There's only one aspect of being unemployed that doesn't suck... all the free time. But, I've found that the free time disappears in the general malaise that comes with being out of work. You spend so much time thinking about when you'll find work and where money is going to come from in the meantime that the idea of having fun just kind of vanishes.

I'm not out of work, but I know the feeling. I get paid for the advertising on my site. When the companies that are advertising don't pay my ad provider on time, I don't get paid on time. Over the last year I've watched my credit score drop, my credit card debt skyrocket, and I start to sweat each month my check is late. It's kind of ridiculous you know? When I get paid, I get paid well enough. But, I still feel like I'm out of work because I have the same worries I had when I was actually out of work. That make any sense?

Anywho, the situation changes you. In the framework of the comic Ted got all quiet. In the real world I've been more grumpy and have started avoiding the public even more than usual because I'm so quick to temper. I just want to pay my bills you know?

Alright, I'll digress here. No need for a lengthy tirade. **grins** My apologies for the semi-serious comic/writeup. I think it's because so many people have been relating to the comics this last week. Times are tough and GU is supposed to be an escape. Sorry about that dammit. I'll try to do better tomorrow.

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Today's Pimpage: Woody is wearing "The Crayfish Crush" shirt from Threadless.Com.

Even though I have a job currently that, every 2 weeks, I will get paid regardless of the situation, I still worry how I'm going to make money when I get out of the military. I already know what I want to go to college for, I just have so many things to factor into it that is making it hard for me. Depending on where I want to live, depends on how many credits/hours I'm going to need for college, what certificates I'm going to need to go, what licenses I'm going to have to get, etc. I just have no idea where I want to move and live. I have a plan B set up which I might end up going into and using my original idea as a side thing.

I have another 2 years (with a deployment in there somewhere I'm sure) before I get out. So it seems like a lot of time but really its not much and I stress over it everyday. My biggest fear is becoming a dead beat, kinda like my sisters, popping out kids left and right, staying at home, not working, and depending on someone else. I hate that :X

No need to appoligize Woody, with this week long examination over un-employment for the life of Ted. Infact I perfer this approach to comics than some stupid brain dead "humor" that other websites are using. Not only are you entertaining us, but giving us a chance to think (and vent) over an issue that has become more common this winter. I salute you for being brave enough to discuss these problems with your fans. In many ways I feel like I can relate to your point of view and feel less stressed knowing I'm not the only gamer who has to struggle with them.
As always, great job with the comic Woody and thank you!

I can relate complete to the "general malaise". I was laid off a couple of years ago after being with the company for eight years. At first I was optimistic and maybe even a little excited that new opportunities would be opened up by the transition. I told myself that my new job was to find a new job, but as the months rolled by it slowly wore on me mentally. Having a personality that demands some form of "meaningful labor", the malaise is exactly what it became.

Luckily, or however you would phrase it, opportunity did knock and it landed me my current job. The mental transformation back to my old self was immediate.

This comic does bring up the question in my mind:

"Is Ted starting to grow up?"

Which then begs the question:

"If Ted is growing up... are the Four Horsemen riding already?"

Hrmm....

You know... I can see Ted's yearly harassment of santa having something to do with a job. He might make a good elf!

Woody, there's nothing to apologize for. A little continuity is always good, and right now, I think everyone can relate to Ted.

Being out of a job sucks, even in high school and college. My one saving grace is that as a college student, I can still fall back to my parents for the next 2 years or so if things get really bad. After that, I'm on my own, and being out of work in the future is becoming a real concern. I started the semester unemployed, and had plenty of free time to spend on games and still got homework and such done. Now, it feels like I sit there and completely lose track of everything.

I've seen a similar spiral in my hard earned cash of late. Seems that no matter how much I get paid there always seems to be some sort of leak in my bank account which lets the volume of the funds shrink exponentially. Its not like I'm out buying junk or anything, just a shame thats the way the economy is drinking our funds at present.

Kinda know the feeling Woody.
I work contract, so when my Boss doesn't get paid on time, I don't get paid.
And it isn't much to begin with, so when it gets skipped it makes it harder, hell I'm still waiting on him to be paid by a client from clear back in July so I'm still owed a full pay check.

I think everyone understands and respect the situation and your take on it. if anything more it’s a help to know that we are all in this and not alone.

Regardless of the topic of GU's content i continue to enjoy it and look forward to it every morning.