I get to stay home. Finally. Last week proved to be the roughest re-entry into work ever. I got off the plane at 8:30 pm Wednesday, was sitting here fighting off the two-hour time difference Thursday morning while writing a client article and arranging interviews for other projects, then was tied up in client meetings in New Jersey all day Friday before driving five hours to the parents’ house in western PA. It feels good to be out of the car and out from under that schedule.
I was glad to come home to what appears to be a ton of work. I’m not surprised – it is January, after all. One of the queries I sent out turned into a two-article assignment (I love when that happens) based on the editor’s ideas. The beauty of it is I’m being paid upfront for one article so they can use up their 2011 budget. I am so okay with that. Plus a newer client has just put me on board with yet another project, so I’m pleased to drop a lower-paying client, which has to happen this week. I simply cannot keep up with everything.
The weekend was lovely – great driving weather both days and since I’d spent six hours in the car in New Jersey trying to get out of that state (I loathe driving in some areas of NJ), my husband and daughter offered to drive on Friday night. We arrived at Mom’s and Dad’s house late – bedtime – and then spent a nice weekend opening Christmas presents with my brother and his family, then went out for dinner. I got to see some family friends I’ve not seen in at least a decade, and we laughed and talked into the evening. It was so nice.
We came home to see the football game and yes, I’m officially in mourning. Hey, they could have won if they’d had their whole roster healthy and if the defense had stepped it up a notch. Alas. So, congrats to Broncos fans and the team. My jersey goes back in the drawer until August.
Today is a blessedly slower day (at least I think it is). I have some coordinating of marketing pieces for a project, some interviews to schedule, and some supplies to buy at the store. Someone – and neither of them are talking – ran my ink supply out while I was gone and didn’t bother to replace it. I was steaming because I had to print out some stuff for those client meetings and didn’t know my ink was gone until an hour before I had to leave. Yes, even at their ages, it happens. I’ve mentioned before my office equipment is off limits. Time to password protect it all until they move out.
How was your weekend? Did you notice an upswing in work since January 1?
I'm glad to hear you're settling back in Lori. Today's my own first day trying to get back to a "normal" work schedule. And getting back into old habits can feel like such a relief.
Welcome back. Yeah, getting back into the swing of things is always rough, isn't it?
I have noticed an upswing in work since Jan. 1, but to be honest I usually get more work during this time because many of my clients fall back a bit during the holidays.
The Steeler's loss was is big disappointment in our house too. 🙂
Enjoy your first working day of 2012, Jenn. 🙂 Nice to start later, I think.
I do too, Kim. I'm surprised at the volume right now, but I did just sign on with a number of clients, so why am I shocked? Hmmm…
BIG disappointment. I share the disappointment. 🙂
Got back from Boise last weekend and then went to Everett WA this weekend. All hockey related trips. My son's team won the tournament in Boise, but then turned around and got their butts kicked in Everett. It was great fun and I'm really enjoying being a hockey dad. 🙂
On the freelance side, I've got to figure out where I'm going. I don't feel focused and not sure what to do next. I had some success early on, but then things fizzled. Doing a full-time job and freelancing on the side is difficult. As Lori says, "you need to market" and I know that's true, but I'm not sure where to concentrate. Also, I'm feeling that I need a niche. At first, I thought I would dabble in different areas, but that in turn makes it difficult to market my services. 2012 will be the year this takes off, I just need to find a pair of wings.
Sounds like a super weekend, Wade. The only thing better than football is hockey. 🙂
Try this – brainstorm a little on paper. What do you want to do? No limits – just write without judgment or fear. Don't think about it at ALL beyond "This and this and maybe this…"
Get a good list and we'll go from there. 🙂
Well, now that all of you who have been goofing off are back,;-) I am having wireless connection problems. Driving me nuts when I have so much to do.
Jenn-I know what you mean about "old habits." Loved having my family here for 10 days, but it sure messed up the routine.
Kimberly-I am a dye-in-the-wool Chargers' fan so I hate the Denver Broncos. I was pulling hard for the Steelers, too. Ah, alas.
Wade-glad my town was nice to your son's team. 🙂 Maybe the break will help you with your 2012 plan. Look forward to hearing about what you decide.
I'm going to try to get some actual work done. Welcome to 2012, y'all. 🙂
Glad you had such a great extended holiday, Lori. So far 2012 has been slow for me. Last Tuesday, my first official day back, I sent an e-mail LOI to an editor, had the typical back-and-forth (including rates) and she replied saying she'd have an assignment for me soon, not due until mid-March.
I'm glad it's slow on the workfront, since….drumroll please….I finally got a much-needed new Mac. Right now I've got it working online, but because my old Mac is soooo old, the "Migration Assistant" won't move my files for me. I'll have to call Apple and ask how to do that, and more importantly…ask which things I need to move. I've lost all of my bookmarks, so I'll have to see if there's a way to save or move those. I need to load Office, too.
I'm struggling to get used to the mouse scrolling backwards with Lion. Preferences lets you set the trackpad direction, but not mouse direction. Suggestions, fellow Mac users?
It will be a while before I'm totally switched over, but I'm already amazed at how much faster web pages load (without annoying "continue/stop script" messages!) even with a sluggish DSL. I'll have fun catching up with Twitter and Pinterest, neither of which worked well with my old OS.
Thanks Lori, I'll do that and send you an email.
Cathy- Boise was great. I wanted to connect with you, but was at the ice rink so much and gmail threw the twitter messages to spam, maybe next time.
I hope everyone has a great 2012, with all of us writing more and earning more.
I'm glad you're back too and glad the frantic stuff is gone for now.