What are you up to (no work related thread)

[norrahe]

1) prince2 and uml course, P2 was brilliant and the people great fun, uml was pointless and a waste of money

2)revisiting all my chef skills and having the time to cook

3) chilling and enjoying having the time to do things when i want and not having to pack it all into a two day weekend

4) volunteering with cats protection, when not benched i do it part time and am almost full time, very rewarding

5) travel went to china

[darmstadt]

1) Getting up early

2) Not going outside much, too cold but the phone might ring as it did a little while ago for an interview in Frankfurt

3) Setting up the new PC which I bought to teach myself some new skills. Got Eclipse this and that, Visual this and that, RAD this and that installed but can't be bothered too much. Do have all my 'z' OS'es up and running so concentrating on that as the last contract was not my key areas so they need brushing up

4) Actually I do pop into town each day to sit around drinking coffee for a while and buy ingredients for the evening meal

5) Seem to eat more

6) Get funny looks from the neighbours for walking around in the wife's underwear while she's at work. It seems more comfortable while sitting down at the PC for hours on end

[badger7579]

I'm actually benched by choice at the moment (last client was driving me crazy). Its always a little concerning wondering how long I'll be benched for but I think the signs for a pick up in the PM market are encouraging.. Anyway my bench time is spent thus..

1) Every second day is spent out on a new Mountain Bike I've just bought. There are some great tracks round my area and its peaceful and lets me think and clear the head.

2) Obviously look daily for new contracts.

3) Spending time just reading or playing PSP.

4) Getting up late.

5) Will look at some training, maybe MSP, MOR.

[BrowneIssue]

On the subject of training / re-training I'm seriously considering starting ACCA (accountancy - yes really) as an option to keep in the back pocket for 5-10 years hence.

Interesting. Last year a really good SAP consultant I was working with finished doing his accountancy qualifications: "So I can talk my client's talk, do my own accounts as a contractor - or at least check my accountant's paperwork, and charge about 50% more 'cos there's so few qualified accountants doing SAP consultancy."

[moorfield]

Will be benched from Friday. Quite happy with the prospect of taking >4 weeks off for the first time in five years. Will be doing plenty of running, need to lose the gut.

On the subject of training / re-training I'm seriously considering starting ACCA (accountancy - yes really) as an option to keep in the back pocket for 5-10 years hence.

[PM-Junkie]

I'm starting piano lessons soon. Anyone seen Groundhog day?

Seen it? I'm bloody living it!

[chris79]

I'm starting piano lessons soon. Anyone seen Groundhog day?

[JoJoGabor]

Do something you've always wanted to do, like a sailing or diving course, learn to play a guitar/drums etc. Go to a lapdancing bar for lunch. Join a retirees table tennis club and whip ass!

All things I did when on the bench - I miss the excitement!

[chris79]

I've been benched about 3 months now, did start a new gig in December but decided it was a no-go after day #1.. interviews starting to happen again, but in my time off it has been:-

1. Enjoyed Christmas due to the fact I had plenty time to plan/prepare/stock-up/spend time pissing about doing stuff I normally avoid, like putting up the decorations etc..

2. Did the PRINCE2 prac. course whilst benched which I passed, totally enjoyed it, was one of the best weeks I've had this year.. and that says a lot as I normally hate training/education with a passion.

3. Spent a lot of time with my 2 young kids, playing with them, taking them to the park to kick football, etc.. all the stuff I miss when I'm working as it's either 5pm+ when I get in, or I'm too lazy once I take my coat off.

4. Did the car thing too, except I sold mine and bought a £800 run-around which will be passed to someone in our family once they pass their test soon.. again, cost cutting.

5. More cost cuttings to ensure my rainy-day fund lasts as long as possible.

6. Did CentreParcs rather than abroad, but to be fair it's crap in winter.. bit of a waste of money we felt.. (only £300, no big deal).

7. Spent an entire day re-doing my entire CV updating it with *EVERYTHING* I'd ever done in my career, skills section, etc.. to ensure I'm making the most of myself.

8. Job market searches daily, has paid off.. 2 interviews this week, with a few other random calls for stuff which didn't get to an interview for various reasons (rate/location/etc)..

9. Did a space saving exercise in the house clearing out ALL the old tulip and taking it all to the dump, making the most of our home, and feeling good about reclaiming space.

10. Played some games on PS3, PC, etc.. stuff I don't normally get time to do.

11. Started getting back into the gym, but let that slip again.. had flu just after New Year, so will be getting that going again ASAP.

12. Lying in the bath at 2pm mid-week wondering what everyone else might be currently doing whilst I'm busy chilling out!

13. Most importantly, not getting stressed or worried about being benched.. I'll make up for it once I get another gig, maybe next year I'll work 51 weeks.

[virtualm]

Knock one out >3 times a day.

Your a contractor why don't you pay for the services instead ?

[BrowneIssue]

The holiday plan is a good one. Why go on holiday to a warm place in the summer, duh?

Training. It costs SO MUCH MONEY to take time off to go on a course. Doing it when benched is very efficient. Especially since it immediately adds to your saleable value.

The rest makes perfect, logical sense, you boring sensible fart! Go on, blow some money on something irresponsible. You're a contractor.



I'm looking forward to NickFitz's answer...

[Dante]

Play the PS3 and knock one out >3 times a day.

[virtualm]

As I'm out of a contract at the moment, I thought I'd get some ideas going as to what people tend to do when they are out of a contract, here's mine:-

1) Took a holiday to somewhere warmer - I always take my breaks when I'm between contracts and never during. I always have my PDA with me to check emails from jobserve etc.

2) Booked myself on a Prince 2 practioner course £995 ex Vat - 5 days intense course. Although I've been a PM for over 10 years and even when perm never got the opportunity to do it, I thought it was about time I did soem training. And the best time as I'm not contracting.

3) Paid tax bill and sorted VAT return out. How exciting...!

4) Researching the net for jobs as usual, daily.

5) Doing some house decoration work. Painting etc, might as well, no point paying somebody to do it if I can do it myself. Again, as I'm not working - why not.

6) Looking at swapping and choosing insurances etc, utilities, to save some money. Might as well, as I never ever get time when contracting....just too busy, or away during the week.

7) Oh, and my nice car which costs £££ in petrol is hibernating for the winter and am using the mrs Clio as a runaround to save money.

To be honest, I'm quiet enjoying the break, never get stressed during gaps...always backed with money in the bank...just not too long I hope during this downturn.

Think I'm keeping busy! What else do you guys do in gaps then?