no lazy mon here

I just finished the little translation gig I mentioned a few days ago ~ I translated campaign literature for a Green Party candidate outside of the Bay Area running for Congress.  It was fun ~ I really enjoy translating English to Spanish, especially phrases such as "Democrat/Republican cabal" and "clean sweep of Congress."  Technically, during that contract job, I was up to four jobs ~ my full-time policy job plus two others I won't even tell you about. 

Now that I'm back down to three jobs, I'm hustling for more translation or editing work ~ I feel like my Dad.  When I was growing up, my Dad always seemed to have 2-4 "entrepreneurial projects" going on ~ he always had his construction work, but then there was the used car dealership, the rental properties, a restaurant I think, and a few others I am probably forgetting.  My mom has always helped manage my father's businesses, but she's also always had her hand in various home business ventures, selling all sorts of "products for the home" to las vecinas y las comadres.  I grew up with boxes piled around the house, of merchandise from Stanley, Avon, and Tiara, to name few; and these days it's vitamin supplements which she swears will help you live to 100.  Bless her heart.

When I started college, I didn't really need a job because I had a scholarship and was living at home ~ but I had worked since I was 14 or 15, so I didn't really know how to be just a student.  I found a job at a chiropractic office, translating for Spanish-speaking patients and other office work.  Then, one of the patients, who was some VP at Smith Barney, asked to hire me for cold calls to companies in Mexico.  So, I would wake up around 5 am, work at Smith Barney from about 7 am to 9 am, go to class, then go work at the chiropractic office for a few hours after class.  In law school, even though you're not supposed to work in your 1L year, I kept managing the law office I had worked at for several years.  During my summer clerkships, I would clerk during the day and work at the old law office at night.  It was only partially for the money ~ mostly I didn't want to abandon my old boss and his busy practice.  These days, it's for the money.  ~

Over the years, my side jobs have run the gamut from portrait studio baby photographer to pet food pusher to box office girl at a gay night club to posing as a "businesswoman of color" in several ads for high-tech companies; someone called me once to say, "I'm at the airport, and, um, there's a huge poster of you with the words, 'The Revolution is Coming'."  How's that for varied experience?

When I hear someone talk about their one job, I laugh and think of that 'Hey Mon' episode on In Living Color where the daughter brings home a doctor and the family exclaims, "ONE job?!?  HOW will he support you!?!?"  So, as I begin my on-line search for another job # 4, I leave you with this hilarious 'Hey Mon Airlines' episode ~ it's brilliant.

Comments

[mari]

Mirandian ~ LOL ~ I'd call you SMART for having one job! As for me, I just didn't have the grand idea of finding a job that pays enough, mon! But extra money is always welcome. Before I used it to pay bills, I would use my extra money for 'luxury' items (shoes!). Craig's List is key! I have found so many side-jobs on CL (and hey, not THAT kinda side-job!). ;-)

[Mirandian]

Hey Mon! The video was hilarious!....
but now I'm feeling kinda....
incompetent? stupid? lazy?....
I only have One Job!;-)

PS:- I have wished I could moonlight, at times. Extra money never hurts anybody! But how? Free Advise welcome! Grrr, envy you!