Unemployment: So Little to Do, So Much Time

Mar 2, 2009 Author: Lorraine | Filed under: Art, Crafts, Other, Recent Posts | Tags: pushing daisies, unemployment

If you’re like me, and you find yourself suddenly unemployed, you may find yourself with a lot of time on your hands. So to help, I took a cue from Maria, and created this handy guide to things you can now put your new-found freedom to use doing. (And, if you feel so inclined, feel free to drop me a line if you just so happen to be an employer looking to hire someone.)

Unemployed II

Learn to Crochet! Not only will a home-made blanket keep you warm when you can’t pay the heating bills anymore, but you can also create cute little amigurumi like these 2 Peas in a Pod found on Lion Brand Yarns. They have a ton of other free patterns like this one along with easy instructions if you want to learn.
Take a Class! Further your education with free, educational podcasts from iTunesU. Might I recommend SVA’s Designer As Author Lecture series? Or perhaps Dr. Joseph Hughes’ class on Classical Mythology from my alma mater, Missouri State? (Trust me, he’s hilarious!)
Start a Sketchbook! Never felt like you had the time to draw? Now you do! So grab that sketchbook, set up a table in a cafe, and get sketching! (Just be sure to bring enough change for a coffee…if you can still afford such luxuries…) Then, be sure to post the results on Urban Sketchers.
Start Exercising! To elaborate on Maria’s point about libraries, many have videos you can check out for free. I grabbed a couple of pilates videos since I no longer can go to the classes offered by my old job.
Save Pushing Daisies! Missing your favorite show? Now you have loads of time to pester tv network executives to bring back Pushing Daisies! Don’t know where to start? On my personal blog, I hunted down a few of the online petitions, etc., you can sign.

**Font used above is Birra Stout by Darden Studio

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13 Responses for "Unemployment: So Little to Do, So Much Time"

Melisa March 2nd, 2009 at 5:45 am 1

I like the sketchbook idea.

Another suggestion for unemployed people (like myself): Volunteering. Besides accumulating good karma, you can also develop new skill and meet new people. Plus it does not look bad in your resume. =D
Lorraine March 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am 2

That’s an excellent idea, Melisa! And another, related, one that I forgot to put on there was Join a Professional Organization. For example, I am on the local AIGA board: so not only am I volunteering my time to help out the local design community, but I get into the events for free AND I’m meeting other people in my field.
Guest Post on Stickers and Donuts: Unemployment March 2nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm 3

[...] just blogged today on S&D about all the things you can do while being unemployed. (Because without a job, [...]
xgravity23 March 2nd, 2009 at 3:26 pm 4

I had no idea that MSU had podcasts! I have to second Lorraine’s claim that Dr. Hughes is entertaining! His classes are the most entertaining I’ve ever had. It’s surprising how much you can learn from an entertaining teacher. Don’t miss it!
Lorraine March 2nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm 5

A quick note on the MSU podcasts: it looks like they put their older telecourse classes on iTunesU. Not that the material itself is out of date, but just don’t judge us by the way they look! And on a sad note, that means you’ll also miss out on the wonderful illustrations my friend Jen did for Dr. Hughes’ current telecourses.
Stephanie Perkins March 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 pm 6

Woo hoo! I LOVE your blog! Love love love. Pushing Daisies and Coldplay and this quote: “Big-kid Vogue has too many subdued colors and too few necklaces with little trinkets on them.”

YES. Yes yes yes! You are awesome. I am so sorry to hear about your unemployment, but thank you for such a great website. I wish you well in the job hunt!

Cheers to rainbows and plastic trinkets.
Stephanie Perkins March 2nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm 7

And, um, now I’m seeing multiple authors on these posts, and I’m feeling like a dummy. Sorry! You are ALL amazing.
Lorraine March 2nd, 2009 at 5:44 pm 8

@Stephanie: Ha! I may be new here, but am glad you are enjoying the blog. A big thank you for the well-wishes. :-D
Maria March 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 pm 9

I LOVE online courses! That’s one of the first things I got really excited about when I became unemployed. (Podcasts are great to listen to while exercising!)

Here are two more great resources for online education:

http://academicearth.org/

http://oedb.org/library/features/236-open-courseware-collections

and @Stephanie: I’m excited you like us, too!
Kendra March 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm 10

Wow, this is so bizarre. I am unemployed and have done all of those things in the past few months: bought Pushing Daisies, joined a yoga class, started drawing, took uni courses, and re-learned how to crochet. I love your blog! :D
Tricia March 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm 11

I’m so sad that Pushing Daisies is kaput, and I did not know iTunes U existed! (I only discovered video podcasts today)

I own a great amigurumi book: http://www.amazon.com/Amigurumi-World-Seriously-Cute-Crochet/dp/1564778479/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236050548&sr=8-1 The author has a wonderful blog: http://amigurumipatterns.blogspot.com/

I also own this one: http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funkys-Super-Crochet-Wonderful/dp/1581809662/ref=pd_bbs_sr_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236050548&sr=8-9 …which is good, but I found it too difficult to understand (I have barely done any crocheting, and this book made me frustrated.)
Lorraine March 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 pm 12

@Kendra: whoa, we must be on the same wavelength! Glad you’re loving the blog. :D

@Tricia: what awesome books! I’m going to have to see if I can grab a copy sometime (when I have an income… ;) )
b March 4th, 2009 at 6:17 am 13

wow

im almost excited–

really–

i was till i read all the other posts!

drawing is better than photoing and videoing people because everyone i meet hates unemployed people–even if their rich like me