SecsintheCity

The Secret PA: Holiday Diary

Sacher Torte, Mozart & 'Wein' by the pitcher  

Vienna had always manifested itself as a quixotically regal destination, where daily rituals included ‘ein Klein’ Viennese Coffee and Sacher torte, a stroll through landscaped gardens, and evenings of Mozart. Little did I know that it was to be further embellished, and not just because of the concert ticket from the bosses but that did play a part. Not going to a Mozart concert while I was there would have been sacrilege.

I also paid his musical highness a visit at Burrgarten. Such a shame it was a statue. I would have quite liked to join him for a cuppa ;)

If only there was a time machine…

(sigh…)

The garden, which used to be the private gardens of the Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi, is the perfect place to walkabout, and even better with one of those audio guides. I did the whole route which included a walk through the courtyard of the imperial Palace and the Sacher Hotel, with a bit of storytelling laced through it.

I’m beginning to think hair and beauty culture came from the beauty routine of the Empress Sisi, who as history tells it, was known for her beauty, and lustrous long hair… which, believe it or not was actually heel length. Who does that?

Have you ever seen anyone with hair that long? Apparently she called herself “slave of my hair”. ‘Speed dressing’ was obviously not a necessity in those days. That said, she does seem quite the power woman; she was apparently the best horse-rider who’s only rival was the Empress Eugénie of France. 

Then of course there was the icing on the cake…. Sacher Torte, at the Sacher Hotel, where I met Sisi, an elderly writer on the table beside me, (the name seemed apt… I couldn’t tell how old she was but she had certainly aged with grace. Sort of how I imagine Scarlet twenty years from now).

The best part, I have to say was the evening weaving through the fountains in the gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. It was the one of the most spectacular sunsets I had ever seen. I sat on a ledge looking out from the top of Schönbrunn Hill floating amidst the symphonies of Mozart when HE called.

He was back from his trip….and I daresay, back to doing an impressive job of impressing yours truly ;) I hadn’t spoken to him a lot while he was away but the little has gone a long way *blush*.

It was almost too perfect, the setting, the conversation, the music still trickling through my earphones….was I dreaming?  

The way things have panned out since my return – he surprised me with flowers at the airport, among other things. I so did not expect that…Are things going too well or am I just being paranoid?

Oh, he’s calling *blush*  

Will finish my Vienna memoirs later.....won't be long, I promise x 

 

Toodles x ;)  

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

 

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 481

“Tschüss Curly". “Nach Wien mit Liebe”  xx

….Which in German means, “Goodbye Curly”, and “To Vienna with Love”. xx

As a non-speaker of German, I instantly became BFFs with my new mini English to German dictionary on the way to Vienna.

I did do a bit of German at school but I never really spoke it, so didn’t remember much. Some bits must have stayed with me because at least I felt I could read the signposts. 

I always buy a phrase book and a dictionary when I travel if I'm going somewhere where the language spoken isn’t English....and I find the important words often stick.

Hint hint, if your boss is going somewhere where English isn’t the most commonly spoken language it’s always wise to add these to their travel kit. 

Of course, it would be a lot better if I could speak at least two more languages because in the PA world, being bi-lingual or multi-lingual is a big plus and opens up many more doors. I did put it on my list of New Year resolutions. I have to admit that it’s not got struck off the list yet. Visiting Vienna, the home of Mozart has. 

Having worked (slogged!) over the Easter weekend and in the run up to the festival, the bosses gave me three days off. The festival by the seaside was smooth sailing and a journey of discovery for me. I hung out with the Scarecrow quite a bit and we had a few laughs, and surprisingly I felt absolutely nothing even though we took a walk by the beach after dinner on the last evening since the others had decided to have an early night. I’m still amazed at my stamina given the 10 hour days I had worked for two straight days before that. I blame it on cherry coke, an unfamiliar component to my liquid dietary dis-array that usually comprises skinny chai lattes, the occasional skinny caramel latte or macchiato and plenty of green and herbal tea. 

In Vienna, though it was something far more sinfully decadent that I am now having to compulsively squeeze a 30 minute work-out into my pre get-ready-for-work routine. Mozart chocolate liqueur…..what can I say. Not sure if it’s because of the turn of events caused by the phone call from Banker Guy while I was sipping on Mozart chocolate liqueur or because I was blown away by the magnificence of Vienna itself. I reckon a bit of both. I’m secretly a huge fan of classical music and Mozart is among my favourites so really, what better place to go for a city break than Vienna, with a concert thrown in courtesy of the bosses as a thank you for my efforts at the weekend. 

“Nach Wien mit Liebe” indeed ;)  I really cannot find words that more perfectly describe the sentiment.

 

Anyway, got to run, I am being summoned by the bosses almighty!

 

Will write again soon. Need to tell you about Vienna. It was too splendid for me not to ;)

 

X  

 

P.S.  Has anyone got any ideas for more City Breaks? ;) 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 470

A cat, a call and a bucket of paint. 

Me: “Silver plated loaf of bread? Breast implants? You’re joking?!”

Whiz Girl: “No, really, look”

It’s true. Whiz Girl found an article on PA Life that had us sitting on the fence between amused beyond belief and downright shocked. My (correction: ours) errands list for the bosses pales in comparison.

Of course I had no idea I’d be taking that back a week later and adding ‘cat seeking’ and ‘speed dressing’ to my ‘repertoire of talents’ as I like to call it, partly because it sounds musical and partly because it is in fact the truth.

I had gotten home late-ish following mission Easter egg chocolate selection and dinner with the PR team. Scarlet rang at 7.02am, what on earth was she ringing for at this hour? Turned out she had just arrived at hot yoga and the painters had showed up on her doorstep an hour earlier than expected. What kind of painter arrives early??

