Freelance Generosity
I just got back from some database work for someone who gave me some work 3 years ago when I had just been made redundant. It was a few hundred pounds worth of business but it came just at the right time and cheered me up no end. I am sure that this was not the primary reason for the work, they needed a database after all, but I still feel indebted. I have revisited them on 7 or 8 occasions since - sometimes doing 2 hours work and often a lot less but I always popped off an invoice soon after. Today was different. I stayed about 20 minutes, caught up on some gossip (myself and the lady in question used to work together) and managed to achieve about half or what I went for. It was even on the way to somewhere I had to go anyway.

So I am not gonna charge. Am I foolish, naive or too nice for the cut-and-thrust world of freelance business? I think all three.

Miscellaneous Observations This Week
I was filling up the veehickle at the gas station this morning and whilst using the slowest pump in the western hemisphere I noticed a large floor mounted sign nearby swinging in the wind. “Quality Fuel” it said. I must admit to being a bit fussy and almost “Col Mike Argue”-like in my disapproval of daft things (no bad thing as I near 40), but I have never avoided a petrol station due to word of its low-quality fuel. No-one has ever passed on water-cooler gossip of low standard petrol in hushed tones like Private Walker from Dad’s Army. Still, this particular company decided to waste a small amount of their huge profits (93p a bloody litre) on the most pointless and unnecessary sign in the world.

You have to feel sorry for Saddam’s prosecution team. The bearded one refused to identify himself. I bet they never saw that one coming. Your witness.

Did anyone see Marcus Brigstock on Jack Dee last week? For the first time in a while I almost soiled myself. I barely had time to clean myself when Rich Hall came on. For those of you who missed the line about Norwich’s strange rituals and lack of different surnames and the tourist board posters that claim “Norwich is coming into its own…”, I pity you.

Gary Jules, Give Me Back 1983
I had a nice nap yesterday. I fell asleep listening to “The Hurting”, first album by Tears for Fears. Brilliant. I still can’t make my mind up between Dare, The Hurting or Penthouse & Pavement as my favourite album of all time. I really hope Sue Lawley never comes knocking because my desert island discs would take forever. Stan would probably be the only person to take longer. The end title music would fade and he would still be demanding to leave behind The Bible and The Complete Works of Shakespeare whilst taking just a few more CDs…

Anyway. Time to go. You have had enough fun for now.

Categories: Freelance, Music
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