I’m Heidi — a freelance art director and photographer here in NYC. I also started The Unemployed Tourist with my friend Deb. In between gigs, I spend lots of time in  Midtown. That’s where I live. I must admit, it’s a strange place to be when you’re not working.

While the people in adjacent buildings go from meeting to meeting, I watch back to back episodes of Little House on the Prairie. Sometimes I peek through my window which happens to look right into a big ad agency (one I actually interned at in my wee days). I keep myself entertained watching everyone work.

I step outside around noonish. For most of the employed in my hood outside at this time, this is lunch hour. People are searching out the place to “power lunch”. I think about making myself a nice peanut butter sandwich later.

I stand out like a sore thumb amongst the sweaty suits and the stressed-out, especially since I usually go out dressed in practically my pajamas. Everyone is very busy and important and talk about things that are extremely urgent. I look at the security guy who rides the Segway and think how much fun that job would be.

Unlike the people around me, I am calm. I can breathe. I actually talk to the smiling teen who stops me for Greenpeace.

Hopefully, the time in-between gigs won’t be too long. And while  I can’t say I love this area, I can enjoy my downtime in the oh-so-employed world of Midtown.