Affluent Divinity

YouTube of the week - The Village Sniper

Stressful Times

Today has been rather stressful for me due to the fact that I turned down the crap job yesterday and went for two interviews in Fourways today.

The first interview was absolutely fantastic. I love the company, the team, and the work that I would have to complete. I am however a bit confused, from what I could tell both myself and the team seem more then happy to work with each other and I immediately assumed that the job is mine. However; thinking logically now they still have to tell me "yes, you got the job" - So I am stressing a bit about that.

As for the second interview, it was rather disappointing compared to the first. I was called out to an employment agency that had a brief interview with me on behalf of their client (my future potential employer) but everything seemed too formal and intimidating.

So after the second interview I immediately sms'ed the guy from the first company that interviewed me to let him know that I would love to work with them.

Now all I have to do is wait. As far as I'm concerned I can see myself fitting right in and getting along well with the team. I am really excited about the job and trust that I will start working there soon. (hold thumbs for me?)

Let's get to the point shall we?

I must point out a few important facts about myself. I don't sugar coat anything that I write on this blog. And i also don't sugar coat anything that I say or do in my life. This is me, this is real, you want my thoughts and my opinions? Fine, but beware that you're going to get it all in fine detail, no sugar coated bullshit.

If I had anything to hide, or if I was afraid of what anyone might think or say about what I write then do you honestly think that I would attach so much of my personal information to my blog? - I must say that i am slightly angry and moody today because some people just think they are so cute and clever by leaving nasty comments on my blog without even having the guts to put their real names and email addresses in the reply.

For those who think that leaving anonymous nasty comments on peoples blogs is going to cause any harm, FUCKING GET REAL YOU LOSER!!! And if you happen to personally know me but leave anonymous nasty comments on my blog then you can fuck right off, seriously, get real! - First of all; if any comments you made actually affected me or my blog negatively do you not think that I would remove those comments the moment you post them? But hey, unlike you, i am real, you give me negative feedback, I keep it there to show the world what a pathetic loser some anonymous hater is. Secondly, if you're going to hate on someone, at least do it with some secure proof that you can use to back up your 'points'.

So, let's get to the point now; too many people are sugarcoating too much bullshit, and too many people are beating around the bush. GET REAL!!!!!!!

Oh, and one more thing, if you don't like me or my blog, then why the fuck do you keep coming back to it, you are such a hypocrite!

P.S. For the decent people out there, thanks for the support and thanks for being 'Real' *mwah*

Working in a pleasant environment

Yesterday I started working at a company in Midrand, but from the start a few things where a bit fishy. So I decided to make a list of the pro's and con's:

Pro's:
1) It's a job with a basic salary

Con's:
1) I am forced to work on a Windows Vista machine
2) Internet Usage and communication tools such as MSN is forbidden
3) The place is situated close by Diepsloot (informal settlement) and I have to drive my pretty smart car on a dirt road every morning to get there.
4) Office hours are from 8AM till whenever the work is done (even if it goes on till late night) - No overtime pay.

They were very quick and eager to employ me, yet they weren't prepared to handle new staff, the computer that I was working on did not function correctly, in the first day they only gave me one job which I completed in 10 minutes and sat there bored and internet-less staring at a vista screen for the rest of the day.

I was actually depressed when I got home yesterday because it was TOTALLY different then what they told me over the phone, and sitting in the middle of nowhere in what seems to be a working-jail, with people twice my age and in a company where there is no space for growth really is not my cup of tea.

This morning I decided to give it one more try and not to judge or reject the "opportunity" after my first day. I got there at 8AM and once again the vista machine I was working on did not work, the tech guy also had a real bad attitude, I could sense dislike. He came to me and said "I removed MSN messenger from the computer, its not allowed here" - So naturally I started thinking alright, another day of sitting here bored to death staring at the screen not even being able to use MSN or check personal email? Bitch please I quit!

The working environment needs to be a pleasant one. One where the team actually communicates with each other in a friendly way. Work is not supposed to feel like a jail. - I am sorry but I will NEVER EVER work at a place where they bitch and moan about anything personal.

