A six month extension is not stability

I was offered an extension on my current contract. Same terms as the one I signed in May (I'm not sure I could have modified any of the terms because I have no leverage). The upside: I have an income stream for another six months. The downside: I have an income stream for only the next six months.

This is unreal.

It is also strangely comforting, as well. Six months of something is better than six months of nothing. I know I can provide my children a better Christmas than I could a year ago. If nothing else, I have that going for me.

I only keep in touch with a few people from law school. A handful, really. Through them, I am aware of the situation of a few others. Thus, I hear about the lives of 15-20 people from my graduating class from time to time via phone calls, social media, and the like.

Of those, most are struggling. One or two landed gigs because of their family connections (father, uncle, etc.). A few are really fucked. I've been told one guy landed decent gig, but that appears to be the exception rather than the norm.

I don't want to come across as too grim. I am paying the bills, putting food on the table, and putting money into savings every month. I keep an ear to the ground. I am picking up short term contacts whenever I can. There is very little work offered to me that I have turned down - scheduling conflicts have been the only reason to decline an offer thus far.

There is a long term prospect that looks interesting. I have no idea, really, if it will pan out. But, it exists, there have been talks, and it may lead somewhere.

Best of luck to all of you.