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February 20, 2008
new car smell
To avoid having to use an agent, last year I became self-employed. That's just how it works at Microsoft. You either work directly for them, or you shovel 30% of your gross income to some bloodsucker for whom you technically work. Now, I am that bloodsucker.
Three friends and a former student all work through my company, and I take a nominal percentage that covers my business expenses. They're new moms and a student saving for grad school, and this is a way for them to maximize their incomes. I'm happy to do this for them. I'm happy for as long as it takes them to tell me they just bought a car, anyway—which three of them did during their first month in my employ. I, meanwhile, am still driving the same thing I bought in 1995. But I'm not bitter.
posted by john at 8:55 AM • permalink