Monday, March 24, 2008

Spring Break Recap: Work at Home Hell Week

Well, spring break is over for our family. Last week was, to say the least, the most challenging week since I've been working from home. While I did start this work from home adventure last June, it was well after school started before I found a regular paying gig that constituted steady work. We lived off of savings for several months while I searched for the right "fit".

So last week really constituted our first attempt to all co-habitate AND work together all at the same time. Three kids at home all day became a very challenging scenario indeed. Even though my wife was here to help, we both about went crazy trying to work (her part time, me full time) and corral the kids at the same time. It was by far my worst and most unproductive week thus far working from home.

Of course, this brings up an important issue. How will I cope with working from home during the summer? I attempted a different schedule during spring break. I tried a late evening shift, sleeping in during the morning hours and spending time with the kids in the afternoons. Unfortunately, I never slept in as much as I would have liked, the kids wore me out in the afternoons, and I found myself tired and lagging during the evenings, sometimes unable to complete my intended schedule. That shift sure didn't work.

All I know is that I'm glad spring break is over. I can easily say that it was hell week here at home "sweet" home.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Networking and Writing

Ah, where to begin. The journey never really ends, does it? I've renewed my personal interest in building a network of readers - either through my blog on topics of religious interest, or my articles that I am going to write on everyday events and issues as a citizen journalist.

You see, everything is going great over on my full-time gig. No problems. So why am I going to start stepping out and doing freelance stuff on the side? Well, as the old saying goes, I don't want to have all of my eggs in one basket.

At heart, I really do believe I have it in my to be a writer. Granted, a lot of my writing style is very conversational and opinionated. I don't know if I can stick to the facts and garner a following as a reputable citizen journalist without wavering into the passion zone of my writing, so-to-speak. I really want to continue this blog, and develop an outlet for my other articles as well.

I've taken another look at Associated Content, Helium as well as another writing gig that I've signed up for - Natural News. None of these are paying big bucks, although Helium does have a marketplace section where real publishers are paying decent money for articles that are picked out of the crowded competition. Of more interest to me over there right now is their current involvement with the Pulitzer prize people as well as the National Press Club. Now there are two groups that it would pay to be associated with as a writer!

Keep your eyes on the blog here, and I will be passing along my profile(s) as well as a link (or two) to my writing outlet blogs. Hopefully you're up for the ride ...