'Diary of a hustling OAP' - Spycy Star [Episode 5]

There’s something about the environment and atmosphere of the place one works. As an employee, one has to have a kind of chemistry with one’s working environment. Well, at least, this could be considered when one is trying to get the job, because let’s face it, that same environment you may like and love initially, may get poisoned along the way.

In the beginning though, one has to know if that place is where they’d be excited, every single day, to come in to work. Anyway, I was checking out the vibe as I walked through the offices and down corridors heading towards the studio where I would be auditioning.

I had arrived Rhythm FM before 4pm and had waited a while, at the reception. I had not actually waited for long before someone had come to take me in. And now, I’m in the studio to record. Not as big as I would have expected but what can I say? ...it would do.

I laid my bag on a seat as I was handed a script (a News Bulletin). The production guy gave me some time to go through it and when I was ready, I told him and he recorded me. After that, I was asked to do a free-style, too. That, I did, then, my details were taken and he told me they would get back to me.

As I made my way out of the building and out of the premises, I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling I was having. Can I really work in this place? Do I want to? I mean, the distance to this place alone can be quite discouraging. (They had not moved, then, to their galleria. They were still at their Lekki location), but even that aside, when I get this job, here, would I be excited to come into work everyday? Do I feel enough positivity in this atmosphere?

I had to kick aside all these questions, though, because, girl! Snap out of it! I really need to be back on radio fast and I don’t think I can afford answering all those questions right now. Give me a year in the Lagos market then, probably, I could.

I had been attended to quite on time at Rhythm. You would think people there would be snobbish but they all seemed nice. Well, at least, the ones I came in contact with all had smiles on their faces. And no unnecessary long waits at the reception.

As I hit the road back home, I couldn’t help smiling as I remembered who I had run into at City FM this morning - Mr. Charles Supo-Orija! I had discovered their office with the help of my list of addresses. Then, they were still located in the Eleganza Building, Oregun, (On the mainland) and I had to climb all the way those flights of stairs (not complaining *hands in the air*).

I told the receptionist who I am and asked to see the Head of Programs. She asked me to have a seat and excused herself. A short while after she got back, Kamal Salau came to pick me himself, from the reception and took me to his office, where he, too, offered me a seat. That was the first time I was getting to meet him but I had watched him on TV, so, I introduced myself, told him why I was there, and we got chatting.

Seemed like he knew some of the guys I worked with in Port Harcourt and I was already having a positive feeling. We chatted some more and after a while, he asked for a copy of my CV which I gave him but not without a cd copy of my recordings too. He said I shouldn’t worry as he would go through them and get back to me, in no time.

I smiled, thanked him and was stepping out of his office when I saw Mr. Charles Supo-Orija. He recognized me too and smiled. Mr. Charles Supo-Orija had been one of our bosses at Cool FM. He usually came to the Port Harcourt office every once in a while, then. He even took the news whenever he was around. He was a mentor of mine, too.

I didn’t know he had left Cool FM but it felt good to see a familiar face at City. He asked how I was doing and I told him I was looking for a gig on City FM. He then told me I need not worry and that Kamal would handle stuff and definitely get back to me, soonest. His words helped calm me. I felt re-assured. I said ‘thank you’, hugged him and took my leave. On my way to the Island.

So you see, I was in a real happy mood when I got to Rhythm FM for that audition and that visit, too, turned out not bad. I was so happy I had even forgotten to eat. So, as I sat in that bus on my way back to the mainland, with my lips still curled up in a smile, I remembered I had a chilled can of soda in my hand.

I looked at it still smiling, opened it and took a long gulp…gosh!!! I was hungry and I didn’t even notice. I pulled out a sausage roll from my bag and unwrapped it as I munched in…don’t look at me like that!!! *rolls eyes*, this girl was that hungry!

Well, I usually would have taken a cab, then I would be free to eat in the car but that particular day, I did not have enough cash on me and the ATM was acting up, so please pardon me ok *curtsies*. I did make sure, though, that I wasn’t disturbing anybody as I enjoyed my 'meal' *smiles*.

This is Diary of A Hustling OAP. Don’t miss next week’s episode.