Taking my Curtsey

I began this blog shortly being laid off in December of last year.

Since that first post 7 months ago:
-I've been interviewed by 5 media outlets and had my name and this blog referenced in countless others.
-Google results for "funemployment" went from less than a page to several pages.
I'm told that's at least partly thanks to me. Please, no applause.
-Funemployment Blog has enjoyed close to 9,000 page impressions.
Goodness that's a lot of eyeballs! Does this template make my butt look fat?
-Google results with my name has increased 5 fold.
Which has meant that the men I go out with on first dates are all that much more informed. Making them at once endearing and creepy.
-Since March, I have sent out over 200 cover letters and resumes.
No joke. I have the Excel spreadsheet to prove it.
-This is the 62nd Funemployment Blog post.

And now, finally, I have a job.

Oh dear Lord, here come the dry heaves.


Whew... I'm okay now.

Fun Fact: I've been out of work now for 8 months. That's the same amount of time that I was employed at my first San Francisco job.

Beginning August 10 I'll be working in marketing for an academic coaching company. I am, needless to say, stoked.
I will admit that marketing was not where I thought I'd end this job hunt. However, if these last 8 months have taught me anything, it's that you never know what will happen next, and you'd be surprised where the joy in your life can come from.

And although this blog has been a hoot, this will be the final post.

I've made the decision to put a fork in it. I don't want to jump the shark. I don't want to do this longer than it's relevant for me or try to hold your attention past 3:00pm on the Friday before Homecoming.

I hope that your tears don't last to long, and to help you heal your wounded heart, here are some fun things to look at:
Sound of Music
Because you can't resist the Music.
Piano at 90
Because you're never to old for a tushie grab!
HardTimes :: Art Hour
Because getting tounge tied is always funny and you should totally know Ze.
Where the Hell is Matt?
Because there's something really beautiful about this, and the first time I saw it, it made me cry.
Deadline
Because you never knew how amazing post-it notes could be.
Evolution of Dance
Because the Running Man is always funny.
How to Start a Dance Party
Because it's always best to just be yourself.
Free Hugs Campaign
Because hugs are simply the best.
The Wheel
Because my Dad LOVED this song.

Thanksgetting
Because true gratitude is a beautiful thing, and I am truly thankful for all of you.

This has been an amazing, transformative time in my life and you, darling reader, have been a part of that. I hope that you had even 10% the amount of fun reading this blog as I have had writing it.
Thank you to all of you who posted comments, wrote me emails, and even those of you who just watched it all unfold.

I'll miss you. I'll always love you and I hope that you'll stay Funemployed!

Question For Ya...

You may not believe me, but I spend a lot of time thinking about you!

Where do you live?

Do you have a ninetofive?

Are you funemployed?

So to put my inquisitive mind to rest, I've added a poll to the blog!

If you would be so kind, check out the "What's your employment situation?" box to the right, and let me know what your deal is!

(If you're curious as to what "funemployment" means, exactly-check this out.)

I'll see how this one goes before potentially posting more.

I really want to know all about you. I want to get to know you in a first date kind of way... in a "Where did you grow up" or a "What's your favorite color" or a "Why are you so emotionally unavailable?" kind of way.

And I will expect a phone call within two days.

Thanks to Brian over at Isn't It Fun for the date humor.

image courtesy: Getty Images

Funner At Home

5 fun things about the office that you can recreate (and make even funner) right in the comfort of your own home:

1. Candy Time!
Ninetofiver: Just after lunchtime, go desk hopping, annoying the same three people every day until one of them restocks their candy drawer. Submit to eating (what are likely) 70% sugar chocolate eggs purchased at a 50% discount the week after Easter. Immediately regret decision.
Funemployed: Purchase your favorite candy. Hide candy in drawers throughout the house and when your sweet tooth kicks in, go Peanut Butter M&M hunting!

2. Eavesdropping on Personal Conversations
Ninetofiver: Limited to the narrative your office mate has daily with her husband about picking up the kids from school and their extraciriculars. But hey, it's better than the sound of the ventilation system, right?
Funemployed: There's always some a hole at your local coffee shop stupid enough to get into a personal conversation all up in your latte. Make note of every detail. Allow yourself to make petty judgements about their lives.

3. Gossip
Ninetofiver: Hang around the water cooler, or whatever these are called and wait for the people you want the gossip from show up.
Funemployed: You could do this. Or maybe this. Or visit here. Or one of these. Or just burry yourself in this.

