Being productive in between contracts

[Cheshire Cat]

Hello all
I'm on my first "break" between contracts. Been on the bench for a month now. I have money to last about 4 months before I need to start earning again.
I've bored myself to death with gardening, DIY and DVDs.
So I wonder, what do other contractors do for extended periods on the bench?
Surely you don't all spend your bench time watching Trisha and surfing for porn.
Do you have a hobby? Something creative? Do you have a plan B that you work on? Do you spend time brushing up your contract skills? Training for a triathlon? Learning the sitar? Plastering people's houses? A second ad hoc income?
I want to do something productive (preferably profitable) for the next time I'm on the bench.
What activities are suitable for a bright young fella with potentially weeks of free time, at least once per year?

[Shimano105]

Cycle a bit, read up on latest technologies (never used to bother but it is essential now), unwind, remove the previous work from your mind (something a permie can never do) and - most importantly - spend time with your family!

[pmeswani]

Hello all
I'm on my first "break" between contracts. Been on the bench for a month now. I have money to last about 4 months before I need to start earning again.
I've bored myself to death with gardening, DIY and DVDs.
So I wonder, what do other contractors do for extended periods on the bench?
Surely you don't all spend your bench time watching Trisha and surfing for porn.
Do you have a hobby? Something creative? Do you have a plan B that you work on? Do you spend time brushing up your contract skills? Training for a triathlon? Learning the sitar? Plastering people's houses? A second ad hoc income?
I want to do something productive (preferably profitable) for the next time I'm on the bench.
What activities are suitable for a bright young fella with potentially weeks of free time, at least once per year?

Go to the local casino and pass your time there. lol. I don't really have any hobbies out of work environment.... why not take on a short course to pass your time?

[ChimpMaster]

So I wonder, what do other contractors do for extended periods on the bench?

Worried constantly about getting the next contract

[KathyWoolfe]

Worried constantly about getting the next contract

WHS

[badger7579]

There is never enough porn on the internet

[trsisko]

when you say read up on latest technologies such as

[ratewhore]

I've had a few breaks between contracts because I have wanted that time off. If I got to the point where I was bored then I would go back to work...

[Mustang]

I've bored myself to death with gardening, DIY and DVDs. So I wonder, what do other contractors do for extended periods on the bench?

Call me old fashioned - but whatever happened to the pastime of looking for a new contract? I am all in favour for taking a break (2,3,6 weeks or whatever suits) but isnt the name of the game to keep working?

[chef]

whatever you do, dont ever think "i wonder what all this fuss is about World of Warcraft, i bet it's rubbish but i should really give it a go to have an opinion on the subject" and download the 10 day free trial "just to see"..

the good news is your time will fly by, the bad news is you might find it hard to keep up with social goings on, girlfriends birthdays and the like