Yes, work is supposed to be a place where you work and not where you play or catch up on the latest gossip, but honestly now, don't employers care about employee satisfaction? If I am a happy employee then I work hard, give me my mac to work on, let me use chat apps, don't limit or stop me from doing what makes me creative. Put me in a morbid and conservative environment and you will get shitty designs. My graphical artwork inspiration does not come from sitting in front of a vista machine and not even being allowed to communicate with the outside world when all my work is complete. - At the end of the day what is comes down to is this.. Did I do my work or not? regardless of the fact that i might have viewed some web pages or chatted to some friends.. Point is I still completed my work, on time, and did it better then you expected... But limit me and I will limit my production, put me in a box and I won't ever think outside the box!

So I told them that I just can't see myself working there and being happy and 'fitting in' with the team for a long duration of time, and then I left. - I have also now removed MS windows from my CV.

I want a job where:
a) I work on an Apple Mac
b) I am allowed to use online communication tools
c) There are set office hours and if I am expected to work overtime I get remunerated for it
d) That is not in the middle of nowhere requiring me to take a dirt road to get to it every morning.
f) Has space for growth allowing me to learn new things and move up in the company over time.
g) Where the staff is actually allowed to talk with each other and be friendly to each other.

Any takers? Yes? No? Shall I just carry on with my freelancing? Hmm...?

10 Random facts about me!

Apparently there is this new thing going around where bloggers 'tag' each other and they are then required to post 10 random facts about themselves after which they 'tag' 5 other bloggers an notify them that they have been tagged.

This morning I was catching up on all the blogs that I dearly follow and noticed that Randi has tagged me. So here you go: "10 Random facts about me"

01: Even though I seem like a outgoing extrovert on my blog, I am actually a shy boy. It all depends on the situation. - Some people would see me as shy and/or boring but once we get to know each other I am the biggest chatterbox on the planet... Quality over quantity.

02: I live with my parents in pretoria, free rent and food is fabulous LOL - Planning on getting a place with my boyfriend soon!

03: I may appear as a selfish pretentious bitch at times, but in fact I am actually sweet and sensitive, this again all depends on the situation and how YOU treat ME.

04: I drink at least 2 liters of Coca-Cola, and smoke 20 cigarettes (Dunhill Menthol) daily.

05: My one eyebrow is higher up then the other and slightly more hairy LOL, but if I pluck the hair it doesn't look too good so I just leave it like that.

06: I lived in Bloemfontein for one year of my life (SCANDAL). And I fucking hated it!

07: My pet is a miniature maltese poodle names Fluffy, but I also call her 'Schmookims", "Frurrels", "Cookiepoo", "Babykins", or "Kootchiepie"

08: Even though I use green, orange, and pink a lot. My favorite color is actually brown.

09: I am secretly in love with Microsoft Windows <- LIES, FILTHY LIES - I have very little patience and respect for people who think that windows is better then mac! It's fine if you prefer windows, but just because you work on stone age software and can't afford a mac doesn't mean that windows is better, mmkay!!!

10: I have been in a steady relationship for the past 2 years (going for 3 now) and my boyfriend is/does/wants/likes the complete opposite of what I am/do/want/like. Opposites really do attract!

Ok well, that's 10 random facts that not many of you might have known, so this is where I tag 5 other people right? Let me think about that one for a bit, I'll update this post soon!

Another great addition to my Blog Roll

I just read a very interesting article about 'postmodernism' so here comes another great addition to my blog roll.

Cobus van Wyngaard writes about life and theology on his web blog, titled 'My Contemplations' - Do take note that his blog are not for those who seek pretty graphics or entertaining gossip, it has a minimalist design and contains mostly text. But this is after all what true blogging is all about.

He covers a wide variety of topics that I am sure you would find very interesting, I for sure will be a constant follower of his blog from this moment on. If you want to have a look to see what I am talking about; simply scroll down and have a look at the 'Blogs I Follow' in the right side-bar and click on 'My Contemplations'

Total Madness

As a result of my previous post I have received an array of job offers. Thank you! But now I am in a tight spot... Out of the three offers received one company wants me to start working on Monday. Another wants me to start on wednesday, and another wants to meet with me on thursday or friday.

So what to do now? The company that wants me to start on Monday required me to give them a Yes or a No right now since they are urgently seeking a graphic designer and if i don't take the position now then it might not be available anymore by the end of the week.

The company that wants me to start on tuesday I have already turned down because their salary offering does not meet my requirements.