4. Office Parties
Ninetofiver: Show up early to make sure you get the best, or any of whatever "food" was ordered for the occasion. Start drinking as soon as possible in order to build up tolerance to Creepy Richard in Accounting. Make ass out of oneself after 5 self-poured martinis.
Funemployed: Arrive at any Financial District bar for happy hour. Fabricate elaborate and fantastical job (suggestions: NASCAR driver, South America river rafting guide, unemployed blogger). Flirt shamelessly with already tipsy men or women until he or she insists on buying you dinner because they're so excited to hang out with a celebrity/worldly athlete/superstar.

5. Fill in the Blank!
I can't think of another one, so you tell me!
Comment on this post with your favorite office-thing-turned-funemployed-at-home-thing!
Is it free office supplies? Is it conversation with coworkers/your fish? Tell me :)

Brain FREEze!

Get your hot little hands on a FREEzing treat today with a free Slurpee!
(Did you see how I did that? "Free"... get it?!)

To celebrate their 82nd birthday, all across the country, head over to your local 7-11 on this 7/11 for your free iced delish in a cup.

Yes, they only cost as much change as you already have between the couch cushions, but you haven't had one since those nights in high school you used to drive around until 1am looking for something to do... no?... just me and my friends? Never mind.

Month 7: Bird Poo, Television Fame

On Wednesday, I took my 6th trip out to Alcatraz island as a chaperone for groups of teens touring the western states.

On the ferry ride back to the San Francisco, a seagull pooed on me. As this is a pretty well known omen of good luck, I, of course, purchased $5 in California Super Lotto Quick Picks. (Such frivolous spending!)

I had no idea that my good fortune would actually be this. That's right. It aired :)

The CBS News Early Show funemployment segment aired on Thursday morning!

It's pretty heavily focused on the FUN (*sneer in the direction of the dingbat dude on the beach and playing golf*) and skips over the 20 minutes I spoke to them about working odd jobs, taking classes at City College, volunteering, pinching every penny, etc etc. But hey, that's television!

In Housekeeping News:
I am now a dot org! You can now get here through www.funemploymentblog.org (Funemployment Blog; making your life easier, and a little funner)

Thanks to everyone for the great comments, emails, and general confidence that I will eventually be both fun and employed once again :)

Web Site Story

Because it's all so true... and I'm a musicals geek.

It's Web Site Story.

Awesome.

Hold the Savory

As anyone who's been to Powell's with me knows, I have a pretty insatiable sweet tooth. So you can imagine my sugar-coated joy when Andy over at SF Weekly sent me this.

Just what a gal with no dental insurance needs :)

Natural, Schmatural

I got an email in my inbox yesterday from Starbucks.
the subject line boasted: Simple Changes, Big Differences at Starbucks this Summer.

Fabulous!

I clicked through, asked Gmail, to yes, please display the images below and skimmed the Real Food. Simply Delicious section.
We're... removing artificial ingredients.

That's fantastic! I'm a fan!

Thanks, Starbucks for doing your part to simplify the food we eat, for making good, natural ingredients taste so delicious.
(Oh, and for the 380 calorie Caramel Frappuccino. Those are pretty super too.)

There was a link to starbucks.com and this brilliantly written page, no doubt created by a team of marketing geniuses.
(God, I love these people.)

Many of these changes were inspired by your ideas. Of course, we were more than happy to oblige – and we hope you enjoy the difference.

I hope I do too, Starbucks! I want to! I need to! I already do and I haven't even tried the new food!

So, late this morning, I made my way down to my neighborhood Starbucks eager to tuck in to what I was promised would be a newly delicious chocolate chunk cookie.

And then, I took a bite.

It's awful. It's like they took their cookies, sucked all the moisture and awesomeness out of it and then harshly berated each of them with attack on their personal style and recent weight gain.

I'm so disappointed in you, Starbucks. Booooo.


Amazing the things that will get you riled up when you don't have RFPs or TPS reports flying your way 10 hours out of the day.


image courtsey: Getty Images

(Wo)Man in the Mirror

I know I'm a little slow to jump on the blogger MJ bandwagon (and I actually didn't think I would find any funemployment relevance), but during a particularly exciting dish washing session today (I get my excitement where and when I can), this came on my itunes and I found myself listening even more closely to the lyrics than ever before.

No matter how you feel about his personal life, there's no denying this guy could rock a pop song like no one's business.

"Man In The Mirror"

Gotta make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
A favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other
On the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

I've been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really pretending that they're not alone

A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream
(Washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me

Complete lyrics here.
Video of a live performance here.


image courtsey: Getty Images
lyrics courtsey: elyrics.com

Today's Advantage #6

I went closet diving earlier this week and unearthed a dress I'd long since forgotten about. It's grey, it has buttons, it has pockets. It's freaking adorable.

