If you, dear reader, have anything in common with me right now, it’s probably the fact that we are both unemployed and are desperately tearing out our hair in order to land a full-time job with benefits. What do you do in order to keep from going stir-crazy or completely and utterly depressed?

It is a question I have had to ask myself many times since I graduated in May. After some trial and error, I have come up with a list of fun, free or cheap activities to do. Bonus-some look excellent on your resume.

So, without further ado, I give you the list:
• Volunteering. Volunteering for non-profit organizations or animal shelters looks fantastic on your resume and shows potential employers that despite a lack of full-time work, you’re keeping yourself busy. Plus, there’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment when you realized that you actually made a positive change in the world, small though it might be.

• Writing. For my fellow aspiring creative writers, working on your portfolio is a great way to pass the time, especially if you are applying for jobs where writings skills are needed. It might not be volunteer work but it does show that you’re keeping busy and that your writing skills are up to par.

• Promoting indie bands. Have musician friends? Do they need help promoting upcoming gigs? Helping to pass out cds and flyers is a great way to go out and about so that you’re not cooped up in your house, slowly going stir-crazy.

• YouTube skits. Into acting? Why not gather a few friends, write out a script, film and then upload it to YouTube? If the Joker Blogs are anything to go by, with the right promotion, your video can wind up being an internet hit as well.

• The library. Like to read? Broke as a joke? Spend your time at the library where you can still keep up to date on the latest novels and if you already have a library card, it’s free.

• Yard Sale. Need a bit of cash? Why not get a few friends and organize a yard sale? It’s a good way to get rid of junk that’s just lying around and make a bit of cash.

• Dog walking. If you like animals, try putting up a few fliers advertising yourself as a dog walker. Can’t hurt, and it’ll be a good way to have references for a future job application.

• Movie night with friends. Especially for women, having a movie night with your friends is a great way to pass the time and distress after job hunting. Swap DVDs-have a friend bring over a movie to watch that you haven’t seen, and look through your DVD collection to find movies your friend hasn’t watched.

• Mani/pedi night. Again, for women who can’t afford to splurge on a manicure or pedicure, gather up a few friends, some food (bonus points if you make the affair a potluck), and some nail polish so you can take turns giving yourselves manicures and pedicures.

• Visit your local park. Like bike riding? Roller blading? Or merely taking a nice long stroll? Go to your local park and get some fresh air-it’s a great way to relax.

All this and more you can do to keep yourself active, happy, and stress free while you look for employment. Happy job hunting!

Read 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs

Read The Magic of Thinking Big

Since I have recently joined the ranks of those with ink, I decided to write an article on some tips when thinking about getting their first tattoo. First of all, and you will hear this from everyone you know, is make sure that you want the design on your body for the rest of your life. Think about the design and what part of the body you want it on, and if possible, hang a picture of said design on your mirror. The point being, look at that design every day for six months to a year to make absolutely certain you can handle seeing that in tattoo form day in and day out.

Second, yes, the tattoo is going to hurt. Certain places hurt a bit more than others, but in general, a tattoo does hurt. That being said, it doesn’t hurt as bad as you think. It feels more like a burning, stabbing sensation. My tattoo is on my lower back and while I was determined to get inked, I will admit that I was apprehensive about the pain.

To my very great surprise, it did not hurt as badly as I’d feared. As I said, it’s more of a burning, stabbing sensation in your skin. It hurts, but it is tolerable. I recommend bringing a music player like an iPod or a good book to distract you from the pain. Also, if your shop allows this, ask to see if you can bring a close friend to talk to you as another distraction.

Third, do your homework. You tattoo is going to be a stunning piece of artwork that will be on your body for the rest of your life. You want to make sure that your tattoo artist is a professional and knows how to properly tattoo someone.

