Frustration!@#$%&

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My job frustration level has just hit an all-time high.

Normally, I love my job. I work for myself, so I get to set my hours, which usually means I work only during Luke's nap time. I generally only work between five and 10 hours a week. And although I don't get paid per hour (it is usually per word or per article, depending on who I am writing for) my per hour breakdown is higher than I would make in a regular job setting. I don't work as many hours as I did when I worked full-time, obviously, so I don't make as much as I used to but I am satisfied with what I can contribute and still party at home with Luke every day.

All positive things.

However, there are a few downsides and they have been manifesting themselves this week in spades. Namely:

1. I don't get paid until something runs. That means I do work now for a paycheck not to be seen for many months. I am fine with this, I plan for it. It is actually exciting to get a check in the mail so many months after you've done the work. It is like it is free money!
But I do get frustrated when money that has been pending for months does not arrive a few weeks after the story runs. When you wait six months to see payment for a certain article, you want to see a check on time. Especially if you already have a purpose for said funds.
I have been expecting one specific check for about a month now and have been checking the mail like a missionary. So that is Annoyance No.1.

2. Work time isn't always productive time. If source(s) won't call me back, then I can't really work that day. Normally this isn't a problem. I always work ahead of time because I know I won't be able to reach every one on the first try. However, it can be frustrating when I am working against the clock (a.k.a. sleeping baby) and absolutely no one is answering their phones. Take today, for instance. Luke is playing with his cousin Jack and I mentally devoted the entire afternoon to work. I wanted to get ahead before the holidays attack. But it was not meant to be. I called more than 10 people for stories and only one answered. One! Thankfully, that one person was necessary for completing a story that I turned in today. But so much for getting ahead. I just know that all of these people from the Jewish Community Center are going to call me back while I am driving the Young Women up to Temple Square tonight. It is frustrating because this has been the third non-productive day in a row. Annoyance No.2

3. I won't post about the other annoyances because they are very industry specific and I feel like I would bore all of you. Just know that I am practically ripping my hair out over here. I HATE not being productive.

Ugh, I should've gone in for a prenatal massage, instead.