I’ve been working full time trying to find work. Small jobs trickle in, but this month — and last — not so much. It’s ten years post IR, Internet Revolution, with four kids, a dog and a day off from school. Oh, and the economy’s tanking and no one’s hiring and if they are, they’re not sure they can pay you – ever. Freelancers like me spend more time soliciting work, than actually working. Once established, however, it’s a RJ — a real job — with somewhat odd hours, but the initial hustling of jobs is exhausting. And slow. And frustrating. And I’m getting a bit desperate.
Just when I thought it was safe to be a lunch lady, I got a call from an agency for not just a rush job, but a super-cool-man-oh-man-is-this-awesome job. Not for any junk mail shell game client (not like that’s a bad thing) but a super impressive world-renowned, high-end, make or break your portfolio client. Money’s so-so, but better then slinging hashbrowns at the middle school, so yippee! I’m back in business.
Did I tell you it’s a rush? They want copy tomorrow. No problem. Except it’s Yom Kippur and while we don’t celebrate (is it celebrating – atonement? Hmmm), the kids are home from school. All of them. And some extras.
And the phone rings. It’s a job I’ve applied for, and they want to talk. And a sick relative is beeping through, someone who’s walking the tightrope of mental illness, and neighbor’s at the door, because since I stay home anyways, can SusieQ come over to play while mom’s at work, and I’m on deadline for that cool job. And husband can’t take any time off because he’s got “important meetings.” Ooooooh, important!
[NOTE: I stopped freelancing 10 years ago because his meetings trumped mine. It’s a timeless, endless battle of the sexes that apparently hasn’t subdued in a decade of women’s, technological and work/family advancements. Should be an interesting weekend here at the ranch…]
No thanks to him, I got the work done. Pissed? You betcha. (Agggh! Do you cringe as I do to read/say/hear that word these days?)
Good news, I got the chance to write for a great, fabulous client. Better news, the agency loved it. Awaiting the hat-trick to see what the client thinks, but so far, so good. Once again, at the abyss of giving up, I’m dealt a new hand of cards.
Not a bad day here, all in all, but make no mistake about it, I’m still super pissed at the husband.
Since you husband is paying the bills now you better deal with it.
Sorry on-ramper to agree with the hubby, but being a go to work girl myself I too have been asked last min. to ditch work and do some “all important thing” that the Husband just can NOT do by himself & I have had to tell him it’s a no-go. Every now and again we need to realized the one to bi ticked @ isn’t the sig. other, they’re just easier to be mad @ & you know that they’ll forgive you for it. This is one of those times that if you get a huge ass opportunity like this (which I am sure you will) you need to farm the kids out & don’t even need a great excuse just a You owe me for all the times I’ve done it for you.
Super pissed? or just really annoyed? If nothing else you have definitely mastered the art of “multi-tasking” (to put it mildly) Hope that the client liked it, because I really can’t see you as a lunch lady.