I had never done this before, but I actually told my freelance job when my last day would be.
This place was a hot mess. The woman who hired me quit four days later, she said the only reason she was able to get me in was because she gave her notice. She was overworked and unappreciated. I was disappointed because we had gotten on so well when we met for tea the week before. But I shrugged my shoulders and told her not to worry -- plenty of agencies had their issues but I was freelance and charging by the hour so what did I care? I soon learned better - trying to chat to people in meetings was fruitless. They looked at me in confusion when I asked how their weekend went. People didn't look up from their computers when you entered a meeting, they didn't look up during, or when you addressed them. I was the only production person there, so no one really spoke to me unless it was about work related things. And all the work related things were a source of frustration.
The agency was going through its umpeenth merger, its sixth round of layoffs in the last few years. One third of the work stations were full, the rest empty, yet I had to walk miles to find the people I needed to speak with about my productions. The only blessing is that I was able to commute downtown with motoboy so I came in close to 10 and left at 4.40. If I didn't have a meeting, I'm not sure it mattered that I was there, since no one spoke to me anyway. It was just an awful awful environment. And then there was that one creative who embarrassed me in front of the production company who I brought on board, a top director and a proper production company who threw hundreds of thousands of dollars into a job we could not pay for, and this person threw a fit over a tiny prop. I had to 'apologize' in order to save the day and keep moving because there is no way around it - this guy was a raging asshole and a bad creative and it just wasn't worth the fight. The thought of it though still makes me hot with anger and embarrassment. The really hard part is that I think part of it was sexist. I saw how he treated men and women differently. Infuriating, but again, glad I was freelance and able to walk away.
So yeah, I told them I was booked after my jobs wrapped. My teeth hurt, my husband was neglected, my toddler was getting stressed out by potty training, the holidays were coming and well...it was time for a break.
In no time I was home with my blonde moppet making pumpkin bread, brownies, beef stew, preparing for Thanksgiving, doing much needed laundry and tidying up. I wave good bye to my husband who still makes the commute, alone, and I take baby girl to day care and do the shopping or DIY around the house. I use multiple coupons and the phone app at Target, mentally giving myself a high five for saving $35. I go to my favorite grocery store at 9am when there is minimal traffic, plenty of parking, first in line at the deli. I'm organized enough to tip the bagboy for helping me out to the car. I arrange for another contractor to come look at our attic insulation. I research Christmas presents and power tools. I am executive producing the hell out of being mom in this family. And I'm good at it, of course.
Now I'm looking at the calendar, wondering whether to update my LinkedIn profile or email some more contacts and let them know I am available. But I just don't think there is time. My mom is coming for a long weekend next week. And then monster-girl's daycare is closed for two weeks. The in-laws are coming on the 26th. And I don't have the guest room ready yet. I'm going to NY on the 29th. Looks like a little while longer is needed.
And my crown is finally going to be able to settle.
Happy holidays!
E
