Recession Diary: Places at the oasis

(Editor's note: Unlike past recessions, the current downturn has taken a significant toll on sectors of the economy virtually unscathed by earlier economic crises. This is the latest in a series on one family's struggle.)

SKOKIE, Ill., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Fred is still working on contract and has been extended through December of next year pending budget approval.

He's making less than half the salary he was less than a year ago, but low pay is better than no pay -- especially with benefits. As everyone's employment seems tentative these days, I feel we'd better get our doctors' appointments scheduled soon.

The decision to keep him on could go by the wayside as it did last year. Fred was informed last November by his former employer that his contract would be extended through at least June 30, 2009, but two weeks later he was notified his last day would be Dec. 31, 2008. The company cited the economy. It was nothing personal against him or his performance. That was nice to know, but it didn't do much to keep the wolf from lurking near the door.

Fred had an interview the other day with a very desirable firm. Both parties realized early on, however, it wasn't going to be a good match since Fred didn't have certain necessary experience. It was a tad frustrating because he had to take off work, travel rather far and get dressed up (which he probably hates more than anything) when the interviewer easily could have asked him a few threshold questions on the phone.

Being the sweet-natured, unflappable fellow that he is, Fred shrugged it off saying it was valuable at least to have an interview, and the meeting gave him a chance to hone the applicable skills. Further, the company said there may be something coming up that would be tailor-made for the skill set he developed during his first profession. He said he would have no problem returning to that line of work should an attractive opportunity arise.

And then there's me.

A friend who has been freelancer for decades recently boosted my ego and bolstered my confidence by pronouncing me a born writer and informing me that, as such, I can write about anything.

Not to worry; I don't have stars in my eyes about wide-open writing opportunities out there: I'm learning to appreciate that writers are nomadic creatures, wandering the employment desert landscape, traipsing from sandstorms to mirages to the cool pools of work.

As a newbie freelancer, I stand in awe of solo professional practitioners, giggers and small-business folk. Their jobs are harder and more time-consuming because they must juggle wildly varying schedules, drum up business and deal with the anxiety of continually wondering if one's business is going to make it. Will I be able to prove my mettle under such foreign and frightening circumstances?

That question, and the uncertainty it engenders, has made it difficult for me to write about some of the issues. I believe that next week, though, I'll finally be able to steel myself to hold forth about solitude (a positive condition), loneliness (a predicament) and the sadness of not teaching.