Oh, if you can't commit suicide it's not a job worth having...

And that goes on the list of least sympathetic things I've ever said.

But, more seriously, Consuela--I know my amazement that you're even remotely vertical or eloquent at this point doesn't mean shit, but you are doing amazingly for what life has thrown at you, which I think should be life's cue to stop. I...if I knew how to distract veterans, I totally would. I mean, you're clearly at the point where you're the best suited for the job because you've had it so bloody long. Rules are not always our friends.

Consuela, what happens if they hire a veteran? You've said that you are basically the only person who's actually qualified to do your job. So how long would a veteran last in that position before getting fired?

It just seems like if they hired a veteran, that due to the vet's total lack of qualifications, they'd be firing the vet and begging you to come back inside of 2 months.

It just seems like if they hired a veteran, that due to the vet's total lack of qualifications, they'd be firing the vet and begging you to come back inside of 2 months.

Hardly anyone ever gets fired in the federal government. And the veterans aren't supposed to make the list if they're completely unqualified. So this person is likely an environmental engineer or someone with some hazardous waste background who can pass as an environmental protection specialist (and likely to be appalled by the amount of non-environmental work I actually do).

My one hope is that they tell the vet they're not paying relocation expenses, or something like that, and they remove themselves from consideration.

Ugh Suela, your work situation has been such a clusterfuck of wrongness for so long, and you've endured it with such grace. I don't know why they aren't bending over backwards trying to fix it for you. Also what ita said about life backing off about now.

I'm sure you've been playing out various scenarios in your head, Suela. Has your boss given you an honest answer about what happens to your position if someone else gets hired to do the job?

Dag, Suela. If I were you, I would totally be pricing one-way tickets to Bora Bora at this point.

seriously.

Somewhere nearby is doing fireworks. why? no idea.

Has your boss given you an honest answer about what happens to your position if someone else gets hired to do the job?

Nope. I am not sticking around, though. I have some pride, after all.

Consuela, I can't even. You know, we probably have jobs for you at my company...

I had a total melt down. I went to the oncologist to get my blood drawn for an iron level check. They were running WAY behind so I spent a while in the waiting room. All the other folks waiting were pairs of women, one old and in rough shape, the other her care giver. My brain first went to- for all my mom went through, at least she never hit that level of frailty. Then it just flipped to full on missing my mom.

So, finally get blood drawn, I'm late for karate and traffic back was horrible. I got to the dojo, didn't even put on my gi, just went to the back to talk to my sensei and I turned into a teary puddle in her arms.

I think it is the combo of the domestic drama here, my BFF's messy family, worrying about the anemia, and missing my mom all slamming together at once. If the dojo hadn't been full of little kids, I'd have asked about staying, putting on my bag gloves, and punching/kicking the dummy. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow when the dojo is quieter.

Oh, honey, I'm sorry Suzi.

In a few minutes I'm off to visit my folks and let them know we're bringing in a companion for Mom tomorrow. That'll be... interesting.