Last week, I got an email from someone I know who has a writing position available on his team. It's pretty much the type of position I was made for. And we could sure use the extra income (and I could use the additional mental stimulation). So we talked on the phone last Friday. The conversation went well. Sadly, as with all things in life, the job comes with a few catches.
First of all, it's based in SF. And I, in case you aren't aware, live in SanJo. That's about a 45-60 minute drive, one way. On a good day.
Secondly, M is in part-time preschool and Z only goes to daycare once a week. That'd mean a lot of scrambling over the next few weeks to get a nanny who can essentially replace me to care for Z, pick up M from preschool in the afternoons, and keep both kids happy until K or I get home.
So I discussed with K who agreed the only way a job in SF would work is if the employer were willing to work around my needs a tad. I spent about 30 minutes carefully crafting an email designed to convince the hiring manager why he should hire me even though I'd require special handling from the start. And then I hit send.
Shortly thereafter, the universe sent me a few messages.
1) On Friday, a mountain of bills arrived (medical, M's preschool tuition, mortgage payments, credit card payments, etc).
2) On Saturday, I took my car in for a routine 5,000 mile checkup. An hour after dropping it off, the service department called to say there were a few things that needed fixin'. To the tune of $1100.
3) On Sunday, K confessed he was really worried about the viability of his job. He was beginning to wonder if the company would make it to the end of the year.
If I'm interpreting these signs correctly, instead of trying to negotiate with my former colleague, I probably should have said "I'll take it! Whatever it is! I'll take it!" the moment he contacted me.
Or perhaps the universe is testing me to see just how much pressure I can take before I succumb to a nervous breakdown. And once I pass the test, I will be rewarded with riches beyond my wildest dreams.
Whatever the case may be...the truth is, I really don't want to rejoin the rat race right now. I don't want to let someone else take care of my kids full-time. And I don't want to deal with commute traffic, office politics, business trips, conference calls, and the exhaustion and guilt that comes from working all day only to come home and deal with two very small children who want a piece of you until bedtime.
But you know what? If push comes to shove, what I want would just have to take a back seat to what my family needs. And I'd hustle my ass to Modesto to flip burgers if it would make a difference.
Anyway, stay tuned for more fun!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
it's not easy, is it?
ReplyDeletei can tell you from first hand experience, the commute is a bitch. is there any way for you to take cal train? yes, i realize this only works if you live near a station and your office on the other end of the journey is also near a station, otherwise it's more hassle than it's worth. but if you can take the train you could theoretically work in transit, which might mean you could be in the office for fewer hours.
good luck
You did the right thing --it's always better to try and negotiate for what you want. If they say no, you can always capitulate, but once you accept it would be hard to change the terms.
ReplyDelete