what do the unemployed do?

During my extensive time as a member of the unemployment community, the one question that people continuously ask is, "what do you do all day?" While I'm happy to answer, most of the time when this question is asked, it is dripping with distain. So, inquisitive populous, I'm happy to answer that burning question.

As I mentioned previously, I'm currently enrolled in a graduate program, which does its best to keep me occupied. When I first started the program, I was only taking one class at a time so that I could still work. Starting in the winter, I decided to double up on my classes, since it really is the only thing that takes up my time.

Many people may say, only 2 classes? Those same people have obviously never been to graduate school. They're very time consuming -- especially when the program is as reading and writing intensive as mine. If I can keep up this momentum, I should be done next winter. Let's hope a completed Master's will be more appealing than just a Bachelors -- but right now, all bets are off.

The next thing that I do to fill my time is volunteer. The church that I grew up attending has a program where the kids in the parish deliver soup to the sick and homebound. Upon returning from my short jaunt  in DC after election day, I began volunteering with them. We would make soup and prepare it for delivery, and then have the parish hall open to the public for a free soup luncheon.

The next thing on my daily list, this one is easily the most time consuming, but also the most important. Job searching. People don't realize how much time it takes to find and apply for jobs -- let alone ones that   meet your individual qualifications. I have a strange habit of keeping track of all the jobs I apply for -- strange but useful. After long periods of time, like now, seeing such a large number of applications out and such a small number of interviews -- no wonder people give up hope so easily.

So, I hope this little list gives all of you who comfortably enjoy your job, what the unemployed do everyday.