Holding Off the Inevitable

My mood is slowly starting to shift.   I push the thoughts out of my head the moment they appear.   Vacation is drawing to a close and I have to begin the trek back to reality today.  

I’m going to enjoy every last second and I’ve begun a mental list of things to look forward to upon return to the Big City.  I miss my kitties.  

Ending vacation is painfully similar to the oil crisis.  How?   It occurred to me that as we begin to wrap up our vacation…and it has been so beautiful here, that the men in the yellow vests are appearing on the beach today.  Coincidence?  Probably, but it is certainly ending the vacation on a painful note.   As we leave our paradise, the reality of this oil situation has permeated our fantasy world.   There is no holding off the oil any longer.  It is coming.  Nothing can stop it and it is painfully destructive.

We have been enjoying the water and the white sand and ignoring any thoughts of oil  or tar balls or Bad Bosses.  But out of the corner of our eyes, they sneak up on us and ruin everything!

I’ll try and pretend for a bit longer that the oil is far off shore and that the BP fools have come up with some answer to the awful mess they have created.  At the same time, I dream that I have an extra week of vacation and that I don’t have to be back at the office for another 7 days — plus July 4th!  Oh man — there is a small light at the end of the tunnel — a three day weekend is not far off in the distance.  Maybe BP will come up with a plan…not holding my breath, but holding out hope, at least.

When a Raise is Not a Raise…

Doesn’t the mere title just sound stupid?  Yet, it has just happened to me.  Bad Boss actually told me he was taking something away…but, mind you, he was giving me a whopping 2% raise.  I’ve not had a raise in 2 years.   The thing he took away gave me more money per month than the raise…so, now I’m down $100+ a paycheck and he sits and smiles to himself that he gave little Living Dilbert a raise.   Oh, I know…you all shout, “Quit, Living Dilbert, quit!,” but it is not that easy.   The job market is still not an generous place to navigate right now, so I will bide my time….and plan Bad Boss’ demise.  Oh, I’ll find a way alright.  To say I’m disappointed in him would be a gross understatement, yet I’m asking myself at the same time why am I acting surprised?   He’s cheap and he’s thoughtless.  He likes to try to spin things to appear as if he is doing me a favor – always.   I should have KNOWN better.   Maybe hope springs eternal.  I’m not sure, but he’s done it to me for the last time.   I’m worth a lot more than he can imagine in his little calculating brain.

I am becoming something that I didn’t think I had in my psyche – vindictive.   I’ve always thought that word sounded so ugly and could never be a “good” thing, but I’m starting to think that it is not a bad choice of coping mechanisms for me at this present time.  I can find the most insignificant little ways to make his life miserable and I plan on invoking them immediately.   He thinks he can outsmart me because he has a schlong?   I think not.   I have a lot more on my side – I am now a woman scorned and I have a score to settle.  Do NOT mess with my effing paycheck.  You have crossed the line.   Why do Bad Boss people who have a good thing have to go and screw it up?

Bad Boss, do not be cheap with me – it is not going to bode well for you in the long run.  Trust me on this.

Tomorrow – The Power of a Smile (and How Bad Bosses Just Don’t Get It)

Things You May Not Have Realized (Open Letter to Lawyers Everywhere)

1) My sole work existence is actually to work for you – to make your life easier.  It is what you hired me to do and what I’m damn good at, so don’t treat me like a pain in your ass when I have a suggestion or need to ask you a question.  It will backfire on you eventually.

2) The folks that work for you are human beings.  Ok, try to grasp this…I’ll type slowly…they have LIVES, they have responsibilities just like you…fiscally, physically and emotionally and they are trying to meet those responsibilities with 1/8th of the salary you make…so don’t go out of your way to be an asshole.  It’s hard enough as it is. 

3) Sadly for most staff, lawyers love to hear themselves talk, but never really do anything…about anything.   We all know it, so save your breath.  You are using up my oxygen.

4) I don’t like you nearly as much as when I took this job.  I’ve tried really, really hard….but you’ve taken countless opportunities to blow it. 

5) If you break any of the rules above…it will most certainly result in a sick day for me because it’s the only thing you’ve left me that I can use to invest in myself and my well-being.

On a positive note…I am very thankful to be employed in this current economy…but even conscientious humans have their limit.   We should be so happy we are here together as a team….but I seem to be the only one that thinks so!

Tomorrow – “To Hell with the Earth, We’ve Got a Law Firm to Run!”