Sorry I left you hanging. I wanted the Nigerian movie effect
to generate some sort of anticipation. I guess that did not work as they seldom
do with those movies either.
Anyway, I got my first 15 minutes of showmanship on a drive-time
belt, co anchoring with a good friend of mine who these days, prefers the pen to
the microphone. We basically gossiped about celebrities and I had the extra
fortune of providing the segment’s music bed which I had produced myself.
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| 107.8 Ahjman, UAE's Sid & I, 2007 |
Days later, I was assigned voice-over duty for a social
political show, radio drama and jingle for a Sunday afternoon show. Then I was
asked to pair with an experienced presenter on Friday nights as well. Using my
small book of artiste contacts, I was able to get a few important interviews
in.
I must say that at the time, there were difficulties. I was
not making any income and I had been forced to ask myself if it was all worth
it. I went home many Saturday mornings, barely sane from exhaustion and long
treks in the wee hours.
But a few years down the line, my consistency was rewarded
with a job opportunity. This was particularly groundbreaking for me as I had no
insider or uncle or Godfather to refer me. I had a good friend though, who had
encouraged me since my first day and she assured me things would fall in place.
I had my doubts. I worried about my insufficient experience
and my academic clause.
Three years after my internship, I received a call for an
interview. Prior to that time, I did not know how to knot a tie; I was
uncomfortable with tucking in and wearing a jacket. But I had an interview to
attend. So I got my next door neighbor and friend to teach me the basics of
formal appearances. It took me less than 2 minutes to get a hang of it.
Off I went, CV in hand and heart in my throat. My interview
turned out to be a pleasant conversation with my employer, who pleaded with me
to allow him have his breakfast while we chatted as he could not bear to keep
me waiting. I was stunned when after about fifteen minutes I was offered a job
which began the next day.
Nothing in the world prepared for that. I had expected to
scale two or more interviews or at least make the finals… but not this.
I stuttered my thank
you, sir and stumbled out of the office barely breathing.
However, it was going to take a little longer to receive my
letter of appointment…
(… to be continued…)
Again, kwa?
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