By andrew on April 16, 2010
Over the first half of 2009 I repeatedly demonstrated to myself that being a freelance Web handyman doing odd jobs is a sure route to poverty. It’s hard to find people who both want stuff done and are prepared to pay for it. Then, if they do pay, it might not actually be for six months or more. Not only that but odd jobs are inherently inefficient: you spend so much time working through software and Web hosting that you’re not familiar with and would never have chosen. I routinely spent a whole day for an hour or two of chargeable time.
I realised I had two choices: get serious about running a proper business offering full-service Website development and management where I had more control over the infrastructure, or give up.
I have chosen the business.
Announcing Overall Web: Website Management for Business
I wrote about it here: The Beginning of Overall Web.
Today I launched our first project, a re-design of a Website that I did for free for a good cause: The Marysville Cookbook.
Check it out.
Posted in Uncategorised
By andrew on April 8, 2010
I have been unemployed several times over the last half dozen years, for months at a time. The Global Financial Crisis, employers “offshoring” the work of entire departments to India, timing and my work-life-balance needs have all contributed.
I enjoy most aspects of not going to work in the city each day: I get to spend a lot of time with my kids; I can dress as I please; I have fresh air and natural light; I have time to think and write and garden and cook. While I’m friendly and enjoy working with people, I’m comfy living with my own company most days. In many ways, it’s an existence that suits me well.
The problem is of course money. As with most couples, we can’t live on the one income. Inevitably we slide further into debt each time I’m out of work. And the further in debt we get, the more money we require just to survive, let alone improve the situation.
Then things get really tight. I survey the pile of bills that are due and overdue and wonder which to pay now and which I can let slide for a bit longer. I now live in a survival state of mind: how can we get through the next week; what about the end of the month?
And here’s the thing: that state of mind becomes self-fulfilling. When all I can do is think about the minimum amount of money I need next week to survive, I forget that anything more than that is possible.
Sure it’s a good thing to live more simply on less money. There is a whole downsizing movement and I embrace it enthusiastically; my own needs are simple. But there’s a difference between living comfortably on less money and struggling in the face of scarcity.
This time is going to be different. I have started a business, which will be the subject of a post soon. I have clear financial goals for that business. Life is going to get better.
I am looking beyond scarcity and survival to a time of sufficiency.
Posted in Life
By andrew on March 22, 2010
On 18 March 1910, Harry Houdini—yes, that Harry Houdini—made the first controlled, sustained, powered flight in Australia. He did it at Diggers Rest in Victoria, which is about a ten-minute drive from here. He flew a Voisin biplane. As part of the anniversary celebrations, there was to be a Centenary Air Show at nearby Melton airfield.
Continue reading “Houdini Centenary Air Show”
Posted in Uncategorised
By andrew on March 9, 2010
Hello.
Welcome to what must be at least the tenth incarnation of my site. It’s a little rough but it will evolve.
After a long time of not writing any piece longer than 140 characters—albeit over 37,000 such pieces in 3 years—I find that I once more have the desire to write in the longer form. Perhaps it’s a time-of-life thing, for I notice that I’ve begun to look back over my life and also forward to when I’m no longer here. I have felt numb, but now there are things that are important and that I care about.
Firstly though, I shall be focussing on finding work. I used to do Oracle database development for large corporations; I was pretty bloody good at it. Lately I do freelance Website management: everything from coding a WordPress theme to setting up an online store. Working from home on my own schedule makes life with kids much, much easier. But the work is more sporadic and less lucrative than I would like. I’ve decided it is time to get more serious: I am establishing a full-service business, likely aimed at industry and trades.
In the meantime, I am available for hire.
Posted in Uncategorised