Being jobless is a very real and unfortunate state to be in. I feel most for men and women who’ve lost their jobs and are having difficulties providing for a family. I still recall a couple of bouts of joblessness my father went through and I don’t think I’d ever seen someone so despondent over something. I didn’t understand the importance of a steady income and how it correlates to the survival of a family in this modern world. But it matters. Jesus, does it matter.
That said, though, I’ve been without wife and children since I started working at 17. And I’ve never been fired, laid off, or otherwise released from a position. I was always the one in charge of that particular aspect of my destiny. I chose to leave or stay. Years later, now, I’m the one who thinks they’re lucky to have me. I could be anywhere, but I’m here. Enjoy your good fortune.
So imagine trying to shake this off in favor of notions of being on contract, with the risk for being laid off far increased. Or, damn, freelance… self-employed. That kind of risk, man. It’s unfamiliar territory. A new adventure.
The first thing I think of in relation to being laid off is “vacation!”, but that’s corporate mentality. I’m full aware that it’d be a matter of days before the exasperation wore me down. I’d do what I’ve done in the last week: apply. Apply everywhere. San Francisco, Austin, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Munich. Go where the jobs are. Someplace new and fresh. Someplace with the job I want, where I can settle. Something about that—being flexible.
I once considered following a girl to Germany. The risk didn’t seem worth it. I wouldn’t have a job lined up before I got there.
“Munich, Munich, where have you been all my life? Mein Gott!”
That’s a thing, I hear. Falling in love with places. Planning to go from A to Z and settling down somewhere between M and N. The locale brings about some resurrection of the soul that was buried at the height of heartless city livin’.
And if I couldn’t any job? Sell it all. There’s not much to own living on a boat. Sell what’s left and keep the Jeep. Visit the folks before I go through another long run of not visiting. See my brothers, the lazy fucks. Good guys. Among the few people I trust.
That’s all a-wishin’ and no doin’, so in the meantime I’ll continue to apply like a mad man. I just found a gig out in New York working with Kickstarter, which sure is something. They say if you make it there you’ll make it anywhere. Single, family man, whatever.
Just one more day dream: a life as someone who helps others find work. Everyone needs something to do.