So, I needed to not only roll out of bed but onto her doorstep to let the painters in and then wait until she got back to leave. This needed to be done ASAP of course because otherwise they wouldn’t get enough done before she left for work and she needed them to be done with all the painting before the weekend.

What she forgot to mention was that her sister from the US was visiting (again). The most important detail was that she was visiting with her cat. It’s one of those rare occasions where I have seen a cat and dog living in harmony under the same roof, kind of reminds me of her and Pepper actually *wink*

Anyway, after speed showering and dressing I arrived at Scarlet’s. That’s when cat-astrophe struck; I opened the door to let the painters and as I did, the cat bolted out into the garden giving the painters a start and me a nice slosh of paint across my lilac ballet flats. I went rushing after the cat but she had disappeared from view. For a moment it was all so surreal like something out of a movie. The garage door was slightly ajar but the there was no sign of the silly cat. In the meantime, Scarlet rang to find out if I had let the painters in and to tell me to make sure the cat doesn’t escape (“everything’s fine” – I lied) and to say she’d be back in about 25 minutes. Panic!

There was still no sign of the cat. In the midst of the frantic searching, which a neighbour in her pjs had now become my accomplice in, I got a call from Whiz Girl saying she was down with Norovirus. So pyjama girl (her name is Lizzie) who incidentally has perfectly manicured red nails and wears bright red lipstick, sunglasses and low heel slippers with a fluffy ball on the front to lie in her lawn (hidden from immediate view to the street by perfectly manicure rose bushes) reading the paper (is she a delusional Hollywood wannabe or am I missing something here?). At this point I am convinced she is a long lost daughter of Scarlet.

Of course I am wise to keep my mouth shut because she has offered to help me locate the cat (she is sworn to secrecy, Scarlet cannot find out). While we’re still on the hunt for this 4 legged fluffball my phone rings again and it says ‘unknown number’ so I pick it up.

You won’t believe who it was! I certainly couldn’t. It was banker guy. Sadly all I had time for was a brief synopsis of the status quo before hanging up: at this point I have less than ten minutes to locate a missing cat because Scarlet and her sister could be home any second. Talk about bad timing!

As we reached the back of the house where the conservatory is we suddenly saw something move. And voila! The little monster was angelically curled up on one of the sofas sleeping as if nothing had happened. Cheeky creature. Thanks for nothing cat. The window was open so she must have got in through that. If I was Audrey Hepburn and this was Cat, I may have been a bit more sympathetic and happy to see it. But I was relieved. Just as pyjama girl went back in to her house and shut the door, Scarlet’s car pulled up.

Whew! Close call. Or not! The painters have left a bucket of paint out the front and I end up knocking it over and have in the matter of seconds transformed my tights into a graffiti wall. Great!

Scarlet barely seems to blink but her sister ends up bursting into a fit of laughter. I am mortified.  

An hour later, I was sitting at my desk taking a breather and I have to say, a chai latte has never tasted better. Of course calm and breathing time is short lived here. I’m sure you all can relate to that ;)

That’s actually when I had a look at my facebook page. I love what SecsintheCity’s designers have done for my cover page, pretty cool don’t you think? ;)

 

In other news….

 

Banker Guy hasn’t called back yet ….

 

The Curly Scarecrow will be part of the weekend away group….

 

I wonder what the weekend has in store for me….

 

Wish me luck x

 

 

P.S.  Have you ever had a day like this or am I the only one? :S

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 461

BFFs, Scarecrow and Facebook’s new Timeline. And a side order of mixed feelings.

Change. I’m not talking about Taylor Swift but the reality that can make or break a PA – If you think I’m being melodramatic, blame it on the caffeine unsubstantiated morning I’m having: it’s 6am and the milk’s gone sour. Gnah!.You can love it, loathe it or objectively accept that you are destined to befriend it.

Pepper said I needed to work with the PR team to get our key clients Facebook Timeline’s sorted before the end of the month. They have a designer and a social media manager but I need to work with them to make sure we get a cover page image the clients are happy with. I also need to give them all the information for milestones in the client’s history, being the one who’s been managing the relationship with them over the last….1 year and almost 5 months.

While it’s all quite cool, it is different and that’s always the challenge, getting to grips with technological change. Just when you get used to something, they go ahead and change it.

 

I think there are mixed feelings about the new facebook timeline….

 

…..there are also mixed feelings on other fronts…..

 

I am reverting to my previous stance on City Boys and back to wondering why I'm a magnet for the type who never call. In short, the dinner with Banker Guy was fun. I thought Valentine’s Day was awesome for once (I mean, there were red roses, cheesy as it sounds, it can do wonders for the #hapless romantic). But I haven’t heard from him since. He was going away for a 2 month business trip to New York but we are friends on facebook. Hello? Should I delete him?

As for the Curly Scarecrow, he gave me a small heart shaped box of strawberry truffles on International women’s day. Of course when he gave it to me I had no idea I was one of many (including Scarlet, Sal, Emilie, Whiz Girl, Raggie and even Clawly!) who were recipients of the same trophy. And I didn’t realise I had gone pink in the face until Whiz Girl said I looked like I was on Cloud nine.

Then, to make matters worse, the new marketing assistant, Ernie, who arrived at the precise moment of my pink flush, to inquire about a new client’s marketing proposal which was waiting for sign off from Scarlet, asked if I fancied the Curly Scarecrow which sent Whiz Girl into a fit of giggles. I denied it of course. (Are people out of their mind? I am so over the Curly Scarecrow. Or am I?)

On another note, I have less in-house competition, Clawly is now engaged.(I know, shocking!) and she’s expecting (double shock!). And she’s still here. She says she wants ‘stability’ for now. Her fiancé I hear is a fitness instructor. Oh and guess who has become her new best friend? Raggie. BFFs are so sixteen. Or are they? Not for some people. It also turns out that Raggie is secretly dating one of the IT guys. He joined a few weeks ago. He has a tattoo and an earring.

