Champagne Problems

Over our weekend M and I had an increase in requests for work. At one point after texting back and forth a number of times to try and re-jig our already jam packed schedule we decided to just call each other.

When I picked up I started the conversation with this,…

“Oh us and our champagne problems!”

M promptly cracked up laughing and told me how much she loved that. I love it too. So I decided to look into the term further, because, well, I’m a nerd and a nerd who is especially fond of definitions and the origins of words. I find them to be mystical, magical tools and I’m in good company on that. Here’s a super famous quote I will now poach for this blog to add some whimsy and delight to the topic…

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” - J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

That’s right, J.K. had to get on this blog somehow.

I digress…

Let’s dive a little deeper into our ‘champagne problem’ for a moment… if that’s even possible (hardy-har-har).

Etymology
Because champagne is a luxury product; compare champagne socialist.

Noun
champagne problem (plural champagne problems)
1 The need to make a decision between alternatives that are both desirable.

Oh how delicious… And what exactly is a ‘champagne socialist’? Well, let’s take an even further look…

Etymology
Evoking the hypocrisy of drinking champagne, suggesting affluence or upper-class social circles, while professing socialist beliefs.

Noun
champagne socialist (plural champagne socialists)
1 (pejorative) A person who claims to adhere to socialist ideology but does not act appropriately.

Wow! I find this infinitely interesting and a little off-putting which is fantastic. I love words that stir up emotion like this and truthfully I am very eager to dive down the rabbit hole and look into more of it’s history, when it was first introduced/who it was coined by etc. Alas, I haven’t the time to indulge my fancy as I am on a deadline, sigh… cue despair and quick pop another a cork!

I am being cheeky but the truth is that this is a common experience for me in the film and TV industry. Everything is quiet for a while and then BAM all of a sudden you are full speed and you don’t see how you can possibly meet all the demands upon you (and frankly what you were complaining about before when you had all that free time!). Trying to navigate these peaks and valleys takes some skill and perseverance and a little self-deprecating humour never hurts either… At least not in my opinion anyway.

Someone who writes really well about these two extremes of TV land’s workflow is Jeb Beach. In particular he outlines how it pertains to actors but his basic idea of a ‘seasonality approach’ is beneficial and applicable to writers/content creators as well. There are seasons where pitching is more widely received and seasons where you’re better off to dig into that research you’ve been putting off for your historical drama (ahem, M&J… nudge, nudge).

The thing I try to remember during the high seasons, during the weeks like this one where my husband and I pass each other like ships in the night and I am suddenly a coffee drinker again is this…

This is everything I’ve wanted. It’s everything I’ve worked for and dreamed of and it’s all leading to my higher good and bigger vision of/goals for the future.

If I am stuck between two desirable alternatives I really shouldn’t go on about how ‘stressed I am’ or how ‘busy I’ve become’ and do the whole ‘woe is me’ over things I’ve actively sought out. No instead, I ought to take a moment to be grateful and pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly with my partner. I ought to acknowledge, all that we’ve accomplished thus far, our exciting future that is underway and most importantly, have a little laugh at all of these crazy champagne problems!

I am SO LUCKY and ever so grateful.

Cheers!… Now back to work!

- J

*J, how dare you take the time out of our busy work schedule to write such an eloquent and amazing post! And while we're on the 'researching terms' kick, here's one I love to use re: our partnership 'Work Spouse' aka 'Work Wife' "a phrase, mostly in English, referring to a co-worker with whom one shares a special relationship, having bonds similar to those of marriage." - M