My 3 Bosses: The Axis of Evil

Recently we had a departmental meeting where one of my boss's slammed the work that was being handled by my team. She all but announced that it was I who almost dropped the ball on an assignment we were given. I was stunned that her criticism was so darn public. From that point forward they began to scrutinize everything I was responsible for. I felt as though I was being harassed without good cause. It wasn't fair, but they would spin things in such a way that had me looking as though I really was incompetent. To comfort me, some co-workers said that this was their modus operandi: to select someone in the department and give them hell for a period of time until they have had their fill, at which time they would move onto their next victim. What's the deal with people like this?? So much for good management skills!! All I know is that they have left me feeling deflated and demoralized.

In a face-to-face meeting with one of them, I said that the environment I working in was rather unjustly punitive and militant. I was surprised to hear my boss say " well maybe you are not a good fit for this organization". I said, "you may be right".

The truth is that I enjoy working with the people that I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. They have my back and we have great chemistry. Should I let these nitwits run me out of this organization when I like almost everyone and everything else about the environment? But it's become too stressful to look over my shoulder everyday wondering what they may use against me when the work itself is challenging enough.

To feel better about myself, I sent out a couple of resumes and had an interview this week. I was scheduled to interview with 3 different individuals for this new organizations. The first 2 people made me feel comfortable and it went really well. The final interview was a different story. This person was one of the directors and had the final say about my fate. She grilled me with her expressionless face. At no time did I feel that we had connected until I was on my out the door and she asked, "do you speak any other languages?" I said, "yes, I understand Turkish and I speak it a little". There was a very long and awkward pause and she actually lit up and said, "I've been to Turkey. What a beautiful country!" Ah, what a relief!! We had finally connected.

I'm really torn out leaving my current job, but the powers-that-be are making it unbearable for me. Should I stay or should I go now?

Oh Crap, Not Again!

Here we go again...Some guy responded to my Turkish Personals profile, so I naturally read his profile before responding . Here's what he said: He's 39 (there's that number again!), 2nd generation Turk in the U.S. and, AND, said he was sincere. The rest of his profile seemed like a pretty good match with mine. Or so I had thought. Just to be clear here - and this is important - I expressly stated on my profile that I am of Turkish origin looking to meet a Turkish-American like myself. Anyway, he seemed like a pretty cool guy despite the fact that he supports George Bush, which is usually a deal breaker for me. So I gave him my number and when he called, here's what I learned about him...

The Truth? 1) He is 44 years old, not 39 as he indicated 2) He is Armenian, not the 2nd generation Turk that he said he is and 3) has been living with his parents his entire life. Wow! What a catch! I'd be fool to let this one go!! Now don't get me wrong, he was polite as can be and seemingly nice, but he was also a big, fat liar. So much for "sincere".

Now I can get over the age thing, but who the heck lies about their ethnicity for God's sake? Is this odd or is it just me? In case you were wondering, I did not set up a meeting with him, and I am officially done with online dating. Back to dating in the "real" world.

Dating

How hard can it possibly be to find someone that you are compatible with? Answer: hard, really hard. I've been doing the online dating thing and have yet to find an honest guy. One guy posted a picture of himself taken about 10 years ago. He lived out-of-state and flew out to meet me. He stayed for a 3 day weekend and wore the same clothes for all 3 days! How gross! He looked nothing like the picture that he posted of himself. He was, well, much older. Another guy said on his profile that he was never married, had no kids, and was 39. He turned out to be divorced with one child, in his 40's, AND is in the U.S. illegally. Should that make me a tad suspicious? And the most frightening profiles are the ones where the guy doesn't post a picture. Are they that unattractive, shy or perhaps married?

Despite my disappoinments, I continue to keep my profile up with the hopes that, at the very least, that I'll meet someone who is honest and has more than one outfit in his wardrobe! My thinking is that I've have just as much a chance as meeting jerks online as I do in real life. I'll keep you all posted regarding my next date.

I have friend who suggested that I take my profile down and just give up on the this bullshit. But the whole concept of online dating is fascinating to me in a twisted sort of way. It sounds so easy: Place my order online of what I'm looking for, and find him on my computer from the comfort of my own home. But it hasn't been that easy.

The good news is that there is always a story to tell after the date even it's not the story I was hoping to tell. Wish me luck, I clearly need it.