Thursday, July 27, 2006

That Sinking Feeling, Part Deux

I survived the "short meeting". I was not bitch-slapped -- the purpose of the meeting was to touch base mid-year so that there are no surprises at year end and to see if I'm happy with the mix of work, yadda yadda yadda. I was, however, informed that there would be an informal "substantive review" in the next few weeks, where all of my weaknessess and failures to date will be discussed, and blame will be lain, in a cold and unforgiving environment (I'm paraphrasing).

In other news, I interviewed with that Company yesterday (see Cassandra Forever, supra), mostly on John's insistence that I keep myself "out there" and "interview-ready". (Ugh, like I hadn't been on a billion interviews this year.) Anyway, it sounds like a really great opportunity. If they have any interest, I may have some tough decisions to make.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

That Sinking Feeling

I am completely in a tizzy. I just got the gentle reminder from Outlook: T-15 minutes until my "short meeting" with a partner to "see where we are on billable hours, workload and fee allocations". Ugh.

This was the most loathed meeting of my previous employer (mostly because my assesssment in the three categories was very bad, my fault, and very bad). I'd be hauled into a small conference room, surrounded by 3 smiling faces, all asking how'd I get to be such a putz. All refusing to consider that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't working lots of hours because I didn't have work to do.

Oh, I accepted my share of lazy and distracted, but they never accepted their share of the business development issue. That was my fault too because I should have spent all that time I wasted pumping breastmilk for my newborn or discussing the issues of the day with my peers (read: bullshitting) developing exciting marketing strategies. Marketing strategies that they would, in turn, reject -- believe me. Been there, done that.

But that ain't the case here. Due in part to the new employee billable hours honeymoon I'm enjoying, I'm at 177.1% of my expected billable hours -- I could take a month off and still be ahead of the game.

And I brought a huge, significant client with me. Maybe not huge, but definitely significant. I've been totally busy because of this Co. And they like that I've done this.

So why am I panicking? Because I cannot imagine that the sum of this meeting will be, "Great job, Fran! Keep up the good work." It can't possibly be, because otherwise I'll be expecting to hear about a big raise next month.

I don't know what the criticism of my "hours, workload and allocations" will be, so I can't prepare a rebuttal in advance.

Oy. Five minutes left. Time to brush my hair, reapply lipstick and head to the bathroom to make sure my collar isn't sitting funny.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

"I don't need medicine. I need cookies."

Ain't that the truth!

Yes, it has been quite a while since I've blogged. The last 3 weeks have been a flurry of pediatrician visits, chocolate-induced hazes and cunning feats of escape and property damage by psycho-dog.

Kate-Kate has a whopping ear infection, possible pneumonia and possible UTI. When I told her that she had to stay awake until Daddy got home with her medicine, she replied with those pearls of wisdom, "I don't need medicine. I need cookies!"

We spent a few days at Hershey Park; hence, the chocolate-induced haze.

And, finally, psycho-dog dug a hole in a wall in our bathroom during a thunder storm freak-out session on Friday, after she broke out of the kryptonite crate we bought for her. I'll post some pix once I locate the digital camera and gain a sense of humor.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Cassandra Forever

Back in January, when I was starving hysterical naked and unemployed, I responded to an ad placed by a CT aerospace company for a ~4 yr attorney from a Top 10 law school, with firm and in-house experience. I thought "3 outta 4 ain't bad, and I've got Big Corporate America experience, even if it was in the days B.L."

But, apparently, their General Counsel was really looking for someone who works in Connecticut, attended a Top 10 law school, graduated fewer than 4 years ago, and had both firm and in-house experience. I.e., a jackelope. I thanked the HR guy for his time and said that if they are unsuccessful in finding this nonexistent person, and the GC is willing to bend on the in-house requirement, he should call me.

Well he did. This morning. I couldn't place the name or company at first, so I made some noncommittal noise and got off the phone. But we're supposed to talk later today. I'm inclined to chat, just to keep the contact open, but The Hubbins wants me to seriously chat. "What if he's offering $150,000 and a 9-5 job." Yeah, and what if he's offering daily massages, free on-site child care and a gallery of shoes.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Analysis of Imagery in Beat Poetry

Thing 2 (thoughtfully), "I see . . . a mad . . . naked . . . hysterical . . . starving person."

The rest of her dissertation writes itself! Thank you!

(Point of reference for all you "squares" out there -- open your mind, baby). For all you overly concerned and easily appalled types out there -- Thing 2 only heard up to the second comma)