By the way, I'm *REALLY* not kidding when I say looking for a job is not (for me) like riding a bike.

I really do not know what to do, where to go, how to start, or what jobs to look for.

I was never very good at it to begin with, and I've been out of practice for a decade.

I swear to dog, when I bring this up, people are often like "Oh, well just apply for this that or the other job," and what that sounds like to me is "Make sure you flaps are set, your mixture is rich, and the engines are running, dial in your transponder frequency, contact the control tower with your flight plan, taxi toward the runway and get ready for takeoff."

Whoa, whoa, WHOA! So, you say this thing is called an AIRPLANE? And it FLIES through the SKY?? And you want ME TO DRIVE IT????????? LIKE RIGHT NOW?????????????????

And then it feels like everybody gives up at that point, like they're all... "Oh, I thought you knew we were going to be flying a plane. Okay, well... later!"

It's really not that complicated. I know it can be daunting, but it's just a matter of asking if So and So Store is looking for help, or taking applications, then filling one out and hoping to get a call for an interview.

You can also look on Craigslist for part-time stuff, and filter it to your neighborhood. Or look through the full-time categories.

Thanks, Amy. I appreciate the reassurance. It terrifies the crap out of me in ways I cannot even begin to express in words.

Sean, if there is anyone in your general walking neighborhood (e.g. grocery or convenience store, food place, coffee place) who you have a chatty/cordial enough relationship where you could do a "by the way, I'm looking for some part time (and/or seasonal work somewhere in the neighborhood," that could also work. You could get some names of places to try, or names of people to call. Who knows, you may even get an introduction. It's also a good way to find out about places you should avoid like the plague.

Also, sometimes, it's just nice to get a friendly "how's the job hunt going?" It can make things seem less lonely.

Sean, I firmly believe that by being able to tie your own shoes, you are ahead of the game. That's a flippant way of saying that you are smart and a hard worker, and anyone would be lucky to hire you. It also helps if you believe it, which is the kind of woo-woo I am normally not a fan of, but I truly believe it.

If there's anything concrete I can do, let me know. Search Craigslist for you?

Sean, I have no idea what part of LA is home to you, but I'd suggest checking in with dog walking/pet sitting companies in your area.

The company I work with is desperate for help right now. For the next month, with people on vacation everywhere, there is huge demand. Even folks just doing home renovations or preparing to move need pet care.

Speaking of the company, I have to say thank you again to Beverly for her wise counsel. I used your language in the message I sent to the boarder.

I feel sincerely bad that her dog was bitten, but the story got worse and worse as the evening wore on and I learned more about her behavior. The shakedown turns out to be a fragment of it all.

Thanks so much to everyone for the shoulder and support.

Jeez. I'm really having some major stress/panic attacks trying to figure out what to do about all this. I seriously can't even.

Step one, take a nice hot shower. Get nice and clean. Comb the hair. Shave. Nothing makes you feel good like looking good.

Step two. Put on some casual/nice, clean clothes. Something with a collar. Polo shirt, button down. Some nice slacks. Not fancy, but not cut up jeans. If you look good, you feel good.

Step three. Go for a walk. The fresh air will do you good. Calm you down. The exercise will relax you. Walk down the hill. Hit that main strip. Walk up one side, and down the other.

On the walk, look for any signs that say "help wanted". It's amazing what you don't see until you are looking for it. Hit up the big box stores, if any in your area.

While doing that, poke your head into various business that you like, or think you would like, and just ask, "hey, by chance, are you hiring?". Hit up the restaurants and bars. You can clear a table, fill a dishwasher, stock shelves as well as any other guy.

As you do this, adapt your approach, based on feedback you've gotten from previous enquiries.

Tomorrow, walk down the other side of the hill, and hit the other main drag. Do the same thing.

Next day, go back to the first, and hit up stores you didn't ask in.

Then, in the evenings, hit up Craigs List.

If you get a positive response, they will walk you through the process. Have a couple ID's ready for the tax forms. Something with a photo. SS card, etc.

Sean, can you give me a neighborhood to use when searching on Craigslist?