The Yellow Pages and Google.com are your best bet to find local shops. Go in, let them know that you’re shopping around to see what their prices are; as many charge by the hour, talk to the artists about the design you want, and check out their portfolio so you can get an idea of the style you want. Make sure you talk to them about if they use an autoclave or not and if they follow proper sanitary protocol before and after the tattoo. You want only the best for your ink and you don’t want to risk your health!

Once you’ve found the perfect shop and the day comes when you are going to get your tattoo, eat a full meal two to three hours beforehand. You don’t want to feel faint or dizzy while the artist works. I also recommend bringing some snacks, like candy, and water or soda to munch on so that you don’t feel sick during the tattoo process.

Before the tattooing starts, your artist will wipe the area, usually with rubbing alcohol, and shave it to make sure nothing gets in the way of the needles. After they prepare by putting out the ink in ink caps, they will put ointment so the line work stays on and then begin the tattooing process.

Once the artist is finished, your artist will put a bandage over the tattoo and give you an aftercare sheet. Aftercare for tattoos varies from shop to shop, so what you read online may contradict what your artist tells you to do. Follow your artist’s instructions and make sure to take excellent care of your new tattoo by washing it and either using anti-bacterial soap, A&D ointment, or something like Bacitricin to keep it from getting infected. You’ll be washing and applying ointment for the first three days. Then on the fourth day you will be told to switch over to washing and then applying moisturizing lotion; the reason being that the peeling and flaking part of the healing process now takes place and your skin will feel very dry and itchy. Don’t pick it or scratch it, as you don’t want to lose any color from your artwork.

Here is a handy list of what to do and what not to do regarding aftercare:

Dos and Don’ts of Tattoo Aftercare

DO wash and apply ointment or moisturizer three to four times a day depending on which day of healing you’re on.

DON’T soak your tattoo in a bath, shower, Jacuzzi, or pool for the next two to three weeks. It’s an open wound and therefore prone to infection.

DON’T pick or scratch at your tattoo; it’ll lose ink.

DO put on SPF 30 on your tattoo once it’s fully healed and you’re out in the sun. You don’t want it to fade.

If you start having a reaction or fear you have an infection, see your artist and then your doctor right away. However, as long as you take good care of your tattoo and went to a reputable, professional shop, you should be fine and will have gorgeous ink for the rest of your life.

If you want further reading on tattoos and tattoo aftercare, I’ve compiled a handy list:

Tattoo Aftercare from the Client’s perspective

Tattoo Aftercare.org

About.com: Tattoo Aftercare

If you want to see my tattoo, here’s a link. It was done by “Old School””Alex at Brooklyn Ink.

My tattoo, right after I had just gotten it done.

Happy tattooing!

So, I’ve been researching “Holiday gifts for your girlfriend” just to see if my boyfriend is able to find good options for my holiday gift, which is a little selfish but I want a good gift! And I have to say that a few of the options are fairly decent, and even I would be satisfied with nice jewelry (who wouldn’t) or a cheesy picture frame with a picture of us! There were however, many gifts that I did not think were suitable for the holidays! Holidays are supposed to be fun and although pretty lingerie could be a lot of fun, this isn’t really a gift for your girlfriend…is it fellas?? On a similar note, cooking ware is a household appliance and it’s more of a necessity than a fun holiday gift, so steer clear of kitchen appliances!

She doesn’t want Lingerie, she doesn’t want cookware, and she certainly no heated socks for the holidays! Does anyone really want heated socks? I can’t believe they do, but it’s one of the many ridiculous items that girlfriends apparently “want” for the holiday! And my last no-no, never take a girl you care about shopping, unless she specifically says she wants this for her holiday gift. Taking your girlfriend shopping and having her pick out her own gift really ruins the element of surprise. By doing this, you are practically telling her, “I really don’t want to waste time getting you a gift this year, so you might as well just do it yourself.”

There are a few ways to figure out the perfect gift for your girl! You need to think of something she wants but will not get for herself, because well…it’s not a necessity and since the holiday season can be quite expensive, often times we try to save a little money on ourselves and spend money on our loved ones. Some ideas are:

Day at the Spa: Purchase a gift certificate for a massage, maybe even a pedicure, manicure or a facial. Even a day at the spa together, this is very romantic but can be quite costly.

