Bummer about the layoff. Been there/done that.

If you have a hard time finding something new and get discouraged, remember this. I got layed off and was 2 weeks into looking for a new job when my wife found out she was expecting! How's THAT for stress? But, we'd been trying for a child for more than 2 long years before that and she had to have surgery before we managed it, so I was excited beyond belief. I'm actually kinda glad things worked out that way because it put a bounce back in my stride and I think it helped my interviews because, dispite being stressful, it was still the best thing that ever happened and it's hard to not let that happiness show. But that sure isn't how everyone would have taken it. Lots of guys would have labeled it "a problem" and missed out on all the joy. Well, I make sure I don't feel like I require employment's permission to live my life the way I see fit and feel the way I should feel. It takes a lot more than loosing my job to REALLY get me down now. I've got everything I need and want in life and it has little to nothing to do with a commitment from any single employer.

Jobs come and go even in the best of times. While I do have a strong work ethic, I still am a firm believer in "work to live, don't live to work."

Let us know how it goes though. And let us know if you need to bend anyone's ear about it.