I Won. I Got My Money.
That deadbeat publisher I worked for April through mid-June finally paid me. Actually, it happened a couple of weeks ago, and I was so excited to rush to the bank I forgot to post about it.
It’s funny to realize how poorly I am wired for this type of scrapping. As soon as the money was in my account, I started thinking how silly it was of me to make such a fuss. I thought bullshit like, See? They were going to pay you all along. Now you’ve burned a bridge and you’re out a good client. But a client who thinks it’s OK to pay invoices at 96 days out is NOT a GOOD CLIENT. Somehow the $25 per hour that this deadbeat client eventually paid started to look good because lately I keep encountering companies that pay $11 or $17 per hour. Which sucks. But it’s weird inside my head sometimes.
Since that time, I’ve tried to come to terms with what happened. I’ve thought about it a lot because deep down, I really want people to like me. Yesterday, I gathered my pluck and wrote to M. E. again because I don’t like the idea of burning bridges. She was only a cog in a big machine.
Dear M. E.,
She wrote me back, too.
I guess that’s probably about all the closure I’m going to get. Ian says I did the right thing by sticking up for myself and getting uppity.
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counseled me a lot during this time, and images of her T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Well-behaved women rarely make history” have flashed through my mind many times this summer.
has been inspiring, too.
Thanks to everyone who gave me words of support and made harassing phone calls on my behalf.
August 22, 2008 at 7:10 pm
You believed in yourself enough to create a amicable solution. Now it’s time for shopping!
August 23, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I can’t help but think this was part of you going beyond wanting people to like you; this was about you saying “I have value,” and watching the world respond with “Yes, yes you do, and here’s your money.”
You are a treasure. I love you. And I’m so damned glad you got your money!
August 25, 2008 at 1:23 am
Way to kick ass and take names! You are extremely likeable. People will like you even if you stand up for yourself. *Especially* then.