Gift Certificate to Hair Salon: Just remember, this could be a bit tricky if your girl only goes to a specific hair dresser, so be a sneak and figure out this information without being too obvious! My boyfriend isn’t really great at being sneaky , but I let it go, because he is trying!!

Tickets to a Show/Event: Tickets to a show or sporting event can make a really great gift. This depends on the girl you are buying for, because there are many girls that would rather see a hockey game than ever have to sit through an Opera! For me, I think I would prefer the ballet, or a nice play in the city. Again, this is a bit expensive, but this is a nice treat and very appropriate for the holiday! Doesn’t every girl need to see the Nutcracker around Christmas time?

I’m not finished yet; I still have a few options that are less expensive and more thoughtful! Girls love when their significant other is thinking about them! Doesn’t even matter what they are thinking about, just as long as we are in their thoughts! We can be a bit selfish at times, but we just want to know we are loved! Girls appreciate the act of giving much more than the actual gift.

Baking cake/cookies: If my boyfriend bakes me a cake, as much as I’d hate to eat all those extra calories, it is really the sweetest thing! Most guys aren’t really into baking, so the fact that he would go out of his way and do something that he probably doesn’t really enjoy, for me, really says a lot! And may be one of the sweetest gifts a girl can get!

Romantic Wine Tasting in your very own Living room: This is an easy one. Get a few bottles of wine, a few different kinds of cheese, some crackers, and there’s a prefect night…for both of you! Don’t forget a few candles to set the mood!

Memories Collage/Book of the Two of you: This is usually done by a girl and given to her boyfriend, and even if a guy appreciates the gesture, the girl is the one who really likes a nice gift like this. Throw in some pictures, a few stories here and there about how you met and some crafty hearts you can buy at Michael’s. These collages are so easy to make and so meaningful to your girl! She will most likely cry when opening this gift! A good cry is always in order for a good gift!!

Coupons: I’ve used coupons before and I think they went over well, but I’m pretty sure my boyfriend wanted a real gift instead. Guys are more practical when it comes to gifts, so if it’s not tangible, they are probably not interested. However, girls like coupons! Maybe a coupon for a movie night, her movie picks. Back massages are always great coupons, as well as a foot rub! A coupon for a cooked dinner is another option! Really, this can be quite easy, think of anything your girlfriend likes or wants and put it on a coupon! I wrote a coupon for a free trip to the beach and I had to drive the entire way I knew he was happy with that one, so you can write anything you want! Put it on some cute pink paper, use a fun font and print out some coupons for your girl!

I hope this information was helpful! I really thought of all the things I like and wrote about them! I figure I’m a girl, so it’s a pretty factual blog!

Enjoy and happy holidays!

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Like a lot of men, I normally buy whatever I want throughout the year, so shopping for me during the holidays can be quite a chore. My girlfriend recently started looking at blogs about holiday shopping ideas for men and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Most of these blogs are written by women who have no clue what men really want as a holiday gift. This inspired me to put some shopping ideas together about what I and most other men really want for the holidays.

One rule for any woman and my girlfriend knows this well, stay away from high-priced technology. It is too expensive and quite honestly, you will probably get it wrong. While it is incredibly sweet to give your man an ipod, a laptop, or even a high-definition television, save yourself the grief. Guys like me who are into technology have very specific needs when it comes to technology. I’ll give you a perfect example from last year’s holidays.

I was in the market for a new iPod. I really wanted an iPod touch. My girlfriend knew this and started shopping around for iPods. I wound up buying one for myself right before she made the purchase. It was a good thing because I wanted to pay the extra money for a 32 gb, whereas my girlfriend was looking at 8 gb iPods. As sweet as it would have been to get one, I would have rather bought it myself and get the specs I wanted. The same goes for the high-def televisions, laptops, etc. Unless you know exactly all of the specifications the technology geek on your holiday list wants, don’t bother.

