So We made it.

Ten years into the new millenium, a decade into the new century.

And a year into the latest recession at the hands of yet another liberal, socialist who has sent this country spiralling into recession, historic debt and private sector take overs.

Amid all this, I was ten years into working for the DJ company on the weekends and three years into being there full time.

All the talk of a recovering economy aside, unemployment is at an historic high.
And that said, the owner of my company tells us that while the outlook is grim and the future is iffy, nobody will lose their jobs or have their pay cut.

Within a week my pay is cut 30%, my hours are reduced to 3/5 and a few weeks after that talk, I’m laid off with the notice that the company’s outlook is foggy at best.

Now I’m reduced to record unemployment lines in Colorado, benefits that don’t even cover my studio apartment rent and promises of part time pay that aren’t panning out.

So as I look for work, whether as a burger jockey at McDonalds or day labourer on the freeway offramp - I have to consider my availability to my next employer.

I’d always been loyal to my DJ employer, giving him 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

But as I’m worked out of the gig rotation, I have to decide whether I’m going to be DJing in 2010.

Not just for the DJ company but for my friends and associates in the biz as well.

I don’t want to have my own biz, be my own boss, run insurance, taxes, sales, meetings, advertising, etc etc etc.
I just want to DJ for Brides on their wedding days.

So do I contact these industry friends and make myself available to them if/when they need me?

Do I stay on with the current DJ company, hanging on by tooth and nail until my fingers are peeled from the railing and I’m tossed overboard like yesterday’s tripe?

As much as I love DJing, as much as I love weddings and as much as I love the industry, I’m actually relieved to not be full time in it anymore.
In the last three years my hair went from dark brown to gray from all the emotional & mental abuse, harassment and torture I endured because of my love and loyalty to the owner.
I’m actualy starting to sleep at night again and (let’s hear the shock & awe folks!) I actually lost ten pounds in the last two weeks!

I know, right?
LOL

So even though I never made enough to save a quarter so the possibility is very real and likely that I’ll not make rent and be evicted and living in my truck with my cat by February 1st - I’m actually relaxing.
Breathing more easily.

While I want to DJ in 2010 and beyond, I’d wanted to DJ until I was too old, too blind, too deaf and too crippled.
But being laid off, the number one DJ in the company, the second longest DJ in the company and the least expensive employee, cut from the roster….
Makes me wonder if I’m over DJing or if it’s just time to rethink my place, reapply what I’ve learned and take back the State!

2010:
To DJ or Not To DJ?
That’s my question…