16 hour shifts

OK, I don't usually work 16 hours straight, but yesterday was a humdinger. Started work at 8 am and finished by 2 am the next day. Sheesh. Sent in my files, gave myself 10 minutes to unwind, and was surprised at how many people were up and twittering and blogging and facebooking at that hour. People, get some sleep!

Welcome to the freelance life. When work pours in, I'm working hard. When it isn't, I get to read while popping dark chocolate covered marzipan bon-bons into my mouth. Lately I haven't been eating much chocolate. Which means, in this econcomy, I'm lucky.

So what do I think of the job switch from art director to she-who-wears-all-hats now? It is almost a half year. I am still much happier. But some points to consider in the freelance life.

1. despite the lure of wearing jammies all day, it is not such a good idea. Makes answering the door to UPS or the plumber at 4 pm awkward.
2. very important to get out every single day. Housebound body is housebound mind. Really, just a walk to the library and back sends precious oxygen and ideas into my brain.
3. must set aside time to R&D--my master plan to get more creative and write and draw won't happen if I spend every single hour designing websites and books.
4. am going to buy a crock pot. I can start doing this passive cooking thing. Set it up in the morning, activate timer, make food. Got any good recipes?
5. must stop listening to CNN all the time. Need some music, some happy on the airwaves. NPR? Gypsy bands? Just less about tanking economy and gloom to match the February skies.
6. see friends more.