Backside of Forty (archive)

Dylan, my oldest, has been interested in joining the school band and playing drums for quite a while.  He can often be found drumming on things with his hands, or making beatbox noises with his mouth, so percussion is a natural extension of his personality.  In our school system, band begins in 5th grade.  During the first few weeks of school, all 5th graders have to select either band, choir, or intervention (which we called "study hall" in my day). 

He was down to the wire on his decision and was going to choose intervention, because he was nervous about band concerts.  Jen and I hated to see him miss out on an opportunity to be involved in an extra curricular activity (our family is involved in very few), for which he has shown enthusiasm, because of a little stage fright. 

So, we made the decision for him.

We told him he had to join band for one year.  His reaction:  "Good.  I'm glad you made me.  I really wanted to, but I was just scared."

He starts with learning the bells in 5th and 6th grade.  He's really excited.

We took a road trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo today, and saw an interesting exhibit on the way... this larger-than-life, bronze Roman soldier!

My Benny J. turns two years old at about 12:30 AM Monday.  Because I have to work all day Monday, (and since he doesn't know the difference anyway), we celebrated his birthday today.  With a picture-perfect September day, we spent it where Benny loves to be... outside.

I've never been a huge fan of dogs, but Benny loves dogs.  I really wanted to get him a puppy as a gift... a real, live puppy.  I'm not sure Jen or I have the energy to take care of one more living thing, though, and a dog is a big commitment.  I know his reaction to a puppy would have been priceless, but with the chaos and stress of our house, would it have been fair to the dog?  So, we settled for some toy dogs (as opposed to dog toys), instead.  (Hmmm... there's always Christmas...)

Happy Birthday, Benjamin!  You're my favorite Benny in the WHOLE world!

We all went out for a Labor Day hike yesterday.  It was a beautiful day, but as dry as it has been here, I was surprised by how many mosquitoes were out in the afternoon.  We didn't have any bug spray with us, so we did a quick couple miles and got out of the woods. 

I have often envied those who earn income for writing.  I have gone so far as to research freelance writing opportunities, but to no avail.  I know, though, that writing as an occupation is both a blessing and a curse.  It is a blessing to earn income for doing something that you enjoy, but doing so can potentially stifle the freedom and creativity that makes writing enjoyable.

My "payment" [please leave comments] for writing usually comes [please leave comments] in the form of feedback or comments [please leave comments] from readers.  Have I mentioned that I enjoy reader's comments?

Seriously, though, I have never earned a dime for writing... until now.

My employer uses an automotive sales format in conjunction with Motor Trend and Easy Care.  Our Motor Trend/Easy Care representative often asks for written "success stories" to extol the virtues of our sales process.  Thinking it cheesy to write my success stories, for weeks I, along with the rest of our sales staff,  have been giving him the standard "I'll have to think of one" answer. 

Needing some success stories to fulfill his job requirements, he tried a more motivating tactic... cash.  Until further notice, if our store produces a minimum of five written success stories per week, the best story each week earns $50.

Hmmm.  I still think it's cheesy, but that's easy money!  I have a lot of down time when I have no customers, and I can easily write a paragraph, or two, for a shot at a fifty dollar bill.

My story was picked last week!  $50 easy money!  And, now I can no longer say that I have never been paid to write.  I just wish my first writing income could have been for something less cheesy and more free and creative... but, alas, therein lies the dilemma of writing for cash!