This thread is filled with more wisdom and win than the op had any right to hope for.
For some reason, I now have the theme songs for Riunite (Riunite on ice...that's nice!) and Lowenbrau (here's to good friends, tonight is something special).
Ethan, I'm sorry to hear about the gout, but WOW you have lost a lot of weight. That's great!
As for the job stuff, as you well know, it sucks out there now. Given your current medical conditions, have you considered applying for disability?