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Peter: Lawrence, what would you do if you had a million dollars?
Lawrence: I’ll tell you what I’ll do, man… Two chicks at the same time.
Peter: That’s it? If you had a million dollars, that’s what you’d do? Two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence: Damn straight, man. I’ve always wanted to do that. I figure if I were a millionaire, I could hook that up. Chicks dig guys with money.
Peter: Well not all chicks…
Lawrence: Well, the type that double up on a guy like me do.
Peter: Good point.
Lawrence: Now, what would you do?
Peter: Besides two chicks at the same time?
Lawrence: Oh yeah.
Peter: Nothing.
Lawrence: Nothing?
Peter: I would relax. I would sit on my ass all day. I would do nothing.
Lawrence: You don’t need a million dollars to do nothing, man. Take a look at my cousin.
-from the movie, Office Space
I’ve been unemployed for 41 weeks now, and beyond creating couple of plugins for WordPress (Better Blogroll and Buddy Love), keeping #1GF! decently fed, and writing a lot, I can’t say that time has been filled with amazingly fun or creative accomplishments. Sure, I have the luxury of doing whatever I want to, but considering the avalanche of advice that I got before I left my job on what I should do with my time off, some days, I think that I must be going about this unemployment thing all wrong. The people who really know how to get the most out of unemployment all have jobs.
So, I ask you: If you could suddenly leave your job and not worry about money, what would you do with your free time?
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March 12th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Like I told you 41 weeks ago: MMA Cage Fighter
Shave the head, get some awesome body tatoos, train your arse off. Oh, and don’t forget to get some great entry music. Some of the MMA I’ve been seeing lately as turned into pro-wrestling type entrances. Girls, music, flashy robe.
Then I can watch you on the weekends thinking, “Oh crap. He’s going to get pummelled and then prove me wrong!”
Oh yeah…. (Said in Randy Savage tone)
March 12th, 2008 at 7:54 am
You are still an inspiration, I aspire to be in your situation one day, just quitting my full-time gig like that.
For me, if I quit my job and money was no option, I’d quit my job, do a lot of international travel, become an indie media “consultant”, write, write, write and practice bass more.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I’d do all of those hobby things that I don’t have time for now. And of course I’d have more time to devote to my blog! My main goal with gainful unemployment would be to get all the things done that I want and never have to utter the phrase “I don’t have time” again.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I’m assuming by ‘not worry about money’ you mean all the disposable income I could want but never completely use?
Travel…assloads of travel to start.
And honestly, I’d work–but I’d open up a bookstore/coffee house/high-end beer & food joint (much like one I used to frequent in Iowa)–it would give me the chance to cook for people, serve fabulous beers that I can taste and select, and incorporate my ridiculous love of books. A portion of my time would also be dedicated to educating people more about the importance of literacy in this country and around the world—it’s utterly depressing to know how many people can’t read past grade school level.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I would travel, I would volunteer at my local SPCA, and I would work on increasing my tolerance for alcohol.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Work outside, definitely work outside, in the sunshine. I would tend to my vineyard, and make my wine. And drink a beer at the end of everyday. Marry the right woman, and have 2 or 3 kids. If the vineyard didn’t work out. I would volunteer my time, everyday for habitat for humanity. It would keep me outside.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
First I would open a bar. After they passed the law allowing liquor by the drink that is. Then, not only would I not have to worry about money because that’s what your question stipulated, but I wouldn’t have to worry about money because the bar is delivering in troves.
After I got the bar established, I would spend my days at home remodeling my house (or building a new one!).
I would also have an amazing work shop, with drill presses of various sizes, table saws, wood and metal lathes, every single tool that you just might need one day.
After a few hours of hanging out in the ’shop (my friends and I would abbreviate it because that’s cool), I’d go hang out in the bar with my friends.
I would also buy a ton of books to read.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Travel with the man and boy…lots and lots of it. Open a little cafe that served breakfast and lunch. Donate MORE time with the Children’s Medical Mission and the Vascular Birthmark Foundation.
Geez, sounds good…
March 12th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Combo #5 race car trailer driver / part time mechanic / statistician / team driver.
I would also produce as much music as possible. Mine and anybody else’s who can pay the studio fees to keep the tax man at bay, the rain delays interesting and fresh tires on the rims.
-d—
March 12th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
i would move out of the shithole i live in. i would finish my MBA program without having to worry about financing my education. i would travel around the world learning about the resourcefulness of others who have way less material goods than we do, but way more community and cultural richness. i would fund the non-profit that i work for so that they could hire the consultants they need to help them get their shit together. i would create a model for creative reuse centers that could be replicated in every community. i would invest money into some sort of trust so that i could help others who are struggling like i was when i was poor but passionate. i would write lots of books. i would become an expert in some area of sustainable business and travel the world creating hope and inspiration.
but for now, i need to do a write-up on an accounting case. boy oh boy…
March 13th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I’d try to find a way to be one of those guys that helps Bob Ballard get the subs on and off the boat. I don’t really want to go in the sub. I wouldn’t mind viewing sonar information looking for buried treasure or something never before seen.
I’d install a windmill and have it charge my plug in hybrid. That way I could say I had a wind powered car.
I’d love to ride my bike (thanks by the way) from Boston to the pier in St Petersburg FLA.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I happen to truly like my job/career so it’s difficult for me to actually have that burning desire for so much money I would not need or want to work. I know what I want to do when I do stop working (in about four years) so I guess that is what I would do if I had so much money I could do anything I wanted. I’ve always been very passionate about stopping animal abuse and I want to participated in that “hands on” at some point. If I had a ton of money I would most definately donate it to animal shelters/animal rescue/MSPCA. I would want to donate my time to those organizations as well. I’d also love to spend more time with my husband and daughters. My husband would welcome that idea but I’m sure my teenage daughters would rather I keep working!
March 19th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I’d keep doing what I do now, only I’d do it for my *own* theater company. And I’d take plenty of time off to travel, both to see the world and to see what kind of improv other people are doing. And I’d see my family more — probably fly people out to see me instead of always being torn in 50 directions when I go home for a week!
And I’d take classes in cool skills like furniture making and welding and languages and cooking …
And I’d invent a 30-hour day, so I could do everything.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Absolutely nothing. I would sit at home and play video games, surf the internet, and read books, and maybe hang around with friends on the weekend.