Trysette
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What Kind Of A Fool Turns Down Midnight Oil? Twice.

2/16/2016

9 Comments

 
You would  think, knowing me now, I would have jumped at ANY opportunity along my path to position myself closer to those in the music industry that I respect and admire. That's the smart thing to do right, if you're an aspiring artist wanting to "make it" in your chosen field.

Of course. So why would I turn down an opportunity to work with one of Australia's most influential and iconic bands of the 20th century? I'm almost embarrassed to tell you this story, because my actions surprised even me, but looking back, I can only explain it as perhaps the right opportunity at the wrong time. You know, like when you meet someone you're really into but the timing is all wrong?  Who hasn't had that happen.

So here's what went down.

I was 20, fresh from the country and now living in a beautiful beach suburb of Sydney. I was looking for work and had an unconfirmed offer to work at a travel agency in the city, which I would have liked. At that age, all I wanted to do was travel. In my Geography classes at school, I used to stare out the window and dream about seeing the world. I just couldn't wait to leave school and get on a plane or a bus or a train or whatever as long as I was going somewhere.

I went down to the job centre one day and noticed a card saying something about a position vacant in the Entertainment Industry. Of course I inquired about it, since music was definitely a part of me even if I wasn't in a hurry to follow that path.

The guy in the job centre told me that he was about to call me regarding this position as he thought it would suit me down to the ground with my musical bent and all. He explained, "just quietly", that Midnight Oil were looking for a personal assistant, and they lived in MY street! "Holy Cow", was pretty much all I could say hehe. Not really, I'm sure I was very composed and behaved in a professional manner at all times. :)

So off I went for my interview with the Oil's manager Gary Morris, and yes, I did meet the very awe inspiring Peter Garrett with his piercing blue eyes and very bald head which he had to lower to get through the doorway that wasn't quite tall enough for him. Gary offered me the job at the end of our chat and what did I do? I said I'd have to get back to him!!! Oh dear. I can hear your gasps of horror!

My issue was, and believe me, I understood the enormity of the offer, but in my heart I wanted to travel. I remember Gary saying in the interview, and I'm sure this was the defining moment for me, "we need someone who can handle the incoming media calls with discretion while we're travelling around the world".  But hang on I thought, I want to go with you!

I could have done that job and I would have done it well, but I didn't want to be left behind.

Anyhow, before giving Gary my answer, I rang the boss of the travel agency just to check if his offer was going to come to fruition, and he said "yes, can you start Monday?" Aaaaaargh. I was happy and disappointed at the same time. It would have been easier if he'd said no, and then I would have gladly taken the Midnight Oil job, even without the travel. Clearly, for reasons I still, to this day, have not been able to fathom, that was not my destiny.

A year later, I rang Gary to inquire about something for someone, and he asked me how my job was going. I said "oh I love it". He said "well, the girl we hired has just left so the job is yours if you want it". I couldn't believe it. He was torturing me, and he was serious. I had to turn him down! AGAIN! And it was just as difficult as the year before. What the hell?

I did mention that I'd love to see their show though, and what a guy! He said "come to the office and pick up a couple of passes" So I did! I LOVE him! And what a rocking show!

I worked in travel for a few years and enjoyed quite a lot of travel opportunities. In the end, I became restless and realized that working in an office was not for me. I packed up my stuff, got in my car and drove north. I had no idea where I was going, I just needed to get on the road and go somewhere.

Next week I'll tell you where I ended up.

I hope you've enjoyed my story this week and as always, I love to hear your thoughts if you'd care to leave a comment, and be sure to join the mailing list for a free download of my Chasing Cars recording.

Below is a video of one of my favourite Midnight Oil songs.

Enjoy.

Trysette.


9 Comments
Jules link
2/17/2016 07:15:19 am

I just mentioned the movie Sliding Doors to a client yesterday--and insisted she watch it. So many sliding door moments in our lives--at age 20 I was supposed to travel with my friend Antoine to Melbourne--he said we could get jobs at a bakery, learn how to bake bread. I thought I had fallen in love with somebody in Toronto and opted to stay and refund my plane ticket. Can you believe it? Antoine stayed in Melbourne for over 10 years, opened a bakery even, "Loafing Around." But it's all for a reason. The same reason I opted out of a year in Maui, living in a yurt at a primate sanctuary because, this time (some 20 wise years later), I was truly in love. Kim was single, and there was no way in hell that I was leaving for Maui and monkeys and missing out on her. Sliding doors, indeed. Neat post, Trysette.

Reply
Trysette
2/17/2016 02:48:17 pm

LOVE wins every time! Thanks for the comment Jules. And just last night, after I'd written this blog, the Sliding Doors movie was mentioned on a TV programme I was watching. :)

Reply
Rus
2/17/2016 08:06:28 pm

I best go find the movie Sliding Doors then. Maybe you can get Midnight Oil to comeback and support you aometime. I am sure they would be honoured. :-)

Reply
Trysette
2/18/2016 12:00:41 am

Well that's a huge compliment Rus. Thank you. I hope you enjoy the movie too. It's a good one.

Reply
AM Welty
2/17/2016 08:57:52 pm

For about six months after I lost my memory just about every sentence out of my mouth started with "if I only....." My vocabulary was ruled by woulda, coulda, and shoulda..... I was so afraid I may regret things tomorrow that I did today, that I simply didn't do anything..... It was paralyzing.....

It took quite a while, but I realized that you can't live today for tomorrow's sake..... You make the best decisions you can at the time and keep moving forward......

Reply
Trysette
2/18/2016 12:03:44 am

I agree. And I know I made the right decision back then because I was compelled to take the travel job, for whatever reason. I'm sure if the Midnight Oil job had have been the right choice for me, I would have wanted it more. No regrets, just curious wonderings. :)

Reply
Claudette Landsberg
2/19/2016 05:50:44 am

I always love reading your Blogs Trysette. They are so real. Thank you. I loved the movie Sliding Door and now want to watch it again. I also believe you made the right choice at the time. There is a reason for everything and you went with the flow that was right for you then. Adel's comments too are interesting and she certainly has a point - one must just keep moving forward. I can't wait to hear where you ended up. Thanks for the Midnight Oil video. Loved it. xx I had a thought.... This is your life... at the time the job offered was Midnight Oils life, not yours. Your life is far more personal and you needed to walk your own path to reach it.

Reply
Trysette
2/20/2016 01:02:33 am

That's the interesting thing Claudette. You're absolutely right. You would expect that for me to end up where I am now, the Midnight Oil job would have been the obvious step, but no. Evidently, I was always going to be a musician no matter which path I took. Clearly, I needed to go the other way for whatever reason at that time.

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your words.

Trysette.

Reply
Yogurt Cookbook link
6/11/2023 07:23:52 am

Goood blog post

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