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 “So then I says, ‘Whaddya mean no more chocolate glazed donuts?’ And the guy, he says, ‘We’re out.’ So I says ...”
Yet another harbinger of old age to come: the brutally banal banter bandied about without pause. Everything — everything — becomes a Shakespearean opus, replete with character descriptions, action narratives and detailed dialogue. Doesn’t matter how mundane the story — waiting in line at DMV, setting up a dentist appointment, getting the morning toast to the perfect shade of brown — they all merit a full-scale, one-person production. At what age does the bad bard gene kick in? Are we born with it and nervously await its ill-fated debut during senior citizenry? Or is it that younger folk have so much good shit going on that they want to get right past the mindless daily rituals as fast as possible so they can tell you about this hot guy or girl that kind of smiled at them at the coffee shop, or this potential job opportunity that will take them to Australia, or this bike-to-hike-to-rock-climb thing they’re locking in for a month sabbatical. Maybe when you run out of stories worth telling, you transfer your storytelling skills to the drug store line you had to wait on for six goddamned minutes. “And let me tell you, I said to them, I said ...” I have seen the storytelling future, and it ain’t pretty.
 French fries. Hot. Crispy. No, really, crispy. Not used-to-be crispy or came-out-of-the-oven-but-no-more crispy. Straight up crispy. On a plate. Outside. At a restaurant. With people and wait staff. With conversations and smiles and dogs under tables. With people watching people strolling up and down the street. With a cool breeze, not a cold draft. After a long, oppressive Covid quarantine winter replete with soggy takeout, he and his wife returned to a restaurant. Their first return in the early spring season. So much that used to be taken for granted that no longer is. All summed up with fresh French fries. Oh, and also a cup of coffee in a ceramic cup. That you could get refilled. The little pleasures. How nice to rediscover them, and appreciate them like a toddler heading to McDonalds for the first time.
 He kept dialing in on the status calls of a client of his, even though the project had wrapped, just so he could have some kind of connection with other people since he had no more live gigs. Just to maintain the illusion of having work buddies even though he was an occasional contractor who had only worked with a few of the people in the company. It was a combination of George Constanza lying his way into an office, and Kramer just showing up even though he doesn’t work there. He wondered what it would be like in six months when his project was long forgotten, everyone who vaguely remembered him had moved on, and his only connection would be the Monday morning status call. When it’s his turn to discuss his status, does he mention his self-imposed assignment to clean out his sock drawer? Oh well, he figured he’d keep calling in until they were in the uncomfortable position of having to tell him there was no reason for him to call in. Or perhaps they would take the less uncomfortable solution and just expire his email and access code. But until then, they were the only work buddies he had — whether they liked it or not.
 If I could move as slowly as the clouds, great. If I could watch the clouds to slow down, even better.
How You Can Get Started In The Gig Economy And Make Extra Money  BY SARAH BULL, http://economymom.com/ More and more Americans are finding that working in the gig economy is the best way to go when it comes to making extra money, because there are many jobs to choose from, they can often be done from home, and the hours are flexible. Some people have even been so successful that they’re able to make these gigs into careers, which often allows them to work from the comfort of their own homes every day, instead of just on the side.
If you’ve been thinking about taking on a second job, the gig economy might be for you. Essentially, any job that is part-time and allows you to work for yourself is considered to be a “gig.” It includes driving for ride-sharing services, walking dogs, freelance writing, and selling handmade items like artwork or jewelry. Because of the boom in the gig economy in recent years, there are several ways you can make money online doing what you love to do. With a little research, you can figure out the best path for you. Here are some great tips on how to get started in the gig economy and maybe even turn it into a career. Think about what you’d like to do There are so many different types of jobs out there that it can be hard to narrow them down to just one. Do some research online and look at the skills required. If you have a hobby--such as making jewelry or sewing--you might think about turning it into your own business so you can sell the finished products online. With so many different platforms available, it’s now easier than ever to sell handmade items around the world. Think about the pros and cons; if you turn your favorite hobby into a money-maker, will it still be enjoyable? If not, it might be best to look elsewhere. Figure out the financials Becoming self-employed comes with a lot to think about in regards to the financial end of things. For one thing, you’ll need to make sure your Connecticut LLC (if you choose to explore this option) has been correctly registered with your state. Additionally, your tax responsibility will change, but you’ll also need to make sure you have some money in savings to promote yourself or for when business is slow. It’s a good idea to thoroughly research business credit cards as well, so that you can choose the one that’s right for your specific needs. There are several out there to choose from, but they vary in terms of interest rates, annual fees, and benefits. If you need larger amounts of cash to purchase equipment or buy inventory, you might want to look into a small business loan. There are several different loan types to choose from, but which ones you will qualify for will depend on factors like your credit score, cash flow, and debt service coverage ratio. Like with any loan, be sure you know how much your loan will cost you, what you’re offering as collateral, and how long it will take to pay it back before you sign on the dotted line. Create a workspace If you’re going to be working from home, you’ll need a space where you can sit quietly and do your thing. Minimize distractions and get organized so you can maximize your output--and therefore your earning potential--from the get-go. If you don’t have a room that could be used as an office, just find a quiet spot in your home to fit your desk, and talk to your family about the rules: when you’re working, no interruptions. It can be difficult for little ones to remember at first, but once you get into a routine, it will become easier. Getting started in the gig economy can take a little time, so be patient. Boost your exposure by networking online, either on social media or on a site like LinkedIn, and maintain a presence there so that clients can find you easily. With a good plan, you can turn your side gig into a career. |
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