Bad math

I was listening to Denver Mayor Hickenlooper on NPR this morning, and he was talking about the recession, and city employment, and the economy, and all that fun stuff. When I tuned in, he was going on about how layoffs are the absolute last thing the City and County of Denver would do to free up extra cash. Which, I think, is a good thing. Isn't it better to have everyone make a little less, than to leave some people high and dry while their colleagues are doing just peachy? In Denver, we're talking 3-4 furlough days. Period. Over a year. This isn't the 3-4 per month that Hawaii has instituted. Looks like we have a good plan.
Only, the details seemed a wee bit murky to me. To avoid layoffs, the government must trim costs in other ways. Naturally. By way of example, Mayor Hickenlooper said that agencies are starting to share services, like IT and fleet maintenance. That way, he said, we can trim about 20% of the workforce needed to perform those operations.
Wait. Isn't cutting the work force tantamount to layoffs? What, are we expecting 20% of the IT staff for the City and County of Denver to spontaneously retire all at once? Can someone explain how eliminating 20% of our IT and fleet maintenance crews, among others, we are avoiding layoffs? Kthx.

Getting political

Since I'm still out of work, I figured I better do something with my time (in addition to looking for work, of course). So, I decided to teach myself web design and design websites for both of my parents, who are both self-employed, and who don't have websites (*gasp*). The real kind, not web-in-a-box--I'm looking to develop my skills here, people. Skill I seriously lack. And who doesn't want a web designing lawyer on staff?

The other thing I'm getting into (though both things are unpaid) is political. I always thought politics were hideous, horrid things. Not unlike the plague. The older I get, the more it turns out that I really like politics. So. I'm volunteering with a Democrat's campaign for my House District here in Colorado. It's a solid Dem district, the issue is beating the more conservative, more well-known candidate. I like a challenge. And I'll work for free. Looks like I found my niche (till my $700 in total assets runs out).

The Constitutionality of Fairness

I get to talk to a lot of unhappy people at my job. It's often better when the voicemail talks to them, because sometimes it's hard to keep smiling, and not reach through the phone lines and strangle people.

Yesterday, I got a message from a lovely gentleman unhappy with the Colorado Legislature's proposal to offer health care benefits to same-sex partners of state employees. It's a controversial subject, I know. Homophobia is rampant, especially among conservatives. This guy went another step, though. He explained, with citations to the Colorado Constitution, that it was unconstitutional to extend benefits to same-sex partners because in this state, marriage is defined as being between one man and one woman. Sadly, that last part is true. We do define marriage that way. I wanted to say to this man, "sir, that's the whole reason for the bill. It's because we restrict marriage this way that we have to take extra steps to give homosexual citizens the same rights you have. The Colorado Constitution prevents them from getting married, but it does not, thank goodness, also say that they are not entitled to all of the other rights that you are."

Alas, it was just a message, so I couldn't. Well, I couldn't have even if it was a live call. My job is just to listen and smile. And what's saddest? That we do need legislation for this kind of thing, and even worse, that there's a good chance we won't achieve it this time. Will the bigotry ever end?

A moment of optimism

I went to a legislative reception yesterday for all manner of environmental groups, which was a good way to spend time since, well, I want to work for one (really, any one) of them in the future. I got to tag along with my boss, The Representative, who thought she could introduce me around a bit. It's too bad that I'm so terrible at the small talk and all, and had to cling to The Representative like a barnacle...but still, it was a good event. After the embarassing gaffe of ordering a beer and then realizing that, oops, my wallet was totally empty (and having to borrow money from my boss), I met this person and that person, whilst the boss mentioned all around that I was a freshly minted attorney looking for work. A few people seemed at least somewhat receptive, and the real score came as I left and got an offer from an old professor to send along my resume. She offered to do whatever she could to help--that's the sort of thing I'm desperate for. It was also nice that she didn't seem daunted by the fact that I got a C+ in her class, or maybe she just didn't remember. Mostly I'm just mumbling on here, but I felt optimistic at the end of yesterday, a feeling that is somewhat hard to come by these days. I'm going to try to hold onto it, a feat I think I can imagine until the rejection letters (or worse, total silence) start rolling in. And I'm sure they will--by the truckload.

Demons and crap

Reading some pretty ultra-conservative news today (I do it for my job, so I know what people on both sides of the aisle are thinking and doing), I came across two great nicknames for democrats. First, democraps. The other, demoncrats. How clever, eh? Both used in the comments to an article about Colorado's SB 09-170, which would give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. I support the legislation, by the way. If I have the time, I'll share my reasons. In the meantime, here's a great article about the bill and immigration more generally.

Under the Dome

So I've been hard at work for a few days now, really about a week. Having to get up at 6:30 to go to work really sucks, but my job as a legislative aide is interesting.

