Hear that sound? That's the sound of the gears and wheels and levers of change.
Just when you think Karma has nothing better to do with her time than to poop on your parade; just when you think things aren't ever going to get better - you bear your heart and soul, wounds and scars and idiosyncrasy for the world to see ...
... and slowly but surely, things start to get better.
Things have changed since my Screaming Out Loud post. There hasn't been a miraculous appearance of a "normal" 9 to 5 job offer - but something that may turn out to be better than the "norm."
My dad has received several phone calls in the last week or so from other tavern owners that are interested in our services. The first clients were apparently quite pleased with the reports and information we provided, and have mentioned us to other owners. If this continues, this could mean that Kirk and I would be able to make money simply by going out on date nights and turning up our observational skills. When this branch of my dad's business was at it's peak, he had 35 clients. I won't be so tacky as to share the numbers, but let's just say it pays well.
Hell, it helped him pay for my wedding!
Dad thinks I described it perfectly when I said he'd rather be at home, watching Leno than doing the mystery shops. He's perfectly happy to be the contact man for the clients, let us do the work, and then let us receive the profits. All the profits.
It will take some time to build up the client base again, but if the last time was any indication, it won't take long.
So the initial motivation of quitting our day jobs a year ago may be fulfilled. We still get to spend more time with the kids, and each other. And make a decent living doing it.
That, my friends, is a gift beyond description.
Speaking of gifts ... my parents (who have been divorced for 27 years) ambushed me Tuesday night. I was expecting my dad to drop by with our first paycheck (yay!) and I opened the door to find my dad AND mom walking to the door.
They put their little heads together and came up with the Most Awesome birthday gift for me. (Yes, it was a few days late but there were some stomach-flu bugs flying around that delayed things a trifle. But am I complaining? Hell, NO !!)
Yes, I am a spoiled only child. I admit it. My 14th birthday present was two tickets to my first concert - Van Halen's 1984 concert tour. My 17th birthday present was a car - a 1984 Ford Escort. (Weird coinkindink in the year, there, huh?)
This year? A Sony Cyber-Shot camera! Whoo-Hoo!
You all can expect many more posts with pictures from now on.
(Although I suspect my mom was motivated to suggest this for a gift so I'd finally return her camera. Yes, that was the one I used for the birthday blowout cake video. And yes, it's the same type of camera so I've pretty much got it figured out.)
On a different topic ...
I haven't heard anything from the author and creative writing teacher that is critiquing the first 22 pages of my novel. But, oddly enough, that's OK.
Seriously.
Once we hit the one week mark since I sent it to her - I just stopped stressing about it.
I'd almost rather not hear anything from her again than hear that she thinks it's crap.
I know that one must have a "hook" to grab the reader's attention within the first page or so, but after rereading those damned first 22 pages I'm not sure it's there. If it is, it's a tiny little goldfish hook.
I'd rather see the book as a Hansel and Gretel kind of story. It leaves little treats and enticements every so often to get you to keep turning the pages. Granted, the treats may be tiny Smarties, but you can't eat just one. Trust me, I know. Ask my dentist.
So, my friends, it appears the tide is changing. And even if the skies darken again, and the tide starts to rise again, I think it's going to be alright.
I'll just sit here on my little Island of Peace and let the waves crash over my toes...
... if nothing else, I'll take some great pictures of the tidal wave!
Just when you think Karma has nothing better to do with her time than to poop on your parade; just when you think things aren't ever going to get better - you bear your heart and soul, wounds and scars and idiosyncrasy for the world to see ...
... and slowly but surely, things start to get better.
Things have changed since my Screaming Out Loud post. There hasn't been a miraculous appearance of a "normal" 9 to 5 job offer - but something that may turn out to be better than the "norm."
My dad has received several phone calls in the last week or so from other tavern owners that are interested in our services. The first clients were apparently quite pleased with the reports and information we provided, and have mentioned us to other owners. If this continues, this could mean that Kirk and I would be able to make money simply by going out on date nights and turning up our observational skills. When this branch of my dad's business was at it's peak, he had 35 clients. I won't be so tacky as to share the numbers, but let's just say it pays well.
Hell, it helped him pay for my wedding!
Dad thinks I described it perfectly when I said he'd rather be at home, watching Leno than doing the mystery shops. He's perfectly happy to be the contact man for the clients, let us do the work, and then let us receive the profits. All the profits.
It will take some time to build up the client base again, but if the last time was any indication, it won't take long.
So the initial motivation of quitting our day jobs a year ago may be fulfilled. We still get to spend more time with the kids, and each other. And make a decent living doing it.
That, my friends, is a gift beyond description.
Speaking of gifts ... my parents (who have been divorced for 27 years) ambushed me Tuesday night. I was expecting my dad to drop by with our first paycheck (yay!) and I opened the door to find my dad AND mom walking to the door.
They put their little heads together and came up with the Most Awesome birthday gift for me. (Yes, it was a few days late but there were some stomach-flu bugs flying around that delayed things a trifle. But am I complaining? Hell, NO !!)
Yes, I am a spoiled only child. I admit it. My 14th birthday present was two tickets to my first concert - Van Halen's 1984 concert tour. My 17th birthday present was a car - a 1984 Ford Escort. (Weird coinkindink in the year, there, huh?)
This year? A Sony Cyber-Shot camera! Whoo-Hoo!
You all can expect many more posts with pictures from now on.
(Although I suspect my mom was motivated to suggest this for a gift so I'd finally return her camera. Yes, that was the one I used for the birthday blowout cake video. And yes, it's the same type of camera so I've pretty much got it figured out.)
On a different topic ...
I haven't heard anything from the author and creative writing teacher that is critiquing the first 22 pages of my novel. But, oddly enough, that's OK.
Seriously.
Once we hit the one week mark since I sent it to her - I just stopped stressing about it.
I'd almost rather not hear anything from her again than hear that she thinks it's crap.
I know that one must have a "hook" to grab the reader's attention within the first page or so, but after rereading those damned first 22 pages I'm not sure it's there. If it is, it's a tiny little goldfish hook.
I'd rather see the book as a Hansel and Gretel kind of story. It leaves little treats and enticements every so often to get you to keep turning the pages. Granted, the treats may be tiny Smarties, but you can't eat just one. Trust me, I know. Ask my dentist.
So, my friends, it appears the tide is changing. And even if the skies darken again, and the tide starts to rise again, I think it's going to be alright.
I'll just sit here on my little Island of Peace and let the waves crash over my toes...
... if nothing else, I'll take some great pictures of the tidal wave!
3 comments:
good things come in 3's!
I told you you were due for some good threefold stuff!
Congrats!
I hope everything works out for you guys!
I'm so glad things are looking up! Can't wait to see what fun you have with that new camera.
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