My brain is out to lunch today - wandering thoughts do not an efficient worker make.
Instead, I started contemplating these past five or six years since the crash and how they have affected me, those I care about, and our nation as a whole. I was hit hard, early on, and have been in recovery mode for the past two-three years. Some of my friends were hit later and are having the worst of it now, while others were hit hard back then and are still struggling.
I am thankful for being as busy as I am. The construction business is booming again here in SoCal, and my business has been steady for almost two years now. However, recovery has not been easy. As busy as I am, catching up financially after having - literally - zero income for three years is like being on a hamster wheel. Every time I feel like I'm finally getting a little ahead, something comes up to set me back again.
After the crash, all of us architects were pretty desperate. Some still are. In my case, I took a lot of jobs that I knew would be a bitch, just because I didn't have a choice. Difficult clients, difficult projects, impossible budgets.... there were times, for the first time in my career, that I really started hating my job.
In short, I feel like the past five years have been an endless series of Rocky movies; I win in a couple, but I'm beat up and exhausted, and there's a part XVII right around the corner and nobody wants to see it.
So I started daydreaming about what I wish for 2014, and I'm interested in hearing your stories and wishes too. Jump with me below the fold and let's share!
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