Almost exactly six months ago, I had my second interview with the City Law firm, whom I started working for eleven days later. In a twist of fate, (or should that be luck?) I find myself in a very similar predicament once again. Following a successful second interview yesterday afternoon, I waited patiently for the phone to ring. I needed some good news. Time was running out, I knew I could not spend any more time ‘drifting’ at home. The break had done me some good but my batteries were fully recharged and I was becoming restless. When the phone rang, the smile on my face said it all. Yet, there was more a sense of relief than just pure elation. Looking for a job in January, would have been an uphill struggle with my chances diminishing, opportunities closing and the wealth of competition increasing. To be frank, I would not have got a look in. An interview would have been hard to come by. This is the time the job market gets ugly. Not the ideal time to be looking for a job. Though I have consistently follow this argument, that there is never a good time to be looking for a job (unless you already have one, that is!).

Looking back to my blog entries from early June this year, I looked for inspiration. What did I find? A beautiful vision of life before the realism of working in London came to light. I surprise even myself at the quality, clarity and definition to my entries, which at times, take even my breath away. Perhaps that is being too arrogant and self-centred. Is that what having an online journal does to you? You keep looking at the centre, rather than the world around you. Begging to differ, I take the text as it is meant to be, a reflection of my life, feelings and mood combined with the songs being listened to at a moment in time. Yesterday afternoon, as I drove back from my interview, the sun was setting across the Berkshire countryside, I had a longing to record the moment in my blog. This feeling has been missing of late, and I have never felt such a strong compelling to write. I hope this ‘feeling’ whatever it is, continues. Unfortunately on this occasion, there can not be the under cover surveillance will not be possible. If I was to say, I am making a change in business environment that would be an understatement. All I will say for now, I may be far away from the capital but I am never the less as far away from Royalty.

I have to point out one of the uncanny ‘similarities’ with June. That Sunday, England played France in their opening Euro 2004 fixture. This Sunday sees London rivals, Arsenal take on Chelsea at Highbury. Arse Blog has the latest. Yeah, I can hear you cry, “big deal” but remember the result on that evening in Lisbon was very difficult to call. So what makes this classic encounter so different? Time will tell. Doesn’t help with Rupert’s friends hype it up as Judgment Day. I will enjoy how Jose will deal with defeat when he seems so confident of victory. He has to remember it just a game.

Every once in a while, something happens in my life, which turns everything around. To you, on the outside this will seem like a strange way excuse to waffle on about some insignificant highlight. Trust me and stick with me on this one. All will be revealed. I was in India in May 2001, with my family for three weeks. The hotel we stayed in Argra was heavily advertising for a local retail shop, situation down the main shopping district, a stones throw away from the hotel. Yes, the growing middle classes have an aspiration for designer clothes, even in India. If the truth be known, we never got to meet the legendary green crocodile and at the time, it was not something I would noticeably miss. Over three years later, I watching television one idle evening. The adverts are playing and I’m playing little attention. then a beautiful young voice fills my living room and my eyes switch in an instant onto the screen. Sure I had seen the adverts for their perfume but this was something else. Money had been spent on this commercial and to great affect. They were not so much promoting a product, as the brand. Natasha Thomas, the sweet seventeen year old Dane takes the vocal role, supported by the French tennis superstar, Arnaud Clément. While some may argue that celebrity endorsements do nothing for product exposure, I disagree. You have to see the success Mr. B. is having across the pond, where he is a relative unknown and these fancy razor blades are flying off the shelves.

A quick search around the web, I have only been able to find the following, fansite dedicated to Natasha. There is of course the official offering from the suits, sorry I mean record label, Sony, if you prefer something more fancy, polished and refined. It is difficult to describe how I feel at this moment in time. On a cold, winter evening, hearing this song has warmed my heart. You really need to see the television commercial to understand how I feel. Yes, maybe I am fickle for letting a thirty second spot put my head in such a spin but this is nothing to do with the product, the beautiful location or the beautiful people. It is all about the song. My initial reaction on the first viewing, was, “what an amazing song!”. My response hasn’t changed, only grown. Others will say it is Over Now. But for me, I think this is very much just the beginning.

You’re walkin’ the wire
Looking for love in between
But you don’t have desire
Do you know what I mean?

What kind of love have you got?
You should be home, but you’re not
I don’t want to believe that it’s over now