Monday, August 18, 2008

Elevuuuun Hours

Remember the great scene in Spinal Tap where they talk about turning the amp to eleven? If my weekend were an amp, I would have liked to turn it down to one. Because my "eleven" this weekend was eleven hours spent working on a freelance project.

It’s rare (like I haven’t actually done any in ohh 3 years, I think) for me to take on work outside of my day job. I LOVE my free time and usually the money just isn’t worth giving up a couple hours at the movies or a run at the beach. But this time, when the opportunity came up to make some fat cash, I thought about my credit card bill. And my nest egg. And my hypothetical trip to Italy. And I felt like I couldn’t say no.

So 3.5 hours Friday night, 4 hours Saturday, and another 3.5 Sunday night were spent staring at my computer screen as I edited 43 documents. Thankfully, I gave my eyes a rest Saturday evening when I went to see Tropic Thunder (some chokingly, gut-wrenchingly hilarious parts in it, btw) and visited Bottle Rock for some much needed vino.

But last night, I literally dreamed I was staring at my computer screen. I kept tossing and turning because, in my mind, I was still proofreading and editing. And this morning, I was exhausted. There’s nothing worse than thinking about work during the one time you really shouldn’t be.

Anybody else ever had this happen?

14 comments:

megabrooke said...

oof! i have only worked at home a couple times, and i hate it. luckily my job mostly has to be done in the office. but man girlie, you need a weekend from your weekend!

Anonymous said...

working at home stinks, esepcially on the weekends! Yuck! Agree w/brookem - I say you take some well needed mental health days this week. Did you love Tropic Thunder? I heard it was amazing, I love RDJ - so I may need to catch it soon!!

Anonymous said...

Being a workaholic, I completely relate! I sleep, dream, eat work sometimes. Then I'll get inspiration at 2am and have to get back up to develop it so I don't lose that momentum.

Michael C said...

Ahhhh (that's a fond reminiscing type 'ahhh,' by the way) I remember all those freelance projects. I actually miss them. If you ever need it, I'll help you out...for cheese. That's all, just some cheese.

Anonymous said...

How exhausting! Your mind just can't shut off and relax. Ugh. Maybe you should've had more wine.

Nilsa S. said...

Indirectly, I feel your pain. My fiance recently left his old job where he worked long days, nights and weekends in preference of a M-F job. The opportunity to still work at his old job existed, but it would mean he'd have to work one weekend a month. That would mean he'd work his regular job M-F, two long, 12-hour shifts over the weekend and then jump right back into his M-F job. He recently decided it's not worth it. That's a huge commitment and a real invasion on our lives.

Anonymous said...

that's always a tough call....i don't like working eekends either...but the extra money is nice...especially with your Greece/Italy trip looming in the back of your mind. It'll the weekend again before you know it, and hopefully you have something fun planned for it htat doesn't involve working!

Bretthead said...

I'd rather dream about being attacked by clowns at the dentist's office than dream about work. And I love my job!

Mandy_Fish said...

I haven't freelanced in years either. The big fat agency money has made me lazy.

*Throws head back and laughs insanely.*

I think the last time I freelanced and actually figured out how much I made an hour after all was said and done, um, I cried.

Jenn Martinson said...

If it gets you one step closer to your Italy trip with Mr. W where more tales of no-no holes will ensue, I say suck it up and work, woman!

Kidding...but it is nice to have the opportunity to get ahead financially.

Anonymous said...

Man, that sucks. There really is nothing worse. Well, maybe there is a different kind of worse. Ask me about my 36-hour shift sometime...

Hannah said...

Oh yes. I once offered my help to address envelopes. It took hours. And when I slept I had a dream that these boxes came to my house filled with hundreds of thousands of envelopes to address.

Yuck.

Alysha said...

Dreams should definitely not be disturbed by work! YUCK! Finally caught up on your blogs. As always, loved them, and your pics of the trip are gorgeous! Love that area!

Anonymous said...

Hypothetical trips are my motivation to take on work 90% of the time.
Who needs to pay for utilities? I need me some travel!