Ah, a trusty old Doctor Who Quote. Always good, and in this case, quite relevant.
Today is a pretty significant day, on a number of levels. I’m undergoing a significant working change; pretty much the most significant change I’ve undergone in the last three years, since going Freelance “full time”. Except that in my case, “Full Time” actually involved working two jobs — raising kids during the day (and many working parents would correctly argue that’s more like 3-5 jobs in and of itself) and then working most evenings and weekends on my journalistic pursuits. A tricky and tiring job, to be sure, and one that made it very difficult for me to attend daytime events, return phonecalls quickly or sleep much. Ah, sleep, how I miss you.
But today, that all changes. My wife has decided to pursue a university degree (in early childhood studies) and leave full-time employment for the time being. She’s studying externally, and taking over the running of the household while I assume responsibility for bringing home the bacon. (Note to editors: I’m not interested in being paid in porcine products. It’s just a figure of speech). One strange aside to this: For the first time since I met my wife, I’ll be earning more than she does. Well, hopefully, anyway.
So, what does this mean on a professional level for me?
For PR/Marketing/Company People: If you’ve got me tagged as “never attends events”, remove that tag right now. I’m potentially free to attend anything, or travel (where appropriate) with enough notice. Doesn’t mean I’ll turn up at the opening of an envelope, as there still has to be a good, saleable story there — but I’m far more available than I used to be. Drop me an email if you’re not sure what story beats I generally cover, although as a rule of thumb, “everything” has a nice ring to it.
For Editors: Giz us some work. I have much more working time than I previously did, I probably can slot in your story, and as anyone who’s ever worked with me can attest, I work swiftly and with a high degree of accuracy at the same time. In short, imagine me as a guy with a sign round his neck saying “Will write for food”. Although I’d prefer cash; it’s far more negotiable.
It’s almost entirely coincidental, but almost to the day, ten years ago, I started my journalism career. Anyone got a fancy celebration cake handy?
(Curses. This was meant to be post #500, but for some reason it’s #502…)
Of course, it’s a crime to allude, even indirectly, to That Rubbish With The Twins In It.
Ah, but I was referencing the rather excellent Caves Of Androzani. It’s well known that no story follows that. Well, maybe Curse Of Fenric…
(we now delve away from this freeform geek-speak, and back to your regular freelance commentary)
We now delve back. Naturally, I realise that the quote in question is from Caves, but it’s impossible to hear those lines without remembering what follows. Especially since on the original Australian broadcast, it followed the very next day. My eyes! My eyes!
And to make it worse, the really good story (Caves) was butchered by the ABC, while that rubbish with the twins in it wasn’t.
Staying on topic? Whazzat?
(we now delve away from this freeform geek-speak, and back to your regular freelance commentary)
“It’s almost entirely coincidental, but almost to the day, ten years ago, I started my journalism career.”
me too, I see we’ve still got that freaky doppleganger thing happening