I've made the observation that everytime I get laid off, the next job I get is better than the last. I'm wondering now if my next job is 100% freelance. Self employed. That would certainly trump the normal 9-5, 40 hour a week day job, merely because your schedule is flexible. That is the ultimate freedom, to have control over your schedule, and decide how much you want to work.
In my case, I want to work at my old job, but just not in a 9-to-5 capacity. So there I was, about 6 weeks after being laid off, sitting in the same chair in the same edit suite. It's like I took a winter break and back to work I go. I enjoyed the sense of fulfillment, having surfed through the initial "what to do?" phase, and finding my place in the world.
Having my creative batteries recharged, I still have energy to bang out these home projects, only having to divert to paying jobs a few hours a week. Here is a partial list of things I accomplished in the last six weeks:
1. Went to see "Children of Men", "Blood Diamond", "Pan's Labyrinth", and "Apocalypto". These films rival "Dawn of the Dead" in graphic depictions of violence and torture, with intense scenes of gore. All of these films would be better served not to go over the top with the violence to the point we are desensitised (I haven't even scene "Letters from Iwo Jima" yet).
2. I did NOT see "Rocky 18", "Bad Date Epic Dumb Movie", "The Good Shepherd"(wait for DVD).
3. Rented "Jesus Camp" (brainwashing kids - disturbing), "Jackass: 2"(just had to see ... had to see...), and "Da Vinci Code"(didn't read book - didn't excite me).
4. Went on vacation to New Mexico, read a couple books.
5. Climbed a mountain(well..about 3/4 up).
6. Partied with many old friends. Vowed to stay in touch.
7. Slept too much and ate too much.
8. Cover band i'm in played two successful gigs.
9. Did some subject photography (taking a break from the vidi)
10. Mapped out a concept video based on my blog, called "Thread of Mind". It will present my autobiography in a lyrical way.
11. Tediously backed up all the latest music and video I have collected recently.
12. Listened to massive amounts of music.
13. Loaded in my computer all the individual pieces of video and sound for an abandoned feature film "Acid Snow".
14. Painstakingly began to restore the soundtrack from about 40 hours of source audio tape for the film.
15. Started a blog and still trying to keep it going.
16. and, oh yeah. Tried to look for a job.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
What Idiot Put Me In Charge?
Life as a Doodle
I enjoy the lap of luxury as much as the next guy. Which is maybe why the rug gets pulled out from under me once in a while. God knows, I would be complacent in my artistic endeavours. Here I am once again, forced to use my own discipline to find work and sustain myself. Each time this happens, I fall way short of expectations, but nevertheless find the light at the end of the tunnel. What I need to fight is this wonderful freedom ("but oh that magic feeling, nowhere to go"). Freedom from responsibilities, my life becomes a large doodle. If it was up to me it wouldn't be up to me. I would sleep in everyday and goof around with my music or video projects all day, save for playing with the cat, seeing a movie, or going on a bike ride.
Yes, I am Having Fun Yet
Previous terms of unemployment lasted several months. The first time, I filled in the days by travelling and taking some extra computer programming classes.
The second time, I did some travelling and produced my own TV show. The first 3 weeks of this latest term has been taken up by travelling and music appreciation. I have fallen into the musical equivalent of internet surfing. I spend hours surfing through my humongous iTunes collection, making specialised playlists, listening to newly acquired remixes and b-sides. Why? Because I have given myself the idea that I have the ability to coast along and make ends meet. Somehow it'll all work out. Why worry? I'm sure most people could not tolerate this attitude. Of course, it makes a big difference if you don't have a family to support. I have designed a lifestyle where I can live cheaply and pursue my art. I also know that there is guilty conscience that wakes me up in the morning, forcing me to face reality, albeit kicking and screaming.
I'm not a Recluse, I'm Just Eccentric
The other philosophy goes that things come in waves, where it's feast or famine. There are periods where I am working jobs both day and night, and I am constantly running around. Then there are periods like now, where work is sparse, and you can spend time recharging your batteries. I am not dumb enough to just sit on my laurels and assume that the phone will ring with an offer for a TV series gig. But as you see, the first order of today was to waste time writing for my blog. Doing great so far.
I enjoy the lap of luxury as much as the next guy. Which is maybe why the rug gets pulled out from under me once in a while. God knows, I would be complacent in my artistic endeavours. Here I am once again, forced to use my own discipline to find work and sustain myself. Each time this happens, I fall way short of expectations, but nevertheless find the light at the end of the tunnel. What I need to fight is this wonderful freedom ("but oh that magic feeling, nowhere to go"). Freedom from responsibilities, my life becomes a large doodle. If it was up to me it wouldn't be up to me. I would sleep in everyday and goof around with my music or video projects all day, save for playing with the cat, seeing a movie, or going on a bike ride.
Yes, I am Having Fun Yet
Previous terms of unemployment lasted several months. The first time, I filled in the days by travelling and taking some extra computer programming classes.
The second time, I did some travelling and produced my own TV show. The first 3 weeks of this latest term has been taken up by travelling and music appreciation. I have fallen into the musical equivalent of internet surfing. I spend hours surfing through my humongous iTunes collection, making specialised playlists, listening to newly acquired remixes and b-sides. Why? Because I have given myself the idea that I have the ability to coast along and make ends meet. Somehow it'll all work out. Why worry? I'm sure most people could not tolerate this attitude. Of course, it makes a big difference if you don't have a family to support. I have designed a lifestyle where I can live cheaply and pursue my art. I also know that there is guilty conscience that wakes me up in the morning, forcing me to face reality, albeit kicking and screaming.
I'm not a Recluse, I'm Just Eccentric
The other philosophy goes that things come in waves, where it's feast or famine. There are periods where I am working jobs both day and night, and I am constantly running around. Then there are periods like now, where work is sparse, and you can spend time recharging your batteries. I am not dumb enough to just sit on my laurels and assume that the phone will ring with an offer for a TV series gig. But as you see, the first order of today was to waste time writing for my blog. Doing great so far.
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