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I realized today it was nearly 2 months since I last updated here. Things are about the same as I last left it. Still unemployed, but still enjoying life. I've gone to 3 CLEs, done some volunteer work I would not have had the chance to do, and done a bit of writing. The state is still paying me unemployment, which is the upside of the stimulus package. In a warped sort of way, it's the first time where I've actually gotten something back from paying in to the state. This is not to say that I'm not trying though. It seems almost goofy to say I'm an unemployed attorney. People seem to understand given the business I'm in, but it leaves most people scratching their heads. If nothing else, it gives new impact to the condition of the economy that even someone like me can lose a job. I'm not exactly a blue collar assembly plant worker. But anyway, I'd like to thank everyone for all the support I've gotten. This blog has given me a lot of support over the years. And I'll hang in here until there's an end to this story. I owe you all as much. Thanks!Labels: CLE, job
Well I didn't realize how prescient my last post was. Within a week of that posting, I too lost my job. As everything else at that job, even the layoff did not go well. Instead of just being forthright and saying that we have no work I'll have to let you go, it went down with me being called into the office and being forced to try and justify my continued existence at work. Within 30 seconds I could see what was going to happen and while justifying my work ethic and my commitment to the clients I worked with, I illuminated the issue that my boss seemed to take offense with me trying to serve the clients in a timely fashion. Unsurprisingly, it did not go well, though it was a stunner to hear that my boss did not appreciate efficiency or responsiveness. I knew I was done. I didn't go down without a fight. I insisted on a letter of reference and that I would not be fought on my unemployment benefits. To say I had thought this through before would be an understatement.
So now I spend my days being domestic, looking for jobs, and making dinner. My spouse thinks I'm in a better place now than I have been in 2 years. I would have to agree.Labels: job
Suffice it to say I didn't get the job. Lovely ding letter, but I came up short again. This has put me in a bit of a funk, so I haven't been blogging. Nothing good to say I suppose. Bit of Twitter, which is a huge timesink, and more Facebook nonsense, but nothing good in my professional career.
Today I try a different tack and go to a meeting this evening that may allow me to get more involved in the bar association even though it's not exactly supported here at the firm. I've got to do something since our work has nearly dried up. I fear for what the future holds for my job. Nothing of my own doing mind you, but when our attention has turned to having pointless meetings in the hope of drumming up non-existent work, it's not looking good. Blah.Labels: job
I have an interview today! The firm is moving quickly, as I only put my resume in last Thursday. Heartening, most definitely. Scary, nearly as much. I've been practicing my questions, working on introducing myself so that I don't sound like an idiot, and trying not to get stuff on my suit at lunch. This would be the first interview I've had since I started working with my coach, so I hope this works. I have been paying attention in our meetings, but it's another thing all together to actually use the skills. Now, if I could only get my hands to warm up.Labels: interview, job
Like many of you, I sat transfixed yesterday watching the pageantry and historical significance of the inauguration. The speech was moving and angry at times, as was the crowd. When the chant of na-na-na-na goodbye went up from the crowd as the Bushes' helicopter passed overhead, you knew where the crowd stood politically. Still, to see nearly two million people in one spot for one singular purpose with no riots or incidents, that was as breathtaking as anything that took place on stage. I felt bad that Senator Kennedy overextended himself during the inaugural, causing his later health incident during the luncheon. I know he wouldn't have missed it for the world, but to sit for nearly two hours on the dais, it was a risk certainly. The thing that made me laugh though would have to be Al Roker's attempt to contact the president while he walked past him on the parade route. After hearing over the course of the morning that he'd been snubbed by every president to date, to actually have Obama make a direct statement that it was warm nearly made Al come unglued.Labels: inauguration, Obama
Yesterday was my review. I'm still employed, so I guess that's a start. Our bonuses were pared back considerably, but since I got considerably less than everyone else last year, I didn't have that much to be pared. But of course, this all came at a cost. It seems I can't write. Or at least that was what I was told yesterday. Now mind you, my boss seems to think good sentence structure involves a paragraph-length sentence with serial commas. However, I do not write on the level of an attorney. I am supposed to take courses to that end in order to bring myself to his level of competency. I was dumbstruck to say the least. Especially when I was also told that my choice of vocabulary also is not at the level he expects. What do you say to that? Excuse me, just because I don't find your use of herein, therewith, and heretofore useful does not make me an incompetent. No, instead I just sat ramrod straight, teeth clenched, and did not as much as twitch. I tried to go to my happy place, but it didn't work. So now, not only do I hate my job more than before, I now doubt myself. I think that's far worse.Labels: job
I came clean to my job coach today that I blog. I think he was concerned that this blog may be impinging my job prospects, but I said, "If they figure out who I am based on this blog, I give them a lot of credit." Now, don't anyone take this statement as a challenge. I'm happy in my pseudo status and have been for a good long time. I am continuing to work on my escape plan...otherwise known as job search. I do feel confident that the plan is working, it's just a matter of time. In the mean time, I keep my head down and await the next diatribe. Or even better, next week's review. I'm not holding out any hope that there will be any thing fun coming out of that...in fact, my bet is that there will be no bonuses, and the economy will be used as an excuse. Not that we're hurting for work, it's just convenient to screw us all out of money. Eh. We'll see. In the meantime, hope the new year is going well for you and that you're writing 2009 on your important papers. I keep getting screwed up by Excel when trying to put in last years dates. But I'm a lawyer, not a data entry operator.Labels: job
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