I got utterly stuck on a job application because it asked for three references.

I hate this question. It's basically saying I have to prove I haven't screwed up my life so much that I can't ask for favors from three people I know. I've long since used up the number of favors a reasonable person should have.

I'm trying to get a job so I can become more of a contributor and less of a taker, and immediately I'm being asked to do some more taking in order to get this job and become a contributor.

I shouldn't have let myself become so lazy and selfish, and now I'm paying the price.