Ask Slashdot: What To Do With New Free Time?

An anonymous reader writes "After 25 years of doing IT (started as a PC technician and stayed on technical of IT work through out my career) I've been moved to a position of doing only on call work (but paid as if it is a normal 9-5 job). This leaves me with a lot of free time... As someone who's used to working 12+ hours a day + the odd night/weekend on call, I'm scared I'll lose my mind with all the new free time I'll have. Any suggestions (beyond develop hobbies, spend time with family) on how to deal with all the new free time?"

Brag about it

[Anonymous Coward]

When I am faced with similar problems, the first thing to do is go on slashdot and brag about it to all the people without my priviliges

Try exploring the forbidden planet

[phayes]

All that free time would be well used if you could finally go on a date with a real woman...

I'm busy... really I am...

[ChromaticDragon]

Nice try boss.

I really don't have any free time.
(these aren't the droids you're looking for)

I'm totally swamped... really...

We have so much work, you shouldn't even begin to think of headcount reductions. But if you are, I hear Jimmy may have some free time...

Bragging.

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't help but feel he is only asking us to show off.

Dear /.,

I want some advice. Every time I leave the house more women proposition me. It is getting difficult to find the time to spend with all these ladies. What should I do?

N. Joe Face

Bang your wife

[mooingyak]

She ain't getting any younger.

Re:get a library card

[ArhcAngel]

The library would probably be better if you have no idea what you're interested in, and want to find something completely random and new..

Isn't that what the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button is for?

Re:Learn how to be.

[Graydyn Young]

If he hasn't learned how to breath yet, then yes I'd say that would be a great place to start.

Paid to do nothing

[sinij]

First, you have to realize that people are not paid to do nothing. Your situation is unique and very likely temporary. You have to consider the very real possibility that at some point in the near future process that lead to your unique arrangement will get optimized and you will be out of job or back at the desk doing 40+/week.

Time is money, and you were given a sizable gift, so your choices conceptually can be categorized into two categories - a) spend it b) invest it. Spending would be anything that you find enjoyable - this will be from browsing cat videos 10h/day, to learning new personal skill (language, music, mechanics, crafts). Investing would be anything that would make you more employable. Polish your skills, take couple coursera online classes, take community college course, study for and pass certification...

My personal suggestion is to not worry about this and just spend days playing computer games and browse cat videos. After all, it is all those other something-wrong-with-them people get fired, and it won't ever happen to you because "PEOPLE SKILLS!". Right?

Re:so many things

[pnutjam]

This guy needs a copy of Civilzation... And someone to remind him to eat.