Here are a few easy ideas that I would recommend if you are struggling finding the perfect gift for the man in your life.

Sirius/XM Satellite Radio - As a four-year satellite radio customer, I can’t endorse this product enough. Any man in your life that doesn’t have satellite radio would absolutely love it once he plugged it in and started using it. The beauty of this gift is it is probably something that the man in your life wouldn’t buy, but would really enjoy. You have the option to buy a monthly or yearly subscription at some real reasonable prices. Now you must get the hardware with it, so this can be tricky. I would suggest a gift card and allow him to pick his own unit out. You can find units online or at local Best Buy stores. In the meantime, you can buy a subscription and make sure to include the option to listen online. There is also an app to listen on the iPhone, so if he has an iPhone you may want to include another gift card to download the app.

Click here to get the Best of SIRIUS Free for 3 months when you purchase any XM radio.

Click here to check out all of the latest deals on iPhone applications on iTunes.com. 

Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Wise Up Book!- Amazing Facts and Incredible Information Book – This is a fantastic gift and once again, something that the man on your list will never tell you he wants but will love it. This sucker is over 400 pages and is full of fun facts from sports, entertainment, history, politics, and more. The idea behind it is that you read it when you’re well, on the can in the bathroom. I came across this once in a book store and I loved it. There are a few editions, yet this one seems to be the most popular. Believe me when I tell you that not very many men want to receive a book for the holidays. However, this is one book that will surprise and impress any man on your holiday list.

Click here to check out Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Wise Up!: Amazing Facts and Incredible Information.

Gamefly.com Subscription - This is a gift specifically for the man in your life that loves video games. Gamefly is like Netflix in that you pay for a yearly subscription and have unlimited access to thousands of video games to rent and keep as long as you want. This is perfect for someone that likes to play games, beat them, and never play them again. It is relatively inexpensive, and a fun little stocking stuffer if you are looking for that something extra to fill out the holiday list for him.

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A Super Bowl Party - How about this one from out of left field? Why don’t you offer to buy or make whatever he wants for the Super Bowl, and offer him to invite a few friends over? This is not only inexpensive as opposed to some of the other more obvious gifts it is also a very thoughtful gift. As a matter of a fact, this is the kind of a gift that keeps on giving. Offer to make some dips, appetizers, and a main course for he and his buddies for the Super Bowl, and watch a little tear well up in his eye.

Order the book The Last Hurrah: the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Planner by clicking here.

A Deep Fryer - Now I know my girlfriend would never go for this, but she isn’t writing this blog. What do men like more than sports? We like to eat, and we love deep fried foods. I had a deep fryer a few years back and used her every football Sunday and sporting event for wings, appetizers, or just to get some crazy creations. Women have fondue pots, men have deep fryers. An even nicer touch would be to pick up a book of deep frying recipes. You would be shocked and probably disgusted if you saw what some men were doing with these things.

Click here to check out the Presto Professional CoolDaddy Electric Deep Fryer.

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Hope’s Cookies - Other than deep fried foods, what is the best way to a man’s heart? Of course it would be baked goods and Hope’s Cookies will give you some of the best cookies your man has ever had. The way it works is that you go on their website, order what you want, and they mail out a box of the greatest cookies in the world with a nice bow on top to your man. My girlfriend has surprised me with these a few times and as much as I hate eating junk, these disappear pretty fast. However, I will give you a tip that I learned the hard way. Don’t send it to his work. Once his co-workers see what he has, they start grubbing, and he winds up giving half of them away. Send them to his home and give him one of the tastiest surprises that he will ever get from a cardboard box.

Click here to check out the wonderful cookies available from Hope’s Cookies.