Moving on to more fun holiday type things, we’re doing a 2 day Easter festival over the Friday and Saturday of the bank holiday weekend, (which means I get two days off the following weekend. I’m thinking of going to Vienna – any tips on where to stay?).

We’ll be staying overnight, not too far from a  beach. Quite *excited*. Scarlet, Pepper, Curly Scarecrow, the PR team and I are going. Whiz Girl, Raggie and Clawly are not. Just saying. The only thing left to do is brief PR on our social media messages for the event, buy a new dress and….sample Easter eggs to finalise which ones are going in the goody bags for the event. No mixed feelings there. I love chocolate and every now and then it helps remind me why I love my job ;)

 

Chocolatier, here I come.

 

Toodles x  

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

 

The Secret PA – Day 452

PAs on the town and Banker Guy. 

I am so over the Curly Scarecrow and an evening out with my PA friends in the City did lead to a sudden turn of events in my life. Needless to say, banker guy was involved… 

On the way to my desk I bump into the Curly Scarecrow. I feel nothing. My phone rings. It’s Scarlet. What a coincidence.   

I reach my desk to find Whiz Girl pounding away at her keyboard. I’ve given her a piece of research to work on. Really it’s just typing out segments from books, magazines and press releases but it keeps her busy and she says, she’s learning something by typing it out. She’s also managed to decipher my scrawls. I’m not as bad Pepper but you know what it’s like when you’re writing in a hurry. 

It was an average day. Nothing exciting happened….until the evening.

A lot of my PA friends work in the City, unlike me, with my ‘cool’ job in the West End. I hadn’t been out socially with the girls in a while and Scarlet and Pepper were in Liverpool the next day so I had taken the morning off.

I hadn’t had a day off since forever. I’m not complaining though, how can you when you work in the music business. I don’t admit it to my girls but I think my job – mad as it can get sometimes – is way more fun than a lot of theirs.

Still, looking at the sort of salaries that PAs in finance are offered on SecsintheCity, and how much my best friend gets paid, sometimes I wonder whether I should consider moving. Then again, would I really enjoy it? It’s true that there seem to be a lot more opportunities for PAs in the City and legal PAs too but I don’t really want to move anytime soon, given that I’ve just got a PA and I now get to do project management.

Anyway, we decided to meet up at a posh bar in the City. So had a lot of bankers. Coincidently one of the girls bumped into someone from work, who had stopped by with one with one of his mates. I somehow got talking to the friend who much to my surprise had more to talk about than the stock market, such as wine, cricket and music. We didn’t exchange phone numbers. (He did connect with me on LinkedIn a few days later though, saying he had tickets to a friend’s gig.)

Still, would I move to the City to become an even more generous benefactor of my shopping fund? Hmmmm…

 

Do any of you work in legal or finance? How long have you been there? What’'s it like? 

 

Hope to hear from you soon  ;)   x x 

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

The Secret PA: Day 447

The Post Valentine’s Day run down. It’s just another day. Really. Really?

13th February 

Walked past miscellaneous Valentine’s day graffiti of sorts and think: If I see the V word one more time I’m going to be ill. I’m not the Anti-Valentine, just a hapless romantic (still). And a very ambitious (will I really have time in my over stuffed day for a ‘relationship’?) but single (still) PA.

Yup, the only thing’s that’s changed in the past year is my feelings about the Scarecrow.

A while ago, I have to admit (*mortified* don’t tell anyone) I did almost get cajoled into going for this so called dating coach’s workshop with my slightly older cousin (like me, very ambitious and very single). I got cold feet - in the shape of ‘an urgent thing at work’- at the last minute.

Now I’m wondering if I should have gone after all?

14th February

So what did it bring? Well….this is sort of how it went… (Sorry, I’ve been a bit secretive about it. Things have been a bit mad around here so didn’t get round to writing this)

 

7.05am 

Alarm rings. Snooze it.

 

7.55am 

Leave home hoping that I don’t bump into any roses from my housemate’s boyfriend on the way out. Think to myself: I am wearing the anti valentine shield. I am immune to all pokes at my single status and PDAs on public transport.

 

8.15am

3 stops before my stop: banker looking guy gets on train with girlfriend (I presume) in pink stilettos. He opens he laptop backpack when she’s not looking and takes out a red rose and a wrapped box. Looks suspiciously like tiffany’s – or that could just be my imagination.

 

8.38am 

Sipping Chai Latte to treat myself after being attacked by the proliferation of Valentine’s Day pocket emptying displays along the way. Anti-Valentine shield intact. 

 

8.42am 

A big bouquet arrives. It lands on Whiz Girl’s desk. I cheekily check card when no one is looking. It says ‘Love Me’. Hmmm.

 

8.54am 

Whiz Girl walks in looking chirpy. See’s bouquet and goes ‘awwww’. Blushes and smiles. (Young love – sigh).

 

9.10am 

Phone rings, it’s the printers. They’re checking if I am working today to check on some final designs for a flyer. (It’s Valentine’s Day! FYI – It’s not a bank holiday). 

 

10.59am 

Look at my facebook page. I post ‘To laugh or not to laugh’. I’m still in disbelief that the printers thought we might be on holiday, and the fact that Whiz Girl looks a bit like a teenager in love. 

 

11.30am 

Realise that I didn’t even get flowers from Mum this year. She and Dad have gone to Venice for a ‘short escape’. 

 

12.20pm 

Receive email from one of the girls in marketing asking if I want to come to lunch at this Sushi place. I say yes.

 

2.00pm 

Return from lunch with office gossip. Curly Scarecrow is ‘supposedly in love’ with his ‘high school sweetheart. New web designer Tall has a crush on a new sales girl. She is ‘attached’, he is crushed when we tell him. 

