Okay, it's been a while since I've posted here, so here's a big update:
Things are going okay, overall.
Business at the salon started picking up last month (hope it continues this month). I've started getting some regular clients who've been back a couple of times, and there are more who say they will be when they can. Tips are good (better than the other therapist is getting, from what I understand), and I made a tidy chunk of change despite March being a relatively slow month. I make enough at my salary job to live, so everything I get from massage is just icing. Now I just have to reign in the splurging-just-because-I-can and start paying some things off and tucking away a bit for savings. God, it's been YEARS since I actually had a "savings" stash! This makes me happy. I'm finally doing what I've been wanting to do for the past couple of years.
Work at the "real" job has been hectic and stressful, on the other hand. I still like it for the most part (especially the regular salary and the health insurance), but I can also feel myself getting closer to the breaking point. I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. I keep telling myself, "this is my LAST quarter." But I'm just not quite ready to leave the nest. And then, other days, I don't fee like I can take even one more day. But we just had another graduation last week, and those always make it all seem worth it. It truly is amazing seeing all the students grow and develop over the course of the year into professional massage therapists to the point where they're ready to step out into the real world. And it also makes me feel like I'd be abandoning the current students if I left.
Relationship-wise . . . well, nothing to talk about there, so we won't even make the attempt. Ah well . . .
And it looks like Glorious Summer is trying to wrestle its way out of the death-grip of Wicked Winter, but it's having a tough go of it. The temperature is at least into tolerable levels again, at long last, but it's stubbornly refusing to actually get warm. I can't wait for Summer. It makes me wonder how much longer I'll be able to put up with life this far North. As much as I love Chicago itself, you can't separate it from the Hell That Is Winter.
And I've been healthy this year! No debilitating illnesses, no hospitals, heck not even a freaking cold (knock on wood!).
All in all, 2008 is shaping up to be a better year so far.
Things are going okay, overall.
Business at the salon started picking up last month (hope it continues this month). I've started getting some regular clients who've been back a couple of times, and there are more who say they will be when they can. Tips are good (better than the other therapist is getting, from what I understand), and I made a tidy chunk of change despite March being a relatively slow month. I make enough at my salary job to live, so everything I get from massage is just icing. Now I just have to reign in the splurging-just-because-I-can and start paying some things off and tucking away a bit for savings. God, it's been YEARS since I actually had a "savings" stash! This makes me happy. I'm finally doing what I've been wanting to do for the past couple of years.
Work at the "real" job has been hectic and stressful, on the other hand. I still like it for the most part (especially the regular salary and the health insurance), but I can also feel myself getting closer to the breaking point. I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. I keep telling myself, "this is my LAST quarter." But I'm just not quite ready to leave the nest. And then, other days, I don't fee like I can take even one more day. But we just had another graduation last week, and those always make it all seem worth it. It truly is amazing seeing all the students grow and develop over the course of the year into professional massage therapists to the point where they're ready to step out into the real world. And it also makes me feel like I'd be abandoning the current students if I left.
Relationship-wise . . . well, nothing to talk about there, so we won't even make the attempt. Ah well . . .
And it looks like Glorious Summer is trying to wrestle its way out of the death-grip of Wicked Winter, but it's having a tough go of it. The temperature is at least into tolerable levels again, at long last, but it's stubbornly refusing to actually get warm. I can't wait for Summer. It makes me wonder how much longer I'll be able to put up with life this far North. As much as I love Chicago itself, you can't separate it from the Hell That Is Winter.
And I've been healthy this year! No debilitating illnesses, no hospitals, heck not even a freaking cold (knock on wood!).
All in all, 2008 is shaping up to be a better year so far.
lostlucy:
Geez. I know someone from Penn Yann abt your age... 
tallboy66:
I'm an idiot, or slow... we met at the Sunday brunch right?