Except on Monday. The 40 minute commute took nearly three hours because of an unexpected storm, a commute in which I had to stand up on the bus on my sprained ankle (and yes, it's STILL screwed up). We finally got off the bus at an early stop to walk the rest of the way because of the horrid slowness of the traffic. Then Starbucks got my drink SO WRONG (I ordered a cappuccino, it's not rocket science) and I was so cranky that I threw it on the ground because I didn't realize it was wrong until we were away from the store. Rex was kind enough to buy me a new one at the next Starbucks, but then when I got to work the phone rang immediately and I was stuck talking to crazy constituents for the next two hours. One lady took up a whole hour on her own. The rest of the day was good, including the commute home, until we were in the parking lot at the bus station and I slipped on black ice and landed right on my ass. Which was also not so bad until Rex slipped right after me and his leg went right into my back. I burst into tears for a minute, then we were laughing, and then we had wine. Lots and lots of wine, for purposes of curing the Monday-from-hell-ness.

Yesterday and today have been much better.

Legislative Aide-ing

Rex and I both finally have jobs. We are going to be legislative aides! We'll only make $10/hour, and work just 20 hours/week, but things were looking so grim I'm willing to regress to a high schooler's paycheck. We're hoping to make enough connections and such so that we can get real jobs when we pass the bar. If we pass the bar. Yay for us and our new jobs!

Because Global Warming IS Real

"President-elect Barack Obama, in strongly-worded remarks to a gathering of governors and foreign officials on Tuesday, said he had no intention of softening or delaying his aggressive targets for reducing emissions that cause the warming of the planet." (here)

Thank goodness we are actually going to get some change. I know the economy is extraordinarily important now (I'm accepting a job that pays $10/hour, and is only part-time, and I will have a doctorate), but this is also very important. I'm so happy we elected someone who will really act on the climate change problem. That is all.

On why I hate Career Development...

I am going to a career fair at the law school tonight. There are numerous employers collecting applications. So I have been diligently drafting cover letters, in the hopes that I might find a job tonight. Since there are two separate lists of employers attendees, one entitled "employers collecting applications," the other titled "employers participating," I had assumed that there would be at least the possibility of job openings.

I was wrong.

I just ran into my illustrious career counselor, one of those in charge of the event. I said to him, "E---, I hope there are going to be some jobs for real lawyers/graduates tonight!" His response? "Oh, don't go looking for jobs, just collect information."

SO WHY DO I HAVE TO WRITE COVER LETTERS??? Why are applications being accepted if there are no jobs? AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACTUALLY GET A JOB??? Information doesn't exactly get the job done. It's called a career fair for a reason.

Wasting my time....

Just had a job interview. They said, "your resume is very appealing," and sounded ready to offer me a job on the spot. For a job that I actually want. Then, I ask about salary. The job is unpaid. Thanks for your time, judges. On to the next thing. Maybe someone will decide one day that my law degree makes me deserving of a paycheck (however paltry, I'll take just about anything at this point).

I (sort of) got a job!

I got a job that will last about three weeks! I take an $8/hour pay cut from my last job, but it pays infinitely more than this one (which, if you didn't know, pays nothing). It's short term, but any money is better than no money. I get to work from home on my own schedule, so it's worth it for even a few bucks (and another line on my resume, which is proliferating by the minute). Plus, I learned how to sell my old casebooks on Half.com, and so have made a little dough that way. Things are starting to look up (and I'm starting to look around to see what else I can sell on the internet).

Status update?

Since I'm still out of a job (and in my last week at my unpaid position with EPA), I figured I better find SOMETHING to do with my time, so I decided to volunteer. I already do tours for the law school, but this week I agreed to serve as a bailiff for a capital murder trial. In Centennial. Almost 50 miles away. So I will be commuting almost 100 miles round trip to escort jurors to and from the courtroom. At least I'm a good citizen?

I'm tenacious!

I was just called a tenacious researcher, AND got an extension on the deadline for this horrifically in-depth research project. Yay!

Update: I just deleted the document with ALL of my tenacious work from today. Almost 4 hours worth of research. Because I am on a secure network and it didn't just go to my recycle bin, it may be irretrievable. Feeling less tenacious as I wait for IT to call me back...

We ALL need a vacation

So it's a major long shot, but there is a plan to introduce new legislation next year that would require Americans to get paid vacation time. Not only that, but three weeks of paid vacation time. Every year. It's still less than other industrialized nations, and we are currently the only industrialized nation with no paid vacation, but it would seem so outrageously generous to overworked Americans. Of course, the downside is that the legislation is not expected to even come close to passing. It's a nice thought, though.

Here is the NYT article that mentions the legislation and talks about the benefits of vacation. As though we didn't know.

Last day...

It’s my last day at the dreaded job. See here for more on why it’s not my favoritest place to be for 8 hours a day. So, I’m pretty excited, but still have to go to this staff meeting. Whereupon, the bosses make an announcement that it’s a sad day because I’m leaving, which is an awfully nice sentiment. The big head boss-man even said the following:

“Don’t stray too far from the mothership...tell [the new job] you may need to come back to your roots.”

