Life in Unemployment

I am a casualty of the bell-curve-on-crack known as the American economy.

In the first week of my exile from cubicle nation, I could not be happier. I spent my mornings in my robe, sipping coffee and watching reruns of Will & Grace and Saved by the Bell. I took solace in the fact that the reasons for my layoff were bigger than myself. I worked in the real estate industry. Enough said.

But as the days evolved into weeks, and weeks grew into months - I noticed an acute emotional shift.

It first happened when my beloved Badgers dropped a 19-point lead to a dismal Michigan team ( who has since lost to Toldeo. In other news, the Badgers have done terribly since which has led me to believe this is God's way of telling me there are greater things in life than Rose Bowls and third-down conversions.)

I only grew surlier when I was not receiving any responses to my dozens of sent out resumes and applications.

It all came to a head when I recently had to take a survey for the Labor Department, and the very last question was: " On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your life at the moment?"

"2"

As that terribly low integer dripped out of my mouth, I knew I had hit the bottom. And as Tony Robbins or the Secret would say - I have to make my own luck and kick back into a positive mindset to overcome my obstacles. So I am trying.

I will keep everyone updated on my successes and failures as I try to sift through a painful job market and battle the all too real mood swings and frustrations that go along with such a humbling journey.

I hope to break at least 4 by Monday.