I get back to work. Focus. Focus. Focus (I’m chanting in my head). I get a lot done. I have a meeting with Scarlet and Pepper, they want to know how Whiz Girl is getting on. Meet with venue manager for an upcoming event to finalise the set up and the menu. 

 

4.45pm 

Design for flyers for a new artist’s gig are approved. I let the printer know and tell them Whiz Girl will collect the flyers tomorrow. Then I get a refill of my Chai Latte. 

 

4.50pm 

Return to my desk to see flowers on my desk. Feigning nonchalance I sit down at my desk as my phone beeps. Whiz Girl is looking curiously at me but I don’t make eye contact. I have a text message. OMG. It’s from banker guy (will fill you in later). He want to know if I have plans for dinner. I think of the 3 day rule. He connected with me on LinkedIn, I have my phone number on my profile. That’s where he must have got it from. Hmmm.

 

5.01pm

Scarlet walks past and looks at the flowers. She’s smirking. She wants to know when the flyers will be ready. I say that Whiz Girl will pick them up first thing tomorrow morning. She asks me to let the spa know she will be ten minutes late for her appointment (aka botox fix this evening).

 

5.03pm

I look at the card, it’s signed MK. The flowers are beautiful. M.K. is an old flame from College. He’s an entertainment lawyer. Bumped into him a while back at a networking event, following which he took me out to dinner.  #platonic. 

 

5.37pm 

I text banker guy saying my dinner meeting is cancelled because Pepper thinks he’s coming down with the flu. We agree to meet at 8.00pm. 

 

5.53pm 

I practically run to the station. I’ve been over Scarecrow for a while now. Maybe today will turn out ok after all, for a change? 

 

Will let you know how it goes  ;) 

 

 x  x  x 

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

 

To find a new PA opportunity, visit click here

The Secret PA: Day 441

Delegation.

Just so you know, the transport Gods had the day off and instead of leaving Whiz Girl to ‘hold the fort’ for 45 minutes it ended up being an hour and 35 minutes. As you can imagine I was on the verge of a meltdown; she’s only been there a week and knowing the trust Scarlet and Pepper have in me I can’t afford to let anything go wrong. 

So while I was away Scarlet came in and asked her if she could do an online check-in for her sister who was flying in from Dallas the next day. This didn’t go smoothly. The airline for which her sister was a club card holder had merged with another airline and it was latter airline's flight that she was booked on. The problem was that it wouldn't accept her as user and as a result, she couldn't check in – in all honesty it wasn’t Whiz Girl’s fault but Scarlet was not in a good mood. It all turned out alright in the end though, because I knew a PA to someone at the airline but it did cause a momentary panic. 

Whiz Girl has starting asking in a round about way if she can do more and I’m not a control freak (am I?) but I really don’t feel ready to give her ‘bigger stuff’ yet. Not just yet.

It’s hard because I feel she’s capable but delegating and me are non-acquaintances in the PA-sphere. 

There’s a lot of mundane stuff to do but maybe not enough to keep her busy for 8 hours and I’m still a bit hesitant about what to give her and what not to. I let her research venues for an event we’re planning from which I’ll then create a shortlist for Scarlet and Pepper which has kept her busy. When I give her something she cracks on with it. And she is bright and keen and when she comes up to me asking if she can do something else I know I should be able to give her more responsibility. 

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great having a PA but it’s a bit of work to manage the expectations of both your boss (bosses in my case) and your assistant so everyone is happy and things are getting done. I’m new at the PA with a PA thing but I’m sure it’ll get easier. Now I just need to figure out what’s going on my ‘delegated tasks’ list. 

Better get to it while Scarlet and Pepper are at their lunch meeting and Whiz Girl’s off collecting something from the dry cleaners. 

Later lovelies x  

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA 

The Secret PA: Day 435

Welcome, New Girl. And there comes the Mermaid.  

Gosh, how fast things change around here. A year into the job and I’m now a PA with a PA, and loving it. To be honest it’s actually nice having someone to talk to when Scarlet throws a tantrum over her hairdresser being on honeymoon ‘at the most inopportune moment’.

It was also a blessing having Whiz Girl around on cataclysmic aqua concert night, when the client hosting the event got locked in the loo. The real problem was that he was in the ‘wrong’ loo, if you know what I mean. I was walking towards the ladies when a blonde haired mermaid – his PA - came running towards me in a state of panic. She said he’d got locked in….that’s as much as I can disclose. Of course we had to get someone to get the door open but it had to be kept hush hush.

With press milling around here and there (and of course the even more discreet citizen journalists that hide behind the disguise of anonymous tweeters), that was the big worry.

Pepper and Scarlet, dutifully in the loop, had decided Pepper was to go up on stage and make the best of his comedian skills to distract the crowd and then Scarlet got a floor bartender to do a display on stage. Behind the scenes, the Mermaid, Whiz Girl and I managed to get the Client with half a martini and an alibi back into the party and then actually enjoy the rest of the evening.

This was probably the most exciting part of Whiz Girl's week, because so far she’s just been settling in, getting to know the others, doing the bagel and coffee runs for Scarlet, filing and familiarising herself with things. Even though the snow’s been barely there, it’s nice not having to step outdoors shortly after coming in to work because the boss wants breakfast. It’s also helpful not having to shield calls when I’m trying to put together reports and presentations and more recently, project plans.

So far she’s proved efficient and she seems to learn fast without wasting time. It’s nice being able to give her a job and knowing she’ll just crack on. She’s also good at keeping a smile on when doing the drab (but of course important) task of sorting out paperwork. She even got us two cupcakes the other day, when I just happened to mention I was craving cake. I returned to my desk after a meeting with the Scarlet and a recording artist to find it was cake o’clock.