All it needed was a little iron and lint roller love, and it was back in adorable action.

I then did something with this dress that I would not have ever done as a ninetofiver- I wore it two days in a row. (Audible gasp from the direction of my Mom.)

If I had coworkers to face on a daily basis, this move would be out of the question. There would be the inevitable assumptions about my general hygiene (which is impeccable, I assure you), and comments what I'd been doing between quittin' time and punching in.

Instead, I ventured out into the world wearing the same adorable frock two days in a row and all I got were compliments.

Today's Adorable Advantage: Funemployed

image: Getty Images

More Flare!

Ever a friend of the Funemployed, Peter Jamison over at SF Weekly sent me the link to his recent blog post about a graphic designer using her professionally-acquired skills for more recreationally-themed activities.

Check out the rest of The Great Ms. Blok at her website here.

Funemployed Flare!

Great idea for a fun accessory from Ze!

Affordable Button

From the Desk of: Funemployed

I was recently contacted by a German journalist living in Chicago who is working on an article for a German newspaper about funemployment. She sent me a series of questions that made me put into words many of the things I've wanted to say and clarify in terms of what "funemployment" is to me.

I've used versions of some of my answers here and I hope this can shed some light on what I'm doing and the things that I am hoping to achieve here.

Warning: This is a long one :)

On the term "funemployment
I greatly believe in language having a strong effect on your mood and perception of the world. By calling what I am doing now "funemployment" it really takes the fear and negativity out of something that I've decided is going to be a period of change and discovery for me, not the most depressing moment in my life.

On the definition of "funemployment"
To me, funemployment is about taking the reigns. It's about me focusing on the fact that what I was doing before is not what I want to do forever and making the conscious decision to make a change.
The fact that now is the worst time in my lifetime to be looking for a job makes that change very VERY difficult. In the meantime, I've decided to be funemployed. I'm taking temporary jobs that make me happy and help me to piece together an income. I'm not making nearly as much as I was before, but I am doing things that, at the end of the day, I'd do for far less compensation. I'm paying more attention to where I want to lead my life instead of simply allowing my life to lead me.

I'm very lucky that I don't have a husband, or kids, or even pets. I'm only responsible to myself, which makes it easier for me to be funemployed than someone with those things.

On the importance of finding a job
I send out an average of 20 resumes a week for jobs that are in the field I want to go into, a field I have not worked in for over 3 years. The problem with that is that employers have their "pick of the litter" right now. They can afford to hold out for someone who is way over qualified for the jobs that I, in the past, would have been perfectly suited for.

On the creation of Funemployment Blog
I was looking for something to do with my time that would allow me to be creative. I've always enjoyed writing and enjoyed the creative writing I had done at my previous job. After a few weeks of writing nothing but cover letters I started to feel the creative part of my brain turn to mush, so I jokingly said to some high school friends that I was going to "start a self indulgent, time wasting blog called Funemployment" and they actually thought it was a really good idea. (Thanks again, Mik, Calen and Lonnie!)

On my "readers"
I get a lot of really positive feedback. A lot of people are in a similar position to me, and my favorite readers are the ones who say things like "I was laid of a month ago and I've done nothing but apply for jobs since then. I found your blog and at least now I have something relatable and fun to read when I'm taking breaks between job sites." I also have an amazing family who are my biggest cheerleaders. They post comments "annonymously" from time to time- they're wonderful.

Making Lemonade... Literally - UPDATE

Last weekend, sunbathers, birthday revelers and hula hoopers alike were introduced to a special funemployment treat in Dolores Park.

Refreshin' Recession Lemonade and it's counterpart Funemployment Fund Drug-Free "Fortune" Cookies made their debut this past sunny weekend.

Although my first attempt at a Funemployement interview was almost totally botched due to my lack of ability to save audio onto my iphone, I did (I swear) speak to the founders about their funemployment experiences.

Their stories are much like many others- laid off from a software job and a job in education. (Mari? who works in education, was offered a job, then had the offer retracted within 2 hours, hence the text on the sign in the leader photo.)

But, instead of spending their sunny weekend indoors, faces attached to laptop monitors, fingers frantically banging away at cover letters and holding back the tears of silent rejection (or is that just me?) these resourceful chicas borrowed from friends, borrowed a friend, Braiden, scraped together what they had, and threw together a lemonade stand, cardboard signage and all.

By their estimation, the whole thing took about $30 to throw together (cookies included) and their take at the end of the day was $90!

