Be Careful What You Ask For!

How many times have you heard that expression? Used that expression? Come to hate that expression???

I was bored at work. My client had agreed to take me for a full 40-hour week, but the work wasn't there to support the hours. So I'm getting paid a pretty nice penny to read books and play solitaire. (I know, why wasn't I working on my writing, you ask - the answer is simple and yet ... not. It's challenging to slip into my creative head when I have to be 'on' for the client at any given moment ... it became less onerous on my own psyche to veg out with a silly online game than to delve deep into my head.) This is frustrating for the client, as they are the ones paying me, and frustrating for me, as I loathe being bored.

The client decided to ask the CPA firm that does the annual taxes if they needed seasonal help - share me, if you will. Unfortunately, the CPA firm didn't need any help. But, the partner that works with the client came through with an ... opportunity. A winery client of hers was looking for a part-time bookkeeper. So, one thing led to another, and I found myself sitting high on a hill, the week before Christmas, talking with a family about perhaps keeping their books.

My background is reviewed, the work they are wanting from me is discussed - deal! I left that hilltop with my first-ever client that I actually solicited ... well, was recommended to but had to sell myself to get the position. I was so excited! I remember nearly dancing to the car, floating on air as I drove off the hill, singing all the way home.

The holidays came and went, and suddenly it was the first Tuesday when I would begin working with this new winery client. I thought I knew what I was in store for .... I mean, they'd been pretty frank with me. I really thought I knew what to expect.

Man, was I ever wrong! And the deeper I delve, the more I discover broken pieces and parts.

And I find myself, twelve hours into my day, longing for the days of boredom, where there was little to do, and exhaustion came about because my brain was atrophying. 

Be very careful what you ask for .... you just might get it!

I'm putting that up there with the great Chinese curse - 'May you live in interesting times.'

Ahem ... yes, well, back to the books ..... glass of wine in hand. Hey, I'm working for a winery, I should at least chill-ax while doing so, right?