In a possibly-ironic twist, I'm still so aggravated that instead of telling another team member she needs to do better, I was very encouraging and gave some specific ways to show that she is doing better. I didn't have it in me to have another difficult conversation today.

This sounds awfully familiar:

Aw, that's wonderful! what a great write-up!

Zen, look and see what is out there, while you're not under pressure. It can't hurt.

I really should.

Aw, Arthur is famous!

Our "quick chat" (scheduled as an hour-long meeting but labeled a quick chat) was actually helpful. So that's nice. I have developed a headache, which is less nice. Meh. Maybe lunch will fix it.

I hear you, Zen. When what you want is a better working environment it's damn hard to look for that. As you say, you don't really know until you are there, so it would always be taking a chance, and while you have aspects of your job that you DO like, yeah, it's be hard. My mentor (I was assigned a mentor, which seems weird to me but I like her and think she has stuff to teach me so it's all good) asked me to come up with two job descriptions for the next time we meet - one that I would want to do if money wasn't an issue, and one I would jump on if it presented itself locally. Maybe thinking about what WOULD make you take a different job, assuming the workload was reasonable and expectations were consistent, would be helpful? If you didn't have to look, if it just dropped in your lap.

Zen, we should both resolve to look for new jobs, even though we can't see the way out right now.

I sent my team member the Wonder Woman gif.

That's my favorite thing right now.

This sounds awfully familiar:

LOVE!

If you follow the Daily Mail link there's a picture with Fred and Hubs and the vets and Arthur and the caption indicates that not only is Arthur the cat but also (pictured middle) just in case anyone is confused about who is human and who is cat.

I know cats sometimes get confused and think they are human.

AW. Thanks for saying that, I hadn't clicked through and the Daily Mail story is even better.

I hadn't clicked through and the Daily Mail story is even better.

What -t said! Awww.

In other news, I'm having one of those days where I don't really want to be promoted, but at the same time, I'm worried that I'll never be promoted again.

My dad just sent me and my brother test results about his heart, lungs, and spine. I have no idea if this was just a physical, if something happened he needed rest, no idea. Just bunch of medical terms and a note that basically says "thought you'd like to know"

WTF PARENT!

Which is what I basically wrote him back.

Did I miss an email?

All right, Dad....

Good news! I remembered the Wing Bar at the supermarket! I had been wanting buffalo wings for lunch, but thought it was excessive. At the Wing Bar you can just get what you want! Perfecto.

Timelies all!

That story is so sweet.