For many years, my educational identity read, ‘B.A., UCI, Social Ecology, 1979.’ Over time, this phrase incorporated itself into not just what I was, but who I was. I went on to become many other things: a teacher, writer, wife, parent, secretary … and ex-wife. In the past few years, however, I’m afraid the dust gathering on this particular phrase rendered me less than premium in the labor force and in general life. Essentially, I’m under-employed. How did this happen? I can only surmise that part of it is my age. At the tottering year of 46, several prospective employers denied me jobs, private health insurance costs tripled, and men have looked at me like I’m the witch from the Wizard of Oz