Many thanks to our own Dr. Freelance, Jake Poinier, for reviewing my ebook, The Worthy Writer’s Guide to Building a Better Business. I appreciate it, Jake! Read Jake’s review (dare I say Jake’s Take?) on the Dr. Freelance blog.
Wow, that was an overrated storm. Irene came into town, blew her worst, and managed to knock over my basil and zinnias. All else, thankfully, was spared. As you can see, I’m online. The power outage we expected came after the storm and lasted about three hours. The sun was blazing by 5 pm. Amen.
As storms go, we’ve seen worse. We drove around yesterday assessing the damage. Again, not much. Flooding was worse last year during heavy rains, so the road closures were minimal and short-lived. Where we live becomes an island whenever there is heavy rain. Of all five points of exit, we have possibly one exit route, but only if the water doesn’t rush down the other side of that mountain and pool. If that happens, we’re not going anywhere without a boat.
Irene found new holes in our foundation, so as I was thinking the tornado warnings were the last of it, we found leaks that would have flooded everything had it not been for our sump pump and buckets. Again, we’ve had worse. Luckily, we found it all before my teak dresser was destroyed.
Today I start the first of six projects due this week. Well, they’re due in two weeks, but I intend to be in Ontario. No word at all from the large project lead, and I’m going to make a phone call. I need to inform them that their intended deadline – Wednesday – cannot happen now. No fault of mine, but I want to smooth things a bit so that they don’t hold any false impressions of how large a workload this really is. Plus I need to tell them that I will be taking time off – time I’d planned around their original schedule. There’s only so much I can do.
I’m getting excited about the work handed to me last week, and I’m eager to see the this month’s earnings totals. I have a ballpark in my head, and it’s mighty good.
How are all of you? Is everyone safe and busy?
Glad to hear Irene didn't do too much damage.
I'm well. Been too absorbed in a large project and need to do more marketing so I can expand my scope. It's never a good idea to put all my eggs in one basket.
Glad to hear you didn't suffer too much damage, Lori. This week it's all about marketing for me. I need to increase my workload.
Glad to hear everything is okay. I'm thankful we don't have hurricanes on this side. I received a go ahead on a query I sent out last month, so I'm excited about that. Just need to do a little negotiating on the pay. I'm back in the classroom this week, so I'll be busy. I've promised myself to keep writing and marketing. Have a wonderful Monday everyone.
Glad you're OK. Much ado about nothing here in NYC too.
I've been in a nor'easter that was worse (and I was on the water in a small powerboat at the time).
Lori, you can actually say, "I survived a hurricane without missing a single hour of work."
While you were mid=hurricane, we had a lovely weekend – 81 Saturday, 77 Sunday. I finally did some yard work and discovered the hedges are far larger than I thought. Some branches are too thick for the hedge trimmers, so I have to go through everything with a lopper first, to cut back the thick branches. Only got through one large section yesterday. Still about about 90 linear feet to go. Ugh.
After two weeks with no paying assignments, I got a quick little editing gig for one of my sister's biggest clients. They're supposed to get the info to me today and it's due Wednesday. I'm estimating it will be around 5 hours of work.
Two of my LOIs resulted in editors asking for ideas, so I need to work up a few query ideas, too.
Glad to hear it was overrated in your neck of the woods. The worst damage I heard was a buddy in Vermont who now has a 9-foot canyon through his driveway–yikes. Other than that, I'm just glad the *media* storm is over!
Had to laugh at the "false alarm" headline. Our smoke detectors went off full blast at 2 a.m. I checked every room in the house, then outside, but saw nothing, and the alarms shut down and never came on again. Apparently, it can be caused by dust (which I kicked up a lot of in the yard yesterday), so today's to-do list includes vacuuming all of the detectors. And maybe a nap.
It's hot as heck here in AZ, but that's pretty much situation normal. Finally got some callbacks from some sources that I've been pestering for over a week, so it's transcribe and write time.
Safe here and glad to hear you made it through okay! I was thinking about you this weekend.
Glad to hear you're OK. My family is all on the East Coast, and everyone is fine. Thankful for that!
I need to follow up with an interview subject who has not been easy to reach. And I have another assignment due in a couple weeks that I need to get started on. My last semester of school is starting strong, and I'm eager to be finished. Master's degree, here I come!
Damaria, you're smart. Too many times we get caught with just one gig or two clients. When they disappear…oy!
Marketing for me too, Kim. Problem is I'm so busy this week I have to work longer hours just to get the marketing in!
Have a great first day of school, Wade! And congrats on the article go-ahead. So much new and good for you!
Jodi, exactly! The flooding here was minimal compared to what happened last summer during one of those nor'easters.
Paula, that's great news (both weather and LOI interest)! Knock their socks off, girl.
Jake, got the report from my MIL, who said the same thing. She didn't know it was that hot, but only that she was indoors and staying there for now. Dust in the smoke alarm – no doubt! Your dust storms of late have been newsworthy.
Hi Nikki! Yep, all is well. I'm sure it was sunny where you are – I was envious all weekend!
One more semester, Ashley? Is that possible? Isn't that a great feeling?
Glad you're ok. Saw the pictures on telly last night (Monday) and thought of you.
Tried posting this earlier but apparently I don't own my WordPress ID …
Thanks for checking, Diane! Yes, the flowers didn't fare well, but they're still alive. Waters have receded, and leaks have stopped leaking. All parts are where they should be, amen!
You don't own you own ID? That's weird…
I usually work the last weekend of the month, but between hurricane prep, Irene's arrival, and the power outage Saturday til Monday night, I lost four work days. We were up much of the wee hours Sunday using our emergency solar powered battery to drain the sump pumps to prevent flooding. Nothing workwise was accomplished without the power. So today, it's back to the grind to catch up.
Eileen! It's been ages. Glad you weathered the storm. Sometimes work has to wait. Four work days lost and no vacation to show for it – that just sucks!