Anyway, I’m off to the printers to sort out some personalised stationery and posters for an upcoming event, leaving Whiz Girl in charge of my phone and at the beck and call of the bosses for 45 minutes. Hopefully the transport gods are on my side today.

 

Running x x x 

 

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 430 …. and more

Misson Accomplished, snowed under, blown away

I know, I know I promised an update ASAP….but got snowed under and blown away…first with spreadsheets and boss’s bills, and then ‘a surprise’ from Scarlet and Pepper.Then of course there was snow.

So, as some of you (@clarabell_pa ) suggested, I decided to follow my instincts. It was a tough choice between Heely (@lulubell13’s pick!) and Whiz Girl but Whiz Girl did ace the tests.

I’ve had to get the paperwork in order for her arrival. Plus a desk near me, a PC and the other login type IT paraphernalia that comes with it.

I then had to subject myself to the budgets, being month end and all that. I have to say I’m not a huge fan of spreadsheets and numbers but it does give me a good excuse for a hot chocolate.

In honour of my *love* for spreadsheets I was presented with the below by ‘a friend’ recently.   

In other breaking NEWS….

I was recently blown away with ‘a raise’ from Scarlet and Pepper, then ‘dinner and drinks’ in Mayfair with an old flame from College, now an entertainment lawyer. I bumped into him at a Music Industry networking event recently. 

Had a déjà vu accidental rendezvous with Mr.Smooth. It’s weird but you know how you pass the same people on the way to work but don’t actually know them. Sometimes I even know how on schedule I am by the point at which I cross certain people. When I interviewed Mr. Smooth I had this funny feeling that I’d seen him before…and then ‘wham!’ I was walking to the station the morning after the interview when it hit me.

I suddenly found myself face to face with a familiar face, except this time there was also a name. Awkward? Sort of. He tried to be Smooth of course, I was polite but I was genuinely in a rush so it was a quick hi and I  rushed off.

And then…there was snow. I went to see some friends at the weekend, up North. We stayed in, with facials, Audrey Hepburn, chocolates, cheese and wine’ because of the snow.

Whiz Girl starts soon....wish ‘us’ luck (not like it’s going to be an Emily – Andrea Sachs in the ‘Dragon lady’s presence day one, but still).

 

Will let you know how it goes x 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

The Secret PA: Day 428

A PA with a PA, Part III: Whiz Girl and Heely

Ok... (some days and several interviews later), so that didn’t go so badly. I think she was quite a strong candidate. Whiz girl is definitely still in the running. Clever. Super organised, your typical straight A – preppy cool smart girl. Music buff, best friend of ex participant on the X – Factor. Worked as a temp Secretary at a PR company for 3 months. Too ambitious. I don’t believe there is such a word in the PA rule book #careerPAs. Will she want my job? Maybe.

Deal maker-breakers:

What sort of MS Office programs are you comfortable using?

I’ve also used Power Point while helping my friend get together a portfolio while she was auditioning for the X Factor. I’ve increased expense and updates budgets in excel and have experience of formatting mail merge (Mail Merge, Hallelujah!).

Why do you think this role is a good place to start?

I think it’s a great company to be a part of and I’d expect to learn a lot both about the music industry and being a PA. I’d also hope to get a certain amount of mentoring and learning the ropes from someone who knows more than me.

How do you see your career developing over the next few years?

I’d hope to be a PA in my own right, working towards becoming an Executive Assistant within the Music/Entertainment industry.

The Secret PA: Day 423

A PA with a PA, Part II: Mr Smooth

So, following Mission Shortlist, I narrowed the list down to five, who I then had the joyful task of interviewing. Reality check: interviewing is not easy, to be honest it can be quite painful....Especially when it goes something like this: 

Slick version of Ryan Gosling in Purple Suit with Green Tie. Looks like a cross between Pee Wee and Willy Wonka.

Me: So, what is it about the role here that interests you?

Smooth: I know a lot about your company and I think it would be a great place to get some hands on experience in the Music Business.

Me: Really? What do you know about our company?

Smooth: I know that you’ve done some high profile events and wasn’t Baxter previously your MD?

Me: Interesting. Baxter was the MD of  (a competitor) not ‘Us’

Game over :s

NB: Mr. Smooth. Not so smooth after all.

 

It got better after that. I think that was just a Friday the 13^th thing.

 

Oops, got to run, got two more left to interview. I’ll give you the run down as soon as I can grab a breather.

 

Later x

 

  

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

The Secret PA: Day 417

A PA with a PA, Part I: Mission Shortlist

Last Week

Honestly, I never saw this coming but I can’t say I’m not glad (ok, I’m actually sky walking, if that’s even possible). There’s so much work lined up for the next couple of months, that realistically, even if I worked 24/7 I wouldn’t be able to get everything done. I’m serious.

Luckily Pepper and Scarlet were too, when they said I could have an assistant. My personal assistant; just to clarify. Not a second assistant to Pepper and Scarlet. 

As part of my mission to become a PA with a PA, I first had to find one. I thought it would be a long drawn out, nerve racking task of mammoth proportions.

Turns out that Carrie Bradshaw’s quest for an assistant is not quite representative of the reality as I feared. It was actually easier and quicker than I thought.

After a quick call to the sales team at SecsintheCity; I have to say I was quite impressed to get their Head of Sales on the phone at 8.50 am. Her name’s Gemma Swain and I met her once before at the Little Purple Book event last year, and she knew me from my blog of course which was cool… 

Anyway, so  I wrote the ad after getting off the phone, made sure Scarlet was happy with the job description - Pepper was too busy eating doughnuts with his American ‘clients’ to care – and had the advert up on SecsintheCity that afternoon. 

They did say to give it about a week to generate responses.  I did.

