Getting Back to Basics

"Gonna get back to basics, guess I'll start it up again..."  

I've never been one to pay particular attention to the meaning of song lyrics, and certainly never been one of those people who thinks "omigod, he's singing to me!" but I've always been able to identify with songs by Counting Crows.  Maybe it's because I've enjoyed their music for over twenty years, perhaps it's because I identify with the emotions that Adam Duritz has experienced and written about.  So when "Recovering the Satellites" came on this morning, it seemed appropriate. 

Midway through the afternoon, all kinds of observations today:

• I never paid attention to the people who aren't at work during bankers' hours.  Short version - retired people go to the YMCA, unemployed people go to the grocery store, students go to the coffee shop.  Of course, students are always in the coffee shop.
• The library is a much better place to work than said coffee shop.  Better wifi, no noise, fewer students.
• Broke out the "I'm doing some consulting while I look for new opportunities" line today.  As much as I always joked about that line, it felt good.

Feeling better today, despite reading an article about experienced people languishing in unemployment.  I'm confident I'll find something that works, and I'm determined to make the most of the time I have, both now and after I find something.  After all, "we only stay in orbit for a moment of time."

When do I shave?

Unemployment day 4.  Granted, two of these have been weekend days, so I don't really think it's set in yet. 

I didn't know what to expect, but the things that have hit me the most were definitely not what I expected.  I didn't want to take off my suit on Thursday morning, I keep finding myself reaching towards the dresser where the work phone sat, feeling like I need to make sure no clients called or emailed.  Only, there isn't a work phone anymore. 

Of course, there have been nice surprises - I can consume articles, podcasts and radio shows with seemingly no limit, I can actually take time to cook meals, rather that trying to balance cooking with checking homework and making sure reading journals are completed, and I can shave (or not shave) whenever I want.  But that begs the question - when do I shave?  That's the downside of the job search being completely on-line - how do I get out of the house?  Though I've made a point to shower and dress in something more than track pants this week, I can see how people in this situation can get reclusive.  I shudder to think how I would have handled this five years ago.  But my attitude is positive and I'm excited for the challenge.

Goals for this week:
Job search everyday (obviously, this will remain the top priority);
Create an environment for success at home.  Last week I didn't even have music on during the day;
Continue to increase workout frequency.  I've got the time (and the extra pounds);
Begin knocking items off the house project list;
Write everyday.