10.12.2005

we go to work

Allan has temp work today and for the rest of the week, our first paid employment since arriving. In my experience with temping (which is considerable), once you get work and get a good review, the work starts flowing. It's excellent timing. The Red Sox are home for the winter, Allan's not working on any big writing projects, and a little income will be very welcome.

I have spotted my second Ancient Civs book on the horizon. My editor tells me the assignment is definite, there's just a lot of internal debate about deadlines going on. I sure hope she wins those. I'm likely to get my Kids On Wheels assignment at the same time. No work for two months, then everything at once. The usual.

I truly enjoyed my mother's visit. It made me realize how low-stress my life is right now. In our last months in New York, I was dealing with big writing deadlines, a critically ill dog, and all the pressures and concerns of the impending move. After the move, all that dissipated, then disappeared. Our street and neighbourhood are so quiet and beautiful. I find it so soothing. It's a complete turnaround.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

An income sure is nice after a move. From what I've heard, temping in Canada is similar to your experiences, where the work is steady so long as the reviews are good. Glad to hear you may have another book project on the way also. It's funny how things work out; no work, lots of time to enjoy the new surroundings in the pleasant autumn weather, and then the work arrives just in time for the start of winter. How perfect is that?

Btw, how is B doing these days?

laura k said...

An income sure is nice after a move.

Yes indeed. The only reason we've been able to do without one for this long is because of the unexpected income from the book I finished right before we left. It was a small windfall for us, enabling us to enjoy this easy life all this time.

You are 100% correct - the timing is perfect. I'm amazed.

Btw, how is B doing these days?

Thank you for asking! He is doing great. Just great. I speak to Dr S (the internist in NYC) regularly. She is gradually reducing his meds, and so far he is fine with each reduction.

Dr S cautions me that B will likely need some sort of medication for IBD forever, that the condition is not curable, only manageable. But hey, if we can continue to manage it like we are now, I will be very happy.

James Redekop said...

Off topic: Now that October's here properly, you ought to head out north for a drive and enjoy some of the fall colours. Hit some of the small towns like Halton Hills, Forks of the Credit, Erin -- or, if you want some great woodland hiking, head over to Elora and the Elora Gorge. Or head up to Orangeville and get some of the great Chelsea buns at Silk's Bakery. :)

Kyle_From_Ottawa said...

Do you find the atmosphere more relaxed in general then NYC?

I'm sure the endless terrorist rainbow alerts must have gotten tiring.

Marnie said...

Silk's Bakery is in Shelburne ... or is there a branch in Orangeville as well? Anyway, if you do want to see the fall colours, don't wait too much longer or the show will be over.

allan said...

I liked not working better.

:>(

laura k said...

I liked not working better.

Well duh.

laura k said...

Do you find the atmosphere more relaxed in general then NYC?

That's an understatement.

Even though I was removed from much of the fast pace of NYC (working from home, only in an office on weekends, not commuting by subway daily), Port Credit is a sleepy small town comparatively.

Apartment building vs private house w/big backyard - subways vs car - lakefront trail vs city park - it's night and day.

And even though I don't subscribe to the "mean, cold New Yorker" stereotype, people are genuinely friendlier here, in a way I find very pleasant and not at all intrusive.

laura k said...

Now that October's here properly, you ought to head out north for a drive and enjoy some of the fall colours.

I'd love to. But now that I'm about to get a deadline, I may have to settle for the colours of Port Credit, which are very lovely, and save northern Ontario for next year.

Anyway, if you do want to see the fall colours, don't wait too much longer or the show will be over.

Plus there's this.

Fortunately growing up in New York State and Vermont, respectively, we know what we're missing.

I almost missed that u in colour, but came back for it. :-)

laura k said...

I'm sure the endless terrorist rainbow alerts must have gotten tiring.

When it comes to this - and a million other things - I don't miss the US at all.

James Redekop said...

Silk's Bakery is in Shelburne

You're right -- I got the two mixed up.

Either way, great food.

I'd love to. But now that I'm about to get a deadline, I may have to settle for the colours of Port Credit, which are very lovely, and save northern Ontario for next year.

Oh, I didn't mean Northern Ontario -- that's way to far. I meant half-an-hour north of Mississauga, in Central South-Western Ontario. :) Just get on Hurontario and drive north 'til you get past Brampton, and then explore. Lotsa great little towns, and the forests on the Escarpment are always great to see this time of year. You need to take a break from time to time, after all.

laura k said...

I meant half-an-hour north of Mississauga, in Central South-Western Ontario. :)

Oh! This is sounding better already.

Just get on Hurontario and drive north 'til you get past Brampton, and then explore. Lotsa great little towns, and the forests on the Escarpment are always great to see this time of year.

I am so there. This sounds like a great weekend escape. Not that I have much to escape from, but you know what I mean. Thanks for the tip!

James Redekop said...

Oh! This is sounding better already.

Northern Ontario proper isn't actually all that great for fall colours -- it's mostly coniferous up there. It's an amazing land, but very different geographically than down here.

"...that land of snow and rock called Northern Ontario. Northern Ontario is forty billion miles wide. Fourteen people live there. All of whom are called Frank. Even the girl. (She's very popular.)" -- The Arrogant Worms

This sounds like a great weekend escape.

There are some great small towns around there. For some really scenic spot that's easy for you to get to, try Forks of the Credit, which is a deep valley in the Escarpment. Straight north on Hurontario past Inglewood, then turn left. There's a great winding road through the valley, and a Provincial Park.

If you're feeling like covering some more distance, you can always head up to Creemore (which you've heard me talk about before) and get some Creemore Springs at the source.

MapArt makes the best driving maps of Toronto and Ontario that I know -- grab yourself one of the MapArt Ontario atlases, and you'll be set.

laura k said...

I can't wait! You've put me in a real mind to see some countryside.