Hating My Life, vol III

This week was my first week at a temp-to-perm job that was in no way challenging me, sticking with it because it was a temp-to-perm assignment and I wanted it to be perm ... and because I was assured by all and sundry that the office was "just having a slow week; it'll pick up next week". Now, if anyone would know, the full-time permanent staff would. You'd think, anyway. However, if you've been following my life for the past month, you'd probably work out quicker than I did that it's not that simple; not ever.

At about 3:30 this afternoon, I was asked to take a phone call. I figured it must be from the agency, and I was right. What I didn't figure was that the conversation would go as follows:

AGENT: Hi, thessalian! How're things?
ME: Fine, thanks for asking.
AGENT: No problem. Listen, we've just got a call from one of the girls in your office.
ME: (thinking) Okay, I haven't been on the internet from work once, I've bent over backwards to find things to do so I don't look like I'm slacking and I've done every piece of slogwork this office has produced this week, so there can't be a problem with my performance.
ME: Oh?
AGENT: Well, they wanted me to tell you this - I guess they're embarrassed - but it seems like they haven't got enough work for you long-term.
ME: ...
ME: (thinking) This is after an entire fucking week of them ASSURING me that this was just a slow week and of course they wanted to keep me and all of that! It's been obvious to me for ages that this place hasn't been producing enough work to keep me busy given my skills but THEY'RE the ones who're supposed to know whether that's a temporary condition or not, and well before three-fucking-thirty in the afternoon when all my agency cards are at HOME!
ME: ...Ah. They just told me they were having a slow week.
AGENT: (sounding sympathetic) I know; I'm really sorry and I'm looking really hard for something else for you, but I wanted to let you know now so you can ring your other agencies...
ME: *groan* My agency cards are at home...
AGENT: (nearly audible wince) I did tell you as soon as I knew...
ME: I know. It's okay. I'll just finish up this one bit I'm doing, go home early and call my agencies from there.
AGENT: I really am sorry. I'll let you know as soon as something comes in. In the meantime, make sure they sign your timesheet.
ME: (through gritted teeth) Oh, don't worry; I will.
Our Temporary Heroine then finishes the document she was typing and resists the temptation to stomp across the office and fling that cowardly bitch of an office manager out the fire escape.

I mean, seriously. Do they just not believe in being fair to temps? You know, people who need to let agencies know that they're available by first thing Friday morning at the very latest if they want to stand a hope in hell of working the following week? People who might not be able to afford being unemployed for a week? Does this not even remotely cross their tiny little minds?

I'm trying not to stress. I have a backup plan for covering my end of the household expenses for this month with enough left over to cover any shortfall in March, or to set up a nest-egg in case this shit happens again. But it means pushing Missouri back again and cancelling Phoenix Rising altogether, because it involves telling my mother that, instead of a trip to the US to see friends and speak in front of a whole bunch of people, I'd rather have some breathing space and no-strings financial help as my 30th birthday gift. I could just ask for a loan, but what with temping and all, I'm not secure enough in my ability to stick to a repayment plan for that option to fly. Yes, I know it's my mother and she's not likely to charge interest, but it's the principle of the thing. I'm not making any final decisions on that one, though, until I find out a) whether I can get Mum a refund on the gift certificate with which I bought my ticket and b) whether I'm working again by Tuesday morning.

So once again I am unemployed, and this is not the first time that I've lost out on a job because I'm too fucking efficient to take a very long time over a very little work. And all I can really think at this particular moment is "It's not my fault - I have to stop thinking this is my fault" and, of course, "Happy fucking birthday, thessalian".

Yeah. Tomorrow I turn 30. And please, for the love of whatever god you worship, don't mention it. I don't give a crap that I'm getting older - that has never bothered me and it's not about to start now. But honestly, I have never been less in the mood to celebrate anything in my entire life so, while I probably won't actually say anything if you choose to mark the occasion, the reaction you get from me is likely to be somewhat underwhelming. I'm too tired, depressed, angry and frustrated to much care, I'm afraid.

And on a Lighter Note...

Yoinked from darkdanc3r

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better. If I already know you well, expect the questions may be a little more intimate!
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

1: Why did you choose the name 'Thessalian'?
I like the character, and there are resemblances between myself and the character (brown hair, glasses, attitude), and I was bored with Canadibrit.

2: Did you ever recieve your present from us?
No. Stupid post office.

3: What are you doing Thursday (2-15) at about 4:30 pm my time?
Let's see. That'd be half-ten my time. Odds are very high that I will be sitting in front of the computer screen. It's possible that I will be futzing on FFXI, but that can certainly be put off if you had other plans... *puppyeyes*

4: Who is your favorite character on BtVS and why?
Ooooh. It's always a toss-up depending on mood, but the answer I give most often is Spike. He's got the most consistent, believable and interesting character development arc of all the characters, and some of the best damn lines in the series.

5: What do you plan to do for your birthday?
Sleep in. Beyond that, depends on whether or not my mood improves.