Blog

This blog has lived in my mind much longer than it has been on a screen. I’ve been writing every day since March. Before I envisioned this blog I wrote in journals. These blogs are a compilation of writings as recent as last week to something I scribbled down in 2008.

Beneath each title will be a reference to my three themes: petwork/gigwork/lifework. It will always be noted what theme each blog will touch on.

Recently a friend aptly described someone with concentrations in different fields as a slasher. “You’re a slasher, like me.” I liked this label.

To slash means to cut with force. In grammar, a slash denotes either a connection or a conflict between phrases in a sentence. Its most common usage is with fractions. How each day is fractioned up between various priorities is a constant preoccupation of mine. And God knows the life of gig-worker is filled with conflict, connection, and severance. 

Another thing I like is that a slash always goes forward. That is the direction we are all working in no matter how much we stumble and stall. 

Enjoy the blogs.

It began almost a year ago. On a warm October afternoon, I completed my application to become a pet sitter.  My unemployment benefits had just run out and I needed a way to make money while I looked for a full-time media position. And this is what I wanted right?

Within two hours of my profile being uploaded, I booked my first gig. I was going to watch a Pomeranian mix, Sophie, over the Thanksgiving weekend. There will be several Sophies within this chronicle.

But first, there was Lola.  In late October her parents reached out to me at the last minute after their regular sitter canceled. Lola was a wonderful surprise.  I met her parents by their car and they handed me this tiny chihuahua who immediately began kissing me.

Lola’s visit lasted four days. Her little body always next to me.  I sobbed giving her back on a chilly Sunday night. Lola told me, you can do this. And here is what you can expect from every animal visit: joy, strain, fatigue, deep attachment, expansiveness, silliness, pain, and love, so much love.

I called this blog petwork/gigwork/lifework. Caring for pets is work. Surviving without a steady source of income is work. Changing your personal and professional patterns is work especially in your forties. Through all this work my life has changed and continues to change in ways I couldn’t have imagined before Lola jumped out of that car.

Unfortunately, I lost contact with Lola and her parents. This happens with pet gigs. But Lola, this blog is for you, baby.