Freelance + Baby Bump = You're Not Hired!

I am 6 months pregnant. I work as a freelance television producer/director during a very brutal time in our industry. Tons of people looking for work. Some super qualified. Others not so much, but they know people. I started my career on the east coast and am now on the West Coast. That means my "network" is not so vast as it would be if I started as a PA here in LA and worked my way up.  On top of that--the game has changed.  You used to be able to work for a network steadily in production and move from show to show. You used to take a show from concept, through filming into post production and see it on the air.

Not any more. Everyone I know who had steady jobs as TV producers has been laid off and out of steady work. Some have opted to (or been forced to) make major career changes--from directing and producing some of the most famous talent on the planet to opening their own clothing line, event planner business or doggy grooming company.  

Now there are 15 job titles when before the title "Producer" would suffice. I've done it all--from writing the scripts to directing in the field to overseeing the edits. These jobs are now--field producer, segment producer, writer, director, field director, story producer, post producer etc. etc. Sometimes people look at me suspiciously when I say--yeah I can do that. I DO do that!

The pool of producers out now include people who've never seen a show all the way through and don't know how it all works. Even some of the showrunners don't know the process.

Oh. And the hours. 10 hour days minimum. Especially now that with the economy and the fact that TV reality & entertainment producers have no protections, sometimes 18 hour days, for 8 to 48 weeks. Weekends too. No overtime.

Ok, all that being said. I love my career and am managing to adjust to the new, "new."

But as I said. I'm pregnant. And while we all know it's not legal to not hire someone because they're pregnant, what are the chances that someone is going to hire a pregnant chick they don't know to produce a show? My bet is very slim. Especially considering that on one of the last major jobs I had, the Executive Producer became a different man once he discovered I was with child. (I discovered about a week before him and though I wasn't really showing, felt it was necessary to tell him.)

The great thing is the people that do know me, have still hired me, and I've still done a kick-ass job!

I just wanted to share my situation. As the question of "When  I go on maternity leave?" causes me panic attacks after I finish laughing ironically.

During my first pregnancy, I produced the Oscars (on the roof of the Ripley's building) at 5 months and produced the Miss America pageant at 7 months. But like I said, things have changed soooo much in 4 years. The industry is tight.


My husband works and thankfully provides us the stability of health insurance which I'd never have on my own in my industry. However, we are absolutely a 2-income family. So my not working provides extreme financial stress.

Thought I'd share my perspective--the unknown stresses of pregnant women! Any one else going through this type of situation?  Or do you feel attitudes change at work once you announce you're pregnant?

My master plan is to get a great gig in September for a few weeks so I can stop working in mid-October. Or even better, some sort of sitch--writing or consulting, that I can do from home. Cuz I really want a Glider this time!!! :-)

So keep your fingers crossed!!

~Mamanike aka
@blackpearlgurl

Boy or A Girl? The Nose Knows

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Please Stop Asking Me If I've Named the Baby...

It's none of your business. I barely know you. But most importantly, I don't need outside pressure from the likes of you. I know the baby needs a name. And it needs to be a perfect name for the baby. I've got 4 months to figure that out. And that is something that requires mindpower. I've got plenty of that. What I'm running out of is mobility, energy, and money. Have you asked me if I have a crib yet? Or a stroller, or if I've reorganized and decorated my son's room into  room for him and a baby? If I've figured out how to juggle the needs of a toddler with the needs of a baby in my belly? I mean more and more this little boy is asking to be picked up and carried. Well he just says he wants a "ride" but we both know what that means.  Do I have the energy and strength for that? Not really.

And isn't it customary not to reveal the baby's name until you've revealed the baby? Well, maybe that's changed, but to me, it's a private thing. My mom hasn't even asked me if I have a name for the baby, so why do random strangers make that the top 3 question on their list? (1: How far along are you? 2: Is it a boy or a girl? 3: Did you pick out a name yet?)

Sheesh.  From now on, I will just have fun with it, and give people outlandish answers with a defiant, yet proud look on my face. Top 5 future baby name answers:
1:Paper Mache,
2:Corduroy (after my dog who recently passed),
3: WaterMelonia (a feminine twist on the fruit that I eat so much of during my pregnancy),
4: Vision --because I have it and so will the baby, and
5: Textile because it sounds so neat.

My close friends and family will know the baby's name....and then maybe I'll tell you! Meanwhile I still have to unpack from our move, need to redecorate the "nursery/little boy's room" and I need a nap.

Did any other mothers out there come up with crazy answers to give to strangers? Let's hope you never bump into them again!

Mama Nike!

I'm Baaack!!!

So it's almost been exactly FOUR years since I blogged about my pregnancy. It's not that I had some superhuman gestation period and I'm just announcing his birth. 


