The Good

I have (temporarily) given up full-time freelancing. Today I signed a contract for a full-time staff position.

Now, before I describe my job, I wanted to tell you a bit more about how I came to be OK with it. If I hadn't taken magazine publishing and been part of the only team to propose a trade publication, I would probably snub my nose at trade magazines. However, after a successful "run" for RLife, I early on became aware of the niceties of trade publications.

Thus, that is part of why I applied for my new position. I will be an associate editor for a trade magazine for owners of nail salons. The office is a 10-minute drive from my house--a commute almost unheard of in Los Angeles. I also get a fun perk--going on "reader calls" to salons. The magazine gives me a little money each month that is to be spent getting my nails done at one of our readers' salons. As far as the actual job goes, I think it will be a lot of responsibility, and that excites me: I'll be writing a couple of features a month and working on front-of-the-book pieces and maybe working some with freelancers.

This will be my last week of freedom--I start on Monday. Wish me luck. If I didn't tell you this on the phone, it's either because you didn't answer or because I have other things that are occupying my thoughts. I apologize. See "The Bad" for what else I'm referring to.