WHAT I'VE LEARNED WHILE UNEMPLOYED

Posted by Mike Foster: This is what Mickey Chapatte shared with Esquire about what he has learned while being unemployed.

Mickey is 53 years old and lives in San Diego. So much of what he says below is true. I think it reflects what many feel when they have lost a job.

Here is what he says:

1. Ten months is a very long time.

2. Every time a right-wing a-hole is on TV talking about how the unemployed could get jobs but they don't because they are getting paid not to work, I want to throw something at the TV. But I can't afford a new one.

3. I now understand why some people never want to retire.

4. I always took pride in the fact that I was not one of those guys whose ego was tied to his career. But when I lost my job, I was amazed at how much my ego was hurt.

5. Having two kids in college is not a good time to be unemployed.

6. I went back to coaching because I had the time and I wanted to give to others.

7. I was reminded how much the kids give to me.

8. Thirteen- and fourteen-year-old boys do not care if you have a job or not, they just want to be coached. They want you to treat them like the young men that they're becoming, and it helps if you're a little immature yourself.

9. There are people who are far worse off than I am.