So, CBD and I are sitting in the gazebo, while the dogs laze around in the yard. I've got coffee and my computer, and he keeps making noises at his book (which he's apparently reading for the sixth or seventh time). Now if only the sun would come out, life would be perfect. Maybe too perfect. Maybe that's why the sun isn't allowed to come out.

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Oh man - I think every single baby in this building just woke up screaming from the middle of their morning nap. I'm giving D a few minutes to settle down and hopefully go back to sleep, but I can hear at least 2 other crying babies out my bedroom window. Something in the air?

[eta: Sounds like everyone went back to sleep. WTF was that about, anyway?]

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{{Teppy}} Not a lawyer, but I think you got a case there with whatever agency oversees employee relations in your area. Incompetent!boss and Mean!sob need to have their fannies (British usage) smacked with a cactus. Douchenozzles.

edited: spelling. overseas != oversees.

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Holy Gronkaliciousness, Batman. I'm exhausted and the day has barely started. That does NOT bode well for all of the work I have to get done today. (And as you can clearly see, I'm not procrastinating by playing on the computer. Definitely not. Nope.)

Tep, fwiw it seems to me that while you pride yourself on doing a good job at work, that work is now failing to keep you interested or challenged. I understand how working in one place for so long can feel like "home" and make it difficult and scary to walk away from, but it can also be challenging and reviving and a real lifesaver to start over somewhere new. Maybe it's time for you to feel challenged again, hon.

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What moving company did you end up going with Omnis?

NorthAmerican Van Lines. A non-blood family member used to work for them, so my Uncle was pushing them. They were very straight forward, gave a good estimate, gave a binding not-to-exceed estimate, and did a sight visit. So. I went with them. We'll see how it goes.

Mom is leaving in 10 minutes. Should be here in about 90 minutes. Oy. Still got some gronk, but not too bad.

I think we need to check VW's pulse, cuz it sounds like she is in heaven! Of course, it's probably skipping a few beats here and there due to swooning of CarrotBaconDude! Very happy for you!!! YAY! Couldn't happen to a better person.

Teppy, as someone who is in the process of a huge change, I know how scary it can be. However, as I'm packing up my place, I realize now that I must have been in a mild depression for quite some time. I can see the signs as I go through everything. I realize now, I've felt trapped into my apartment (affordable) and trapped into my job (for a variety of reasons). A change for you will bring back the vigor of a new job. Challenge is good when you trying to impress a clean slate. But challenge to impress asshats? Might not be worth it. JobSearch~ma your way.

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I think this whole thing sounds very sketchy, Teppy. I've seen the people who actually kept publications going chewed up and spit out because they didn't meet criteria that didn't have anything to do with performing their jobs. Their "expectations" are so fuzzy and contradictory that I suspect you're not Christian enough or conservative enough for them. The people making these decisions usually don't have the foggiest idea what's actually involved in putting out a publication. It has absolutely nothing to do with your competence or worth.

Also, a brief Scola: [link] [link] [link] (Unfortunately, not close to you. Still, right state), local Society for Technical Communication chapter [link]

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Yeah, sadly I highly doubt there's any legal reasoning to be had--most places can do whatever, and say "Hey, I think we'd like to pay you half what we are! And take away your vacation!" and your options are take it or quit. They just know that if you quit they're screwed.

And frankly, Teppy, I think when you quit (WHEN! WHEN!) they will realize how screwed they are.

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(yet another) moving questions:

When the movers arrive Monday. Tip? No Tip? Tip on load? Tip on unpack? Both? If yes, how much? Just wondering should I make a ATM run for some cabbage. I was thinking $20 per person (2 folks on the load), so hopefully they will be extra nice with me and my stuff. And of course, bottles of water, although at that hour, it might not be too bad.

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Oh, you guys. I love you all so much.

I have to say, I feel like I've been fired. I can't shake that feeling.

Tep, fwiw it seems to me that while you pride yourself on doing a good job at work, that work is now failing to keep you interested or challenged. I understand how working in one place for so long can feel like "home" and make it difficult and scary to walk away from, but it can also be challenging and reviving and a real lifesaver to start over somewhere new. Maybe it's time for you to feel challenged again, hon.

I think there's a lot of truth in that. I told Tim this morning that the idea of switching jobs is appealing, but....I don't know what I want to do. And I know that I don't have to know TODAY, but I think it's time to start figuring it out.

The scaryness of switching jobs comes from the fact that my current place does offer quite good benefits. But that doesn't mean that a new place *wouldn't.*

Also, I was worried about current place giving me a bad reference, and then I remembered that I do goddamn freelance work on the side -- for NUNS. Who better to give a reference than NUNS???

Teppy, as someone who is in the process of a huge change, I know how scary it can be. However, as I'm packing up my place, I realize now that I must have been in a mild depression for quite some time. I can see the signs as I go through everything. I realize now, I've felt trapped into my apartment (affordable) and trapped into my job (for a variety of reasons). A change for you will bring back the vigor of a new job. Challenge is good when you trying to impress a clean slate.

A clean slate does sound appealing, finally. I'm afraid that my current workplace has stuck a definition on me and I honestly don't know that I can change that definition in their eyes. And I don't need to.

And frankly, Teppy, I think when you quit (WHEN! WHEN!) they will realize how screwed they are.

Yes. And my consulting rates are quite steep. (Except for the nuns, because that just feels *wrong.*)

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sj, did I wish you a Happy Birthday yesterday? I was barely online, and I don't remember. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!

Tep, I wish you lots of luck looking for new work--not that I think you'll need it.

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