By Charley Daniels
Well, I did it. Or I’m doing it. Giving up my full-time job to pursue those ever-elusive “other things.” Excited? Yes. Apprehensive? Yes. Ready for anything? I’d better be, because who knows what’s going to happen.
I’ve been running myself ragged this month, and it’s starting to show in all of my work. Let’s recap. For starters, there’s this NaBloPoMo ordeal, which hasn’t really taken a lot of effort (as if you couldn’t tell), but knowing there’s one more thing to do each day is mentally draining, even if the task itself doesn’t usually amount to much. So there’s that. Then I’m at the office from 10 a.m. to at least 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The last few weeks have been especially busy there, so I arrive at work, sit at the computer, begin editing, eat a sandwich while editing, find a place to stop editing, turn off computer, go home. Once I get home, it’s BuzzDash and Digital Theatre time.
Lots to do, not enough hours in the day. So getting rid of the full-time gig is the best option. At this point I’m uncertain about my future with the Nielsen Company. We’re trying to work out an arrangement where I can become a part-time employee, but to be honest it sounds like a long shot. And even if they get the bosses to agree to allow me to be part-time, there’s no telling if we’ll be able to come to an agreement that suits me and the company. They’ve asked me to stay at least until they find a replacement, and I said I’d do what I can, but that come January, I need to have at least three days a week off (that’s work days, not weekends).
So I’m doing it. I’m leaving stability and comfort for instability and happiness. In theory. To be honest, I have no idea how this is going to work out. I’m really excited and, honestly, scared to death.
