where i’ve been…

hey everyone!

 

So sorry for the super long hiatus.  It’s been kind of a whirlwind but I finally…shockingly…got a job!!  It happened so fast…a former boss/mentor recommended me to a friend of hers looking to fill a job and we met, we totally clicked and she instantly offered me a job doing marketing for her small company. So far, I love it!!  I hope it lasts…but if it doesn’t, at least I know that being laid off in NYC is not that bad…in fact, it’s kind of awesome.

 

Thanks everyone for all of your comments and words of support on this blog. From now on, you can find me sporadically posting on my regular blog, memyselfandhi, and on my new blog (which has arisen from my recent discovery of Rubie Green and subsequent obsession with low-budget living and redecorating), Poor & 24.

Ciao for now!

oh unemployment, you minx you

At this point, I kind of totally embrace being unemployed.  Here’s what I’ve been up to:

• vegas 
• forgetting to pay COBRA one month, then getting it taken away, then begging for it back, being denied and today, receiving a bill in the mail and realizing that they gave it back for no apparent reason
• watching and rewatching every episode of real housewives of nj
• obsessively following the demise of jon and kate’s marraige
• hanging out with the kitten I adopted when I got laid off
• teaching myself how to cook
• explaining to people at a wedding how I don’t have a job and don’t care

It’s almost funny…

That I got laid off again.  From the job I didn’t even like and only took because I needed the money.  Here’s how it all began…

Date: Two Fridays ago.  Feeling: Annoyed.  I was supposed to get my paycheck in the mail, but I didn’t.  I ask about it, but no one responds and then later in the day, Boss Man sends me an email asking if we could catch up the next morning -(SATURDAY morning, mind you. I’m 24 years old – it’s just not right to take away my Saturday morning like that).  So yeah then he calls me SATURDAY morning and says that the company had to lay off half of its employees including me.  Seems like he was supposed to lay me off earlier but forgot, because he then says that he would be paying me directly for my last entire MONTH of work.  (I was still waiting for this paycheck, mind you).  I say “ok” (I think I have become quite graceful at getting laid off).  Boss Man promises to put my check in the mail on Monday and that would be that. As a nice gesture, I send my two bosses an insincere email thanking them for the opportunity and wishing them luck in the future. Neither responds. 

Date: Last Friday.  Feeling: Livid.  No, irate.  No, ARE YOU F’ing KIDDING ME?  Boss Man didn’t even bother to send me my check for my entire last month of work.  He couldn’t lift his fingers to write a check, put it in an envelope and mail it.  Please note that when I began working for this company, Boss Man made it a point to tell me that he was making ridiculous amounts of money.  Later in the day: a company I interviewed with calls to let me know they gave the job to someone else.

Date: Yesterday.  Feeling: clinging to a sliver of hope.  I email Boss Man to ask when he mailed my check.  He immediately writes back that he will put it in the mail later in the day. 

Date:  Today.  Feeling: Like drinking. Have reapplied for unemployment, feel a strange solidarity with the boy in the below photo.

 

Rad!

Thanks NY Times for the shout-out today! When you’re unemployed, it’s the little things that make you the happiest. Holla!

Tomorrow = the Maury show

Throughout the dreary bleakness of my day today, there has been one constant, shining beacon of light: knowing that I will be sitting in the audience of the Maury Show tomorrow.  I’m not really a hardcore Maury fan per say, but I do enjoy watching the show in the morning from time to time.  So last week, when I was watching one morning with my boyfriend, something came up on the screen that said “for free tickets to the Maury Show, call this number.”  Knowing full well that my boyfriend and I are the least-employed couple in NYC, I picked up my phone and got the tickets.  

 

I have a few ideas about what the topic may be (paternity test, cheating spouse, misbehaving teens bootcamp) but ultimately I hope to be surprised, entertained and also to learn something valuable.  Expect a full synopsis upon my return home.

