrace. Again I was outnumbered 6 to 1 girls to boys and I had to listen to their latest romantic escapades. That didn;t bother me but then at the magic hour of nine I had to sit and watch a TV programme that seemed to echo everything that had been said by every American girl I had met that day: Sex and the City. At least there was a little bit of boob in it.

Tomorrow. Must get on with job hunt and finish writing that screenplay.


SATURDAY 11TH JULY

Saturday, we ventured to Philadelphia to see the Lady's family. As usual it was a treat - they fed me well and - being unable to understand my accent - left me to my devices. I suggested that I'd take their fluffy little white dog for a walk whilst the rest of them caught up. The park was ony ten minutes away by car and I was releived to see the sun out - I was all up for some fresh air after my first week in NYC.

The dog - I daren't even remember his name - had other ideas. As I pulled up he jumped from the window and fled, dodging the wheels of a grand SUV and then into a river bed. After a few shouts I gave chase past the sign that told me 'No Pets' - when I got to the river bed the dog splashed around and wagged its tale. It then stood still - I thought I had my chance to get hold of it when it fled again towards what i reckon it thought was a large white bird up the hill. The large white bird up the hill was actually a hand-glider that someone was using to train on. As I ran up the hill chasing the yapping dog, the glider drifted down the hill to the sound of the pilot's "Get the fk out of the way!"

I stopped and froze. Not at the potential accident but at the fact the fluffly little dog my lady and her family thought was so cute was actually jumping at quite a great height at the pilot. The second time it tried it caught the pilot's trousers and clung on until the pilot landed. As the pilot had lost the use of one leg he wasn't able to steady himslef and the whole tent-like structure collapsed around him.

I scampered back to the car and fortunately the dog did too - I probably looked like a big bird at that stage too.

Dogs are only for the city I suggest.


FRIDAY 10th JULY

Frank Mountain - new British photographer to the stars and New York resident cancelled on me for Soho House NYC. I was more upset that I wasn't going to get a chance to hang on the hammocks around the pool on the roof than pick Frank's brain for some contacts to pester about finding work. Although Frank's brain has been pickled since the 80s when he was heavily involved with Kinki Gerlinki and the London club scene. At least it's always fun to hang out with him - he knows everyone and has a rotten story to tell about each and everyone. Next time.

THURSDAY 9th JULY

After the interview with Mediaplonk the day before I decided to take it a little easy and met up with Anthony, the designer, and some of his workmates to see the Gotan Project up at Soundstage in Central Park.

Paris based tango-techno group rocked the multi-national mini-arena. In true French style we ignored the rules of waiting in line, skipped in near the front and found oursleves a nice seat at the front someone was saving for someone else (yes, I am ashamed now of my actions - but on the day it was a godsend acting a little 'continental'). The band played mainly beind a large screen onto which various video art was played. Lights also shone from behind the band to cast large shaddows across the screen.

We drank, we danced, we argued that they could not possible by French, we watched fat chaps tango with tall women and then at the end someone else's firework display started. All of New York must have been in love with the band.

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July 9, 2003

WED 9th JULY : PARK

Two significant events: I got an interview! and I got drunk!

So there I was at MediaPlonk - a media/advertising agency on Maddison. A young lady who explained that she had been working every hour a god had given her since eight staff left en-masse six months ago. She wanted to know if I would be interested in looking after clients and a spot of new business. She actually understood most of everything I said (I'm realising the accent/speed of my dialog(ue) can be a barrier to the simplest of communication) and laughed when I told her that I really needed a job becuase I need decent Air Conditioning (the lady queried this and suggested she was being polite - she doesnt think the NYkers are going to get the humour). Aftr an hour still wasn;t too sure what the job was but hey, the interviewer said they'd consider 'sponsoring' my visa so told her I love her (Lady also thinks that this was a bit strong).

The company is called MediaPlonk as the media they plan and buy is so good it gets you drunk. Sounds perfect for me.

Spent the evening with fellow Brit Andrew. Andrew arrived at APT in Meatpackers looking like a 80s Cocaine Baron - dodgy chin beard, big hair and tropical shirt - now, I don't exactly look the typical NYker yet (but give me time, I just bought some large shorts from American Eagle and I'm blending in) - and I think the beard thing is a bit new to the residents here - for much of the evening they avoided us - we ended up in Pastis amazed at the sheer quantity of attention seekers clucking around. We walked in with our collars up just to add to the scene. The Lady joined us and we walked to somewhere Andrew could drink and smoke - Park. Let's just say that the Lady might not let us go there by ourselves again. After we came it filled with 18-20 year old girls mostly wearing tight white tops and short demin skirts. The girls started talking to Andrew immediatley as I hid behind the lady - I didn't want her to think I would ever go out without her and chat to someone. Anthony anyway got a slap for misunderstanding the printed word 'funk' on a girl's T Shirt. Trying to get-with-the-lingo he assumed it was something to do with her smell - she wasn't too happy.

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July 8, 2003

TUE 8th JULY : GETTING FUNKY

Woke up without a hangover which was suprising as we were celebrating one of the lady's friend's birthdays on Monday night. Italian on the charming West 14th! Two bottles of wine between six of us (five girls and me) and most of them girls chose appetizer salads. Went for steak to make up with the slow performance. No singing or being asked to leave at end of night. My, it's a little different here.

Good thing was that the lady's friend's gave me the thumbs up - which she tells me is very important. Happy with this news I left Bank St on Tuesday morning to move the car to somewhere I can park on Tuesdays.

Hmmm. The car was 'absent'.

I should have realised that I was a little stupid to have thought to myself yesterday "Wow - there's enough room there to park two cars, I'm surprised no one else noticed it. That's handy"

Tow fee was $185 and parking near a fire-hydrant $105. Lady is not too happy and, I admit, we had a small row which ended in the lady demanding I go home.

Quiet night in.

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July 7, 2003

MON 7th JULY : CAR PARK

ts_ny_29aWoke up at 5.30am in a panic that I hadn't achieved anything since I had arrived - not one job interview. The lady told me that she'd chuck me out if this sort of behaviour continues so I decided to do demonstrate how much a New Yorker I had become in 8 hours - I ran down the Hudson along the pretty path they have there. Bumped into all sorts of people - mainly big men with little dogs - who all seemed keen to talk to me. Kept my resolution and carried on tho' all the way to what appears to be a clown school further down - trapezes and falling down.

When I got back to Bank Street she hadn't even noticed. What does that say? Spent the rest of the morning phoning and emailing old contacts of the dot-com days.

Funny most of my old dot-com contacts seem to have moved on now.... Got distracted by having to move the Lady's father's car from one side of the street in West Village to the other to avoid a ticket. After 3 hours of driving around (and ending up in Mid Town, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn??) I eventually found a great parking space that isn't being cleaned on Mondays and Thursdays.

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July 6, 2003

SUN 6th JULY : WHAT NOW?

imagesI got here alright - what now? Air India flew me safetly to JFK from Heathrow. You can't really beat them: half the price, half the seat width, half the leg room, half your guts leave your body after the food - but hey, it helped my Atkins diet. A 6'4" American eyed my bulkhead seat with envy as I lazed my legs in front of me - if he only knew. He was in the aisle able to sleep. I was blasted with the reflection from the large screen of several Bollywood films. They are still recurring in my dreams.

The lady picked me up. Seeme genuinely keen that I was here. We'll see what her plans are. Thank goodnees for AC.

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