Wireless Car Entry and Starter - Once again, another gift he would never ask for but will get a lot of use out of. This is something you could either be real sneaky about, or install after the holiday. These aren’t as expensive as they used to be, and can be installed pretty quickly at your local Best Buy or Pep Boys. He may not get that excited initially, but the first time he has to run out on a cold or rainy day and he has his car started and warm inside, he will love you forever. There are plenty of these online at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, or Bestbuy.com. Even better, there are now accessories available that you can use with your cell phone that make this gift even more appealing.

Check out a ton of wireless car starters and accessories on Amazon.com by clicking here.

These are just a few different, yet reasonable ideas that may make shopping for the man in your life a little easier. Believe me, these will go much further than the magazine subscriptions, sweaters, and DVDs I see suggested by women writing about shopping for men. Lord help their poor husbands or boyfriends!

Click here for top holiday shopping deals on Amazon.com.

Save on Unbelievable CyberWeek Online Specials at Walmart.com.

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Sad eyes follow you from behind cages. Some dogs are barking, others wagging their tails happily, and some lying down quietly. Kittens meowing; while other cats curl up and watch you carefully. This is only some of the behavior you can expect from the animals in a shelter.

Unfortunately, some people still have negative misconceptions about shelter animals: that the dogs there are mainly pit-bull mixes, they are all sickly, or that they have behavioral problems. There may be some animals that fit those stereotypes, but what many people do not realize is that you can find purebreds at the shelters as well. According to the Humane Society of the United States, purebreds make up 25 to 30% of the shelter animal population. Also, mutts tend to live a bit longer than purebreds due to their mixed ancestry “weeding out” many of the genetic defects of a breed.

It is extremely important to adopt from a shelter for many reasons. The first, and most important, is that there is an overpopulation of animals in shelters and if the shelter is a kill shelter, it means that plenty of adoptable animals may be euthanized to make room for others. Second, many of these animals were taken to the shelter because their former owners made an impulse buy, didn’t do proper research, had unrealistic expectations of the breed, and did not want to put in time and effort to train them. Some animals were abused, and need to find loving homes. Whether you adopt from a shelter or a breeder, you are going to have to train your animal, so either way you are going to have to root out potential problems like barking, possible dominance, etc.

Third, pet shop animals are just as sickly as shelter dogs are made out to be. When you have animals in close quarters together, it’s going to raise the possibility of them catching something. It’s the same with children in schools-close quarters, and despite your best sanitizing efforts, there will always be a few children who catch the germs and come down with a sickness. Many pet shop animals are from puppy mills and backyard breeders, who do not conform to the AKC breed standards and are only in it to make a profit. While the pet shop puppy or kitty may be adorable, there are animals in shelters that desperately need homes because they may be in line to be euthanized soon. It’s estimated that 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters every year, animals which might have been some lucky family’s new pet.

Also, pet stores charge an obscene amount of money to buy an animal. The adoption fees are much cheaper and generally also cover vaccinations, de-worming, and spaying/neutering. Many shelters also have programs where they provide adoption counseling and follow-up assistance to help smooth over any hiccups you might have when taking home a new pet.

Don’t be upset if your local shelter doesn’t have your dream pet. Many shelters often have a waiting list, where they will either call or email you when an animal matching your preference comes in. There is also petfinder.org, which is a great resource as well. Remember, finding a pet that will match your needs takes time and shelters get new animals in every day. Keep trying, and your patience will be rewarded.

Still have your heart set on a purebred, but can’t afford a breeder? You can also go online and look up different rescue groups for the different breeds; they keep the adoptable animals in foster homes until they can find their forever homes.

It is also extremely important to donate to shelters and rescue groups, as many are in dire need of funds so that their animals may receive the best care possible. Even if you can’t adopt an animal at this time, a donation goes a long way to help the shelter animals. Volunteering at your local shelter is also another great way to help out and make a difference in the animals’ lives.

In the end, it all comes down to saving a life. Don’t listen to the negative stereotypes and go out to make a difference. If you adopt a shelter pet, you will have a new best friend who will be forever grateful that you changed their life for the better.