To Strike or Not to Strike

Life is good, I have no reasons for complaint. My day job has kept me steadily busy despite the WGA strike last year. Unfortunately, things have now come to a grinding halt. SAG ... what the !%#&*^ !!! I was keeping very busy up until 2 weeks ago when my last job 'pushed' indefinitely and now I'm in a tail spin.

I have to think positive and know that something else will come up. It usually always does. This time, I fear will take a little bit longer than normal due to the circumstances. My troubles are not my own. I have many friends in the same boat and it's just not good. I need someone to explain this to me. I work in an industry where most of the crew members do not make nearly the money as the director or the cast. It's hardly even a fraction which makes it sadder. Yet, in times when the entire industry should pull together... it seems like one group has to stand out and declare how poor they are and how badly they have things. If that really is the case, why drag out negotiations for months. Why not know ahead of time what is needed and go to the table fully armed. By the way, it's only a teenie tiny percentage of that membership making decent money and a nice living. Most of that membership is struggling too. So, I have to think that there are some very selfish people out there.

Now, I understand how I might sound. More than anything, I'm venting. More than anything, I just want to go back to work. I work hard for my money and I need every penny. That is strictly my problem and I understand it. My financial problem has nothing to do with anyone else. The fact that I can only stand to be out of work a couple of months is not SAGs problem. However, there usually is work to be had and if SAG were to figure out their contract issues and sign already, I can get back to work. No one is having fun with this. No one wins. Everyone has bills, rent, mortgage, car payment... whatever. But those bills do not pay themselves. Creditors don't care if there is a SAG strike or not.

I am begging the Universe, Cosmos and any other higher power involved... please please please help me, help us, help my industry. For all of us out of work and looking. For all of us hoping and praying that our phone will soon ring with a new job. For all of us who cannot afford another month without work. For all of us desperate to feed our families and keep from losing our homes. For all the vendors who are once again on the brink of shutting down because of lack of business. Please, I beg the Universe, I am begging Cosmos, I am asking the good Lord above... help SAG settle on a contract. Help push them along. Help us all get back to work.

AMEN!