Musings from an overworked translator

Busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger August 13, 2008

Man, I don’t know about you, but business here has been exploding lately. I am translating two large projects for one of my favorite clients (5,000 words due Wednesday and 11,000 words due Thursday – both easy surveys, so doable in that time frame). I had to turn down a rush job today for one of my other favorite clients who was willing to pay double my normal word rate if I could have 3700 words done by tomorrow (he’s asked me to clear my calendar for Friday just in case he can’t find anyone). The client forgot the document and needed it today (Tuesday), so they are a little desperate to get it translated. I was hoping to take it easy today after turning in a really technical legal/telecommunications contract yesterday, but my plans quickly went awry and it snowballed from there. And it sure isn’t easy working with a sinus headache that makes you nauseous…

I’ve been trying to fight the onslaught of work off as best I can so that I can at least enjoy a little bit of the summer, but it is hard to say no to some of my clients, especially when everyone else is off enjoying themselves on vacation. It’s tough being single with no one to travel with. I just signed up for a singles cruise group on Meetup.com, so hopefully that will change and I’ll be asea soon.

I know I’ve complained about it before, but it isn’t easy saying no to your two best clients. And it’s tough when they both come to you with work at the same time. That’s why you haven’t heard from me much in the last few days. Hopefully things will start calming down again once school starts and no one is on vacation anymore. If you are a newcomer, now is definitely the time to send your resume to new agencies. Strike while the iron is hot!