> This probably marks me as someone unsuited for contract work, or too difficult to work with as a contractor, ete, and that is fine by me!

This actually makes you an ideal contractor, you just have to know how to do this tactfully.

The real issue with this situation is working as a contractor on a single project. At the point you're working for one client, full time, as a contractor...you're an employee.

If you've got no other clients, you have no ability to negotiate with the simple statement, "I have other clients I have to tend to and can't dedicate time to this work until the contract is addressed. Let me know when you're ready to resume."