Being a freelancer sucks when you um, aren't FREE

I cannot tell you how much it pains me to tell someone NO when I'm called for a job. After all, I'm the YES girl remember? When I was at jury duty the other week, I had to turn down a reporting gig for a website I would loooove to work for. I was super-bummed, but I have a pal at the company, so when they told me "Don't worry, we'll call you again," I believed it. 

But yesterday as I was walking to the park to lay out (I know, you hate me), I got a call from a 323 number. Who do I know in California? Worried it might be a salesperson from my gym calling me yet again from a different phone number, I let it go to voicemail. Then I listened to the message:

Hi Ellen, this is Steve. I'm a producer at A&E (Ok ok, interesting...) and I'm calling you about a new show we're working on (Right right...). You were very highly recommended to us (Umm, obvi), and I was wondering if you could assist our wardrobe stylist with an upcoming taping. (Please please PLEASE don't be this weekend!) So if you're free this Friday through Sunday, give me a call and...I didn't hear anything after that. 

(Ok, so this pic is random, but I totally think people should start paying their freelancers with Starbucks gift cards!) If you recall from this post, I'm going to be in Southampton over the weekend. If I could afford to lose that $300 deposit, I might have considered canceling (Oh ok, no I wouldn't have), but it just wasn't realistic at such short notice. Plus, this trip is like five years overdue! But seriously, how much does that SUCK?! I was especially excited for the opportunity because I didn't have any connections at this company, which showed me that somehow my name is floating around the big bad city, and that's pretty awesome. I called Steve back to thank him and to tell him to please keep me in mind for future jobs. (I'm positive I came across waaay too eager...and desperate.) He said he'd "keep me on file." (On file? Really?) FAIL. 

Freelancing is the best thing in the world when: 1.) You're getting called regularly for jobs. 2.) You're available to do those jobs. I can't help but to think that by saying "no," I will lose a potential employer forever. It's so frustrating! 

Tell me: What's the thing you like the least about your job? And does anyone have any exciting work-related news to share? I promise I won't get jealous! ;)

How do you drink your coffee?

So you might remember me mentioning my coffee drink of choice once or twice: grande skim latte from Starbucks. When I first started drinking coffee two years ago, I tried to train my taste buds to favor Dunkin Donuts because I thought Starbucks was the cliche trendy thing to do. It didn't work. Starbucks just gets better and better every year; I can't resist it. And I'm freakin' OBSESSED with their oatmeal (I use just half of the brown sugar, nuts and raisins and save the rest to use at home—healthy and economical). It's probably not that much tastier than any other oatmeal, but the Starbucks label gives it instant bonus points.

If you recall from this post, the first thing I cut back on when I'm running low on money are my mani/pedis. The second? My Starbucks habit. It's expensive. I'm waiting (yet again) on a few paychecks to arrive in the mail, so until I get them, no Starbucks for me. However, when I walked by a Starbucks this weekend and saw they were doing a taste challenge—their regular coffee vs. their new VIA instant coffee—I had to partake.

The guy conducting the challenge told a group of us that most everyone liked the instant coffee better. I'll be the exception to the rule on this little science experiment, I thought. I smelled both coffees, sipped them—one, then the other, then the other again—smelled each again, pursed my lips together like a real coffee-tasting pro and selected my winner. I didn't go against the grain like I thought I would—I chose the VIA instant brew like everyone else! I think the reason I picked it is because the flavor wasn't very strong. I like bland coffee—if it tastes like hot water with a little foam, I'm all about it. (Which is what a skim latte taste like).

After the tasting, I was given a coupon for a FREE tall coffee and a $1 off this 3-pack VIA instant brew. It normally costs $3, so it was quite a deal. My usual grande skim latte costs $4.08. The marketing masterminds behind this idea deserve one big ol' pat on the back; they found a way to keep their broke costumers coming in. This definitely settles my "all or nothing" approach to my coffee drinking—I can still enjoy the treat for a lost less! (Sure, it's not quite the same as my beloved latte, but it will more than suffice for now).

Wow, I never thought I'd have so much to say about coffee. I probably could have said everything I needed to in three sentences, but you know how I carry on at times. And you love it.

If you haven't done the Starbucks taste challenge, it's not too late! It ends today at 10pm—I think it's definitely worth a try.


Anyheezie, how do you like your coffee? And where do you go for your cup of joe?