The Post-Grad's Guide to Unemployment

For the past two weeks, I have been unemployed. Granted, it wasn't unemployed in the conventional sense. I wasn't laid off and I didn't quit my job. I simply graduated, was forced to resign from my extracurricular activities (McClung's) and since I'm no longer eligible for funding, I also had to quit my work-study job.

So, for the first time in about 5 years I found myself without a job.

And now I've got one.*

But in a homage to those two weeks spent in income-less limbo, I present to you the workaholic's guide to keeping busy while unemployed:

Read
Into the Wild by John Krakauer is a must-read for any recent university graduate. (It's difficult not to relate to Chris McCandless, which probably explains the pilgrimages of youth flocking to the site of his death since the movie's release.) Natty and I rented the film earlier this week, and I couldn't help but feel shame for watching the movie before reading the book. I redeemed myself by reading the book in one sitting.

Already read Into the Wild? For another tale of a university graduate going primal, try Thor Heyerdahl's Fatu-Hiva: Back To Nature. Think McCandless, but instead of 1992 the year is more like 1937, and replace Alaska and starvation with Polynesia and elephantitis.

Next up? Joan Didion's A Year of Magical Thinking.

Watch
Keeping with the theme of uprooting your roots, I'd recommend Reel Paradise, which documents the life of an American family who move to an island in Fiji and open a movie theatre that screens Hollywood blockbusters for free. But this one won't tug your heart strings--instead, be prepared to get your hate-on for a rich family that even after a year of living with the locals just can't seem to figure it out. I also loved Enchanted and starting watching the HBO series Carnivale, but couldn't quite get into it.

Drink
Sangria is our drink of choice. Buy triple sec, brandy and some cheap red wine. Cut up all that fruit that's rotting in your fridge, throw in some fruit punch and a splash of club soda, and enjoy with friends in the sun.

Eat
For the Toronto crowd, D.Dodd is obsessed with Tortilla Flats (458 Queen St. W.) right now. He thinks they are the best thing ever. I however, am more into Bar_One (924 Queen St. W.) for hangover brunches, Squirrely's (810 Queen W.) for drinks (we like the beer selection but don't try the food, it's pretty bad) and Craft Burger (573 King W.) to get my blood sugar level going again.

But in the end, House on Parliament (456 Parliament Street) holds the key to my heart. Featuring the best veggie burgers in the city, sweet potato fries and nightly bread pudding specials (last time I had the chocolate cherry), it's hard to beat.

Music
Jean Leloup, She and Him, Classified and Lykke Li.

And When You're Really Bored. . .
Sasha called me and asked me to help her move. I jumped at the opportunity to get off the couch.

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*The details on the position: non-profit organization that deals with youth and international development, full-time, salaried, super close to my house and I'm pretty damn excited about it.