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The Unemployment Post

I think I mentioned before how, whenever the Boss calls me into his office, it freaks me out just a little. It's like getting called to the principal's office. There's that little bit of panic you have to swallow down and reassure yourself, it's just an assignment. The guy just had knee replacement surgery, and his office is upstairs. He doesn't want to come downstairs to explain some fact pattern and give you a research assignment.

Yeah, not today. Today was the "you're laid off" conversation. Sucks.

He assured me it had nothing to do with my job performance, and he said he'll give me a glowing recommendation to anyone who asks. It's just about money, as in, there isn't any.

I've had my suspicions about this for awhile though, and just ignored that nagging feeling that the axe was coming. There've been some "payroll issues," and there was a rather serious closed-door-don't-interrupt meeting a few weeks ago with the boss's financial adviser. Yeah, should've known.

So, my last day is Friday. Fortunately, the timing is excellent because my lease is up the end of next month, meaning I'm only out one rent payment on the apartment and I fortunately had not sent them notice of my intent to renew yet (I would have on July 1). I'm shutting off all the utilities and moving out on Friday. I gave notice to the landlords I'm leaving so they can rent the apartment early (apartments are hard to come by around here).

I'll be drawing unemployment, which I think is around $400 a week. That's less than half of what I bring in, but without the rent and expense of living in two places, I think I can swing it with tightening down my belt. I got a 3-month forbearance from Direct Loans, and the Sallie Mae douchebags would only give me a 3-month forbearance if I gave them $100. WTF? No thank you, I'll just pay that one. I'll just make minimum payments on my two credit cards, and Husband will probably have to start paying the cable and phone bills once he starts his new job the first week of July. Cora will stay in daycare part time in The City, and stay home with me two days a week (the two days a week she was normally in daycare in Small Town). Which will be fun being a part-time stay at home mom again. At least it's summer and we can go to the pool!

So, yeah, I've been crying off and on all day, because DAMMIT, I really fucking loved my job. Sure, I had a love-hate relationship with the child custody clients, because I think people who put their kids through hell to punish their ex-spouse are the worst excuses for human beings possible. BUT, I had plenty of really awesome family law clients, who are good parents, doing what's best for their kids and that was really great work to be doing. Also, doing Plaintiffs' work was really great. In some ways, I like the insurance defense better because there's less pressure (other than the evil billable hour), but I felt like I was doing good. Winning that employment case was AWESOME.

But I'm sad too because I really like the area. I didn't think I would, honestly. But it's beautiful, and the people are great, and while it's full of problems (i.e. mass obesity, prescription drug abuse, pollution, etc.), it really is lovely. Not much to do, but with summer just starting and with the possibility of being here on the weekends, that would have changed. Anyway, I'm sad to leave the area, and will miss things like strolling through the awesome city park right across the street from my apartment, miss hanging out with my upstairs neighbor, and definitely miss my colleagues in the legal community who are not douchebaggy like the folks back in The City. Dammit, I don't want to practice law there. Ugh.

I'll also miss my office, and the staff. Boss Dude was a great mentor, and I wish I could have had more of an opportunity to learn from him. But I'm grateful for the opportunity for the past 11 months, and at least my Bar/Bri fees, bar association fees, and CLE's were paid, and I'm re-entering the job market with good references and some pretty great experience. Second-chairing four trials, conducting hearings, managing cases. I haven't just been someone's document review bitch, so surely someone will like me! Someone? Anyone?

Resume and references available upon request!

Full post as published by Knocked Up (and in Law School) on June 08, 2010 (boomark / email).