Comments on: Unemployment. Or Being Employed By Life. No, Seriously.

By: maretha

maretha — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:57:38 +0000

So great to meet another emplyee of life.I have spent the last 24 years doing what has to be done: looking after my kids, parents with hipreplacement operations, the neigbour, who ever was in need. And lo and behold, at 54 I am now too “old” for a university job, to compete against youngsters with more education (I have spent my life studying and besides a b-degree, teaching diploma, one subject short of a history honn, 6 months short of completing first year artdegree through the post, two subjects short of completing an honn in Afrikaans, all through – you guessed it – being employed by life and all the little meanies that needs to get done so the world will keep on turning, like sitting at someones bedside, helping an aids victim go back to his hometown), So as soon as a job becomes available where the first question states: Did you do what was most important at the time for all concerned around you? I will apply. The rest of the time I try to keep calm and remember how good it felt when I was there for someone in need. But sometimes I do wonder if Stephen Hawkins’ little black holes don’t end up with me, because, boy do they suck!

By: thisnewplace

thisnewplace — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:24:32 +0000

brilliant, I say! As for TJ’s, we used to shop there as kids in the 80s in Cali. My grandfather shopped there when all they sold was chocolate and nuts. I love that we have it here in New England and I stock up on everything and can totally feed the family on the cheap. As for Blue Bottle Coffee, I order that often, after Jemima sent me a sample. It’s like drugs.

By: jennifer in sf

jennifer in sf — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:32:50 +0000

(a-ha! html links do work. excellent.)

By: jennifer in sf

jennifer in sf — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:32:10 +0000

I was reading something not long ago that was talking about how it is a particularly American thing to equate self-worth/success with money making. (Of course I can't for the life of me re-find this thing I was reading, so eh.) But I think your social enculturation point is worth keeping in mind regardless of your employment situation. If you get tired of spinach, avail yourself of the Mark Bittman Cook Anything Vegetarian preview. It's full of win.

By: HollyLynne

HollyLynne — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:19:28 +0000

This is a great post. I bounced back and forth between being paniced for you and being thrilled for you while reading it . . . which was probably the point! Trader Joes is a lifesaver even for the employed . . . they keep me in fancy cheese without breaking me.

By: RockyCat

RockyCat — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:09:22 +0000

Amy, is it okay if I embroider “CALM THE FUCK DOWN ALREADY AND ENJOY LIFE” on a pillow or something? ‘Cause that is brilliant.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:02:25 +0000

I’m an author, which means my life is basically the same as yours is now. Yeah, I get paid for it, so I don’t have that struggle. But that actually doesn’t make me feel any more of a productive member of society. Yeah, I write books and people read them and get away from their own lives for awhile. But how am I HELPING THE WORLD? Other than providing a consistent warm lap for my cat? Not so much.

Your tips are all so useful (and you’ll need to use them even if/when you make money from your writing.) It takes a lot more self-discipline to write than it would if you had to be up by six to get into work, because there’s no boss wagging his finger if you do absolutely nothing all day. It’s really helpful to make a schedule…I make myself get up reasonably early and I’m working by 8, don’t let myself stop until 5-ish (and sometimes not even then), with periodic breaks to read blogs or books. There’s a program that’ll turn off the internet after defined intervals…I use it sometimes and it’s really helpful for keeping me from getting sucked in. You might be disciplined enough not to need it, but me? I’m addicted. I’ve been known to keen and moan when the DSL goes out.

And I guess you’re realizing that if you don’t actually get out into the world periodically, you’ll find yourself going quietly insane…Hanging out with people, taking walks, making lunch dates, it makes you feel like you’re part of things. Actually “employed by life,” not just squatting.

Good luck, girlie. Enjoy your break from hecticness. And every morning look out your window at all the poor suckers rushing by in their business suits and ouchy heels, and then look down at your pajamas and gloat.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:31:47 +0000

I’ve recently become, while not ENTIRELY unemployed, drastically LESS employed. And I’m still in the OH NO HOW WILL I PAY THE BILLS stage. This was very helpful to read.

By: Rhi

Rhi — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:56:37 +0000

Great Post! I was laid off 3 times in a row which was not awesome, but I really do wish I had handled things differently.

By: Leah

Leah — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:48:09 +0000

Wishing you extra prancing unicorns and Pacos.