Got laid off from a job as a cabinet maker/ kitchen remodel/ woodworker. I initially took the job like a vanity project, where I wanted to learn the skillset so badly that I took a slight pay cut to work there. It was an okay arrangement. The shop needed a lot of help in the beginning which is why they hired me, but as winter set in and the shop transitioned to new ownership, the work dried up and layoffs were discussed briefly. I offered to take some time off to work on my own projects, and customer's (side work) projects, of which I always seem to have a short list, to which I received a 'go for it' from my employer. Well, a couple days turned into a week, and then my dad down in Florida needed his kitchen done, so I asked for a month off, and they said, well, let's just talk in the spring, but yeah we will take you off of payroll etc.
So all this to say, and since now I have Edith and the dogs and Heather is full time mom; I have little choice but to go off on my own. And I am excited about it, but I just hope I can step up to the plate and stay organized. Already I am treading water with my small clientele, and new pay rate; my hourly, which I need to increase to really make the business work, but the projects I have so far done are at my old side work rate, and not a support my business outright rate. I am for example, currently undercharging for a kitchen repaint job, in order to help out the parents of a friend of mine, who helped me install my kitchen cabinets (which I built through that cabinet shop I was working at, and deserves a post of its own). Prior to that I repaired someone's porch ceiling boards which may lead to another job in the spring I can hope. Also I busied myself with a plaster repair job which was extensive throughout a woman's house for a good cheaper rate based that she was a former customer and I hadn't yet lost my job.
My business is called The Philosopher Carpenter; in part because I feel distinguished from others in my quality of work; it has a certain logos to each move. In part the name refers to my connection to Goethe, among the greatest philosopher I know of, and of course the greater allusion is to Christ, the philosopher (an agnostic friendly undersell even) carpenter. It is through my work that I aim to be more christ-like, to reach toward christ-consciousness. To serve and to love, etc.
Ironically some of the customers I attract with the name are liberal arts types, which, I should choose my words carefully, would consider themselves very smart while balking at any reference to Christ, but that's a slight digression and not the point, just something I think about sometimes.
Fatherhood is going great so far. I mean, it is very difficult of course, and it is a full time thing, but I am tasked with living a less toxic life in terms of foods and libations, and chemicals from work. I am tasked also with managing my time more effectively in order to reserve time to be with the family, or too to relieve Heather of her long shifts of taking care of the baby and dogs. We are very lucky as a family to have each other. Edith is miraculously cheery and well coordinated and clever. I am very proud of her and have been since she was tiny tiny. She always understood the mission, from in the hospital where she was adamant to stand (she enjoyed being upright) to her milestones of walking, waving, clapping, babbling. It is very rewarding. And she give very sweet hugs and calls for "DA", "DA, DA, DA".
This is among a small handful of early mornings I have pulled off since my layoff. It is something I have a great embarrassment about; not being an early riser, especially sine I have met the milestones of being a sole provider, homeowner, father, etc., yet I love to learn at night, or draw or push into a task into the quiet hours. Two sides of the same coin I suppose, but few can argue that the night brain is any better than the morning. Edith has adopted a later schedule as well, but last night I got an earful about my schedule not being that of the professional. Women know right where to jab it's embarrassing. So we shall see if we can turn it around a little.
Lots to do, just for posterity I have to write one of these every now and then.