Today:

8.45 am

Ok, so it’s been a week since I posted the job and I’ve had 27 responses so far. I think that’ll do for now so I’ve taken the ad off and printed all the CVs so I can peruse them post dinner when I get home. Will finish this post later….. 

8.00pm 

It’s taken great will power to temporarily remove myself from the book I’m reading but a PA’s got to do what a PA (wanting an A)’s got to do (:s Sorry I couldn’t resist it). 

8.30pm

Ok, back. Survival kit comprising of home made chai latte and nan’s hand made butter cookies. 27 CVs to go. 

10.00pm

27 down. Gosh! That went quick, was easier than I thought. SecsintheCity must have some smart Secs and PAs doing the rounds of their site ;)

More soon  zzz

I mean xxx ;) 

  

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

The Secret PA: Day 403

New Year, Wii and Herbal Tea?  

Happy New Year everyone, hope you all had a good holiday season. Gosh, how fast the last year seems to have gone by, can’t believe I’m well into my 2^nd year with Scarlet and Pepper.

So, any New Year Resolutions? I have been a bit cheeky and pulled a few off last year’s list but there are some new ones too.

Here are my new (and retouched) Resolutions for 2012:

1. Anticipate what Pepper and Scarlet will need – and do it without them having to ask…that’s the mark of a Super PA. Make note of each instance when my gut feel is right, for future reference to be an extra super PA
2.  Ensure that all interns are appropriately dressed – especially if likely to fall within Scarlet’s line of vision
3. Remind self that work and pleasure do not mix well – especially when Mr T is the son of BIG investor
4. Update CV with important keywords to keep options open
5. Attend at least 1 Networking event (on the SecsintheCity Blog) a month (great for venue ideas)
6. Exchange at least 15 business cards per event
7. Attend an evening course to pick up a new skill or qualification – perhaps project management, HR or legal – whatever takes my fancy! Oops, that was last year’s (that I didn’t do :s)
8. *Resolve French VS Italian language dilemma
9. Do not take up both the *above at the same time
10. 10. Take up Zumba to keep fit – think: ‘healthy body, healthy mind’
11. 11. Spend Christmas money from Dad on Wii for the above
12. 12. Refrain from buying more than 2 pair of shoes per quarter
13. 13. Drink at least 2 cups of herbal tea - plus 2 litres of water - per day
14. 14. Listen to at least 20 new pieces of music each week
15. 15. Write up brief bio of 1 up and coming artist per week

Wow, I think I seem to have gone a bit over board. Oh well, looking at last year’s record I think 10/15 is a realistic target, what do you reckon ;)

Anyway, got to get back to work – the first week back is always sooo hard…especially when there is still a box of mince pies that needs to be opened and eaten before 13/01/2012. I will be good, just as soon as I’ve gone through the box :O Not by myself of course.

Time for a tea and gluttony break #first and #last for the year, me thinks ;)

More later x

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

 What are your New Year resolutions? ;) 

The Secret PA: Day 399

The Office Do. And don’ts.  

No I haven’t fallen off the face of the blogosphere, just in case you’re wondering ;) It’s just been a really manic two weeks at work and outside of it, sort of...

The last two weeks have been choc-a-bloc with meetings because there’s lots of projects set for launch in the New Year but you know how it is when there’s so many people involved logistically.

Then there was my Christmas shopping but most of Scarlet and Pepper’s too. That was homework and part of my weekend out with the girls. The real treat was of course the Christmas party, that as PA to Scarlet and Pepper, I was organising.

I don’t even know where to begin the action replay of the event’s events. Some not so-posh antics at a rather posh hotel in the West End. I guess that’s why they say ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’. A lot of it didn’t say in Vegas though.

Even though it was a Friday night there were murmurs on Monday morning about who got up to mischief beneath the mistletoe with not just the Curly Scarecrow but also someone else who rumour has it, is ‘attached’. Let’s just say there were no shoes and a night bus involved.

Then of course there was the attention hijack of none other than Scarlet herself. Gosh, the things people will tell a Director when they’ve had a few! She got trapped in a one way conversation with some tipsy bloke about his rationale for why he should be promoted – and hasn’t been. I wasn’t sure at the time though whether she needed rescuing. The same bloke turned up in the ladies room later in the evening. Alone of course, but what was he doing in the ladies room?

I did learn one lesson. Wooden dance floors and stiletto heels require extra care, more so when there are boozey puddles. I also learnt that slinky gold gloves are not conducive to holding a champagne flute and crimson is not really my colour. In the spirit of the theme I had a headdress to balance plus all the above. Let’s just say I managed to make a rather unceremonious glide down the stairs and soak up a bit of tipple on the way.

Mortified, I made a bee line for the ladies and succeeded in providing an action replay to the Curly Scarecrow who I didn’t realise was also making for the gents. Luckily I was holding the rail and managed to stay vertical. Inside, I came face to face with the face of Scarlet’s attention hijacker and an ex employee who had snuck in for some free food and drink.  

The food was good though. There was also plenty of it since many had opted for the liquid option.

Pepper: ‘You’re very strategically positioned’ to two of the girls and myself stood near the mozzarella and tomato skewers, Olives, Bacon and sausage rolls and other tasty things.

Awkward silence. Smile politely. “It does look good doesn’t it”.

I think it’s important to eat though, that way you have some carbs to soak up the alcohol and are less likely to criticise your team or boss or get up to something bordering on scandalous that becomes ‘The Topic’ of conversation for weeks. Raggie said she overheard someone talking to another director and slagging off a few other directors. 

Tip: intersperse drinks with glasses of water and do not mix drinks because it’s an open bar. Will save your face and will prevent you from inadvertently jeopardising your career at the company.

