Working for the Weekend

Someone was snoring her heart out on the subway this morning...she sounded like a cross between a snorting hog and a jet taking off! It was funny to see other peoples' reactions to it; once they realized where the strange sound was coming from, everyone had a good laugh. Poor woman - she must have been pretty tired! She didn't wake up once.

I work downtown Toronto now, and have decided to take the TTC rather than brave the traffic on the Don Vally Parkway. Public transit does have its disadvantages though...such as standing outside in -20 degree weather waiting 25 minutes for a streetcar that is supposed to run every 2 minutes. Or how about missing the earlier bus home because there was a delay on the subway? On those days, nothing could make a traffic jam seem more appealing!

This morning was a good day to ride the TTC though. There was no traffic, no delays, and to top it off, I got a seat on both subways! I arrived to work early which means I can leave early; life is good.

There are so many people working in this city and sometimes I wonder if everyone is unhappy. If I had to take a guess, I would say that at least 80% of the working class do not enjoy their jobs. I do most of the time, but there are some days when I would rather just throw in the towel and stay in bed!

It's too bad people can't find a job that they enjoy. Imagine if everyone or at least most people liked and enjoyed their work each day. If you are deciding what type of job to look for, make sure you apply to jobs that you can make a career out of - a career you can see yourself in for at least the next 10 years. That way, you won't be one of the masses on the road depressed about going to work in the morning.

I'm My Own Boss! Wait A Minute...

I've been "working from home" for a few weeks now, and I must admit, the dream job situation does have its challenges. There are so many different distractions around here! Why is it that we would rather clean, dust, vacuum, (blog,) do dishes, organize, fold laundry, unpack boxes, hang pictures, etc, than work? It doesn't matter what kind of work either - and in my case, it's writing.

I have always wanted to be able to stay at home and support myself freelance writing. Now (finally!) it looks like I'll be able to do that with a part-time job teaching 2 days a week to supplement my income. However, it takes discipline - and a lot of it! Being my own boss is great, but I really need to start listening to myself. Hmmm, maybe if I threatened to fire myself I would be more on the ball...

I grew up as an only child, so I'm used to being alone. I always had to play alone, and I was pretty good at making up for the lack of siblings. I even played board games with myself (somehow I always won...I'll let you think about that one ;) So, it makes sense that I would want to work by myself, but to be honest, it was a lot easier when I was a child - probably because playing is always more fun than working! ;)

Don't get me wrong though; I love writing, and it doesn't even matter what I'm writing about. Sometimes I write about fun topics, but there are a lot of times when I have to write 500 words on the most boring subjects, but once I start writing, it always feels good - feels write. Oops, I mean it feels right. (Just a little writer's humor there for you!)

It's hard to go to work at a "normal" job day in and day out when you've known what your dream is since a young age. (I was 5 when I knew I wanted to be a writer.) But it's way too easy to put your dreams on the back burner and forget about them. Maybe they don't seem realistic, or maybe your family or friends think you'll never make it - whatever the reasons are, you are afraid to step out and take a risk. I have 2 words for you: "DO IT!" Even if you have to work full-time and do what you love part-time, do it! Don't live a life of regrets - live a full and satisfying life, and do what you were born to do.