Deciding What to Say "Yes" or "No" To

I made a decision the middle of last week that I'm dropping the News & Record auto column assignments.  I was asked by the paper in October to write two weekly columns for their Saturday auto page.  One is called "Tire Tracks" and profiles people who have unique, interesting or unusual cars. The other is "At Your Service" and for that I go into dealerships for employee profiles.  Both pieces are very brief - no more than 150 words and a photo--and the pay is good for the work involved.  But it's been bothering me more and more lately that I find myself spending time on assignments and projects I don't enjoy and that aren't enhancing my career.  So I'm looking for ways to cut back and the auto columns were the first to fall under the ax.

I'd been thinking about leaving for a while, but got tied up in the money aspect.  Why give up a sure paycheck? But I'm more resentful every time I find myself begging family and friends to let me know if they hear of anyone with a cool car, or walking into a dealership after I've made an appointment and finding they either forgot and aren't prepared for me or look at me like they have no idea what I'm talking about in being there.  This happened last Wednesday and I just decided, "enough."  The money doesn't make it worthwhile for me.  I'm fortunate enough to be able to select work I enjoy and I'm going to use and appreciate that.

Luckily, my editors have been extremely supportive and even asked if I would still consider freelancing for the News & Record in other areas, which I'm more than happy to do. 

Blair is as always a rock of support.  I've never met someone as unselfish as him.  He just wants me to be happy.  (Although he was teasing me--rightfully so--about regressing again.  We have a running joke that every time I get an advanced degree, a salary increase, or anything beneficial to our household income, I decide "Eh, I don't want to do that.")

Panthers play tonight.  I'm excited about that but more excited because I spent an hour this morning with Melody who got me back on track with my knitting, showing me how to cast on and making me do it over and over until we were both sure I had it down.  So I'm going to get some rows in on the purple practice scarf while the game is on. Meanwhile, I continue to recruit friends for the "Hot Women Who Knit" club that I am intent on forming. So far, I have about 5 takers.  Although maybe I need a club name with a better acronym. HWWK sounds like the hacking sound you make at the back of the throat when preparing to cough up a lugey.  Not really the image I'm looking for for the club.  Have to think on that one. 

Cruisin' in a '72 Pontiac Sports Lemans

I write a weekly featurette called "Tire Tracks" for the Greensboro paper where I profile people who have unique, interesting, or unusual cars.  I met yesterday with the owner of this cool cruisin' mobile and couldn't resist when he offered me a ride around the block. (That "thwunk" sound you just heard was my mom falling dead of a heart attack).  But the guy was nice, we took pictures of the car in front of town hall and most people there knew him and were chatting with us and saw us drive off together, so I felt pretty safe.

Although I am not a car person by any stretch, it was fun riding in this thing.  Heads turned and we got several thumbs up.  We drove by a playground and a bunch of kids yelled, "Hey!  Give us a ride!"  Too bad he didn't offer to let me drive. ;)

Knitting 101 & A Day At Home

Curses on my friend Melody for inviting me to her abode last night and teaching me to knit.  I have a staggering  amount of work to do but all I can think is, I could sit down and get off a few rows.  I want nothing more than to pop in a movie I know well so I don't actually  have to watch it, plop myself on the couch with my yarn and needles, and not move for the next two hours.

That will be my late afternoon treat if I am a good writer and productive for the rest of the day.  I am SO HAPPY because I squeezed in a few appointments late yesterday afternoon and so I get to stay home today.  No 40-minute drive into GSO - yippee! I got up at 5 today and went to my 6 AM yoga class, came home, showered, and put my sweatpants and t-shirt right back on.  There are few pleasures in life as great as dressing like a sloth on a work day.

Tile guy could not make it out yesterday and so is absolutely going to be here this morning.  I'll hold off on further commentary until tomorrow.

Back to knitting--I am not a natural.  No shock there.  I've never had strong hand/eye coordination.  But I'm looking at this first piece as purely a practice piece and so am not getting down on myself if I add a knot or make a mess.  This is the learning scarf and worst case, I'll give it to the cats.  But I enjoy the process.  It's the methodicalness (is that a word?) of it that I enjoy.  Same movements, over and over, and slowly you see the fabric growing before your eyes.  So much of what I do is long-term--write an article, send it out, wait 6 months for it to appear--that it's appealing to do something that produces immediate results. 

Like I said, it's not looking pretty at this point, but I'll get there.  I'm hoping Melody (and I take back my earlier curse on her, because she was so sweet and patient with me) and I and other knitting friends can get together every now and then for practice.

And now I must (knit a few rows...), no no -- work!

No More Work!

Lucy has been meowing at me all morning, hopping up on the desk, trying to get my attention.  Finally, in a last bid attempt, she draped herself over my current project.  Who said people without kids never experience Mommy guilt??