If we're lucky, and if Mr. Golden Sun shines down on Dolores Park again this weekend, these entrepreneurs may be back out and back at it again, slinging chocolate chip cookies and hawking their delicious, sweet lemonade made from the bitter lemons of layoff.

Braiden, Mari(?) & Adorable Girl with Dog


UPDATE: Thanks to moneybees for letting us know that cookies and lemonade will be served again in Dolores Park next saturday, 6/27! Get out there and support the fun in funemployment!
Also, the picture caption should read: Braden, Marri & Missy.

Today's Advantage #5

There's nothing more delicate than a gal that shows up to work sporting a bruise, cut, or, godforbid, love bite!

As a ninetofiver the blemish will no doubt result in a flury of questions from coworkers who are eager to hear about one's life outside the cubicle.

For those of us who are terrible fibbers, it's often difficult to explain how such a mark has been procured ("well, I was kinda drunk and sort of stumbled up my front steps"; "well there was this guy at this party I was at, and he kinda reminded me of this one celebrity... yada yada yada" or the painfully truthful "I don't know") all while conducting oneself in a businesslike manner wearing a pinstripe pencil skirt and kitten heels.

However, with no office to report to, no prying coworkers to discuss the weekend's less-than-dignified events with, the wounds can simply heal in the comfort of one's own home, or at the Starbucks down the street, neatly hidden under a playful scarf.

Advantage: Funemployed


Hang in there, Z ;)

Not Wasting Your Time

We all get them.

Emails and phone calls from Senators, Congress people and sorted other elected government officials.
They always come with an encouragement to reach out to them when we have opinions about legislative issues. (That is what we pay them for, after all.)

Calling all Funemployed Friends!

You spend all day on your laptop anyway- you have the time- make a difference!
Use your voice to get a point across!

Whether your issue is same-sex marriage, internet security, or Hot Air Baloon Accidents, use your voice and use your time to effect your world. Sending out 340 resumes a day, although great for your keyboarding skills, can feel pointless after a while. So do something about it!

And although this blog is by no means a political blog, nor have I ever used it to push any political agenda, this is a cause that is dear to my heart and I encourage all my readers to take stand in support of same-sex marriage.

Since the majority of my readers are in California and New York, both states that still ban same-sex marriage I am providing some websites here for those regions:
California:
Equality California
Courage Campaign
New York:
Empire State Pride Agenda

Note that I will delete any comments of a derogatory or hateful nature posted on Funemployment. I greatly encourage discussion, but will not endorse harmful comments on either side of the argument.

Thanks for using your discretion and get writing!

My Will Moment

There's this great scene in the film About a Boy when Will, played by Hugh Grant is walking against the flow of human traffic during rush hour on the busy streets of London's financial district.

Will is walking just as purposefully and is just as focused as the people he is passing, but his dress is much sharper and there's a slight grin on his face.

Will is wealthy beyond belief due to the large royalties he is collecting off his late songwriter father's success with a popular Christmas song.

Although I by no means benefit from such a financial situation, I did experience my own Will Moment today while running errands downtown.

I was coming straight from a semi-regular babysitting job, which I find gives me a joy in my step that only time with kids can induce. I, like the people avoiding eye contact, eager to get home, had spent my day working. But their desk had been my stroller. Their conference call had been my story time.

I don't know if I'll ever again be a downstream swimmer. I am certainly applying for enough jobs that would put me right back on that walk at rush hour 5 days a week. But for now, I'm enjoying swimming upstream, and finding my way through the crowd.

I Didn't Lie

In a bizarre twist of fate, I was bumped from The Early Show this morning for someone who recently lost their job- the former Miss California, Carrie Prejean.

My opinions on her aside...

I promise you there was a camera crew at my house.
I promise they followed me around all day.
I promise they told me the segment would air today... but it did not.

I just heard from the producer and it may air on Friday, but it is "more likely" to air on Monday.

Good news is, I had nothing else to do from 7am-9am today.

Sorry, Mom :(

Funemployment Goes National

I highly recommend tuning in to CBS News The Early Show this morning from 7am-9am.

I'm just sayin'.

Irony Strikes Again

As many of you know, beginning in the Fall, I will be going back to school with the ultimate goal of becoming a high school guidance counselor.

Today, I called my friendly local community college asking to meet with an academic advisor about taking some brush-up undergrad courses in the Fall.

I was informed that all of the academic advisors have been let go for the summer due to state budget cuts and was instructed to call back in late July when they may have a better idea of when they might be back in the office.

Thank you, sir. May I have another?