blamebrampton

And I'm sure you are eminently poachable.

Wow. 2001. It's a different world now, isn't it?

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I am! Like an egg!

And you are so right. I have a big section talking about the astonishing fact that I combine a traditional editorial background with mad web skillz. Dreamweaver, Noe, Dreamweaver ... Sigh.

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Then we should coddle you as well. *grins*

AHAHAHAHA! The mad skazillz of 2001. And look at you now!

Now you have me thinking about Betty MacDonald.

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Do you know, I have never read her books. Always meant to, but never got around to it. My American Lit knowledge is shamefully thin.

And just no frying!

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MacDonald is very funny. The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books were a staple in our household. I think they're more for parents though.

Okay. Deal. No fried Brammers, neither over medium nor over easy.

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Sunny side up!

(And am already rather fried, alas. Damn Sydney summer!)

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Keep on the sunny side (always on the sunny side).

Oh, you poor dear! I couldn't stand it. We were very lucky in our summer but who knows what this year will bring. Certainly nothing above 40.

It has improved though now, hasn't it?

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Been 22-27 for about a week, alas, tomorrow we're back above 30, possibly higher, with torrential rain. Yay!

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22-27 sounds lovely. Over 30 does NOT. We just dodged the snowstorms and have been keeping slighly to moderately under 0.

Oooh. Torrential rain AND heat. Lovely. (Not.) *sends cooling thoughts and an imaginary anti-humidity bubble*

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*shakes head at you* I just came back from another "unemployment ~~concentration camp~~ workshop selection" and had the great luck to not be accepted there. I remember forgetting various things I've done from that brief period of multiple employment, but I don't think you need to be more focussed. You said that yesterday as well and considering you're wanted and sound like you have a full and rich life, I'm not sure focussing-on-career is needed. Then again that phrase evokes cutthroats and powersuits, which you might well be for all I know ;)

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Well, this is my problem. Essentially I'm one of those annoying people who is good at the creative and good at the management. So I can work happily on the production side of things (which is what I enjoy the most) but am also good and effective at the construction of systems and the building of teams into effective units (which pays immensely better).

For my first decade and a bit in the industry I was more of a career-track player, whereas since 2004 I have focussed on work-life balance. But it can be irksome to see people I trained in roles more senior than my own. Especially when I solve their problems and they do not pass on any of their bonuses to me.

Ideally, an enormous amount of money falls into my bank account and I can spend it on writing what I like when I like, buying houses for all my friends, and first class travel. Of course, I would also donate large sums to charity and fund medical research.

Alas, the universe has completely held out on my Become Sole Heir of Billionaire Plan.

I do look like a five year old dressing up in a power suit, though, so that's right out ;-)

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BTW, why are people not selecting you? Are they mad?? I think it must be the curse of competence: people always assume that the smart and talented need no help, which is not always the case!

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td

Yeah, that IS the problem, that one simply cannot HELP seeing lesser qualified people overtake one and earn more. And if you know you can do it, there's no reason not to enter the fight club full time again and earn a lot, be a mensch later.

Ah, initially they used the "overqualified card" and at some point that changed into the "unemployed too long what's wrong" card and today I was sent to the disabled. At least I helped and Afghan refugee a bit, I hope, but there's no help. Usually smart and talented people (thank you but btw you can't know that I am!! :)) have others around them. You know networks are everything, without contacts one is shot. Unless one is very good at the aforementioned selling and has the fighting strength, which is necessary in the creative sector as well (maybe even more so, at least today).

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At the very least, your online persona is both smart and bright ;-)

And yes, that's an elegant summation. Though there are reasons not to re-enter the fight club, including the fact that I turn into a homicidal maniac when surrounded by people who are resistant to change, which is a downside in an industry where everyone is convinced their way is best. That's one of the advantages to freelancing: I can come in, set systems, let other people pretend they're theirs, then run away before I want to kill people. At least I have archery to take out my rage outside the workplace ;-)

I am talking myself around to being less concerned with the money, though. Perhaps that is a sign that I am really more concerned with time to write than anything else. Knowing that, I should probably be guided by it. I am, as you wisely point out, comfortable and reasonably fulfilled as is.