Still, it was a fun do, I got to meet a lot of new people from other departments and I think having the games was a great way to keep things going. My feet did hurt the next day and I also found a nice souvenir on my leg the next morning – a blue bruise that was not really decorative at all. 

Anyway, got to finish sending out the last of Scarlet and Peppers Christmas cards, just the e-ones.

Looking forward to the Christmas Break with family. What are you all up to for Christmas? :) 

 

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year, see you next year ;)  x 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 385

Coffee dregs and Elvis, have not left the building...

I came in to the office this morning and was greeted by a new ‘thing’, suspiciously perched on the edge of my desk.  I was not impressed to find someone’s empty coffee cup – with the dregs now caked in to the base – decorating the space between my phone and my monitor.

I went to Brighton for the day and someone came in for an interview and asked Raggie for a coffee while waiting. Funny they should find my ‘tidy’ desk the place to leave it. I’ve never asked for a cup of coffee when I’ve gone in for an interview. If I did, I certainly wouldn’t leave it there for someone to clean up behind me – and that applies in a job too. You know tidy mind, tidy surroundings. If I wasn’t, I don’t think I’d get anything done around here.

That said, I have a friend, who had her second round interview with the MD of a creative agency at a sushi restaurant. I think it’s what they call, the lunch test, to see if you can actually get along without the conversation drying up.

Of course there are times where you need to find smart way to dry it up.  Like when we were in Brighton, where we were meeting with an Elvis wannabe. He was about 6 feet tall, salt and pepper hair that was swished up to look like Elvis, and his suit was perhaps a size too small. He did look uncomfortable and kept getting up and pacing the room, the heels of his pointy toe boots clacking on the wooden floor. He was not Elvis but I have to say he did a pretty good job of trying.

After the meeting we went on to a networking event and the thing with these events is there are always a few people who can really talk in yards and just go and on. Finding the balance between being polite without getting sucked in to a long conversation about their fish or their mother-in-law’s hair stylist, that eats in to your time to meet new people is hard. The trick is to go say hello with a new acquaintance once you’ve exchanged cards, so you’re being polite and saying hello, and doing them both a favour by introducing them. Then you move on to socially accost the next one J.

Must dash or I’m going to be late for my appraisal – which you must never be – with Scarlet and Pepper.

Wish me luck x 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

The Secret PA: Day 375

Ice cold - shoulders, feet and things...

"Are you going to the arctic?". I wasn’t actually.

I went out shopping for Christmas party costume things. I got a headdress and some fun things. By that I mean a tux and a bond girl outfit, roulette and poker tables and Pepper’s Christmas cards.

Let me add. This was all done in between the gazillion and ten meetings with one or both Directors and attending my salsa lessons in the evening.  When you fill a glass with ice cubes and pour your drink in, you know how it rushes to fill the gaps? Need I say more? Still, I managed to actually make it through the week unscathed.

I’m not saying I’m a pro at everything but when it comes to travel planning, I do know a thing or two. The Curly Scarecrow as it turns out, does not. I had fixed up a meeting for him in Liverpool for noon last week. He arrived at Leicester at 11am. How do you explain to a client that he went to Leicester for a meeting in Liverpool?

I did offer to organise his trip. He insisted he was ‘alright, thanks’.  He’s been acting very strange lately. Especially after he found out about my dinner non-date with that investor. I don’t know why he’d care though, he’s been too busy ‘lunching’ with his fan club (secretly chaired by Raggie).

 

Reactions on the office front?

Scarlet: wear mask of feigned ignorance.

Pepper: Lead others to believe by the power of illusion that he has consumed a bowl full of jalapeno salsa.

Raggie: Feel sorry and smile with puppy dog face.

Other miscellaneous office personnel: Tread the tightrope between giggles and shock.

Me: Hmmmmm… ok, I’m inwardly thinking ‘can’t say I didn’t offer’

 

When Scarlet and Pepper have to travel, I always put their tickets, 2 copies of their itinerary and local A-Z or map in a folder.  I also book taxis in advance and make sure they have the contact details just in case. Works every time.

But travel planning isn’t my only forte as I discovered. It takes an equal amount of precision to successfully set up a conference call. Source: Friend working at law firm. Will give you the run down later. Need to go set up the spider for a call to New York.

Drink a ginger bread latte for me in the mean time ;)  

 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

The Secret PA: Day 366

Christmas party revealed!

As PA to Scarlet and Pepper, I have the “privilege” of planning the Christmas Party. I was asked ‘if I can help’ by members of miscellaneous teams. In sharing the Christmas spirit, I did. Being someone who doesn’t work as part of a team, I thought it would be a good way to get to know more people in the company. While I have a packed schedule and really do love my job, I can feel a bit isolated sometimes.

So for this year’s Christmas Party, everyone is ‘going to … take a guess? Casinos, cocktails and 007. Yup, we’re going to ‘Vegas’.

Ok, not literally but I thought it would be a nice way to make it more than just a dance and drinks do. Most people looked pleased when the hologram paper envelopes landed on their desks.

Now my next dilemma is finding one of those feather head dresses for myself and a matching dress.I’m thinking something in crimson or purple but depends on the headdress really.

Oh, and of course. Scarlet and Pepper’s attire – Sssshhh..don’t tell anyone but have actually agreed in true Christmas Spirit to go as a ‘Director’ duo. I need to find a tux that will let Pepper pass himself off as 007 and a blonde wig for Scarlet who has decided she’s going as a bond girl. This is going to be fun.

I’m trying to get hold of roulette and poker tables. Raggie and one of the girls in Sales have volunteered to be the dealers. Need to get hold of some music from the older Bond Films, from the archived music drawer in Pepper’s Office. We’re also going to have prizes for the best costumes – one male and one female – best dancers and poker ‘win’ of the night.

