Welcome Galaxy and I'll send pixie dust best wishes for jamsmom and philaround in their job searches. Been there - not too much fun.
Meanwhile, this is the first time I've had access to my computer since the blackout. I was stranded on the 46th floor of my office Thursday, had to walk down all those flights of stairs. Then walked to my 78 year old MIL's to see if she was okay (15 more flights up and 15 down), then walked over the Queensboro bridge and the 6 miles home and up 4 more flights of stairs (80 in all). My poor legs are still a little sore and I have blisters all over my feet.
We got power after 26 hours and headed to our beach house only to sit in horrible thunder storms with the lights flickering and cable TV going out. Not the most relaxing weekend I've ever spent.
I guess the lucky part is that normally I would have been on the subway when the power went out, but DH and I were going out to celebrate our 13th(!) wedding anniversary so I wasn't stranded in the subway for 2 & 1/2 hours like my co-worker.
Did I say "Good morning, everyone??" I'm so thrilled to have electricity and a HOT starbucks coffee in hand.