Two job interviews

I wore a suit, and makeup. I wore foundation without powder, because my powder has vanished. But it was mostly quite subtle, apart from the fact that my lipstick is too pink if I don't powder over it. I looked very respectable. I've put on weight since I bought these trousers - my tummy isn't as flat as it used to be - so the trousers were a fraction too short. It was ok though, I think.

Waterstones bookshop: I liked the people I spoke to, but the interview wasn't great. First off, the chair for the interviewee was a swivel chair on wheels in the middle of the room, and it was at least 6 inches too high for me, so I had to perch on it and try not to push it away from under me. This made my trousers look really really short, which I think is ok because Waterstones don't really care what you look like. I think.

Next, I felt like an idiot. They asked me for examples of times when I had provided outstanding customer service. It's hard to think of things like that; I was a waitress for a long time, and I was on IT helpdesk for a long time. Customer service just happens; you meet the customer, you listen to the customer, you talk to the customer, you deal.

I mentioned that I've been buying biographies by women since I moved to the UK and then couldn't remember a single one of them. All I could remember were books for or about or by men. I've just now remembered Lynn Reid Banks' Dark Quartet but could I remember it while I was there? Hah.

Hopefully my experience in publishing will help.

The Official Receiver's Office: I think I flunked that one. I could do the job in my sleep, but I didn't feel good about the building, the office, or one of my interviewers. Also, when they came to the "Have you any questions?" bit, I couldn't think of any. Gah. However, I'm kind of hoping I don't get that job; it would be so incredibly stultifyingly boring. My suit was ok because we sat at a desk and my legs were hidden.

Makeup removal

About half a tub of Ponds Cold Cream, some wads of cotton wool, a hot facecloth, a cold facecloth, some soap...

How do people who wear this stuff every day cope?

Now my face smells of cold cream, too. But it doesn't taste of makeup any more, which is good, because the cats know makeup is dirt and they tried to remove it...