Thursday, July 21, 2011
LOOKING FOR WORK
Ours is not to reason why....
I've been looking for work my entire working life. That's right, over thirty years. Since I was 15. The first job I had was washing the windows of the stores on the Upper West Side, near where I grew up. I think I got a dollar a window, big money if you add up how many windows you can do in an afternoon (and you're a fifteen year old kid in 1979). I loved it and held that gig for several years.
I had a job as a busboy in a deli on West 57th street the same year. Cleaning, mopping, doing dishes. I didn't like that much --- not because of the work but because it was steady. I had to be in the same place, the same hours week after week. I lasted two months.
I'm a freelance person by training and temperament. I've always loved hunting for the next gig, show, experience. When I was younger this attitude extended to my dealings with the opposite sex. I am much more settled now when it comes to my dealings with women (one woman, getting remarried, life is MUCH simpler that way) but I'm still a rover in my work life --- and I like it that way.
Of course working in theater, where there is little consistency and few long-term jobs, help with staying freelance. At this stay of the game I am probably ready to go to work on a daily basis.
But who knows? Possibly I will work this way for the rest of my professional bouncing from job to job. I know that I love the challenge of making something where there was nothing before.
What about you? What's your style? What do you prefer?
Labels:
direct,
directing,
freelance,
gigs,
jobs,
temperament,
theater,
work,
working,
working styles
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3 comments:
I am also unemployed - by choice. However, I decided that I will not look for work but create it. Lets see how far this gets me.
I say good for you, Susan. For myself, I always try to have a "B" job that brings in some steady income no matter what.
Alex , you are so creative! Awesome piece and so carefully presented.
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