Lost (half of) My Job

That's right, I lost half my job. Starting on Monday, I will be a half time employee at the radio station. This came quite unexpectedly. Both the news and PA director and myself were told by our boss that our jobs were being cut back to cut costs and that hopefully it's only temporary. We'll see...

I've been spending the better part of the past 2 weeks trying to figure out how I can get my position to even function in 20 hours per week. The big problem is that I often find myself working 50 or more hours in a week. The first thing to go will have to be programming. I can no longer be on he air as much as I have been. The next thing to go is all of my "program director" duties, which have never really been in my job description in the first place. Beyond those big cuts, I'll probably have to stop being such a nice and accommodating helper around the office. I've always been the got-to-guy for all tech and audio related questions. There will simply not be enough time for me to help people out and still get my job done.

The one nice thing is that outside of work I should now have an abundance of free time. I've been working myself to death for almost 2 years at this place and have had virtually no time for friends, music projects and general life sort of stuff. I haven't cleaned my apartment thoroughly for several months.

Anyway, here's a quick list of things I'd like to do now that I have the time:

• Finish up Acts 2 and 3 of vee device's rock opera
• Record a solo album of exceptionally dark folk music
• Start some sort of odd, avant garde chamber ensemble
• Write a piece of music for orchestra
• Get started on my opera based on a number of British ballads
• Fix my bike
• Knit a ton of beer cozies
• Make a quilt

That should get me started. I'm really in no hury to find another job at this point, though playing a bit more music out and about probably wouldn't hurt my finances any. I'll also be shifting back into poor Dennis mode which means far less eating out and more thrift store shopping. I might also be moving soon or finding a roommate. In any case, while I've got less money, I should also find myself with a lot less stress and and much more free time.