Voiceovers and Hurricanes

Well, the computer gremlins are still with me although they've become more sporatic in their attacks. Now it's the other stuff that's got me running.

This past week I received several calls that should have made me smile...but they didn't. One production company, for whom I provide a fair number of voiceovers and other services, called to tell me they were going to be calling on me for a heavy load of copywriting in the next few months. Good news! Yet, it was a bittersweet call. The reason for the increased workload added to the weight we're all feeling as a result of the hurricane tragedy...one of the partners in the company was activated by the Ohio Air National Guard to serve in the affected area.

Another call was from a local church where I served as assistant minister several decades ago in a previous incarnation (did I mention I was a minister?). While I still perform weddings and funerals and the occasional baptism for the church, I haven't been extremely active of late as my voiceover business has continued to grow. Anyway, the current assistant is leaving and they asked if I could "fill in" while their search committee did its thing. Good news! Yet, it will take a toll in terms of time...time I would have spent growing my client base.

I guess I feel guilty over receiving seemingly good news grounded in the misfortune of others. The joy I receive from my work seems tainted...perhaps I'm just worn-out from the onslaught of media coverage of suffering Americans. But I have made a decision...

Immediately following the hurricane, I rushed to donate at a local bank where the Red Cross was collecting funds for relief. However...henceforward, until the polticians cease their attacks on the administration, the congress, etc., I'm not going to contribute another cent. This is not a time to point fingers with cries of insensitivity or racism, that is just using the tragedy for personal selfish gain...and that really depresses me.

Perhaps all the guilt I feel is really frustration and anger at this grandstanding...and the only thing I can do is refuse to play. So be it.

So, I'm planning to continue my business as usual and provide the others with my best efforts during their time of need. And when the politicians either grow-up or wise-up...well, I don't really expect that to happen.

Smooth-male-voiceover-talent supports the efforts, and the people providing those efforts, at every level responding to this national crisis. I pray for those affected. And I have lost respect for a lot of liberal pundits, politicians and personalities.

Bill