In 2000 and 2001, I had five business trips to Anacortes. I lived in Houston at the time and was overjoyed to go somewhere that had real hills and real trees. The Anacortes area isn't too liberal from what I remember.
I know the feeling of seeing a career go through bad times. I had two engineering degrees and five and a half years of excellent performance with a medium-sized energy and chemical company when I was laid off in '94. I was unemployed for seven months before getting a job with a worthless consulting company. That place was miserable. In desperation, I quit to return to school where I earned my third engineering degree in a related engineering field. I couldn't find a job in that field and ended up in my original field.
I wish this story were building to a completely happy ending, but things still haven't returned from a benefits point of view. People who say that a layoff is good are mostly spouting nonsense. A layoff is a disaster for most people. However, I have a nice salary now and work with good people. My resume looks great even if I don't always feel successful. I may not be able to offer my situation as an encouraging anectdote, but I can assure you that many of us know how you feel. I lived in five states and moved seven times between January of '94 and July of '02. The situation can be rough, and I hope all the best for you getting through it. If we can help, please let us know.
Bill
I guess I came out here overly confident. I found a job in a matter of a couple of weeks of trying after I got out of the military. When I got laid off from that job, I applied for three jobs, interviewed at two, and was offered both.
I thought it'd be a simple thing to pick up and move and find a new position. I was wrong. But on the other hand, I've learned that I *can* pick up and move, which is something I've always been afraid to do. And although Fort Collins isn't a HUGE city, it's far bigger than anywhere I've lived before. I've learned that I can in fact drive somewhere like this without killing myself. ;-) It's a novel concept!