In the next 30 days, I will have 30 new experiences. One each day.

Most people have a routine. Most people enjoy routine. Work, home, friends, hobbies. Even the most adventuresome among us will have their go-tos: favorite restaurants, shops, activities, vacation spots. When we find something we really like, why wouldn't we choose to thrive on the routine and dependable happiness it brings?

Well, two weeks ago, my routine was thwarted by a professional interlude... a little life intermission... a spontaneous hiatus, you could call it. If you want to get all technical about it, you could also call it unemployment. But around here we don't use that kind of harsh, judgmental language. Because life could easily become a dark emotional abyss called Loafing Loser-town, but I can't let it. No way, José. It's like constant recess around here! Euphemized metaphors are my new best friend.

Being unemployed is weird. Not only is life's routine suddenly 80% gonzo, but all of the other parts of your routine are now scrutinized based on cost, value, and neccessity. Unemployment is like a boxing match: you don't know when the heck it's going to end until  someone's knocked out and it's all over. In light of this great unknown, I decided that I needed to weigh my options:

1. Move back into parents' house.
Pro: Half of my stuff is stored there anyway, thanks to teeny-tiny Manhattan apartments. 
Con: Eradication of remaining shred of dignity by moving back into their house at age 30.

2. Move into sister's basement à la Robbie Hart. 
Pro: Fridge is always stocked; Plus, her two plucky little boys make it very life-imitating-art Con: She doesn't actually have a basement. She does have a doorless ground-floor playroom that I could pirate from the children. But the giant, gaping doorway is really not ideal for changing without being walked in on or sleeping without a daily alarm of crying baby, not to mention the other stuff...

3. Head out to the Hamptons and try back doors and side windows of vacant mansions until one of those puppies is carelessly unlocked. 
Pro: Living in style through Memorial Day!
Cons: Slow winter economy. Possible jail time.

4. Try heroin to see if all of those whiny musicians were right, and it really does only take just one time to get addicted. 
Pros: Rainbows dancing inside my eyelids over fields of puffy pink clouds that fill my soul; Never worrying about finding job again.
Con: Track marks.

5. Start a blog. 
Pro: It's my chance to be completely original and unique, since no one without a job thinks it would be a good idea to write a blog. And it's an awesome way to see who your real friends are.
Con: Con? Is there a downside into pouring over a 200 word blog post every single day for a month, only to have it read by 2 people, one of whom is my retired mother, the other is bored-friend-who-happens-to-be-home-sick-that day? No way! Totally worth it.


So, here I am. Free agent. Wiii-iide open. I do realize that if I don't use this vocational halftime wisely, I'm a real bonehead. For the first time in 9 years, I actually have a chunk of time to do stuff that I want to do. I can learn about stuff! I can try stuff! And, I think I will actually learn some stuff about myself, too.

Of course, one of major flaws of being unemployed is that I ain't got no money, but I sure got a whole lotta love. So while I would L-U-V this blog to include posts about skydiving, music festivals, or with titles like "Never have I ever... survived the Encierro!", unfortunately that's just not realistic. I do promise that posts will not be completely lame. I plan to include a bloggy potpourri of culinary feats, athletic challenges, regional exploration, and always-wanted-to-try-but-never-got-around-to experiments. I will not insult the internet by an entire post dedicated to a TV show. I will not shame the word "experience".

I really wish my first post could be "Never have I ever... started a blog!" But that would be a lie. I started a blog two years ago. I posted once. This time, I hope to do better. (and it's actually impossible for me to do worse, sweet!) My mission is clear, my intentions are positive. Here is what I hope to accomplish by this 30-day experiment and blog:

Mission:
In the next 30 days, I will attempt a new experience every day.
Goals: 
1. Succeed at most new experiences, fail at few.
2. Push my own boundaries and find some things I enjoy that I never thought I would.
3. Spread the new experience bug by inviting friends to do new stuff with me.
4. Inspire all/both people reading this blog to go out and try new stuff, too!
If you have suggestions for new stuff I should try (suggestions welcome and very much needed!) please email, Facebook or comment.


Notes: 
+ This first post is of abnormally long length. Future posts will be much shorter, promise. Please don't be scared away.
+ I'd like to thank two of my most creative friends, Beth Mercante and Diana Erskine, whose own personal projects (One-a-Day and 30 by 30, respectively) helped to inspire this experiment's format. I'd also like to give naming inspiration credit the nosy binge-drinker who came up with the Never Have I Ever game.  Wherever you are, I salute you and your liver donor. 
+ How did I do on my first post, friends? I'm dangerously close to italics overuse and abuse, I know. I'll walk the straight and narrow (font) on the next post.