It's now my 7th week at BBC Radio Bristol, and I finally feel like I'm starting to settle in this wonderful city. I really do love this job, and although in some respects it is still a steep learning curve.
So far, the only downside that I've come across is the early starts. It's not as bad as the rest of the early team, but it is still a bit of a shock to the system when the alarm goes off at 4:40am. I've been practising my ninja skills so as not to wake the rest of the house.
It is quite an artificial environment to throw your body in to. There's no windows for soundproofing reasons, not very much airflow, just bright lights and lots of noise - and yet you have to be on the ball! I've taken to double and triple checking my usual morning preparations so as not to make any big mistakes. There have been the odd ones which have affected output, which I blame on the rather confusing studio layout!
Aside from that, there's a real sense of satisfaction coming from feeling like a team member and affecting programme output. One of the main problems I had at York was not getting to know people socially, I just turned up and did what was required. Small talk really makes the job I think.
I feel rather fortunate to have landed in a job with such nice people to work with too. The producer I work with is a good laugh in the morning, and very supportive of me and my development potential within the company.
My room is slowly taking shape at last. Cushions have been purchased for my window seat, the window has been painted (although I later found out it was with emulsion rather than proper paint), and the last thing I think I need is some picture hooks to hang my photos on, and a proper desk for my turntable and I should be sorted.
There's also the prospect of recovering my social life at last! Finally I am able to go out socially with my housemates or workmates, which is a great feeling. Already, the advantages of being so close to London are becoming apparent, since I've visited two weekends in the past 7 weeks for the spectacular Palais De Danse.
Next on my list, find a place to have proper dance lessons...
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
My first week in Bristol
Has it already been a week since I've been at the BBC? Starting last Tuesday seems like an age away, and yet it's never felt so right to be there. I've come to realise that I thrive on variety, and this job gives me that in abundance. I never imaged this morning that I'd be speaking to Jeffrey Archer for example...
Removal day was a bit odd really. It had taken me a day to get everything down in the front room ready to go, and the removal guy put it in his van in about 10 minutes! We were about to set off when he spied a woman at the end of my street trying to start her car, and without any luck. Cue half an hour of him with jump leads from his van, and me stood there wondering what to do with myself
About 5 hours later, we made it to where my items were to be stored, and the removal guy managed to offend my friend's mum (Sarah) by jumping out and demanding that she made him a tea that instant. This was especially awkward since I had been told what a nice guy he was! In any case, my life was promptly unloaded and stored away. Suitcase, laptop and towel in tow - we went to my current and temporary residence, the attic of a family house.
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This house is rather nice actually. It's a 4 storey Victorian property, with an Aga kitchen, original Victorian toilet in the basement (I kid you not!) and a nice bunch of quirky features. I was left alone in the house while they went to the cinema on Sunday, and for once in my life I actually felt unsettled. Here I was 200 miles from home, in a strange house - without actually paying them any rent yet. I still don't feel confident using their Aga cooker...
I had a few days to explore, before Tuesday 2nd April rolled around and my first shift dawned. I gave a great impression by turning up 3 hours late. In any case, it was an awful lot to learn last week. The studio configuration of some older equipment, their house style, the layout - and the most important lesson, not to eat breakfast in the morning because we have a cooked one at 9am after the show!
The team here at Bristol are great to work with, and have been very patient while I get up to speed with everything. For once I can feel the career progression possible here. I can write scripts which are actually read by the newsreader and presenter, arrange all sorts of guests, and meet some very interesting people. Essentially I spend half the day being a reporter, and it's nice to know where I'm going and what I want to do. When that alarm clock goes off at 4:45am, I don't complain and groan - I look forward to what the day has to offer me.
Of course, it isn't without sacrifice. I've given up my social life, proximity to friends and everything I know up north - just to chase this job. It was hard not to burst out crying when my 85 year old Grandad shook me by the hand and said "you've made it, I knew you would". They are so proud of me, and whenever I get homesick I think about how happy all my relatives are that I am finally doing what I wanted to do in life.
It seems the adage "do a job you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life" may finally be coming true for me. University paid off, and it is onwards and upwards from here.
Removal day was a bit odd really. It had taken me a day to get everything down in the front room ready to go, and the removal guy put it in his van in about 10 minutes! We were about to set off when he spied a woman at the end of my street trying to start her car, and without any luck. Cue half an hour of him with jump leads from his van, and me stood there wondering what to do with myself
BBC Radio Bristol
About 5 hours later, we made it to where my items were to be stored, and the removal guy managed to offend my friend's mum (Sarah) by jumping out and demanding that she made him a tea that instant. This was especially awkward since I had been told what a nice guy he was! In any case, my life was promptly unloaded and stored away. Suitcase, laptop and towel in tow - we went to my current and temporary residence, the attic of a family house.
