be a freelance web developer

I’ve landed a job as a web site programmer for the local paper. And by a web site programmer, I mean the web site programmer; they have not had a dedicated programmer before, so they are letting me loose on the thing in order to streamline the efficiency of the updating process and whatnot. As a bonus, I am in charge of the creative and development aspects of new features for the website, such as new sections and subsites. Once I get things all under control we will begin taking on outside clients (as the company has in the past) and I really start bulking up my portfolio!

Update: I want to be my own boss within 5 years.

9 to 5 will never work for me. I have been working with the web for nearly a decade on my own now and have recently been pushing myself pretty hard to make sites professionally. Then I learned about freelancing. This could be the thing for me, so I am going to give it a shot.

p.s. For the others that have asked how to go about doing this, here are the sites that inspired me:
freelanceswitch.com
programmermeetdesigner.com