slugging it out

As of 5 p.m. MST, June 30, Herbiberous voluntarily became unemployed -- a very logical and wise choice, considering we are in the midst of the worst economic times in 86 years.

While a couple things around town will keep me somewhat busy, my life is a blank screen right now. I'm mulling volunteer work overseas, internships in Canada and abroad, a broad, a road-trip through the Eastern US this fall to watch ballgames, some mad travel, teaching ESL in Asia or a government job. I feel I won't have any solid plans by Sept. 1.

Here are a couple things I'm pledging during these two months, while I do some work on my parent's house:

1) I hope to read a book every week on my hiatus from normality. I haven't been able to finish a novel in something like 10 months.

2) I'm going to catch up with old friends who I have not seen in months and months.

3) I'm going to learn some new recipes and try to cook for myself at least three or four nights a week. It's kind of embarrassing that I'm on a first name basis with every pizza delivery driver, Chinese buffet guy and fast-food worker in the city.

Note:

I spent my first 24 hours as a jobless slug within a 20 metre circumference, napping in sweatpants, no shower, watching NHL free agent frenzy with a blanket over my head, and never leaving the house. And I learned something already: tomorrow only exists for those who have jobs because for me right now, every day is just an extension of today.