Movin' on

In light of yesterday's revelation from the paper, I've decided that it is time to move onto other (and hopefully better) things.

This poses a problem, however. I had only just resolved that I would stay at the paper, teach in the evenings, play with the band on weekends, prepare to take graduate school auditions next fall, and return to school in fall '08. Things were rather settled for once in my life, and it was almost pleasant, if somewhat dull.

Only now I can't stay at the paper, and I'm wondering where to go from here.

I have two options: a) go find a full-time writing job elsewhere, cease teaching, and enjoy my weekends with the band; or b) say 'so long' to the system and shamelessly sell myself as a teacher and performer.

Option a) wouldn't be awful. I'd have to drop the studio because I couldn't work full-time and commute and still teach all of my students, simply because of the overlap between lessons and a nine-to-five job. I could still teach out of my home one night a week or so, but I wouldn't be able to stay at the studio--thus losing many of my kids. But I'd have steady income, would be a contributing member of society, would have a healthplan, and could live a quasi-normal life (as normal as I'll ever get, haha). I could still play during evenings and weekends and thus, in theory, satisfy my creative needs.

Option b) is far riskier and far less supported by my family (yes, I am aware that at 22 I am capable of making my own decisions). It would involve me having to cover my own healthcare, handling my own expenses, staying in the area where my studios are rather than adventuring elsewhere potentially more exciting. It would also require me to face my most stubborn fears of inadequacy, imperfection, and the like.

Option b) would give me the pleasure and frustration of giving myself to the furthering of my art and the nurturing of my students' talents and understanding daily. It would allow me to organize things the way I dream of, including theory and listening as part of lessons and really giving my students a holistic understanding of music on a level I can't quite not simply because of the advance preparation that I don't have time for.

Yes, I am remembering to pray for enlightenment, but I feel almost that God would be happy to see me do either as long as I did it with love and passion. I don't know what to do.

So if you get bad news about a writing position on the feast of an Evangelist, what does that mean for your future?

The newspaper informed me today that they are taking back the ten extra hours per week that they had given me, so I'm back at twenty per week from the thirty I was at. That's going to tighten finances more than I would like it to, but I really can't do anything about. "Budget issues" and "new reporter" were mumbled at me as reasons.

I am upset at the loss of income, but not at having to spend less time at the paper. I now work from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., which gives me time to do things like practice and oh! yes, look for a different position.

Although the work was hardly ideal, I did enjoy the convenience of being done every day no later than 1, which freed me to teach in the evenings. I don't know if I'll be able to find another position quite so accomodating.

In other writing news, I finally got my latest piece into Mind Sprocket, and we're hopeful that an update is soon forthcoming. Anchorite did an excellent illustration to accompany it, and I'm most eager to see what everything looks like when put together.

I haven't been writing as much as I was wont to, and I miss it. That will have to be remedied.

Kudos

Congratulations are in order for Linny Jane on the completion of her novel!! For more details of the culmniation of this great feat, check out Writers Untie!.

I'm so pleased for you, Linds!!