With recent reports still showing the unemployment rate to be hovering around 10% one needs to wonder, where are all these unfortunate folks? What are they doing, and how are they spending their time? There are only so many hours in a day, and days in a week, that a person can spend endlessly job hunting.

As someone who has recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, I can tell you that it didn't take long to realize that I've joined a special club. A club of creative, oftentimes frustrated, most times wishful and ambitious individuals. Although we are sometimes unshowered and unshaven we make up a strong army of people who, when faced with adversity turn to the web to share our stories with others. There is a bond that forms quickly when a group of people share a common misfortune. There's nothing more comforting than sharing your struggles & challenges with other people who can relate to you. People who are in your shoes or, wearing the same pajamas, so to speak.

A "laycation": A "vacation" forced upon you by a lay-off, forces many people into unchartered territory. A world filled with sleeplessness, internet surfing, tv watching, overeating & pajama wearing days. Motivation can be at an all time low and your self esteem can be down in the dumps after you send out countless resumes that seemingly disappear into no man's land. In my personal attempts to enjoy some "Active Leisure" I have turned to the internet to share my day-to-day observations, and my fight to keep myself mentally active. This journey has taken me to the underbelly of the unemployed... where interestingly enough, I found countless other people, just like me, working their way through their excess of free time by blogging. Blogging has become my sanity... A reason to focus my thoughts. A way to share my frustrations and know that I'm not alone. The number of "unemployment blogs"are significant and each one gives you but a glimpse into the life of professional who wants nothing more than to be gainfully employed. Some blogs share career tips & job hunting advice and some are just mere attempts at delivering a moment of humor into an otherwise overwhelming and unfortunate circumstance.

Always remember, there are many tools available to you if you are unemployed.. and most of them are just a "Google" away!

You can follow my daily journey through unemployment at my personal Unemployment Blog called Active Leisure