Need a dose of fabulosity? Get off the island.
Sometimes things happen. It’s serendipity. A fortuitous occurrence. Or as I like to think of it – unexpected good stuff. But it doesn’t happen often. And it rarely happens in isolation. You’ve got to reach out, in whatever way is possible.
Get off the island!
With teens in the house and writing to be done, I’m generally in the supermarket (food for teens), the kitchen (food for teens), or wired to my laptop in some form or fashion, fingers banging on the keyboard like a madwoman.
Now and then, I venture beyond my mini-universe. Certainly, this community of fine writers has been a delicious journey beyond my usual world, filled with wonder, learning, and laughter.
Date night was the most recent non-virtual exception, and there was one other, the afternoon before. I kept it to myself. Until now.
Magazines, books, and talking – oh my!
A few days ago, on my perpetual swing through the supermarket, I veered off course, gliding into my local bookstore. I couldn’t help myself. Well, I could, but I didn’t want to. I was seeking a specific magazine that I still purchase from time to time. As much as I love to read online and write online, I’m crazy for books and magazines. Their tangibility. The feel of the paper between my fingers. The smell of the pages. The immutability of the printed word.
I’m always asking others what’s on your bookshelf or what are you reading. I find it fascinating. And I’m happy surrounded by books and magazines. Period.
Entering the bookstore, a woman asked me the time. I checked my watch, told her, and smiled. She thanked me, and I wandered to the magazine aisles, plucked up the issue I wanted, and settled in at a nearby table. A few minutes later she sat down in front of me, and struck up a conversation. Odd, I thought.
She saw what I was reading, and was curious why. (It is a “niche” publication, though nationally known.)
Serendipitous work for pay?
“I’m a writer,” I said. “This is my field. I love this magazine. I’ve written for them a few times.”
The expression on her face changed.
“My husband has an urgent need for a writer,” she said. “Your kind of writer. For a project, in the next few weeks. I can’t believe this.”
I’m thinking You’re not the only one.
She called her husband immediately, left a message, and by afternoon he’d called me back and set up a meeting. I quickly sized up the sort of freelance writing he needed. And also realized there would be some commuting involved. Island-hopping skills will be required. Some driving. Lots of Motrin. Positive attitude.
Where’s Waldo?
Did you wonder this morning – Where’s Waldo? Um, make that Where’s Big Little Wolf?
Most probably, that’s a no. You have kids to bathe and feed and chase. Jobs to perform. Teenagers to chide. Writing of your own to do. Spouses. Co-workers. Errands. All the proverbial places to go and people to see.
Today, I was off the island, and thrilled to have a good reason for it. Not at the supermarket. Not in the kitchen. Not in a reclining position. Not banging on the worn keyboard of my limping laptop. I was at a meeting. And it went well.
It’s a small world after all
It turns out the company President and I have friends in common, including one with whom I’ve worked previously. Small world indeed!
I have the skills and experience for this project, and now I need to write a proposal to nail it. It’s a short gig (three weeks), and not the stuff of putting my kid through college, believe me. But it is work for pay. And work that I love. There’s nothing better than that. It’s also a good group of people to work with, and that’s frosting on the cake.
Serendipity.
Joys of journalistic networking
While waiting in the parking lot (I was early), I called a former client I haven’t spoken to in some months. I wanted to be sure of the reference, and thought we could catch up for a few minutes. It turns out my timing was ideal. He wants me to call him next week. He needs more writing and my marketing skills as well. Another small project, but more potential work for pay.
As for what’s next? I have an optimistic feeling that there may be more unexpected good stuff.
Serendipity.
Good things come to us in the time they are suppose to come! 🙂
Well Nicki, I’m not counting any chickens. But if this comes, it will be “just in time.” As an independent / freelancer for 7 years now, this has been, without question, the roughest year ever. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who thinks that. May we all have a bit of serendipity at our local bookstores, coffee shops, and check-out lines!
good luck!
Oh, cherie, cherie,
I AM SOOOOO, SOOOO excited for you. This is wonderful news. I believe in serendipity. You deserve it, you will be fabulous, it will have a ripple effect, the sun is shining.
Bravo, bravo.
xoxo,
Tish
See? I told you 😉
Thanks, guys. I still have to do a proposal, come up with an estimate, and then seal the deal. But, here’s hoping. It’s nice to have the opportunity at a shot – and for something cool, besides. (And actually, no stilettos required.) 🙂
Oh, very exciting!!
