From unemployed to retired

Yesterday was a milestone of sorts in my job search. I emailed off my 54th job application. Nothing special about the number 54, but it was the last application that I "have to" make. See, the VEC requires the unemployee to be "actively searching for employment" each week in order to draw unemployment benefits for that week, and the minimum criterion for an "active search" is two contacts each week. Some weeks it has been damned hard to find two jobs that I might be remotely qualified for, but I have nevertheless dutifully logged at least two a week (a process also known as "grasping at straws").

But all good things, they say, must come to an end, and so it is with unemployment benefits: this marks the 26th and final week that I'm eligible to draw benefits, which is a good news/bad news situation. The bad news is that the check (well, direct deposit) next Wednesday will be my last. The good news is that I need no longer grasp at employment straws, because the VEC will no longer care whether I am actively searching for work. The VEC, in fact, will henceforth ignore my existence completely.

So, where does this leave me? For now, I'm going to consider myself an early retiree. Of course, it's barely possible that one of the last few applications I made might yet hit pay dirt... but I'm not holding my breath. I'll continue to watch the job boards for possibilities, but I'll no longer feel compelled to apply for jobs I don't really want and/or I'm not totally qualified for, just to fill a quota.