Actually, you are exactly the kind of person I would want to hire, were your resume come across my desk. You are not what I would call chronically unemployed at all. You never sat still.
Now, I know nothing about your area of the country or your field....but I would advise finding some kind of partner who is bondable so you can snag the next 400 K type opportunity that comes along.
Say someone who ran a successful contracting company in the SE US for about 22 years. Had as many as 150 employees at max, maybe just a little under that - as well as sub contractors and vendors?
Someone like that? Someone who would LOVE an opportunity to do something more meaningful than sit behind a keyboard ant tell everyone how wise they are? Someone who could make a real difference in a fellow FReeper's life?
I can't speak for SoCal Pubbie, but were I him I'd ask you to put up...