Please Feed The Animals

October 15, 2008. The day in my personal history that life became a blank page.

Today alone, I am writing a blog, editing a movie, meeting some animals for lunch and preparing for my first experience on the other side of a classroom desk.

I am challenging myself creatively. I am accomplishing a set of goals that are my own. I am meeting artists and writers and business coaches and creative directors and students and coffee roasters and documentarians. I am turning down job interviews. I am spending more time with my kids. I am bonding with Kathryn. I am exercising more.

I’m starting a business! Me, the chronically employed advertising creative. Me, the guy who bought a house he couldn’t afford, had a couple of kids, and encouraged his wife to stay home with them. Me, who has a list responsibilities longer than a child’s letter to Santa.

Every day, something new. I can freelance. I can commute to my basement. I can take a nap with my daughter. I can buy one of these to remind me that home is home and work is work. I can have lunch with my wife. I can mow the lawn on a Tuesday.

I can make a movie if I want. I can host an online chat if I want. And, although I find it nearly impossible sometimes, I can take a day off if I want.

Technically, I am unemployed. Yet it’s the most fun and rewarding time of my professional career.

Whoda thunk?