Letters

Re “Nice work if you can avoid it,” Column One, June 4

This is a fantastic report. I got laid off in early April and thought that it would be the end of the world. Having worked for 12 straight years out of college, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of free time I inherited after losing my job in TV operations.

But after the initial shock, I decided, “Why not take advantage and do what I love doing -- travel?”

So, while I’m applying for jobs, I’ve decided to visit Hawaii, Canada and some parts of the U.S. I’ve never seen. If I’m still “funemployed” by the end of summer, Australia might be a destination.

I say, if you can, make the best of it and do what you want to do -- when you’re working you don’t have the time or energy to do otherwise.

Art Perez

Los Angeles

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I have been out of work since January and bounce back and forth between loving it and panicking about my future.

I’m 34, have an MBA, and I’m never going back to the way it was. I have some partners, and we plan to start our own company, but I won’t return to the high-stress 15-hour days. Today, I have breakfast and dinner with my toddler daughter; in the old job, I saw her in the hour before she went to bed (maybe) and on the weekends. We are not financially secure. We live month to month off our savings, unemployment and my wife’s work.

But we’re happier. And most important, we’re with our daughter.

Matt Becklin

Irvine

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Let’s see. Mortgage. Car payments. Motorcycle payments. Insurance bill. Water bill. Power bill. Phone/Internet bill. Satellite TV bill. Food bills. Vehicle maintenance bills. Sometimes I like to buy clothes or get a haircut -- or buy a newspaper (did you hear that, L.A. Times?).

According to some, I am living that American dream, right here in Paradise (Santa Maria). You people that can do it, more power to you; enjoy it while you can. As for me, bring on the overtime. Unemployment wouldn’t pay the half of it.

Incidentally, I know several people who have been laid off, are on unemployment, are starting to lose their houses and for whom the American dream is crumbling. Not so “funemployment.”

Robert Jones

Santa Maria, Calif.

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Why work if you are getting paid to have fun?

I hope these narcissistic 20- to 30-year-olds remember how they were able to get their college degrees. Their hard-working, dedicated parents set money aside to ensure a good life for them.

If they want to throw it away, fine -- but I have a suggestion: Take away the unemployment checks of anyone caught online boasting about his or her unemployment exploits.

Mona Redman

Rancho Santa Margarita

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Your article really blew me away.

I am a 24-year-old mom; I definitely do not think that it’s very fun to be unemployed. I am on month six, and every single day, I’m looking for a job.

I should be happy that some of those people blowing through Daddy’s money or taking unemployment are also out partying and hanging out at the beach?

Come on, we’re not 16 anymore. Grow up.

Jessica Stewart

Canoga Park