Unemployment rate hits 10.2%

"The only good news is the number of layoffs are dropping off, but those who are laid off still aren't finding jobs," said David Wyss, chief economist with Standard & Poor's.

There is a glut of people applying to substitute teach. Many districts have had to clamp down on requirements and now require you pass at least one Teacher's Certification exam to be considered for a temporary job.

It's good news that the number of lay offs have dropped off. The bad news is that they haven't stopped or reveresed, i.e. companies have not started hiring.

I completely sympathize with those that are left: you have "survivor's guilt" as you see empty cubicles where your friends used to reside. Their family photos, school banners, funny calendars from "Dilbert" or "The Far Side" packed neatly in pre fabbed boxes to cart out their personal effects.

I sympathize with those that are searching. I feel the strain on my relationship as you feel it on yours. Despite the fact that 72% of the lay offs have been with men and 40% of women have become the defacto head of household, that doesn't stem the arguments that ensue that don't help the despair, the depression that we all now feel. Your wife and mine are not trying to hear that.

The Dow is up, but we need a little "hope."