About howling: I've discovered that people really, really like to help other people. If you howl, it gives people a chance to gather in community to care for you, and be helpful. Even if they can't help in a practical way, at least they can send well-wishes and hugs. So keeping quiet isn't doing ANYONE a favour.

You're right, howling is a good thing, especially when you really need help. Your problems are none of your doing, you haven't been able to avoid them and I really wish you the best in getting out of this pit... but now I'm going to piss on your chips.

Beware of howling too much. Sooner or later, if you do nothing but howl, people will get monumentally pissed off and leave you to sink or swim on your own. New friends will talk to the old friends and they will not even give you the benefit of one doubt. The more you whine, the more people will think it's all your fault. Sorry, but that's a fact of life. Even the truest friend will get pissed off by the same thing happening over and over again. Several threads on here have proved that....

Having pissed on your chips.....

The important thing is to learn by your actions and admit to your failings. If something is obviously not working, stop flogging the dead horse (unless he likes it!) and go do something else instead. It sounds to me like you are trying to do too much at once. Step back and see what you could lose. Leave the websites for later. How many people are bugging you for a CD? Enough to make it viable? I know nothing about CD's but if they want it enough, they will wait for it. Your health comes first above all things. Get better, get fixed and then see what you can do about the CD. Once the CD is out, then there's something to put on the website.

As for jobs - they are out there.... you may have to bite the bullet and just go for something that is a paying job, regardless of whether you are over qualified, over experienced or whatever. Once you have a job, it will be easier to get into the job market, because you have a whole new group of people and information open to you. Is there any chance the voluntary jobs could become paying? Have you enquired about casual jobs with your local government (council run libraries, leisure centres) or whatever the US equivalent to the Civil Service (taxation, benefit) is??

Three months isn't really a long time to be in one town.... I was unemployed for 4 months before I had a decent interview, and another 2 on top of that to be called up. The second time it was 6 months and another 2.

I know other people's experiences are not yours, but take heart, there are some who've been looking for 3 years and still not found anything suitable. I really do wish you well and better, please don't think that because I'm a cynical old moo I want you to fail and be unhappy.... been there, done that, got the scars to prove it and I wouldn't wish it on anyone (well, maybe one or two...), be strong, have faith in something, even if it's only chocolate. Remember, the Ancient Mayans worshipped chocolate as a god... who knows, maybe they were right?!

Hugs and soft thoughts,

LTS