I had a down-and-out period (actually, a few). My ex beat the crap out of me and broke my shoulder. I threw some clothes in a hefty bag and hitchhiked down a mountain with a toddler in tow. I asked my parents to wire me bus fare. I took a bus back to Chicago, arm in a sling, and took the first job that came along. That turned into a better job, which turned into a better job, etc. Life has highs and lows. Things will get better. Trust me.
Lizard,
My God but you DO whine! you know what you need to do, so do it. you are a grown man who is VERY capible of doing anything he wants. You are very smart, BUT you seem to show little common sense or ability to understand the “big world around you”. Go get a job in Columbus, or go spend a day in Cincinnati and job hunt. Use your friends to help you locate an apartment and get on with your life. So you don’t know what you want to do with yourself…boo frickin’ hoo,…I’m 36 and STILL have no idea what I really want to do! Such is life! But learn now that the only person who is going to help you is YOU. Stop feeling bad and get on with life. Do you have food? Shelter? A family who cares? A car? Friends? Use of your limbs? You’re better off than lots of people. Stop sitting and whining and do something. PS to anyone who thinks I’m hard on him, he actually is a friend of mine, and he needs a boot in his ass to get him going…He will do just fine in life if HE only believes so.
Lizard, as another one who lives with her parents for the time being after trying to kick-start a screenwriting career in NYC, I definitely understand. My biggest suggestion at the moment? Find another temp agency. There are tons of them out there. I started temping when I got back here and now my job just hired me on permanently. I’ve got plans to go back to school in January and get my teaching certification, but part of me is still wondering if that’s the right thing to do. I still want to be a writer, but I know I need something as backup. And I love kids, but I don’t know if I can be in a classroom with them all day, every day. (Although I can’t identify with the part about not wanting to be alone in the house - I am desperately counting the days until my parents go on vacation in July - a whole week with the house to myself! Woohoo!).
Things’ll get better. If you need to chat, feel free to email me - I’ve had those ‘down to my last five dollars and the rent’s due in a week’ days, too. I’m also in Ohio quite frequently visiting the SO (at least until September when he moves here), so if you’d ever like to meet up for lunch (he’s in Canton, so I’m not sure where you are, but since you’re above Cincinatti, it can’t be that far), let me know:). My experiences meeting Dopers so far have been great!
Cheer up. Things’ll improve.
Ava
Boy, ignore a thread for a few days, and look what happens! 
Thanks avabeth and Siege. I’ll check my travel budget and contact you if I can make it.