Reply #6: Well I wait tables myself...

[obxhead]

and I see no future there. No retirement benefits and health care, what's that....

Sounds like you need a bunch of change both in location and employment.

It seems you already have some goals and plans laid out, but that they just aren't happening fast enough for ya (I've been there several times myself).

A good friends (30 year lifer in the USMC) advice comes to mind here:
piss poor planning provides piss poor results.

You seem to know what you want and that's a great thing. Maybe you just need to have patience to have your goals fall in to place. If their not happening fast enough try to find solutions to achieve the results you're looking for. Jumping at straws is usually not productive.