It's that I fell completely off and was super overwhelmed with my first child. And also the fact that the blog was initially for far away friends to keep them updated on the pregnancy.




So why am I back? 
Well first let me start by saying that I was blessed with the most adorable little boy you've ever seen!

Baby D (now known at Little D or Mighty D!) was born June 18th 2008 and has been a joy ever since. I've learned so much being a mommy and  I was just settling in to things. 






 And then....I discovered 4 months ago that I was expecting again! And so many things are new, and less stressful, and funny, while others are more stressful, not funny and annoying that I felt compelled to get back to the keyboard. 

 So MamaNike --as I'm known here (aka Black Pearl), will be sharing stories of my second journey into motherhood. As a 40-something year old freelance married chick. I don't feel old, but....damn! This baby is wearing me out this go 'round! 


I'm sleepy after 3 hours, but my job (when I have one, I'm for-hire)  normally requires a 12 hour day for sometimes 6-7 day weeks. And my son requires my undivided attention.Period.  And my husband, though he is a chef, wants a good home-cooked meal and for the house to be relatively neat, not to much to ask really. And my closest relative is thousands of miles away. And....I don't have many mommy friends (or friends even) out here in LA. But I try to keep it PreggoFab!




....So stay tuned (and I'll figure out this page layout thing too!)

DISNEY LOVES DONOVAN!!

It's been a looong time! But I wanted you to know today is Donovan's 6 month birthday!!! And it light of this and the upcoming Holidays, Disney has done something WONDERFUL! Check it out!

Friends are GREAT!!

I've always really put a high value on friendship and I try to be the best friend I can in return.

This post is just my appreciation and gratefulness for all of the wonderful friends I have in my life. It's really amazing! And the thing is some are old, some are new but they're all fantastic!

First I want to announce how excited I was to receive my FIRST baby shower gift! I was at home, minding my own business (relatively speaking, we all know I'm fairly nosey) when there was a knock at my door. It was UPS! So unexpected!
So they delivered me a fairly large, but not heavy box. I called my mom so I could open it with someone! (Bensford was at work)
It was from my dear friend Colleen! I can't explain how much joy it brought me--not the gift alone, but the fact that a friend took the time out to send it! Here's a pic of our new diaper bag courstesy of my film school partner in crime!!!!

But let me take things back several months. To a new friend Akeim. He and his wife just had a baby about a year ago. At the time, I was overwhelmed with not only the costs of prepping for a baby--but prepping for my body changes (new pants, new bras, etc!!!) So do you know that Akeim (who I met at E! and who is an editor there) and his wife gave us a LARGE BOX load of baby clothes, a playpen set and a changing pad!!!!!! It was such a wonderful gift and it provided such a relief to us to know we had some basics!!! Of course they had a boy so all of the stuff is tre masculine. We shall see how much ends up being usable!!!


One day I was emailing my friend Rita who also recently had a cute little boy named Christian. I was thanking her for congratulating me. Somehow, out of the blue she asked me if I needed any money. I mean honestly. Who does that? Anyway she ended up sending me a Target gift card and i was able to buy some much needed maternity jeans! Then she sent me a box of clothes she wore that might fit. Unbelievable.


My friend Adrienne, from day one has already put it in her plans to fly to LA and help with the baby when its born.

Tia (Smitty) has sent me so many words of encouragement, along with a Pregnancy Exercise DVD AND she's picking me up from the airport in DC even though she'll be tired from travelling that same day.

MY girls here in LA--I can't even believe them--they are constantly supportive and are so excited about the baby's arrival! Every month, we, collectively known as BLACK GIRLS RULE LA!, meet to just support each other professionally and personally.
Do you know these chicks called a special meeting just to plan my LA baby shower?!!!

I guess the bottom line is this--I'm blessed. And sometimes we don't know what God's plan is for us, how we're gonna make it through. Sometimes we are scared of the unknown. But having friendship has always helped me know that ere'thang is gonna be allright!

I'm so excited at the LOVE the baby will receive when he or she arrives!

What a BLESSING!!!!!!!

Nesting & Resting

I may be nesting! I have spent the last week on this seriously intensive cleaning mission. So much so that today I've prescribed myself to bedrest! I guess I realize time's a-tickin and I'm becoming less and less mobile.The plan is to get as much done before I leave on Thursday for home home--DC!!!

So the kitchen has been completely overhauled and next is the nursery! Yikes!!!

I'm excited and nervous--we have to convert our office into the baby's room and there's a LOT of stuff to get rid of! But I can use most of May for that project and pace myself and create my VISION!!!

Instead of painting, I'm on the hunt for wallpaper strips that can add baby flava to the room. So that's the plan! As soon as I find some that I like, I'll be sure to let you know!!!