At the Bush House

Wednesday, 9th July, 2008
London
17:00

It has been pouring all morning, typical London with its summer rain. Last night I flew in from Stockholm straight to Saif and Laras place in South London. They had prepared some lentil soup, grilled chicken, and a few nice cold ales.

Last time I had met them was in Amman, last Christmas, by coincidence. The one before was 2 years ago in Örebro, when they visited me on their second honey moon tour. I called Saif a few days ago, and told him I need a place to crash for the night - next morning I had a date with destiny, in the form of a second job interview, at The Bush House, or the BBC World Service headquarters.

I got my papers ready, and headed for the Holborn tube station. Coming out of there in the rain I asked two men to point me to Kingsway, they said I was on the right path. I took that figuratively and kept walking towards my destination. Once I arrived, I felt very small under the arches of the BBC headquarters - the whole building looked like the treasury of the Roman Empire or something fancy like that. I collected my thoughts as I brushed off the rain off my coat, and walked in with bald steps and a proud head - after all I am glad I got this far.

At the reception everything seemed polished, even the accent of that fine receptionist. She told me my name was on the list and they are expecting me, that they will pick me up shortly. I made myself comfortable on the sofas and looked around at the high ceiling and at the walls where big screens showed BBC World News. The world was talking about the not-so-new cold war in the Middle East with Iran and Israel scratching each others back while "threatening" one another.

The familiar sights and sounds of news production gave me all the confidence I needed, just in time for the nice HR adviser to pick me up and take me to the interview room. There it was, all happening, in a little room with a table, three chairs, three glasses of water and one clock.

The interview was scheduled to take 30 minutes, and I had answers prepared. But there was a twist, they said, Rami, we do not have any more questions for you. Then we had a very casual, informal meeting, and managed to discuss creativity, decisiveness, "eccentric" Arab writers, as well as faking a whole radio show. In the end, the nice HR Adviser led me down stairs through a maze of revolving doors and enchanting art and told me, "we will see you."

Now I am back in Stockholm and the coziness of my south-side flat. Had a nice movie weekend, detoxing and rejuvenating in wait for destiny to call back. Ill give destiny two weeks, and if I got the job, I will be moving to London, no later than next September.

If I did not get the job - I will continue to do what I love to do best - freelance!