Doors and Windows
Today is a doors and windows kind of day.
The doors, they are closing.
First, iVillage fired me. Ok, not a huge shock there, given what I’ve said about them here. And it really wasn’t that much of a blow. My contract did not allow me to quit, so getting fired was the only way out of my contract, and one that I’ve pretty much been encouraging them to take ever since they made it clear that Sanity and the Solo Mom was going to become part of The Daily Mom with or without my consent. But still, nobody really likes to be fired, no matter how much they were asking for it.
Then, I had a business call. I was pretty nervous because it was my very first business call for a blog idea that I thought of and developed all by myself. A big step in the life of a budding freelancer. On some levels–the ones where I didn’t sound like a blithering idiot–it was a very successful experience. They thought the idea was great, and that it would be a wonderful fit for their company. Unfortunately, they’d just spent a tonne of money on a redesign of their site and just didn’t have it in the budget to take on my idea right now.
So, in addition to getting fired, I didn’t get hired. Yep, that’s the sound of doors closing, alright.
The windows, however, don’t seem to be flinging themselves open quite yet. Maybe I just have to be patient. Man, I hate that.
Comment by Stacey
I for one am sure that doors and windows will open for you. I’ve been a silent reader both here and on iVillage and I think you will persevere through all of this! Good Luck!
Posted on October 5, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Comment by landismom
I hope this all works out for the best. Maybe BlogHer needs a new editor?
Posted on October 5, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Comment by mayberry
Ouch. Being fired has to smart even if they were evil. I hope you can find a new home for your cool idea–you never know!
Posted on October 5, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Comment by anna
You are a fantastic writer and I have no doubt you will bounce back. I’ve been following your’s and Cathryn’s blogs (Grrl Genius) and the ensuing ivillage bits and I have to say props to both of you for standing up for what you believe in. I’m definitely on your side!
Posted on October 6, 2007 at 12:23 am
Comment by ann adams
I missed the whole controversy - sorry. I’ll see if I can backtrack.
Something will turn up which will be a much better fit for you.
Posted on October 6, 2007 at 11:22 am
Comment by ann adams
I forgot to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Posted on October 6, 2007 at 11:28 am
Comment by thordora
I’ve been having some “doors closing” moments myself-I just can’t deal with stress and my illness, and I'’m thinking I might have to make a hard decision sooner than later.
It will come. Fear not.
Posted on October 6, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Comment by Buf
I’ve read both your blog and Grrl Genius on iVillage for awhile. Things must be really crazy over there right now. I’m sure things will work out better in the end, they usually do.
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 8:58 am
Comment by Carrie
I am so bummed about Ivillage. I went on vacation and when I came back, everything was changed! I read you, GG and This Fish. Now I can’t even find GG! I’m glad I was able to find you here. I so enjoy your writing.
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 9:14 am
Comment by Cyndi
I am 37 and have no kids, and I still came over here to keep reading… keep up the good writing and be true to yourself… the windows WILL open!
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Comment by diane
Good for you! You are too good for this “new” ivillage. So glad to have found you here!
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Comment by Kate
Out with the old and in with the new.
You’ve made the space by dumping the junk now you just need to let the dust settle a bit before the good stuff notices you have the space to accomodate it.
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Comment by steph
Let me try to understand this. You are a self proclaimed welfare mom, you struggle to make ends meet, you still need the state and your folks to provide for your kids and you get yourself fired? Because you decided a moral stand was worth more then a paycheck? Most of us with jobs have been subject to arbitrary job changes that we have no control over and we don’t like yet we do not try to get fired. If you are receiving any state aid I hope they cease it and make you get a job.
Posted on October 8, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Comment by webmaster
Steph,
I have a job. Quite a good one: I’m a substitute teacher.
Yes, we struggle to make ends meet around here. Most people do. And no, my parents do not provide for me or my kids. I do that. And the $250 a month from iVillage, while nice, didn’t really make the difference, if you know what I mean.
I doubt your job was based solely on your personality, and really, your life. I doubt that your employer expected you tho change those things to fit in with their corporate ideology. And if they did? Well, yeah, moral stands kind of mean something to me.
I don’t regret being fired for an instant. It wasn’t a good fit, as evidenced by the issues in “Ghosted.” I just hope my final two months pay will be enough for a plane ticket to BlogHer.
Oh, and for the record, going by my provinces Welfare laws, I’m not even required to look for a job, let alone have 2.
Posted on October 9, 2007 at 6:08 am
Comment by thordora
So, a moral stand wouldn’t be worth quitting a job for?
Is this what our lives have come to?
I say go for you quitting something that was making you unhappy. Life is far too short. And besides-I’m sure you’ve paid into EI enough by now anyway.
Posted on October 9, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Comment by Sophia (Adventures of Brown)
Kim!!!! How I’ve missed you! I had to sift through tons of comments on Mir’s blog to find you.
Sorry to hear iVillage didn’t work out for you-since they left the Redbook site, it’s been difficult for lots of the bloggers over there.
Anyway, glad to find you & I must go now and catch up on what I’ve missed.
Thinking of you,
Sophia
Posted on October 11, 2007 at 8:31 am
Comment by LL
Hi all,
love your blog by the way! I saw on the comments that a lot of people read GG as well - can anyone find where her blog has moved too?
xx
Posted on October 12, 2007 at 7:45 am
Comment by Dixie
Been hired and fired.It comes and goes. Just be happy with yourself and what you are doing and opportunities will come. They will they always do. Especially when you least expect it.
Posted on October 14, 2007 at 10:15 pm