Financial Journalism for Dummies

Summary: The Life and Times of London's Newest Journalist

Word of the day: Leicester
Leicester Square is a popular tourist spot in Central London. Today I pronounced it wrong, and my chum and co-worker James informed me that I had demonstrated what has been stand-up comedy material in London for years. Luckily I know now that it is not “LIE-cester” but “Lester.”

Next time I go to London I will (NEW!): Bring all my funky clothes! Wow, that hot purple 1980s sweater collecting dust in my closet would fit right in here. I can’t believe I tried to stay tame with my clothes in order to have the most versatile stuff. I didn’t even bring any of my prized fishnets!

What I learned today: Wendy’s might be for sale. State Street received a comprehensive mandate. Ukraine is trying to get up to international standards in the securities industry. India-focused hedge funds are doing well. Home equity in the U.S. is facing more challenges…Are you snoozing yet?

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OK so I know you are wondering how the first couple days in the trade magazine world have gone! I have much to say, but yesterday I had too much of an overwhelming first-day feeling, so I chickened out of blogging. Plus my phone company is STILL being a bastard from across the ocean by trying to screw me out of a rebate on my new handset. As weird as it sounds, that situation made me the most homesick, because I felt helpless over here.

But it’s all worked out. Now for what I do…an interesting question. There will be much about this over the next few weeks, and my job will be becoming more diverse, including some multimedia stuff. But here’s the gist of my last two days in the teeny, messy office on a bustling street not far from Bridget Jones’ fictional apartment.

If my job were an ad in the newspaper, we could definitely glam it up. For instance:

WANTED: Computer-savvy journalist to sit on the continuous news desk of a leading international financial trade publication. Will break major financial stories, such as important multimillion-dollar mandates, investment news and personal finance stories. Must have excellent editing and writing skills as well as news judgment. Will be the voice of the magazine on weekly podcasts rounding up the most important news in the securities industry.

Or we could just say:

WANTED: Any old bloke who can rewrite press releases. Find key words such as “hedge fund,” “custody,” or “investment,” copy and paste, send. Repeat 20 times a day.

Both are completely true! And such is journalism—excitement and complete drudgery.

I am listening to: The Spice Girls! Well, sort of; they were seriously on BBC earlier today, and my music still isn't in order, trapped on my low battery computer:(

I'm giving you everything, all that joy can bring, yes I swear (Yes I swear!)