I wanted to have a brand new site for you guys by tomorrow, but I can pretty much guarantee that's not going to happen. Soon though, that I promise.
I know it seems like I should have plenty of free time considering my part-time work status, but somehow... I just don't.
And that kind of gets at the root of a misunderstanding I've been encountering lately.
(As a warning: This may come across as defensive, but that's precisely because I am actually feeling a little defensive...)
I get the feeling that people assume that just because I don't have a 9-5 job, I just sit around all day. And, that when I'm practicing, it's because I just want to 'play the flute'.
And yes, I do love music and I love playing the flute.
But practicing is work.
And the fact of the matter is that while I don't have one specific job that I do every day, I do have approximately 47 small jobs that I do on a weekly basis. That's the nature of being a musician without a steady gig, you know? And yes, OF COURSE I would prefer something more stable. But, that's not what I have right now.
And with all those little things I do, I have to keep up with the scheduling and preparation and deadlines and logistics, or else all goes to hell, complete with an eviction.
So, even though today I don't have anything in my calendar until 7PM, that certainly doesn't mean I'm free all day. I have to practice for 4-5 hours, I have to prepare for my Teaching Artist class on Thursday, I really need to write some essays for a book (!) I'm contributing to, and jeez I need to exercise if I don't want my pants to start splitting down the middle.
And I'm not complaining. At all. That's a different post, when I'm in a different mood. Right now, I'm fine with my life. I love the variety of everything I do, and I like that each day is different...
It's just more that I feel like people (no naming names) don't understand when I say I'm busy, or that they just think I'm screwing around when I play the flute. Admittedly, I do screw around a bit, but so does everyone - and all in all? It's hard to make yourself practice day in and day out; even without the office, being a musician actually is work. And, more often than not, benefits aren't included.
(End rant; stepping off soapbox.)
4 comments:
Nicely written. I think this goes for anyone who works in a creative field. Unless they see my fingers tapping on a keyboard, many colleagues just assume I'm not writing (a.k.a "working").
My sister is a graphic designer and hears this one a lot: "Gee, it must be fun to get paid to sit around and color all day."
The bottom line? No one really has an understanding of what anyone else does in their job.
I get the absolute least done when I'm not working. I can't even account for my time the way you can.
And I cannot imagine practicing for that long.
People always want what they don't have. Especially 'time'. That's why they say those stupid things.
Most retired people I know can't figure out how they managed when they had to work because they have too much to do. It's the hallmark of smart, engaged people - there's always so much to do - life is full. The people who don't get that are slackers - pay no attention to them!
When I was a full time opera singer, my own Dad used to tell people..."My son doesn't have a real job...he's an opera singer." I feel your pain!
Wow, it's nice to hear other people have the same problem.
I mean, I KNEW that... but it's still nice to hear...
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