The Unemployment Chronicles Part I...

Well, I am definitely unemployed. I'm at a crossroads, God has closed the door and I'm waiting for that window to open...cliche, blah, blah, even more overused cliche, blah, blah, blah. I've heard it all. As much as I would love to sit around all day in my ratty red plaid bathrobe and slippers, I won't let myself do it. To be more precise, my parents won't let me do it, but I don't want to be that unemployed loser, almost 30, who stopped changing clothes, started drinking heavily stereotype. It could happen; I can see it happening without much difficulty.

Here I am. I'm turning 28 next month and I'm still having the same never-ending question spinning through my mind: what do I want to be when I grow up? Here are my options:

1. Writer. I could easily see myself writing all day long. Happily sitting at Starbucks drinking cup after cup of coffee while letting the muse do her best. Maybe if the writer's block ever goes away. It's been with me for almost two years. This is when people get inspired to start writing: after losing one's job, getting dumped, or having a freak out. Since two of the three occur on a semi-regular basis for me, I should be breaking the block any time now.

2. Librarian. I am over halfway finished at Wayne State. It would be a shame to throw away all the time, effort and money I spent on the program. Unfortunately, I'm completely burnt out on the library thing for the foreseeable future. Maybe I'll re-examine this option in a few weeks or so. The job market isn't looking very good right now.

3. Professional chef. I love to cook. Maybe I should look into Schoolcraft College's program. This isn't a very serious option, but it does exist.

There are other ideas floating around my noggin, but I'm too exasperated to think much right now. Tomorrow I plan to sleep until I wake up, shower, get dressed adequately and drive my bad self over to Michigan Works! (The exclamation point is part of the name, I believe) to file a resume with the state as a stipulation of the unemployment benefits thingie (I don't want to leech off the system, but it would be nice to have a bit of money each week for gas, bills and other expenses.) Unfortunately, Michigan Works! is a block away from my old office. I hope I don't see anyone I know/knew. On that first non-work workday, I also plan on having a little bit of fun, but mostly that is involving reading Dr. Zhivago at Dunkin Dounts. Maybe I'll go to the gym. God, my life is dull.