some years ago i got made redundant from my fulltime job
since the i've worked part time, casual, & sessional
its the best time of my whole life and i wish i'd known about the part time situation years ago
now, even though i don't earn lots of money, there's enough to get by on
and the bestest bit is i've now got the time to live my own life!
i don't need to worry about if i can go out to folky events nearly every night
i'm much more chilled out 'n relaxed- so i can go off on jaunts to festivals 'n other events witout even having to think too much about holidays/leave days etc
i know to the other readers eyes this looks all self centred 'n selfish but by working in employment selectively, its possible for all the other wage slaves to enjoy the good life, provided that your needs are kept simple.
for example, i've already done a couple of festivals this year, [all free ones] and since i discovered the mudcatters gatherings i'm set on not attending mainstream folk festivals anymore- other than at ones where i can work my ticket [stewarding etc]
so, if you'd fancy a life of almost total hedonism, don't worry about amounts of mandatory [or optional] paid leave from your employers; break out of fulltime work 'n enjoy yoour own life.
life's tooo short to waste doing other people's bidding- do your own thing
here endeth the sermon