.jpg)
The original Broadcasting House on Whiteladies Road, bought by the BBC in the 1930s.
I had a few days to explore, before Tuesday 2nd April rolled around and my first shift dawned. I gave a great impression by turning up 3 hours late. In any case, it was an awful lot to learn last week. The studio configuration of some older equipment, their house style, the layout - and the most important lesson, not to eat breakfast in the morning because we have a cooked one at 9am after the show!
The later extension to the complex. It's great to walk through these doors with a BBC badge in the morning!
The team here at Bristol are great to work with, and have been very patient while I get up to speed with everything. For once I can feel the career progression possible here. I can write scripts which are actually read by the newsreader and presenter, arrange all sorts of guests, and meet some very interesting people. Essentially I spend half the day being a reporter, and it's nice to know where I'm going and what I want to do. When that alarm clock goes off at 4:45am, I don't complain and groan - I look forward to what the day has to offer me.
Of course, it isn't without sacrifice. I've given up my social life, proximity to friends and everything I know up north - just to chase this job. It was hard not to burst out crying when my 85 year old Grandad shook me by the hand and said "you've made it, I knew you would". They are so proud of me, and whenever I get homesick I think about how happy all my relatives are that I am finally doing what I wanted to do in life.
It seems the adage "do a job you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life" may finally be coming true for me. University paid off, and it is onwards and upwards from here.
Friday, 8 March 2013
Turning a corner in life...
Today, at 10am I noticed a voicemail notification on my phone. When I finished my PC World shift at 12, I sat down in the staff room and called them back. "Hold on a minute, I just need to get out of this room", said the chap at the other end. I waited, and waited - preparing myself for the eventual disappointment that was sure to follow.
"Well Jonathan, we've decided that we'd like to offer you one of the positions, the breakfast BA one". I was elated, relieved and amazed all at once. "We thought you were confident, spoke well and had some great ideas and we look forward to welcoming you to our team".
I thanked him and put the phone down. That was it. I've done it.
In recent months I had been getting rather down about my situation. I'm not the world's best salesman at all - and PC World was giving me enormous amounts of stress due to it. "You've got to think how to attach this, that, ask about leasing etc". They have a business to run and profits to deliver, and I was a liability in that respect! It was a pretty simple job, and I did enjoy talking to people but I ultimately didn't deliver the results, which is why my hours were cut to 20 a week. At the same time, hours at Radio York were scant to say the least, and I was starting to worry about my financial future. Why had I chosen to stay in York if it was just causing me to get down every day?
Today's phone call has changed all that. It is impossible to sum up how I feel, but the main emotion is that of relief. My life isn't transient any more. I can settle down permanently, make new friends and finally live life. Make no mistakes, York is a lovely place to live in - but at times I did question whether I was doing the right thing by leaving Lincoln just for a few casual hours at Radio York. Nothing was ever certain, and at times I had to literally ask for more work to do.
And now that has all changed! My life isn't going to be the same anymore. I can settle down with a full time permanent career, and plan my life for the next few years. I can have money to go out and do things, I can carry on playing my trumpet in one of the basement rooms - and most of all, I can get up every day and go and do a job I know I will love. I've only just turned 22, but my life is ready to be lived!
"Well Jonathan, we've decided that we'd like to offer you one of the positions, the breakfast BA one". I was elated, relieved and amazed all at once. "We thought you were confident, spoke well and had some great ideas and we look forward to welcoming you to our team".
I thanked him and put the phone down. That was it. I've done it.
In recent months I had been getting rather down about my situation. I'm not the world's best salesman at all - and PC World was giving me enormous amounts of stress due to it. "You've got to think how to attach this, that, ask about leasing etc". They have a business to run and profits to deliver, and I was a liability in that respect! It was a pretty simple job, and I did enjoy talking to people but I ultimately didn't deliver the results, which is why my hours were cut to 20 a week. At the same time, hours at Radio York were scant to say the least, and I was starting to worry about my financial future. Why had I chosen to stay in York if it was just causing me to get down every day?
Today's phone call has changed all that. It is impossible to sum up how I feel, but the main emotion is that of relief. My life isn't transient any more. I can settle down permanently, make new friends and finally live life. Make no mistakes, York is a lovely place to live in - but at times I did question whether I was doing the right thing by leaving Lincoln just for a few casual hours at Radio York. Nothing was ever certain, and at times I had to literally ask for more work to do.
And now that has all changed! My life isn't going to be the same anymore. I can settle down with a full time permanent career, and plan my life for the next few years. I can have money to go out and do things, I can carry on playing my trumpet in one of the basement rooms - and most of all, I can get up every day and go and do a job I know I will love. I've only just turned 22, but my life is ready to be lived!
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