My job is a mothership, and better yet, a mothership in which I have roots. That’s some imagery. Plus, they want me to come back! Do you hear that? Come back to the job that I have publicly loathed and disdained for weeks on end. That’s how much I rock. Not that I would necessarily want to (though I LOVE most of the people I work with), but I could.

On a less happy note, I am currently in limbo with an undiagnosed “medical condition.” That phrase sounds so horrid and scary, but that’s what they call it. It’s making me gain weight at a rate probably only matched by a pregnant blue whale. And I’m just guessing, but they must blow up pretty heavy pretty quick, right? Either way, you get the idea.

I HATE MY JOB

Let me just repeat, I HATE MY JOB. I used to love this job, it was awesome, I was very autonomous, it was flexible, and I felt appreciated. Now, I no longer have any autonomy, the flexibility has become rigid, and the appreciation evaporated. It's the group, not me, causing these things, so at least I know I'm not a total failure. A month ago, I was in charge of both our volunteers (15 of them) and our publications/printed materials. Now I'm doing internet research that a monkey could do. I did NOT come to law school to research S&P's 599, or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. I want to be an environmental lawyer, not a stock analyst. And yet... I really just want to cry I am so frustrated, because essentially these guys have totally screwed me, but I still have to give them my time. And I don't even get anything out of it, because I work for work study, which is money that I could just get as loans if I didn't have to sit here deciding what financial information I think should be a part of the interface that we use to analyze corporate pledges. I AM NOT A MONKEY, but I sure feel like one. Also, my total inability to stand up for myself and tell them that I don't really like being treated like a chimp (or chump, whatever you prefer) doesn't help.

I need a job

Two months ago I told my bosses that I would be graduating in December. Both indicated informally that they would very much like to hire me, and I know that I'm a favorite there. So, I figured I had a job post-graduation, especially since they didn't bother to get back to me more formally for two months, and everyone NEEDS A JOB. Today, boss #1 calls me into his office to say, "We can't afford to hire you when you graduate. But we really really like you and wish we could. Also, please do all of this sh** before the event tomorrow." I agreed to work for the place all summer on the assumption that I'D HAVE A JOB when I graduate. Because in the law world, the place you work in the summer is the place you usually work when you graduate, as they've tested you out. Now, I have a summer job and therefore can't get "tested" by another place that might actually hire me. Did I mention that I'll be graduating with a mortgage? That I have to pay each month? "Adam mentioned to us that he'd want to work here a year and a half ago." I didn't work for the place a year and a half ago, so how could I have mentioned it to them then that I would want to stay on after graduation?

Here's somthing frustrating

My boss invited me to an event, for which I had to go buy a cocktail dress as I didn't own one. But apparently, we aren't going to the event, but he didn't think that it was important to tell me, so I've been going along as though I need to plan for a big fancy political event and will need to prepare to leave another event early (the latter event requires a great deal of my attention, so I have to make sure no crises will occur, which has already been a great expenditure of effort). At what point did he think it was ok not to tell me this, even though he's been emailing me all day about other stuff? He told the other invitee, my co-worker, and she told me, but why was it that he bothered to tell her and not me?

UPDATE: It turns out that the invitation may have been rescinded (from both myself and my co-worker) because a mistress was invited instead and the number of available slots was miscalculated. Pure hearsay at this point, but oooh it's juicy!

Friends at Work

The New York Times has an article about having friends at work. The revelationary message is that is it a good thing, because such relationships reduce stress and foster productivity. Call me naive, but this is news? Support networks of people who understand where you're coming from help? No way. Seriously, who are we in this country? Bosses try to discourage friendships because they are viewed as bad, but that backfires because people who are stressed and depressed are actually less productive. Really?

The Fabulous People of Subway Restaurant

My job decided that I should go to some fast food restaurants to ask for free food for an event we are hosting. I went to Taco Bell relatively without incident, and then it was off to Subway. I walked in and asked if there was a manager on duty. I was told that there was not, so I was just going to give my letter of explanation to the cashier and ask him to pass it along. I told the guy that I was a law student from across the street and that I wanted free food in exchange for advertising at our event, and if he could just give my letter to the manager that would be great. Mr. Cashier proceeds to ask my name and introduce himself, which was nice. Next he asked where the law school was. I pointed to the big building right across the street, and said, that's it. That big new building that says "Wolf Law." That's the law school. Then he said that he wanted to go to law school but he's a felon. Someone told him that felons can't go to law school. First of all, felons can go to law school, and many do. They let convicted murderers practice law. Second, this guy did not strike me as the kind of person who was going to go to law school but something else came up. He wasn't very bright, and he works at Subway. You're pretty much overqualified for that job if you have a GED, and that won't get you in to CU Law. Third, why would you tell a total stranger that you are a felon? That was the most baffling part of all. How do you respond, "oh that's nice, I'm a non-felon." Seriously.