Thanks for all the support, folks. It really helps, because I've been kind of down most of the time, lately, and was in need of a good pick-me-up.
I think it all started with the on-the-job accident I had recently. I can't remember if I told you all about that. Probably not - it takes me a long time to type, since I only ever press one key at a time.
Well anyway it all went down like this: as you know, I don't work often, but when I do, I mostly perform outfall inspections for the firm owner. It's hard work but it usually pays off in the end, and I can come away satisfied for quite some time afterward. But it's always messy work. Environmental conditions are such that I'm surprised I haven't been hurt before, to be honest, with the slippery surfaces, infectious diseases and all. So on this last job, I had just come out of a particularly difficult outfall, thinking I was done, but suddenly I get a call from the firm, telling me to go back in. Fine, no problem. Well, on the way back in, I got in a little bit too much of a hurry and I slipped, and missed the hole by a wide margin and crashed head-first onto the hard ground. You'd think that it would be my head that was hurt, but no, it was more of a back injury. I haven't been able to stand up straight since then.
My boss gave me a few days off, but then it was back to work, but I just couldn't perform, and had to withdraw early. Since then, I am told our client has found another firm to service the outfall. My boss is so upset that he has temporarily shut down the firm, and I haven't had anything to do since then but to hang around. And on top of that, I'm injured and can't even work out anymore, so I'm feeling pretty limp.