How do you spell relief?

Bohemia has its charms. So does direct deposit. I still believe in what I wrote, and if you can strike a good balance, self-employment is very fulfilling. It's a great way to build contacts when starting out in a new city; it's certainly empowering when you can pursue projects that are important to you. I enjoy afternoon delights like Washington Square Park or a gallery; a long run in Prospect Park; eavesdropping at The Bean; Charlie Rose, Mad About You and MSNBC. But shortly after I wrote about that freedom I prepared a ridiculous tax bill and my paycheck was late. Again. It is currently more than a month overdue. (Among other freelance work my rent-paying gig was proofing two monthly magazines from one publisher.) This kind of thing, as you can imagine, is detrimental when you're trying to stay on top of bills. I was reminded of a terrific, inspiring post (albeit cautionary tale) by New York-based writer and editor Lisa Rosman, who took charge of a similar situation. She's spot-on: life sorta stops when you're "yawned at" by an empty mailbox. I read it three years ago and it stayed with me. This time I left a comment. Playing bill collector is the least desirable aspect of the job, and no freelancer should have to put it on their resume, so to speak.

I never expected it to be easy to find a good job but was surprised by the difficulty of, say, finding office work -- which sustains you while pursuing creative endeavors -- or a creative agency, which is my ideal work environment: a long-term contract in my field at a good rate with benefits. When I moved to New York I was assigned a local agent with the company I worked through at Microsoft, though here they deal mostly with Web production and graphic work (at least that's what I was told). Since the application/search process is primarily Web-based with these agencies, it's easy to slip through the cracks. Couple that with the creaky economy the media's always barking about; and the uber-competitive job market, especially in New York -- not to mention in spring, when new graduates flood the city.

I've interviewed on and off in recent months. In true bad indie fashion the available positions were in Uniondale and Secaucus. As luck would have it I reconnected with a recruiter who offered me a great long-term position, and I start Monday. I know it usually doesn't happen this way -- like, before I could even process the opportunity. In hindsight I should have reconnected a long time ago (it's a long story, I wasn't officially registered with the agency). It's in publishing. It's downtown. It's just steps from Other Music. Sadly my fledgling acting career will have to wait. (Dad asks, what about Ice-T?) I am very much looking forward to paying off debts and welcoming FICA back into my life. Oh, sweet FICA.

And maybe the best part, I can pay it forward. To friends who are looking for creative copy/Web/edit work in New York, and will gladly offer a contact.

A grateful thank you to friends and roommates who've heard a few bad indie plotlines (I don't often talk about this stuff), and especially my parents, who indulge me in all my wacky ideas and have never once said, "You know, honey, maybe you should work at the Gap."