 

My Exciting Week (I have nothing else to do)

I have three big reasons to be excited for this week:

  1) I have a big interview on Wednesday morning.

 

• I really hope something works out soon because although I’m really enjoying unemployment, I don’t have a lot of money anymore and that kind of sucks.

 

  2) I’m hosting a Top Chef finale party on Wednesday night.

 

• Please pack your knives and go. I love this show and love having friends over, and eating and drinking, so it’s the perfect combination. Go crazy-eyed Carla. 

 

  3) I have two free tickets to the Maury Show on Friday.

• Last week, I was watching Maury and a little thing came up and said “for free tickets to the Maury Show, call this number”.  So I looked at it for a second, and then thought, “well, I have nothing else to do.” So I called and got two free tickets a taping on Friday.  I think it’s going to be really, really fun.  Everyone should be jealous. 

 

My new unemployment motto is officially: “I have nothing else to do.”  This way, I’ll do as much as possible and see as many people as possible while I have my freedom.

Must-read: NYC Recession Guide to Wining and Dining

A friend just sent me this life-changing guide that features inside dining tips on prix-fixe meals, BYO, cheap eats, happy hour, wine discounts, brunch deals and weekly restaurant specials in NYC. Apparently two brilliant women named Kelli and Eleanor put this guide together and it’s since been making the internet rounds.  I don’t know who Kelli and Eleanor are, but if you’re out there, THANK YOU.

The guide is definitely worth checking out, but before going to any of these places, I recommend calling ahead just to make sure the deal is still valid.  I know from experience: showing up to a no-longer BYOB restaurant with several bottles of wine in hand can be a little awkward.  Anyway, click on the link below, read up and take advantage of some of these great deals. 

 

nyc_recession_dining_tips

 

The ultimate unemployment resource: home

Disclaimer: This advice is only valid if you are under 25 years old.

Sorry for the little hiatus… I’ve been busy finishing the first season of Lost and traveling to my parent’s house in dirty Jerz. With funds rapidly depleting and job prospects looking bleak, I decided to take the plunge and go home for a week “or so”.  At home, I can pick up some part time work in my old office, catch up on sleep, eat on my parent’s dime, and just chill out.  It’s a really good idea to spend some time at home, especially after you hit the one-month unemployment mark.

Here’s why it’s a good idea to recharge at home while you’re unemployed:

1. Save money (duh). Everything is cheaper outside of NYC.
2. Eat free, delicious food all day, every day.
3. Sleep late and undisturbed.
4. Catch up with old friends who live at home.
5. Drive around wherever you want.
6. Watch a lot of tv and movies.
7. Go through your childhood bedroom and find cool stuff, like pogs.
8. Tackle a project you’ve been meaning to try, like building bunk beds (see below).

 

Recession-proof Lunch: 99 cent fresh pizza

For a good recession proof lunch, head over to Midtown East (home of the employed, I know…but you can do it).  99 Cent Fresh Pizza is located at 151 E 43rd St (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) and you guessed it…sells pizza slices for only 99 cents. And if you just got your unemployment for the week, splurge on two slices and a can of soda for $2.75.  Mangia!

Why the NY Public Library is awesome

I’ve mentioned earlier on this blog that a great way to save money is by taking out books and DVDs from the library.  I’ve found that the New York Public Library has a great selection of books AND current DVD’s.  True, my branch (Kips Bay) is not necessarily the most impressive, but they still manage to have a good stock of DVD’s and you can order any book or DVD you want as long as it’s in another branch and the library will call you when it arrives to your branch.  I recently rented the Kingdom, Baby Mama and 21.  All good movies, and I got to keep them for four days fo free!   

To learn more about joining the NY Public Library, check out their website here.  If you’re unemployed, at least expose yourself to a little knowledge and culture while you have some free time!

ADDENDUM:  I feel that I should note that the Kips Bay branch of the NY library is excellent in spite of its small size, and what it lacks in selection, it makes up for in ease of getting books for you from other branches.  Thumbs up, Kips Bay.