My oldest son is quite an outstanding example to his siblings and friends alike.
He has come far in his career in film, without having to succumb to the industry’s capital…yet.
He has a reputation for his talent, his reliability and his work ethic. Folks who hire him know if he says he’s going to do something he does it.
His family knows this too, as do his friends. So what came first, the work ethic or the family/friend ethic? Think homeschool and there’s the key!
Ask my school teacher daughter and she’ll put it all down to having to do their chores growing up!
He is a freelancer and has had a few long term contracts but by the nature of the business he always has to be on the lookout for work. He has to pay his bills after all. Rent waits for no man!
He covers his bets by having several part-time (flexible) jobs that allow him to work even when he is, sort-of-kind-of, full-timing it with a film company.
He works part-time at the community theatre where he grew up volunteering, he goes back a long way with the powers that be who manage the building…well as far back as his young years will allow! They have him setting up the venue for weddings, concerts, meetings and events long after we’re safely tucked up in bed!
He is registered with a temp agency where he gets these fabulous jobs that are varied and pay reasonably well, with a four hour minimum…I love that!
Some of the venues he goes to have good tippers and he is amenable and well liked so if there’s a tip in the offing he’ll get it. He works at college sporting events around Dallas, shows and exhibitions, sometimes he’ll be giving away free samples or manning a demonstration booth, other times he’ll be waving an advertising banner for the television cameras at a ball game. He fills give away promotional bags for conventions, he unloads luggage at hotels, serves beer at the super bowl and opens bottles of champagne in VIP event boxes.
How come all my temp jobs were answering phones and filing in offices?
He is Resident Fill In for the film company he worked for on a long project last summer in Dallas. He doesn’t believe in burning bridges so he is able to leave all his doors open which gets a bit draughty at times.
He has a primary job too, which is how I refer to his long term freelance work. He has been an editor for the new television series, Dallas, since September.
His shift doesn’t start until the day’s shooting is over on the set, which is located in Dallas this time not LA. His office is at the studio.
There are two late shifts 5pm-1am and 1am- 9am. The start and end times are dependent on how the shooting went that day. How obnoxious did JR get? Was Sue Ellen having a bad hair day?
He has been known to put in 12 to 16 hours in a row when the footage, computers or his counterparts in California are running slow or late. He rotates these unsociable hours with another employee and at times he has had to work a double shift…
His days are draughty at the moment.
Yesterday morning he went straight from his Dallas shift to the other film company for the day, then home for a few hours before rushing to the theatre to set up chairs before heading back to his primary.
At the weekends he often schedules a temp job which is all well and good if he gets off work on time time, but a bit nerve wracking if not.
He is living my fear of discovering he has promised to be in two places at the same time! But I know my son would somehow manage even that. He’s reliable and has an impeccable work ethic.
Wow, that boy can work!
One day he was sick, a death toll for a job when you’re IT!! He managed to work even then blowing away his siblings and friends,
“How does he do it?” asked his blue eyed brother of us, “he was sick! I really admire his work ethic!”
They are learning valuable lessons from their older brother.
And all because I helped him get his priorities straight and expected him to do his chores.
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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