Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

I’m about to become another victim of the bad economy. After six years with the same company, I’ve just been told that I am being laid off next week. I’ve got some money in the bank, and my expenses are not too high, so I’m okay for a little while. However, before I have to go out there and start looking for work again, I’d like to buy a new pair of business pumps. I’ve budgeted $200 for this, please help.

Mariana

Manolo says, ayyyyyy! You have the Manolo’s sympathy. Such terrible news!

Or, is it?

This last week, the article appeared in the Los Angeles Times describing the handful of youthful ex-workers who have found that being out of work was the bestest thing ever, for at last they could engage in those life-enriching hobbies with which traditional gainful employment had interfered, such as surfing and mountain biking. This trend was not unemployment, said the The Los Angeles Times, rather it was “funemployment”.

Funemployment! What could be more American than this? To make barely palatable lemonade from the most shriveled and bitterest of lemons!

Of the course, for most of us, funemployment means that we will finally have the time to spend rooting around in the dumpster behind the Whole Foods looking for organic carrots that are not yet brown. Such fun!

Here is the Olivia from Prari, the handsome, Italian-made black pump with exactly the correct amount of tasteful detail to set it apart. And, look! They are on sale, nearly 50% off of the regular price.