As for the company that wants to meet with me on thursday, I have no idea what the salary offer is, or when I will be required to start.

Now apart from the above I am still waiting for a few other employers waiting to get back to me. So here I went from being suck and worried to not knowing which one to choose.

I really have no idea what to do now? Do I take the first job, or do I let it go and wait to see if the others are going to be what I am looking for? I had a big discussion about this with the company and they said that since I will be on probation for the first three months I can change my mind about working there at any time and give them 24 hour notice. So being as desperate as I am I said yes, fine, I will do it.

So I will be heading to work on monday. But now the question is, was this the right decision to make? I need to contact the other companies and find out more about their salary offerings etc.. In me saying yes to this job doesn't mean I'm out of the job market, it now becomes a matter of choice, whoever can offer me the best remuneration and most pleasant working environment takes the cake.

Now let me go contact those other companies to see what they can offer me. - I have being stuck in the middle of things!

Guess who is in the job market again...

Yes, it's me. I am once again looking for a permanent job with basic salary.

One of the main reasons for this is the fact that I am bored sitting at home all the time and not many local clients trust a company that has a 20 year old CEO. The main reason why I started my own business was due to the fact that my last 2 employers where absolutely disappointing. So after months of bad attitude, late payment and eventually closing down, I decided to just start my own business instead of relying on another company for my income.

Things went great, but it got to the point where I am being turned down and potential clients seek alternative service providers purely because my 'company' is run by myself, a 20 year old, self taught, graphic designer.

even though I currently earn enough in recurring income from subscription services such as hosting etc, I am unable to expand my business any further unless I lie about my age or employ a few sales reps. So I have been thinking...

Why go through the effort when I can just get a normal job again at a reputable company that I can trust. There is a slight problem now though. A few months ago I went for a few interviews but as soon as employers discovered that I am still actively running Vervean Media they turn me down saying that it is conflict of interest.

So what am I supposed to do now? Cancel my clients services and tell them "sorry my boss doesn't want me to do this"? And why would it be conflict of interest anyway? It's not like I'm going to try and get more clients or land more deals for Vervean Media if I am happily employed elsewhere. And considering that the services I currently do render for my clients only require me to dedicate about 30 minutes per month, there is no chance that I will be doing any of 'my business' while at a 'real job'.

So if any potential employer happens to read this post, relax, I'm just a graphic designer looking for a job, a decent one. I work hard and I won't misuse your time to my benefit.

With that said, I have sent out my CV and creative portfolio to various companies. Hold thumbs for me!!!
If anyone else wants to have a look at my portfolio then drop me an email at david@verveanmedia.com and I will gladly forward it to you (provided that you are in good faith and offering an employment opportunity).

There is actually a link to this site in my CV. Most people would prefer to hide their blogs or social networking profiles from their employers, but hey, this is me, I've got nothing to hide, either you like it or you don't, let's not beat around the bush.

One more thing, once I am employed by another organization offering same services as Vervean Media then YES, I will remove the Vervean Media links and ads from my blog and all other advertising mediums. Conflict of interest is a bitch, and I don't want the fact that I tried to stand on my own two feet jeopardize my chance of employment in a decent company.

FNKY.TV - ITS COMING!!!

FNKY.TV will soon be launched, watch this space for more info...

Manufacturers are copying Apple!

One thing that I have noticed over the past few months is that many other cellphone and PC manufacturers are all copying Apple design. Can they not be original?!?

Many new phones that are released my Motorola, Nokia, HTC, Samsung, etc.. All look very much like the Apple iPhone. Then there are also laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, Acer, etc, who are attempting to copy the style and size of the Apple MacBook.

Ok fine, we all know that Apple products are hot, but honestly, if you want to 'stand out' from the crowd then don't copy other manufacturers.

The same goes for software... Windows Vista users come to me and flaunt their new OS with all its extra features and functions. Sweety, my mac could do that 5 years ago WITHOUT requiring 5 million MB RAM to simply swap between applications.

People refer to us Mac users as arrogant fanboys, but honestly now, if we seem arrogant we have the right to be because Apple is simply far better then any other OS out there and anyone who thinks otherwise seriously need to spend 5 minutes working on OS X 10.5 and then they will change their minds.

End of discussion! :-)