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You are here: Home / All blog posts / Laid off!
Previous post: Socks
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September 1, 2007 by Tien Chiu

Laid off!

Right before my vacation, too.  Bummer.  Oh well.  The economy is buzzing along here, and people are hiring, so I’m not too worried – it took me only three weeks to find a new job the last time I looked (which was only four months ago), and I’m hoping my current unemployment will be equally short.  Whatever.  There’s not much I can do about it right now, since I’m heading off to China in four days, so I’ll deal once I get back.  I have a nice cash cushion that, with unemployment, should be enough to take me through six or seven months of unemployment, and I doubt it’ll last that long.

Which comes to the next question: what to do with a month of free time?  I am in an enviable position – I have loads and loads of yarn stashed away, so I don’t need to buy anything, and now I’ll have the time to play with it.  I rather think I will start by (a) finishing my dye samples and (b) doing (of course) more weaving!  I have been reading up on network twills and they sound exciting, plus there are of course the placemats and napkins to finish.  I have a handpainted rayon chenille warp to put on, and another silk one.

I also want to do some sewing.  After we get back, I’m going to get Mike to measure me (so I can put the numbers into Patternmaster: Celebrations) and then I’m going to try designing my own outfit using their patterns.  The champagne silk and red velvet are just dying for attention, and I may dye some of that white fabric for use in outfits.  I may design and weave some yardage for outfits, too.  Fortunately it doesn’t take much fabric to lay out an off-the-shoulder top, so I won’t have to weave too many yards.

It will also be a good opportunity to get back into the saddle after a month or two off the bike.  I imagine it will take some time to get the endurance back, but I have time to devote to it.

I would be lying if I said I were happy about being laid off, but my goodness! there’s so much to do.  I think my time will be really productive.

Knitted the first part of my first sock last night (couldn’t sleep very well due to stress – sort of predictable under the circumstances) and am moderately pleased at how it’s coming out.  I think I’d have preferred a color-change yarn with longer stretches of color, but it’s what I’ve got right now.  We’ll see how it turns out.

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Filed Under: All blog posts, dyeing, knitting, sewing, textiles, weaving

Previous post: Socks
Next post: The French Laundry, placemats, and China

Comments

  1. Laritza says

    September 1, 2007 at 6:27 am

    Have fun in your trip. Bring back lots of silk and worry about your job when you get back.

  2. WhizGidget says

    September 1, 2007 at 7:56 am

    Aw, Tien… I’m sorry you were laid off. I’m in the same boat (they paid me to leave), but hiring *is* good right now so I’m going to wish you luck in your job hunt, and I hope you really enjoy China (can’t wait to read those travel blogs!)

  3. K says

    September 1, 2007 at 4:11 pm

    Ditto on having fun on your trip! I’m actually quite envious over your opportunity for time off. Would that it did not come at such a cost…

  4. taueret says

    September 2, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    Sorry to hear about your being laid off. Seems really unfair given how hard you’ve been working!! Enjoy your trip and try not to worry.

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