Wonderfully Awful: Why Be Unemployed When You Can Be FUNemployed!
May20

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Wonderfully Awful: Why Be Unemployed When You Can Be FUNemployed!

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a blogumn by Robin Rosenzweig

A couple months ago, I decided to join all the cool kids and rid myself of my job. Well, it wasn’t so much that I decided to do it as my employer decided for me, but that’s not important. The point is that, like so very many people I know and tons of people I don’t know, I am currently unemployed.

At first, I was bummed out about it. It’s always difficult to lose a job and have to figure out how to proceed into an incredibly daunting job search, especially with the economy and job market being as bleak as they are. But then, I realized that there was another way to look at my situation. Instead of being sad about being unemployed, I could turn my frown upside down due to the fact that I am now FUNemployed!

 

Photo by Hyperbolic Pants Explosion
Photo by Hyperbolic Pants Explosion

I’m not sure which of my friends coined the term FUNemployed, but it has become part of the lexicon amongst my fellow jobless pals. I think the idea was created for several reasons. First of all, adding the word “FUN” to anything makes it better…period. And also, being unemployed opens up a world of possibilities that don’t otherwise exist for those who are living the 9 to 5 life.


What does it mean to be FUNemployed? For starters, I can run errands or take care of my personal to-do list at any time of the day. But that’s not really the fun part. Being FUNemployed means I can get together with my other FUNemployed pals for an afternoon roller skate. Or we can spend some time by the pool. Or I can take a nap whenever I want (and boy, oh boy do I love a good nap).

Living in Los Angeles adds additional unique opportunities for the FUNemployed. One of the first things I did as a FUNemployed person was participate in a video game testing session. I can’t say much more about it as I’m sworn to secrecy, but suffice to say, I spent three hours one afternoon having a blast playing a video game that was right up my alley. I also spent another afternoon auditioning for a game show, and doing terribly, I might add. But it was still a strange, fun experience. And if I am lucky enough to remain FUNemployed into early June, I will be running off to Sin City to enjoy a free stay at the Bellagio, thanks to a combination of my sister’s gambling habits and an economically-suffering Vegas travel industry.

Now, FUNemployment can be, well, fun…but it’s not all glitz and glamour. Well, it really isn’t glitz and glamour at all considering that my only income is from Unemployment Insurance and odd jobs. And that can only last for so long. So I do have to go through the tedium of looking for work, sending off resumes, and interviewing for jobs when the few and far between calls come in. But this makes the concept of FUNemployment more important than ever. When looking for work in a job market with a lot more empty shelves than ever, it’s not just helpful to keep spirits up…it’s essential.

So for those who find themselves in the daunting position of being suddenly without a job, my best advice is to remember than you are more than merely unemployed…you are FUNemployed! So have a good time while you have all the time in the world at your disposal.

(And, of course, if anyone has any promising job leads, do send them my way. What? I’m FUNemployed…but I ain’t crazy! Girl’s gotta eat!)