The folks at Publication X need an answer. By 7pm, Pacific Standard Time. TODAY.

Paper Y: Doesn't seem to want to get back to me - even to let me know they still have no fucking idea what they're doing. (I've got an inside source there.) Not very professional, and losing luster by the hour.

Paper Z: The place I visited on Monday. There's a lot of promise there, but an offer is far from guaranteed. I just left a message with a mentor-like confidant over there - the guy who originally phone-screened me, asking him to call back. He would be perfect to talk to, before I make the inevitable call to Managing Editor at Paper Z asking for...something, anything. Please. God.



Ladies and gentlemen, I am under the gun like never before.

By 7pm this evening, I have to decide whether to accept the offer at the place I sort-of-but-not-really want to work for at a decent salary...or take a seemingly huge risk and keep my fingers crossed for Paper Z...and who knows, maybe Paper Y. And you know, I've already taken a lot of fucking risks this year, at great sacrifice.

If I decline Paper X, my one offer comes off the table. Paper Y is looking shaky, and that leaves Paper Z. If they don't give me an offer...

Then I land on "Start Over."

No big deal. Just my future.

I will now go pour myself a generous whiskey and pound my head against the kitchen table. But if anyone has any last-minute advice, NOW WOULD BE THE FUCKING TIME.