Thinking about my most recent contract jobs. Each started off successful (KP, Apple, etc.). Each time I received  praise from my direct customers. In the case of Apple, I even received a bonus. But also each time, after nine months or so, work faded. Not only success but actual work. I wonder if, in each case, the projection of the people who hired me fades after nine months or so. This may be one of the many reasons why I hate contracting. By its very nature, contracting exists at the option of the employer and employers often do not plan for the specific use of resources longer than six months or a year.