Since I have all this time on my hands...
I've decided to document this whole unemployment experience in the hopes that I actually do something productive with all this free time. I already feel like I've wasted the last few weeks sitting at the computer, but I actually have gotten a couple of things accomplished: I made financial arrangements that won't leave me destitute, made living arrangements that fit in with the financial arrangements, and have started exploring money making ventures that don't involve reporting to a supervisor.
In order to continue that productivity, or dissolve the illusion thereof, I'm going to post some goals today and post daily on their progress. This should be interesting.
1. Get and Stay Healthy. Currently I'm carrying around 225lbs, at 30.7% body fat. I had a personal trainer once tell me that I would be healthy and strong at 165lbs. That would take probably 6 months, so here it is: 165lbs by my 32nd birthday. (Holy crap, that's 60 effing pounds!!)
2. Write a screenplay. Just something I always wanted to do.
3. Finish a record. With all this time and newfound emotion on my hands, plus having a friend buy a house with the intent of putting a high end studio together, I've got no excuses. Of course, we need to finish the studio first, which means I'll be learning how to insulate and drywall a room including ceiling. Good Times.
4. Avoid Bankruptcy. While working, the goal was to get out of debt. No way I can do that on unemployment, but also no reason to destroy my credit score.
5. Finish my degree. I got my 60 transfer credits about 5 years ago, then quit because I had a job that paid me well, and I kept getting promoted and trained at work. Now that I'm not, it's time to round out the resume with an education.
6. Create a money making venture that will support me in my own place again. I'm going to be rooming with a very good friend who I trust and have roomed with before. Having said that...When I got my first place alone I vowed never to live with someone else again. I also vowed to never return to the Antelope Valley. And now both vows are broken. I love living alone, as everyone who can does. And in a final stinging blow, my roommate is allergic to cats. So Dexter, my kitten, is in Orange County with a dear and appreciated friend until I can have him back. That's a long ass goal.
7. Spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. Retail has made that impossible for the last 4 years--I had been playing video games and drinking beer on those holidays by myself. I can't wait to try to have Thanksgiving with my sister or Christmas with my mother. I'm already excited.
That's all for now. I just wanted to make sure that if I was going to spend this time "finding myself" or whatever I would have something to show for it in the end.