Cagey

[Racing clouds over Boston; 3/4/12]

Extreme winds buffet these days. Last Friday brought two heartening interactions on the career front, followed by an uncalled-for harangue in the afternoon in my present job that left me rattled and riled and woke me in the night, not for the first time. Then yesterday I found out that a colleague who brings great creativity and spark to the job, who frequently works into the night and on weekends albeit is a chronic late arriver in the morning, was confronted with records of her late arrivals pulled from our office key-card entries. Who knew? And since they are now consolidating office space, my group will soon be moved such that we'll be right under management's noses. Last night I dreamed I was being fitted with a body-shaped iron cage where I sat, and I woke gasping for air.

[Birds roosting in their favorite shrub on Newbury St in Boston]

Yesterday morning I contacted a former client from my freelance days asking if I could use him as a reference for my interview that was scheduled for today (they've since postponed it to next week) and he sent me a lovely note back that it was a pleasure to hear from me and of course I could. It's good because he's in a senior level position at his company, a marketing target of the people I'll be interviewing with. Meanwhile, I sent a note to the woman I interviewed with a couple of weeks ago, at the job I'd really love to get, expressing my continued interest in the position. She wrote back late yesterday saying they're still interviewing candidates, but it was a nice note and at least I've heard something. Then when I got home I had a phone conversation with a recruiter who pretty much denigrated my experience and skills. So there you go.

I try to keep breathing.

Comments

[Lorianne]

Yes, I'm with you on all that, especially the last line.

It's so difficult to stay with the process when what you crave is the end-result, NOW. I'm speaking for myself, of course, but I think we're in similar between-places.

That first photo is wonderful.

[Pica]

Leslee -- I'm really hoping things get better for you soon. And if I had uttered your penultimate sentence, I know at least ten people would ask me whether that really happened or whether I was projecting. I'm not going to ask you the same thing, but I leave it here next to the hug I'm sending.

Life's too short to wake up struggling to breathe in an imagined cage.

[marja-leena]

Oy, Leslee! Hope you will get that new and wonderful job soon! Keeping fingers and toes crossed for you. Keep breathing...

[Leslee]

Lorianne: Yeah, I crave the "not this" in particular. I had an actual anxiety attack when my colleagues shared some of the details with me yesterday. Have since cut way back on coffee. I hope you and I both are in a better place before too long.

Pica: Thank you for the hug and the good wishes. And I wasn't projecting. The recruiter was a jerk, but also I'm not her market, her product to sell, hence the dismissal.

Marja-Leena: Thank you. I hope so. And will try to breathe and keep things in perspective.

[Mary C]

Oh so familiar...right down to the harassment of an employee with a print-out of her card-swipe entries. Funny, they never paid attention to when we LEFT.

I used to dream that I was in a car that was hurtling backwards (usually around trees) with failing brakes. So THAT was restful.

There will be an escape. I'd bet on it.
-Mary

[Leslee]

Thanks, Mary. They actually do know that my coworker stays very late and works weekends, and they only care that she comes in late! It's small-mindedness and letting need to feel in control of people take precedence over the tremendous value of service the employee provides. It's so old-school and it spells doom for companies that work that way in this day and age. Anyway, yes, I'm counting on an escape to open up *sometime*.

[Jean]

Oh Leslee! Best wishes for a good outcome - and soon! Please take the best care of yourself meanwhile.

Stunning photos - keep trying to notice the world; don't let them take that away!

[Sky]

i believe the right job will surface which will bring you everything you deem important in your professional and personal life. it is just a matter of time and patience. at least that is what i have found in so many aspects of my own life - my home, my job, my docs/surgeons, and my husband! each one of these categories is a story too long to share here, but i have been reminded so many times that the right thing for me shows up just when i most needed it.

i wish this for you.

[Leslee]

Thanks, Jean. I had a good break from it all over the weekend. Patience and perseverance...

Sky: Thanks for your good wishes. It's true that the right things show up in good time, although I have had to endure some awfully long waits!