I can so relate to this whole thing. Well, of course at first I thought you were talking directly TO me (get off the island…), but then I got the metaphor (I’m nothing if not bright). It’s so easy to stay in our comfort zone, going thru the motions. But that just guarantees nothing will happen, no? In love, career, everything.
I just got a possible new writing gig standing in line for my daughter’s play 2 weeks ago and talkiing to someone I’d probably rather have avoided.
Get off the island more; I need to do that in more ways than one!
Oh Maureen, you make me laugh! I’ll have to be careful about my island references!
Serendipity steps in and gives us a little boost, a little hope just when we need it. This post makes me happy. Sending good vibes your way, BLW!
Wow. You go, girl. What can I say? I gotta a feeling….
Sweet Wolf,
Congrats! You are fully deserving of some serendipity coming your way! Awesome! Hi-five and a herky, girl!
Congratulations, that’s wonderful! Like Nicki, i believe things happen when they’re supposed to happen but sometimes it’s darn hard to wait! Here’s hoping you get both gigs and many more!
As far as getting off the island, that’s a great way to put it. Unfortunately, when you live alone and work from home it’s pretty easy to remain isolated for days on end. I keep reminding myself that I must go amongst the people lest I become the crazy chicken lady.
Lots of good, positive energy (and crossed fingers) coming your way!
You are all so sweet – and a great cheering section! (But I don’t want to count on anything. It’s a project, and I don’t have it yet. But I’ll give it my best shot. And the serendipity-ousness was fabulous! Gee. What a great name for a movie. Hmmm. Maybe with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack, and a few gloves from Bloomingdales?)
Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Yes to possibility!
And I did wonder where you were this morning. And after lunch. I needed my daily plate of crazy after a most unsatisfying egg salad sandwich. (Do I sound like a stalker? Hopefully just a devoted fan.)
Congratulations! I have my fingers crossed for you for both gigs. You’ll be an awesome addition to either (both) teams.
yay! this is so good to hear…
I love it. To me the universe is always talking to us, it’s just that so often we don’t really like what it’s saying. My view is that you’ve been writing and honing skills and building community… and this changes the inner world… which then seems to be increasingly reflected in the outer world. When we’ve learned to appreciate the bad luck, Hermes tends to throw a little good luck our way to even things out—perhaps even to affirm that we’re on some sort of right path even if it’s rather hard.
As for Waldo, I worked with a special needs kid who insisted that I looked like Waldo. Actually I didn’t look like Waldo to him until six months into battling his insistent negativity until we had built a warm and connected relationship. I guess that my showing up in his life, even though he had previously had trouble “seeing” anyone as helpful (his dad had been murdered, he had CP, he had no friends, he lived in a group home) made me into a sort of visual joke that he was now able to see. I never put this connection together in my own mind until reading your post today, so thank you for that.
Best of luck with your projects & Namaste
I also thought, “where is my daily Wolf?” It’s like not getting the morning paper, for goodness sakes! But if I have to sacrifice you lying painfully propped up in bed (on Motrin) clacking away, to zipping around getting your freelancing career going again, okay. I’ll wait till nighttime.
First a date and then job prospects!
Linda you’re a sweetheart. Dare I even hope?
Knowing Murphy and his Law, it’s a slippery slope.
Surely I’ll write later, this week and the next,
Spending early mornings on other topics’ text.
OY, I say – a relapse? Rhymatoid Artwriteus!
Couplets, tercets, limericks – surely they unite us.
But I don’t think useful, if I want these jobs.
Better rein the versing in or I’ll break out in sobs!
Maybe had dear Louboutin adopted me in time,
I’d have quit this loony mode of terse-verse rhyming crime!
Fingers crossed that it cuts out so I can do my work –
Write my blog and pitch these tasks and not drive all berserk…
Oh. My. Goodness. This made my day. Seriously, I read this and shouted “Yes!”
Wolf, I can’t adequately express how happy I am. I feel all jittery inside and it’s not even for me!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Virtual high-five coming at ya!
BLW, this is the only “fun” reading I’ve done in the past month – my computer is pffftz!! So, it’s you, and your news, and I’m glad. And it’s that simple. Now I will really be looking for your post on Friday (oh, Saturday my time) – even better – will be able to step over the body of my 15yo on his futon – and LOG ON! My most heartfelt best wishes for you.
Di a.k.a. Jacsmum! How lovely! Do stop back again, and I can relate to the “pffftz” computer (and stepping over boys). Everybody – you should read Jacsmum!