Finding a venue that’s within easy access of a tube station and enough space to dance was a bit of a challenge. I’m also a slave to reading the fine print. I don’t think our FD would be amused by post party surprise bills (and I don’t reckon yours will either).

Anyway, I’m off on a costume accessory hunt and then need to finish off a presentation for Scarlet for tomorrow’s meeting with that investor (ahem, yes the one).

Got to run x

 

 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 

The Secret PA

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret PA: Day 355

Stationary etc...Sorry Curly

Wednesday 11:00 GMT, London

- I don’t think we should invite the Curly Scarecrow to this  week’s group lunch. He’s only going to run back and tell Scarlet everything.

- Had he done that before?

- No

- Yes

- Maybe

- Sorry Curly Scarecrow  

  (hope he doesn’t find out).

             

Thursday 15:00 GMT, London

 - I need a metal ruler (don’t ask why) so if anyone has one, please let me know.

- Oh ok sorry. I don’t know where I got that from!

- I’ve got a plastic one – any help?

- Needs to be metal or they’ll lose their fingers in the cutting process. Had a look in the shops here but       couldn’t’ find any.

- Even Robert Dyas???

- Yes

- Well then there is no hope.

- I’ll find one, or the girls and boys doing it for you can just lose a couple of fingers, not like they use them anyway.

- Hmmm….

 

Turns out the sales of metal rulers are low these days. Reminds me of the time I was an intern and I went all over the West End looking for silver thumbtacks. Never thought that would be a 3 hour mission. And then there was the time that I discovered that a chai latte and a croissant in the middle of the afternoon was asking for the impossible. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s ‘be resourceful’. Know where to get anything anytime anywhere. Trust me; you will be so popular if you know where to get things in a jiffy.

 

We did eventually get hold of a metal ruler. Someone found one in the drawer of an IT guy named Spec who just left and I am making headway with the invites; with the mini army of interns to assist. .

 

Mission invitation prep is now well underway. What’s the theme? I can’t say, yet but you’ll find out soon enough ;) 

 

Bye for now x 

 

 

 Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 
The Secret PA

 

Have you ever had difficulty finding something? - I mean really, what's the one thing you've really had to do the run around for? ;) 

The Secret PA: Day 347

13 cars? Oh do you now? 

I bumped into him again at the bank the other day and we got chatting. Turns out he’s a fan of Cheese and wine fairs, watches Downton Abbey (unlike every single guy I know) and has a love of good sushi and teppanyaki food. He also likes travelling, has a black Labrador, plays the Cello and has 13 cars. What does he do? I don’t know at this stage.

After an accelerating rally of text messages he asked me out to dinner. We went to this Japanese restaurant in Soho called Bincho Yakitori. I would definitely recommend this place if your boss is entertaining clients. They do a wicked green tea ice cream with banana cake.

Anyway, it turns out that Aston – I’m going to call him that – is an investment banker and investor in creative businesses. When I was juggling diaries in Leeds last week – and Scarlet and Pepper maxing out my diary management skills – one of the meetings we had struggled to fit in to both their diaries was with an investor, with an interest in Scarlet and Pepper’s business.

It transpired somewhere over the sushi and sake that this was his son!

Surprise surprise! If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the last year, it’s that you should never get too friendly or casual with new people – they could be a potential client or useful business alliance. I look at socialising as an opportunity for networking because you never know who you may meet and how that could impact on your corporate relationships in the present or the future.

Speaking of corporate relationships, there’s been a bit of excitement – chilli sweet – at the office. Have to rush in for a meeting now.  

Will continue this later x

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 
The Secret PA

 

The Secret PA: Day 240

Scandal VS Surprise – which one wins for 'shock factor'?

Have you ever accidently stumbled upon something in your boss’s mail that you wish you hadn’t? At first I felt uncomfortable, perhaps even a bit guilty about my revelation. Needless to say, the lack of judgement on the part of the sender is beyond me. Personal messages really should be sent to personal emails rather than work emails, especially when you know that there is a PA who may not really want to start the day with insights into the private life of her boss.

Then, quite unexpectedly the Curly Scarecrow suddenly remembered that I live on the same planet as him. Didn’t see that coming, why should I? just because the only thing between his chair and mine is two computer screens and 5meters of carpeting?  

I was working late because I had been to an event with Scarlet the day before and didn’t want to leave a report I was working on until Monday. “Are you winning?” (not sure where that started but I hear it fly about the office when it’s passed the 5.30 pm mark), he says as he walks by my desk.

Before I can answer, he does this weird geeky laugh (or maybe it was a smirk) and half drawls ‘go home’ as he walks out the door.

Wait...it get’s even weirder.

I had planned to stay in for Halloween but somehow wound up in a pirate costume at a party in Mayfair and found myself face to face with himself. Not one to engage in office gossip (hint hint), I attempted to wear my air of nonchalance and mingle. Strangely, he seemed overly chatty. It turns out that Scarlet is the real life version of Bree Van de Kamp. For non watchers of Desperate Housewives, we’re talking borderline tidyness disorder. I also discovered who sent me the mysterious box of orange truffles that appeared on my desk last week with ‘Happy Halloween’.

Of course it means nothing, you know I mean that. The rule book (I swear by it) says you do not date your boss’s son. At least not as long as you work for your boss or you could end up with a boss gone horrible. Have you seen Horrible Bosses? I watched it at the weekend and it kind of makes me think I'm actually quite lucky – even though Scarlet can be a really stickler for perfection, is she Horrible?

 

Dashing off to fix my hair, have to be somewhere swanky for sushi.

 

Fill you in later x

 

 

 

Follow me on Twitter!

@TheSecretPA
#secretpa

Find me on Facebook! 
The Secret PA

 

Have you ever uncovered something really scandalous about your boss?

What's your rule on ahem ;) office romances? ;)