Well if the man wants to play it that way, so be it.
Right now, I'm not sure whether I've stuck it to the man or not.

Yesterday, I was made redundant. Again. My entirely dislikable manager conceded that on the scant occasions I'd been able to do the job I was brought in to do, I'd always exceeded expectations but the real requirement for me is at least six months away and frankly I'm an expensive indulgence until then. I'm employed until the end of the month and then,severance in hand I am a free agent again.

And, do you know what? I'm not going to play this game any more. I'm not going back into an office on a promise that I may or may not fufill the role I am supposed to do. As a result of my unemployment last year, I started writing freelance for two magazines. I'm going to beaver away and increase the number of publications I write for and the breadth of material I cover. At the same time, I'm going to look after the house and allow Mrs Hatred to shine in her new job without worrying what happens when she gets home. This isn't a get rich quick scheme- I don't have aspirations of great wealth. I'm simply fed up of being a specialist, subject to too many other people getting their lives in order so I can do what I do. I'm going to have multiple employers and keep the man at arm's length. Yesterday, the man stuck his oar in for the last time and with luck, my dealings with him will be on my terms going forward.

Length? I've got the means to try this until about the end of the year. I'm not in the mood to fail either.
(Leonard Hatred briefly did some work on, Tue 22 Jun 2010, 22:05, 9 replies)

Good luck.

(Pie of Meat ___°¬¯O¯____\o/_____/\_,____Y¯¯Y, Tue 22 Jun 2010, 22:17, closed)

Good luck with that buddy
I've had my fair share of work related woes, mostly involving working with or for complete douche-bags so the dream is to be able to be your own boss.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 22 Jun 2010, 22:27, closed)

In many ways, it isn't even that ambitious.
I'm happy to take editorial instruction and have a "boss" in that sense. I just want to avoid being told that due to developments I had no say in, the job I was supposed to have doesn't exist any more.

And watching someone reading the article you wrote is a great feeling. I'll have a bit of that it must be said.
(Leonard Hatred briefly did some work on, Tue 22 Jun 2010, 22:34, closed)

*click*
Seriously, hope it goes well for you. Freelancing is an amazing adventure in itself, and really, you've got one life - why waste it doing something you don't want to if you don't have to, under the thumb of someone you don't like?

Good luck!
(ifonly, Tue 22 Jun 2010, 22:56, closed)

Fuck 'em
Good life choice there, I did the same thing in the IT industry. Spent my youth in University busy learning all about computer science, spent another two years submitting (and getting) patents for two products, one of which is actually on the market (another story), then joined IBM to find that my life consisted basically of approving reports and training Indians to do my job (which, predictably, I was duly shafted out of six months later).

Decided, fuck 'em, now I'm a freelance IT consultant with a few regulars and my client base is growing rapidly.

Best of all, I have the freedom to decide whether (a) to get up for work and have a productive day, (b) get up at 11, make a few posts and do a little leafleting, knowing that my smallest of efforts somehow end up giving great results or (c) stay in bed all day and wank until my arm falls off.

Great feeling. Going freelance, that is, not wanking!
(hangableautobulb is an anagram of the best album ever, on, Wed 23 Jun 2010, 0:00, closed)

OK
Where do you live, what areas do you write about? I've got contacts galore in this field and am happy to help if I can.
Send me a message.
( difficultchild, Wed 23 Jun 2010, 1:03, closed)

Freelance ftw!
I went freelance in 2006 for similar reasons... It will take time to build up a client base, but once you do, you'll pretty much never have to look for work, it will just find you!

I now have a huge array of contacts, only work about 7-8months a year, make twice what I did before and am nicely relaxed as I get a good 3/4 months more holiday a year - cue jaunts all around the world thanks to budget airlines and priceline.com!
(mobi I completed the Internet on 'hard'. Twice., Wed 23 Jun 2010, 11:16, closed)

I hereby click.
Not least because of the phrase, "I'm not in the mood to fail".
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Wed 23 Jun 2010, 12:29, closed)

I envy your commitment and ambition
And probably your ability. And definitely your bottle.

I have vague notions of turning my writing and/or photography into a money-making enterprise, but the lure of a payslip at the end of each month and the responsibility of two kids & a mortgage give me sufficient excuse not to get off my fat arse and do something about it.

The very best of luck to you.
( Snappyuk gets BIGGER with free sample., Wed 23 Jun 2010, 14:54, closed)