Enjoy Labor Day- and Working

Yes, I'm back at the keyboard working today- bringing you a holiday blog.Hope you're enjoying a nice three-day weekend- those of you who have those days off.We've got all the service folks still on the job, our police, firemen,hospital crews, etc.,and, many broadcasting people.During my career, I've had several holidays when I still had to show up at work- at least I get to do this blogging from at home! I know there are people who don't consider what I do work-"you watch movies and act silly for a few hours a week! I wish I had that job!" I wish I did too- because that isn't quite what I do. I do enjoy movies, but, when I'm screening one for the show, it's not for pleasure- I'm taking copious notes, watching for things that spark ideas, figuring our where to create breaks (and the jokes attached to them),and, if it's too long, trying to determine how to edit the film carefully and without sacrificing something important.Then there's the research and writing, search for necessary props and costumes, and other show preparation- followed by the hours of actually shooting the shows, followed by the post-production work- indicating additional visuals,etc., then the paperwork for getting the show into our system and on the air.Yeah- just acting silly for a few hours a week... Of course, I love what I do. Yes- it's work- but I enjoy it (well, most of it, anyway...)I feel lucky to have this job, and this career- and to STILL have it.I've experienced the other side of the coin, too- NOT having a job.Anybody who has been in broadcasting for many length of time knows how unstable the job is- and most of us have been fired any number of times.Sometimes, it isn't fair- no matter how well you might be doing,no matter how much talent you may have, if a new person comes in and takes power, often times, you're on your way out- simply by virtue of not being one of THEIR guys. In broadcasting, you'd better be able to take rejection- submitting demo tapes, going to auditions,etc., can pretty much feel like a full-time job that you're not getting paid for- and that isn't getting you any results.Add to that the fact that there are only a certain number of broadcasting jobs available that a lot of people are bvying for- and you can imagine the level of frustration. I've gone through that frustration more times than I care to remember- and been through situations where I've been blind-sided in my quest for work-finding out that I was being used as a tool to get someone else that management wanted to take the job,let go because I was part of a station's "old history", and the new boss was intent on creating "new history",losing out on a job because some other "friend" got wind of what I was working towards and would tip off one of THEIR friends on what my prospective management was looking for,and even creating schemes that made it look like their pal fit the bill.Along with all that, I've felt the pain of worrying how to pay all the bills,have insurance in a family with ill health, and trying not to get disheartened. So- maybe we complain about work- but-we need it- and, I think most of us actually DO like what we do- and have pride in it.We may look at what others do, and wish WE could do what they do- and maybe we could.But- could we do it day after day, month after month, year after year? Maybe- or maybe not. Here's to all my working pals- be proud of what you do, and do it the best you can...and may you always have a Labor Day somewhere down the line when you can relax and reflect on what you do- and think "you know- I do all right".