Sailor Soldier of Love and Justice

So layoffs happened and unfortunately I no longer have a job.

Fourteen others also lost their jobs and it looks like it was done completely at random. A lot of really smart competent people who did really important stuff were let go. It's going to seriously hurt the org in the long-term.

I am sure everyone feels their own job is important but I am especially baffled to why they laid me off. My (now former) boss was freaking out because he does not have the bandwidth to do his job and mine. It's just impossible. My position required an intense attention to detail. I guess in the future, expect more mistakes in defenders' mailings.

My plan for the next few days:
Today - Wallow in self pity to get it all out of my system.
Tomorrow - Go to a park or museum to burn up my last $10 of employer paid transit benefits.
Saturday - Apple picking
Sunday - Accept reality and apply to at least 3 positions.

This morning was a whirlwind of madness as I tried to get ready for work an extra hour early. Noname always chooses these sorts of mornings to dawdle on her walk. It was extremely frustrating! In my hurry to finish getting ready I ended up spilling water all over the kitchen and then forgetting my keys. At least I didn't miss the bus. It arrived barely a moment after I arrived at my stop.

Today was the DoW staff retreat. The very first one they've had in 60 years. :P

In the morning, all of the departments introduced themselves. My department bribed everyone with toys because we didn't have a funny skit or movie like the rest of them.

After lunch, we had to go to these pretty useless talks about effective communication and stress and time management. Next year they should use that money to get everyone 15 minute massages instead.

I wonder how the effective communication person thought she was teaching us anything when she herself was a terrible communicator. Maybe she was unaware of how belittling she was.

The stress and time talk was slightly better, but still pretty useless. He offered "expert" advice on avoiding distractions like asking people to go away, closing your door, and letting your answering machine take your calls when you're busy. I can't believe he gets paid for that.

I was pretty relieved when those talks were over. Then we listened to one of our staff members' adventures with congress that happened earlier that day. She said it was the first time she ever presented to a friendly congress. (For those that don't know, bush and co. want to gut the endangered species act. They would remove a ton of endangered species from the list before those species have had a chance to recover.)

The whole thing ended about 30 minutes earlier than the usual work day. Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy that extra time because I discovered I forgot my keys. I had to call ben to come save me. While I waited, I panicked over an evil caterpillar that was thankfully eventually eaten by a bird.

Tomorrow is a super early morning tour of the zoo and then lunch at Rodger's house. (The DoW president.) I guess I should get to bed!

I have survived the first day of work! Go me!

The morning was very busy with lots of meetings. I have a fancy card swiper now. Just like ben! And lots of paperwork to fill out. Bleh! But I think I will like it there. It greatly pleased me when they opened the windows today rather than turn on the ac. :)

After work ben took me shopping for some work clothes. Now I fully intend to sit on the couch like a lump until it's time for bed.

Defenders of Wildlife offered me the job! Yay!!!

The only problem is I'd have to take a drop in pay. About $3000 less a year, but that's only $250 a month, right?

Benefits include good stuff like health insurance, dental insurance (my teeth rejoice!), a pension plan, and metro checks (they'll pay me to take public transportation).

I think in the end it'll be the right choice, but I'm going to talk it over with ben first. He'll probably say I should go for it, but I want to make sure.

Wheeee! Freedom!

I guess I should start writing up some stuff so that when I leave, people know how everything works in this office!

Woke up this morning without a problem. Got dressed and was out the door for my interview. From there, everything went wrong. I shall make a list.

1. Drove in the wrong direction on way to metro station.
2. Squirrels jumps in front of car, forcing me to nearly hit a sign to avoid it.
3. Can't find a parking spot at metro station.
4. Miss train.
5. Can't find a parking spot in other parking garage. Start to panic because last train leaves in 5 minutes.
6. Realize I've been driving around for 20 minutes for no reason because reserved spaces are no longer reserved after 10am.
7. Nearly pass out in heat as I run to the train in interview clothes.
8. Get motion sick on the poorly ventilated train.
9. Run to my 11 o clock interview and make it there at 11:01.
10. Am not offered water at interview so am incredibly thirsty and mildly loopy during interview.
11. Interview lasts only 30 minutes. Call ben and panic.
12. Miss train. Wait 20 minutes for next one.
13. Motion sick on the train again. Just barely suppress need to vomit this time.
14. Realize I don't know where my car is in the parking lot. Wander several floors until car is found.
15. Stuck in traffic next to a dead, rotting deer.
16. Pass out on the couch when I should have gone to work.
17. Wake up with a headache, most likely from not drinking enough water.

So now I need to haul myself to work because I have a billion things to do there. It'll be so stupid cause there will only be about an hour left. *sigh*

Ben and I are going out for dinner tonight. That will be nice at least.

I got a second interview with defenders of wildlife! Yay!!!!!

It's next week so I should definitely be over my fever by then.

I must go wash my interview clothes!

Ah! An interview! Next week! Yay!

Just as I was getting all mopey and hopeless, I got an interview!

This one is for Defenders of Wildlife. Maybe I can win them over with my childhood memory of putting my candy money in their collection bucket to save the wolves. They gave me a cute wolf mini-poster in return that stayed on my wall up until I moved.

Must now decide on clothes and must make a portfolio and I guess I need some references too. EEEE!