Since my official termination date from The Company? was October 31st (when they sack you, you leave immediately and are just paid out for the final days), this past week was my first real week unemployed.

It was kind of a drag.

I spent it reworking my resume, posting it all over the place and sending it off for different jobs. And yet I feel like I did very little. I'd fill my time with going to the gym, laundry and dishes. One day, rinsing a sauce pan, I thought, "I could so be a Desperate Housewife. Why can't I get paid to just be here." I ran this past The Roommate, however she said the money wasn't in the 2005 budget and to check back with her next November.

The hardest part of this being out of work business, so far, has been the lack of a routine. I loves me some routine. Not a complete "control your life, eveything has to be in perfect order" routine, but a get up, go to the gym, eat breakfast, go to work, read email, blah blah blah, routine. Being at home and after work, that was my caveat. I could do whatever I wanted then. But now, I'm home ALL THE FRICKING TIME and it's getting a wee bit on my nerves. I feel off balanced and thrown. The first two unofficial weeks it didn't really bother me because I was doped up on pain pills and dealing with nose bleeds. It's okay to nap all day and do nothing while you are doped up on pain pills. But this last week was starting to feel a little like The Shining

So, I took the day off from job hunting on Friday and just left the house. No real destination in mind. Not too much money either. I ended up at a thrift store and then another and then a dollar store. Among my booty:

• The Healthy Kitchen by Andrew Weil, Rosie Daley, which I have already used. Saturday I made some kick ass Tomato, Corn and Basil soup.
• An unopened "For Your Consideration" Emmy voter tape from the first season of Felicity. This was a gift of nostalgia for The Roommate who loved her some Felicity and a never-too-late peace offering for me making fun of her for watching the show and then secretly watching it myself. There was also several tapes for The Chris Isaak Show, however I'm sure Goodwill wasn't selling the kind of tapes I would need to answer the eternal question.
• A book on natural healing and remedies for like EVERYTHING you could ever be struck down with, whether it be the common cold, hemorrhoids, herpes or menses. (DISCLAIMER: The Other Brian does not advocate using herbs and supplements in lieu of medical treatment for serious illnesses or disease, however he does advocate the use of liquid fabric softener as a facial treatment. My skin has never been so soft and my sperm count never so low. Thanks for the tip Rob.)
• A bottle of Pine-Sol in a scent known as "Orange Energy". I like citrusy smells, so I thought this would be a winner. Then I used it. It smells like orange soda and now, so does my kitchen. It also inspires you to sing the Fanta Girls song.