Got a bit of ba-humbug in you? Check out this installation that pokes fun at the commercialism of the Holidays.

FREE at the Chashama Window Space. Mon thru Friday, 12-5. 266 West 37^th (between 7^th and 8^th Avenues)

Want to see how the natives do it? Go see “Christmas at Wapos Bay” — a claymation film about the spirit of the Cree Indians.

FREE showings daily at 2pm until Christmas, at the The National Museum of the American Indian.

Ready for the festival of (laser) lights? Did you know there’s a laser light show in Grand Central? It’s every half hour from 9am to 11pm through the holidays.

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Diane Court broke Lloyd Dobbler’s heart (and gave him a pen)?  At 4pm today, Say Anything fans are gathering to celebrate the Cameron Crowe Classic in Times Square.  There’s going to be a special appearance by indie rock band, The Lloyd Dobbler Effect.

You should definitely check it out.  Or would you rather hang out at the Gas ‘N Sip?

Say Anything 20th Anniversary Celebration (4pm today, Times Square bleachers)

Want Forest Whitaker to read you a story? This afternoon, both he and Catherine Keener will be at the New York Public Library reading “Where the Wild Things Are”  (they star in the movie that’s coming out this Friday).  Let the wild rumpus begin!

Today (October 13th) at 4pm
NYPL (5th Avenue at 42nd Street)

The NYC Art Book Fair is here – BOOK IT. P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center is hosting this event by Printed Matter (a non-profit organization dedicated to publications made by artists). Who will be there? Over 200 international presses, booksellers, and representatives from all kinds of contemporary art publications. There’s a long list of speakers, events and other stuff you can check out. For the love of art, do it.

THE ATTRACTION: The New York Art Book Fair at P.S.1 in Queens.
THE DEAL: It’s free.

New York Art Book Fair
Friday October 2nd 11am-7pm (and through the weekend)

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.

Here’s what a typical day in our faux-retirement includes:

9AM – Drink coffee. Listen to the radio. Sit and stare at each other.

10AM – An attempt at job hunting.

11AM – A way-too-long discussion about what we’re going to eat. This very morning, Dan sliced up some cantaloupe. Freakishly retirement-esque.

11:30 – Eat. Discuss things. There’s a bird that’s been living on our terrace. This makes for hours of discussion.

12PM – Some sort of home improvement project. As I write this, Dan shredding. Old bills and stuff. Not cabbage.

2PM – A daily activity. We’ve taken a liking to “urban hikes” where we pick a random destination and get walking. (Our last urban hike brought us to Randall’s Island. We could have golfed there, but we’re not the golfing kind. We’re more the “make-fun-of-golfing kind.)

6PM – Discuss dinner. (We’re lucky enough to have a terrace and a grill. And a friend or two that wants to end their day here.)

8 or 9PM – Suppertime! We do our best to have dinner after 8pm, and make our friends stay at least until midnight. That way, we’re not total Golden Girls.

The truth is, Dan and I are lucky. We have a great apartment. A lot of stuff to keep us busy. And luckily, a small savings that keeps us from totally freaking out. We figure, why not enjoy retirement now – after all, our real retirement won’t be coming for a long, long, time.

THE ATTRACTION: Free bike Fridays at Governors Island from Bike & Roll.
THE DEAL: Ferry and admission are also free (and the island is car-free!).

Governors Island
(Bike and Roll rental kiosk is located immediately to the left after you disembark the Governors Island ferry.)

THE ATTRACTION: Watch a “candy lab” at work.
THE DEAL: It’s free, and you can even take free samples.

Papabubble
380 Broome Street
(Between Mott & Mulberry)
New York, NY 10013
212.966.2599
Call to find out what time they’ll be making the candy.

THE ATTRACTION: Washington Square Park reopens
THE DEAL: It’s all gussied up.

Washington Square Park
5 Avenue, Waverly Place, West 4th
& MacDougal Streets
New York, NY 10012

THE ATTRACTION: Queen’s Farm – a working farm in the city.
THE DEAL: It’s free.

Queen’s Farm