sleeping in for 3 months

Have you ever been unemployed? I hadn't been unemployed since I was 13. I started delivering newspapers and never looked back. Making money is awesome. Even after film school I swallowed any pride and worked at Chapters before I got hired in the film/tv industry. When I came back from my awesome euro trip this summer at the end of July and found out that the recession wasn't a myth and had finally hit my production company (which had been my home and life for almost 3 years), I was dumbfounded.

What do you mean, hiatus?

Oh we're getting new shows in December?

Oh wait we're not?

HOLY FUCK.

I decided to forgo any type of panic attack and head straight for the crown bottle and enjoy my time off for the rest of summer. I mean seriously, I'm sure I'll get hired for some other project come september. And I'll be honest, at first I was one of those naive people who was out on a tuesday getting hammered yelling "dude unemployment is AWESOME. I'm on EI, I get money for doing nothing!". Next thing I know it's fucking mid october and I'm finally having that panic attack. Followed by a quarter mid life crisis. See when you're unemployed you suddenly have time to THINK.

What am I even doing with my life?

Where am I going to be in 5 years?

Holy shit I'll be 28 in 5 years!

It's gross. And makes you drink more. But alas, starting November 30th I will be employed. Just in time for Christmas where my extreme holiday cheer kicks in and I buy a bunch of shit which pisses Franz off 'cause I attack him with holiday decorations and music that drives him nuts. At least now I'll be able to afford Bailey's to keep him happy. I have joined the drones and signed up for the Olympic army. At least I'll be working in the department that's sort of up my alley, aka the people who organize all the parties/events/medal/victory ceremonies. My plan to escape the Olympics are now demolished.

Frankly, I will look back at my 3 months of unemployment as quite a memorable time where I learned a few things of myself that I've been ignoring for 4 years because frankly, it's easy to ignore your own issues when wrapped in your daily life routine. But after almost drinking every day and discussing life with your 2 other unemployed friends, some things go "click", for better or worse. So here are some of the things that I've done during my no work period.

- went to bartending school. hopefully I can use my actual right to serve alcohol legally one day. who needs a wedding bartender?!
- used said new learnt drink recipes to entertain people at my house.
- created a make shift air conditioning system with franz during the vancouver heat wave of 2009 by putting a bucket of ice in front of a fan.
- finished my first feature length script.
- learned how to dress like a grown up/lady after numerous franz "you're not going to the morrissey" like that moments. apparently i know how to dress myself now.
- finally started watching mad men, it's always sunny in philadelphia and dexter in full season lengths.
- learnt that using cola, vanilla extract, coffee liquor and vodka makes a mean cocktail at 3 am on a monday night.
- going to tofino to escape quarter mid life crisis helps immensely.
- food on a budget - tomato sandwiches are AWESOME.
- food on a budget - spaghetti with watered down ketchup sauce is AWESOME.
- 13$ rain boots from canadian tire are way better then the expensive shiny designer rain boots.
- buying the cheaper brand of tequila is not though.
- start thinking of ways to make money, franz "we can become high priced escorts", Alexis "we can sell handmade dog balls!".
- day drinking and then taking a gin nap is WAY better then night drinking.
- also jogging and then drinking champagne is a great way to prepare yourself for a job interview at HMV.
- on that note, getting my dream job at HMV... 8 years late.
- wait I just remembered I have to call HMV and tell them I can't work for them.

in the end, unemployment blows but it had some great moments. so therefor, I salute you unemployment and all the ridiculousness you come with. now let us never meet again.

I leave you with my fave character from mad men, roger sterling.