Just because I work from home…

Today I more frustrated than usual. It seems that family and friends seem to think that because I “work from home” I am available during the day to run errands and do jobs for them.

That is not the case.

So I’d like to pass on a message (which they won’t read but it means I can let off steam!):

Just because I work from home does not mean that:

I am available to type out letters and forms (Dad)

I can cut the lawn in the morning (Dad)

I can clean the house all day (Mum)

I am free to pop down to school and help with sports day (you know who you are!)

I am surf the internet and provide map directions when you get lost (Sis)

That said, I watched a interesting film review on This Morning today, and on that basis I can recommend Mamma Mia, I’ve also had time to book tickets to see Will Young in November.

For goodness’ sake, there have to be some perks!

Proofreading – a rapidly shrinking market?

Today I received my first reply in response to my search for some freelance proofreading work. And it was far from promising, it could not have been much worse really:

“Thank you for your enquiry. I have to say that we receive a steady stream of proofreading offers every week – honest! 
 
We use the latest digital printing techniques, printing out books on demand, as and when required, directly from disk. Our authors submit their MSS on disk which our in-house editors return marked up with page proof comments, so we have no need (as in the old days) for retyping and further proof reading. 
 
There seems to be a number of colleges churning out more and more proof readers in a rapidly shrinking market.”

Great! I’ve spent a year studying the best, and most highly regarded proofreading course in the industry, only to discover that “colleges are churning out more and more of us!”

I’n not sure I like the idea of being “churned out” somehow.

Partying in New York

I’ve spent a fortune on stationary and sent out even more CVs. It’s taken all day.

Still no news.

Not a single phone-call or email.

Absolutely nothing.

So to cheer my self up and keep myself motiviated I’m reminding myself why I’m perserving with all this and imagining some of the places I want to visit when eventually the money starts rolling in…

Everyone has to dream!