BONUS: The Gig Economy

Scenes from a working life

Hey, thanks for being here.

As a paid subscriber, you get the extras — the behind-the-scenes, the B-sides, the bonus tracks. These are writings from the time period covered in the latest episode of Walk It Back, snapshots of the in-between when everything was shifting, taking shape, quietly setting the stage for what would come next.

Some of my favorite songs have been B-sides. Maybe these stories will end up being some of your favorites, too.

The Other Side of the Tracks

Being nearly 3,000 miles from home, Thanksgiving has become an unrealistic family holiday for me. So when a friend asked if I’d like to babysit at a dinner he was catering, I considered it.

Due to California’s hole-in-your-pocket cost of living, I’ve been working a fine patchwork of odd jobs to get by, babysitting among them. But on Turkeyday?

“They’ll pay you $35 an hour,” he throws in.

That’s three times my regular hourly rate. I agree instantly. Turns out, I can be bought.

I arrive 15 minutes early, which dwindles to t…