Sunday Blog Brunch: Active Leisure & The Hubby Diaries.
(Ed.Note) Welcome to our journey into the world of recession blogs! The 405 Club wants to get personal via a handful of questions with our favorite fellow bloggers who are documenting the recession and unemployment firsthand.
Today we have the honor of enjoying a lovely brunch with Craig and Javed from The Layoff Support Network.
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Before we chat about the blog, what will you be having for brunch?
* Well, given the fact that I’ve been cultivating quite a nice “muffin top” since my unemployment, I think I might just stick with coffee.
1. When were you laid off and what did you do? Or are you employed/self-employed? If so, what do you do now?
* I was laid off in June 2009. I worked in the “recession proof” liquor industry managing field sales & marketing. I was with a small company and survived 2 rounds of lay offs last year. I ultimately fell victim to a company buy out by an industry gi.
2. When and why did you start your site?
* I had been unemployed for about a month and I was going stir crazy sitting in my house endlessly job searching on the internet, when a friend emailed me a link to an unemployment blog. I started thinking, well I love to write, and I have nothing but free time, so maybe I should start my own blog. I was also desperately trying to find ways to fill my excessive “leisure” time. And,http://activeleisure.wordpress.com was born in August 2009. The site still continues to evolve.
3. What is your motivation to continue blogging and/or running the site?
* Believe it or not my site has become therapeutic for me. It allows me to talk about whatever may be on my mind….
It’s a place where I can vent and share my day-to-day challenges of surviving unemployment. And most importantly, I can provide some levity and humor to an otherwise really crappy situation.
I hope that my readers get a chuckle when they visit my site.
4. Do you think blogging or running your site will help you find a job?
* I don’t necessarily think that my blog will help me find a job. Although, I’ve enjoyed writing so much, who knows maybe writing will become a new career path for me… any publishers out there want to publish my story?
5. What do you want to do next professionally?
* Ideally I’d love to stay in the same industry.. Bev/Alc or perhaps another CPG company. And, honestly, I really have discovered a whole new passion for writing. I even just started a new blog “The Hubby Diaries”http://thehubbydiaries.wordpress.com which I think could provide some humorous, anecdotal stories for a lighthearted book… who knows where this might go?!
6. How will your blog change when you rejoin the workforce?
* I’d like to think I’ll keep the blog going once I find a job. It’s title “Active Leisure” is one that can translate well beyond unemployment. The idea of being either physically or mentally active during leisure time is a concept I’d like to continue throughout my life.
7. What’s new at your site and where does it go from here?
*I continually add legit sites to take on line surveys (I only post sites that have actually paid me) as well as mystery shopping information to try to help people find ways to earn a little bit of money while they are unemployed.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, I just started a new offshoot blog about the intriguing differences between men & women. There were many days, where I wanted to share funny stories about my life with my husband now that I’m unemployed and home all the time. I decided these stories would be best served on another site and, http://thehubbydiaries.wordpress.com started just last week.
Bonus Questions: Any final thoughts or words of wisdom for members of The 405 Club?
* I know that some days are worse than others but always remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. Do everything in your power to remain positive. If you let the negativity pull you down, potential employers will pick up on it and you won’t be able to put your best foot forward!
Last but certainly not least, what is your favorite series/feature on The 405 Club?
* I can’t say I have a favorite. This site is a great resource… for practical information or for laughs. You’ve got it all.
Thank you!!
No, thank YOU for joining us for this lovely brunch.
