This is great, Ohlostme!. No, really. You want to move to California, but can't see how you can do that without this big gob of money you were promised. Well, the money hasn't come yet and may be a while because you can't hurry destiny, but by putting you on a different path, you can find another way to get there. It could come in a form of opportunity through appling for jobs in that area, you just picking up and moving, or meeting people to get the skills you need to get there. Unemployment sucks, but it sounds like you were stuck and you are getting what you asked for. Big requests require big changes. Hang in there. In a year from now you will look back and say that losing your job was the best thing that could have happened to you. You can handle this. It's all good.

One more comment on the money part. The money is only a vehicle to which you will get what you really desire. What if the vehicle you travel in is a beat up junker, but you get there faster and easier? Is it just the money you want, or freedom, or lifestyle, or??