My Time Off From a 9 to 5

Okay, quick blog. This is just to clear some things up for a few people because I'm getting sick of implications.

For those who don't know, I took some time off from working a day job for about 5 months. Ami had just scored a decent job and we figured it up to find that we'd be able to live off of her income for at least a little while. Being the supportive wife that she is, we made a deal where she allowed me to focus on my art if that when a certain time span ended, I'd get some sort of job to start pulling my weight again.

For some reason, a lot of people thought that by me staying at home and not working a 9 to 5 that I was somehow just a lazy ass who did nothing. Well, I'll have you know that I've been busting my ass for these past months trying to get my film off the ground. Anyone who works in this field knows how much work is required to go into such a task and I found myself being able to focus on it without any other distractions. You have to plan, you have to budget, you have to rehearse, you have to send e-mail after e-mail, make phone call after phone call, write and re-write, lock locations, put together a pitch package, work on your business plan, plan and hold fundraisers, find investors, and so on. This takes time. On top of that, being the good and responsible person that I am, I also did ALL of the house work around the apartment. I know we only have a one bedroom, but Jesus can it get messy and quick. All of this kept me busy throughout my days and I feel like I'm closer to achieving my dream because of it. Thank my lucky stars that I have someone like Ami willing to do such a thing for me.

Have we suffered for it? Yes, at least a bit. I was planning on doing a lot more work as an extra on some of the TV shows around here and promotional gigs, but there wasn't a lot. We don't have a lot of money to play with, but every artist must suffer for their art. I'm lucky enough to have a woman by my side who's willing to suffer with me.

The time frame has ended and I'm pretty much working full time as a substitute teacher. I'm also actually really enjoying it. So, the wait feels rewarding. I am also still busting ass on my movie. I have a date set in my head and I plan on making it happen this time.

This was an agreement between my wife and I. It's really no one's business but our own. However, I felt I needed to share.

So, please. People I meet, people I know, good friends even...stop implying that I was being some kind of slacker because I took time off from work to focus on my art. That was not the case and really, you have no idea in the end. You implying such things just pisses me off.

Thanks.