May 30, 2003

Hypothetical Time Travel

Let us say that someone else's erstwhile Morning Boss jokingly-but-seriously is trying to convince you to become her assistant.

Let us also say that you have already negotiated the ability to determine your own hours, partial dominion over musical selections, and the use of a fake name.

Let us further say that you would only have to commit through December, in case it became too complicated to balance with other more artful work.

Would you do it?

But wait, there's more: this part-time work would replace a chunk of stress-making random teaching, free-up time for more writing, and result in a dependable weekly paycheck (as opposed to sporadic independent contractor checks). In theory. It might also just make you crazy because it's a fairly irritating and repetitive job and the management of the organization is fury-making.

Would you do it?

Posted by Ida at May 30, 2003 09:51 AM
Comments

Through December? Sure.

It will be fury-making, no doubt, but having an end-point in sight makes all the difference in the world. I don't know if it pays enough to make it worthwhile, but you're tough enough to handle 6 months of tedium.

If I were in your birthday shoes, I'd say yes, consider it a vacation-from-contracting, use the time to reevaluate my work goals and finances and writing -- and then commit to a project or contract position in January 2004 so there's absolutely no way to continue a day past December.

Posted by: Mol at May 30, 2003 10:14 AM

I agree with Molly. One addition: get it in writing. ;)

Posted by: xjx at May 30, 2003 10:56 AM

Ooh, I definitely like the get-it-in-writing suggestion, since IME these situations often draw out far longer than one is led to believe ("Well, I've got Ida filling in the position now, so I can put off filling it full-time for a while" - which is how Bosses -- morning or otherwise -- usually rationalize procrastinating on this type of thing. Besides, you've done this before, no? And MB knows that, so it seems like more of a win-win for them than for you).

Still, the idea of some marginal financial stability does have its attraction, so I can definitely see that side of it as well.

I guess I'd say if you can absolutely get a guarantee that the situation definitely won't go beyond the end of the year, then go for it.

Posted by: THE COMTE at May 30, 2003 11:30 AM

I've already got work lined up for January 2004.

I have done this job before (as the Morning Boss).

It's also not even six months. I wouldn't start until the end of August.

Part of making it beneficial to me and not just to them would be paying an hourly that they probably won't give me. But it's not going to hurt me to ask.

And, dude, fake name.

Posted by: Ida at May 30, 2003 12:17 PM

I'd do it.

Posted by: Joshua at May 30, 2003 01:19 PM

So. I just sent an email listing the restrictions and pay ask. We'll see what happens.

If it all goes through, I might need to wear a special outfit to keep my chin up...kinda like the tiara I've been wearing all month.

Posted by: Ida at May 30, 2003 02:16 PM

Snowshoes?

Posted by: Mol at May 30, 2003 02:57 PM

iffen you get along with morningboss, which you do, then yes. Carpe morningjob, Ida.

Posted by: freesia at May 31, 2003 06:31 PM

Fake Name?

Posted by: THE COMTE at June 2, 2003 11:33 AM