Friday Five!
1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not?
My current occupation is as a writer for a monthly publication with a controlled circulation. At this point in my life, I thought I’d be higher up the management food chain, but considering that I’ve already been an executive, I guess I’m ahead of the plan, in that respect. I don’t know … I always wanted to make it big in marketing or public relations, but what I’ve learned is that sometimes, you’ve got to let the wind move your feet for you. Will I be doing what I’m doing for much longer? I hope not, because I’m destined for bigger things, and of course, more money. 🙂
2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be?
I’d be collecting coconuts on some tropical island and selling them to tourists. lol. I’m living on a shoestring again at this friggin’ job, yet I like what I’m doing right now. But because the money ain’t there, it’s not where I step off the career merry-go-round. If time/talent/money were no object, I’d definitely live alone or with a significant other (or with a maid) in a huge home where I run a consulting business … helping clients with media relations, fundraising, book editing, website design (only from an aesthetic standpoint), relationship advice, etc.
3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices?
No particular influence as far as occupation. I look to my grandfather’s work history, which is the most extensive of the family’s, and he’s done everything from paratrooping during WWII to driving a bakery truck to working in factories to god only knows what. He’s done a variety of different things, and likewise, I’ve done p.r., journalism, program development, fund-raising for charity, sales, etc. Hell, I even designed an Xmas ornament! But if anything from my grandfather’s life inspires me, it was the fact that he was in a country-and-western band for many years. He was a wonderful singer, guitarist and songwriter, and I guess that’s where I acquired my own passion for the arts. Now, he’s too frail and uncoordinated to play anymore, but I know those songs are still in his heart and in his head, but he figures nobody wants to hear them anymore, so he keeps them to himself. I hope I at least find a way to share my work before I get to that point. 🙂
4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family?
Yes. I had just started my executive job when I found out that single motherhood was looming. But I needed the job, with its big pay hike, and I knew the workload and the pressure, if it didn’t kill me first, would not allow for me to have any quality time for an addition to my life. And with the daddy living 300 miles away with a mountain of issues of his own, well, that was the deciding factor. And while I know it was the best decision at the time, I wonder how different my life would be today.
5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why?
I don’t think there ARE easy jobs … just because someone isn’t making any money doesn’t mean that they aren’t pouring their souls into their occupations. Assuming that “being a cat” doesn’t count as an answer, I’d say I want to be a relative of HRP so that I can collect a paycheck at Two Strikes without ever actually having to earn it!!! lol. The hardest job is probably being a rescue worker or a therapist … dealing with everybody else’s problems all day and then coming home to face your own … it seems like they have no escape.