My last post was right before I left for vacation, on October 2. Things have been crazy ever since. I did have a great road trip – we went to Sonoma and Monterey (the above image was taken from Cannery Row, looking over Monterey Bay) and Santa Barbara and Solvang and drank lots of really good wine and beer, had amazing weather, and just had a fantastic time. The most literary moment of the trip occurred when I read Cannery Row sitting on Cannery Row. That isn’t what has interfered with either my reading or my blogging.
On the way home, I took a phone call that has, ultimately, resulted in my decision to more or less unretire. In July, 2023, I semi-retired and became an independent legal services provider with one part time contract. I’ve now taken on a second contract, which means that, while I’m still “part-time” (especially by American standards, where a 40+ hour work week is normal for a full-time salaried employee), I’m not that far short of full-time. I’ve been busy getting underway, which has now happened.
What this has meant is that I have a lot less time in November – and moving forward – than I did in September. So, it has squashed my book a day ambitions like a bug. I finished 30 days, and that’s where it ends, at least at this point. I plan to continue working until 2028, at which point I will regroup and reconsider.
So, there’s the update – it’s taken me a month and half to find the time and energy to draft this post. I’ll be back to blogging about books in no time, but not with as much free time as before.
I’ve really enjoyed your emails and have definitely gotten some great ideas for reading. Thank you and good luck. Hope to hear from you in a few years 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!
I will be posting, just not every day!
Oh, WOW! I really misunderstood. That is great news! Thank you, Christine!
Well that’s nice to have an offer you can’t refuse, esp in these times when people’s jobs are narrowing down and being affected by AI. Enjoy, and hope you can keep enjoying reading and writing your blog in the gaps!
I feel very fortunate to have built my career in the pre-AI years. But now I’m worried that my post sounded kind of tone deaf, so I think I’ll edit it a bit. 🙁
Oh no, not at all, I was just struck by this being one of the first examples I’ve seen of someone having more work, at ok rates, for quite a while. It’s influenced by my own career and that of my clients suffering. I really don’t feel you were tone-deaf at all though.
Love Monterey area, particularly the aquarium. 🙂 Hope the extra work is treating you well.