In this economic climate, jobs are scarce. People tend to hold onto the job they have... whether they like it or not. Because, jobs, are precious. And sometimes it takes a recession to realize it. As a society, we become spoiled and accustomed to a standard of living.

Upon returning to the mainland from Samoa, I was offered a job.... The first day. It was a decent job with decent pay. It would have required a suit and tie. It would have likely meant moving back to our old neighborhood. It was a fairly prestigious government post.

But... I was spoiled.

I turned it down and decided to pursue some non-profit ventures in the great state of Texas. As it turned out... those opportunities were fruitless.

Three months and a lot of cover letters later, I finally was offered a job at Southeastern Children's Home as their Gen.Counsel/Director of Development. Basically, I'm a paid beggar/fundraiser.

Those three months of unemployment were tough. The only thing friends and family wanted to do was talk about the one thing I didn't want to discuss. So, I avoided them. I rarely ventured online. I stopped checking my voice mail. I basically tried to become as invisible as possible because I was embarrassed.

I went from being King of the Castle to a nobody pauper in a matter of 6000 miles and two days. I was grumpy, depressed, and a killjoy.

Thankfully... I'm gainfully employed now. Perhaps I'll learn to savor my employment a bit more. Unemployment is certainly no place for sissies.

'nuff said.