Unemployment agrees with me so far.

[holzman_tweed]

I've been saying for months now that once I was out of work I'd take some of that time to start getting around to those things that have been sitting there waiting for me to have time to get around to them.

I've got plenty of time now, though it sure doesn't feel that way.

Of course, I'm in a good position. Severance turns out to be 2 month's pay and I had 95 unused hours of vacation that, so that's nearly 3 month's pay on top of my upcoming last paycheck. After taxes, and running a minimal burn rate, I think I might be able to go 6 or even 8 months if I absoluely have to. Of course, murphy's law being what it is, it'll probably be shorter than that.

I really want not to have to. One month or two sounds much nicer, landing something in December and starting in the new year sounds perfect though unlikely.

It's hard writing about this and not worrying that it'll come across to my far-too-many unemployed friends as gloating or insensitive.

Thursday was an emotional rollercoaster. I felt sad, because once I had hoped I could stay at Sony for the rest of my career and retired on a truly excellent 401(k) and pension plan. It's been a steadily increasing bummer to realize that this wasn't going to be happenning, and not for any reason I had very much control over.

I felt relieved, because I've known since May that this was in the works. Since my boss knew it too, my job's been "find a different job" and very little Sony-related work was being piled on top of me. It got old, it got dull, and I soon found myself wanting it to be over rather than in that limbo state.

I felt happy to be spending the day at home finally working on stuff I've been wanting to work on. The library is getting better by leaps and bounds, it's a challenge not to overcommit myself time-wise to things I've been waiting to do.

Friday I had a job interview, meaning I've currently got two potential positions in play. I'm a bit relieved that things are moving as slowly as they are, since I do want to have a good chunk of downtime before starting a new job; but I wouldn't feel comfortable turning a good job down if offered.

Comments

[lothie.livejournal.com]

I don't think it sounded gloating or insensitive. And okay, I'm not unemployed now, but I was for a long time and I still remember that. Hell, if things go badly in the acquisition we just had (oy), I'll be unemployed again.

Continued best wishes.