The status quo

Things have not changed much at work. SOS. I did meet for an hour with HR on Tuesday. The HR rep is going to float my resume in front of some managers, so I am hoping that there is light at the end of the tunnel soon.
I do have a finished object - cable rib socks from Favorite Socks. These were the sock that just wouldn't go away. Usually I can do a pair a month, with other side projects thrown in, but not this pair. I do like them and they fit well. I am getting the bug to knit a Clapotis. I looked at completed projects on Ravelry to see what yarn would be nice, then I went to the WEBS website. I found some Southwest Trading Company silk blend really cheap - the whole project for under $30.

Not so helpful HR staff and men

I feel like Debbie Downer with my saga of the job from hell, but here is the latest update. The boss asked if I was "happy" yesterday. He had mentioned that the 2 women managers in the department said that I did not look happy. Well why didn't they ask? Since he asked the question I of course felt compelled to thank him for asking and answer it for him. Why yes, I am not happy, I don't sleep at night and I cry on a regular basis. Let's talk about how much I lothe coming to work. I did not say it in those exact words, but I did explain that the lack of meaningful work is not satisfying, they staff are cold at best and if I had to do it over again I would have stayed at my old job. His response was "you are over-qualified and it is only work" Only work! where I spend 8 long painful hours doing meaningless tasks and saying little if nothing to co-workers. Men, enough said! But I do have to make the best of it, short of winning the current lottery pot of $270 million I need to work. So I need to make this work until something else comes along. That was the solution from the meeting. I feel like Tim on Project Runway...Make it work! But now the monkey is off my back and everyone knows how I feel, but is that the best thing for your boss to know that you are unhappy?
So today I have noticed that the female managers are being way too friendly. In a forced kind of way, not in a genuine way. Why weren't they friendly when I started 7 1/2 weeks ago? It makes me feel uncomfortable. Like I am being watched.
So now back to the less than helpful HR folks. I called the helpful HR rep on my way home yesterday to let her know what had transpired and asked her to email me to arrange a time to talk. I sent her a kind email this morning...can we talk? Nothing.
I did bear my soul to my old boss via email. I felt like a kid who ran away from home and was begging her parents for forgiveness. I admitted that I screwed up and never should have left all for money.
So I am actively looking for work both in and out of my current hell. I come to work, try to look busy and knit my never ending cable rib socks at lunch. I need to say a pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of hopeless cases, to win the lottery on Friday or at least have a job come my way.
I am so trying not to be Debbie Downer. Everyday for the past 6 weeks I remind myself how lucky I am that my family is healthy, we have a place to live and food in the fridge. I would do just about anything to get rid of this black karma cloud that hangs over my 2008.
So I am off to look busy...

Helpful HR staff

When you mention HR staff in a general conversation most people moan and groan and say that they are useless. I want to express my love of the HR department. As you all know I have been struggling at work around my new job. HR checked in with me last week and I explained politely that I was less than challenged. So she suggested that I speak confidentially with someone above her. I pled my case on Friday told HR consultant how unhappy and unsatisfied I am. She kindly suggested that she would waive the 12 month waiting period for a transfer and that I should start looking internally for a position ASAP.
I will keep you all posted.

Adult conversation

I took a giant step forward last night and attended my first "meeting" of the Worcester Stitch and Bitch group. It was so nice to sit and chat with adults. As you know my new co-workers are not the warmest or fuzziest group or they just choose not to make water-cooler conversation, so it was nice to get out and just chat. It was also very nice to sit with women who appreciate good yarn and coffee. I will definately be back.

Sounds like me

Pushing that boulder

I am officially on week 6 of the new job. Things are still very slow. The highlight of my week is a telephone conference tomorrow and a deposition (not work related, but it is a day out of the office) - isn't that sad. Everyone I have talked to says hang in there, but it hasn't been easy. I now live in Dilbertville, a.k.a. cubeland, my co-workers are not going out of their way to be friendly and my boss well that is an other story for an other day. If I could shut my office door (which I don't have) to knit or have a private conversation life would be so much better.
Not to continue to be Debbie Downer on this Monday but can we talk about the Patriots? Have they taken lessons from the Red Sox on how to break your heart? We will lead you on through the entire season and then they will fall apart in the last game of the season. You had to see it coming with the games in December and January the scores got closer and closer.
Now to end on a positive note to keep life in perspective. I did see my old friend Mary today who was rather impressed with my completed cable rib sock, which made me feel better. I got out of the office and walked for 20 minutes or so today. I have decent yar to knit with through March - always a good thing. And if all else fails, I am grateful for the fact that I have a job, my family is healthy and there is food in the fridge. What more can I ask for on a gray Monday?