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Trust you to "have archery" to boot! And Emma Peel boots.

Ah, hm, well ... to be honest, if not for the money? If just because seeing your ex-pupils overtake you? Then I would be completely opposed. But if you can hoard a bit of cash for a limited time span, that's the only reason - not just for me, even for you - I'd say go for it. Because the third motivation of being famed or recognised by people in the business or higher up only makes sense if that is your permanent long-time life goal. See, your promise of free houses makes me push you into becoming a multimillionairess.

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HEE! Don't get too excited, the houses could be in Slough or Adelaide (apologises in advance to anyone from Slough or Adelaide who reads this).

The competition is not such a thing, I would just like more wealth so I can do more things with it. I have sufficient, but not enough to do any of the really fun things, like random philanthropy or front of plane travel regularly.

But then, succeeding in publishing as an editor or publisher has a finite scale of rewards, whereas succeeding as a writer can be far more lucrative. So it becomes a question of do I put my effort into the more certain, less interesting, less possibly huge remuneration side of things, or do I focus more on the other, while possibly missing out on both avenues for success?

And then, money is not my marker for success with writing, the end product is. But I can't eat a perfectly turned phrase. However, if I am focussed on editing, I may not even turn the phrase at all.

Really, at this point I am regretting not using my archery skills for ill-gotten gains and becoming the world's only Medievalist Bank Robber.

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Mmmmh, Slough.

I seriously pondered the pro and cons of robbing banks with a bow and arrow and arrived at the conclusion that you'd be identified more easily, so I fear it's ye olde uncertainty principle. Except I find one has actually more of a "reach" as the person who decides what is being shown, read, put on or published than the individuals trying to be seen, heard or published. Plus don't forget you are meant to slough and slave over your labour of love before and ofter drudge work. Artists need no sleep.

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ldydark1.livejournal.com

I am reading this with interest.
This comment is so true,
lesser qualified people overtaking
and being placed in management
positions that should not be there.

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bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com

Ah, the perils of being brilliant. You're so cute in your modesty. ;)

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More a tiny pool to choose from: I can think of perhaps a dozen people who have my skill set in this country. And I am decorative and bring chocolate to the office!

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bryoneybrynn.livejournal.com

I roll my eyes at you. Aren't you the one always encouraging others to own their own awesomeness? Stand in the glory, bb!

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lil-shepherd.livejournal.com

Thank you! Just back from the pub (hic!)

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bonfoi.livejournal.com

*chuckle* My CV is over 6 pages long. Ever since I graduated college the first time, I've done a once-a-year review and addition of jobs/hobbies/etc. Keeps me from forgetting. That, and I always get a kick when I look back at the jobs I had...I've always been a hard-worked, just not at the same company. *LOL*

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elanna9.livejournal.com

It occurs to me that I could be more focused on my career.

If it's any consolation, I am in the same boat! I have -- knock on wood! -- worked at the same company now for 15 years, and I've only updated my resume *once* in all that time! :P :P :P I know I'll need to look for a job at some point, so I keep feeling like I really, really, really ought to keep the thing updated, but ...

... it just hasn't risen to the top of my priority list. :P

Being poached is good! :)

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phoenixacid.livejournal.com

Never having to go through interviews to lasso a job is awesome! :D And of course, that just proves how brilliant you are. ;)

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uminohikari.livejournal.com

*giggles* Why would someone want your CV?

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deensey.livejournal.com

I SUPPORT THIS IDEA/ENDEAVOR!

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treacle-tartlet.livejournal.com

My mother has not applied for a job since 1987. She managed to get permanent job, surrounded by books, in the Education Dept, and has held onto it with a death-grip ever since ;)

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