The Odd Todd Handbook
Hard Times, Soft Couch
By Odd Todd, Todd Rosenberg 

     Odd Todd, a.k.a. Todd Rosenberg, uses his skills as a cartoonist as well as his writing skills to take an off-the-wall look at being unemployed. What could be a depressing situation becomes less serious when viewed from Odd Todd's perspective.

     The first thing to do on your first day of unemployment is master the art of sleeping late. For most of us, sleeping at all, let alone sleeping late, would be impossible. But Odd Todd has several ways to extend sleep time to at least ten-thirty.

      However, when you find yourself unable to fall asleep again, by all means get up. But since you are spending your day mastering the art of doing nothing, do not shower or dress. You might be tempted to do "something" and that would ruin your day of doing nothing. Instead, put on your ratty old bathrobe and migrate to the couch. However, do brush your teeth. If you don't take care of your teeth, you will be unable to eat potato chips.

Snacking is an important part of doing nothing. If your hands are busy feeding your face, they can't be doing something. Watching TV also helps keep your mind off doing something. You will need the added snacks to keep your energy up. Doing nothing requires more concentration than one might think.

     Sprinkled among the jokes is some practical advice to job seekers. The do's and don'ts for job interviews can be taken seriously. Of course, the don'ts list is comical and full of things I should hope no one would seriously consider doing.

     Odd Todd's Handbook does put being temporarily jobless into perspective. If you keep your sense of humor, you will survive. So, whether you're unemployed or not, have a look and a laugh at unemployment with Odd Todd.