Monday I had one of those "life changing" moments.   I was, finally, tired of being the subject of my direct supervisors unfounded acusations and quit my job of six years.  I have tried for one and a half years to be cordial and professional to this woman, but ever since she arrived at the station she had it out for me.  No one knows why, but everyone could see it.  Some co-workers thought she was afraid I was going to take over her position, others said she pinpointed me on her first day and decided to make my life hell, others asked "what did you do to her to make her hate you so?".  My opinion is she just didn't like me.  I can handle that, as long as professionalism isn't hampered.  I was nice to her, said hello every day, did my work to the best of my abilities, and gave many hours of my free time (unpaid) to the betterment of the company.  I didn't mind.  I really enjoyed my job and made many very close friends.  BUT, along with all the good, I was being singled out and blamed for things that were out of my control, or things I didn't do.  Most of these I took to be management venting fustration to the closest person they could find...you know, shit rolls downhill.  I'm not saying I ignored direct criticism if it was directed towards me.  If I earned a butt-chewing, I took it in stride, gave my side of the situation, and we all went our merry way.

Well, on Monday I was called into the office.  It was a meeting between my direct supervisor and the General Manager.  Now, I've worked with this guy for over 6 years and he has almost never had a complaint of my job performance.  On this particular day, I don't know what he had been told but as my supervisor ranted, he stood by her.  I don't know if it was because he didn't want to undermine her authority or what.  I once again, stood my ground, took blame for what I deserved, and told them why I was not to be blamed for all the other accusations...many things happen that were out of my control.  Engineering, computers, or my assistant caused most of the errors of that particular past weekend.  I was articulate, and precise.  I was handed a write up for poor job performance!  At that moment, I was in shock and mighty pissed off!  I signed it, wrote across the page I did not agree to the acusations put forth on the page, and slamed out of the GM's office, and left for lunch. 

I figured my anger at the situation would cool over the next hour, but it didn't.  I do not hold grudges, or "file away" bad experiences.  I let them go and I get on with my life.  I was angry that my GM did not stand up for me, I was angry that I was the whipping child, I was angry I got a write up for things I did not do wrong.   I called a few friends and talked with them, hoping just getting a chance to vent would calm me down.  Nope.  By the time my hour was up and I was heading back to work, my mind was made up to put in my Two-Week notice.  What a scary decision!  I did not have another job lined up, I didn't even have a current resume'!  I just knew I could not work in happiness there any longer.  It was time to go.

I gave two weeks notice in writing, but when my GM saw it, he said to turn in my keys and parking pass that very afternoon, and my next two week paycheck would be sent to my house.  I cried as I packed up six years worth of stuff out of my desk and said good-bye to my co-workers.  The last thing I did was send out an e-mail to all my friends to not use my work mail anymore.  It was near 4pm and the closest of my friends walked out with me, then they decided I needed a drink, and we all went down to a local bar.  As friends near and far checked their e-mail, I received so many calls of support it made my heart swell.  Tony showed up at the bar, yes, a bit akward, but OK.  He knew I had too much to drink to drive home, so he took me to eat at Bert & Ernies.  We talked as friends and had a good dinner.  By the time we headed back to our vehicles, they had two inches of snow on them, but the streets were only wet.  The world looked brand new covered in white.  I chose this to be a good omen, looked at my boxes of stuff, sighed deeply and felt good about my rash decision of the day.

These past 4 days since, I have been looking for employment.  I already have a job interview set up for Tuesday for a job paying more to start than I was making at the radio station.  Wish me luck!  Oh, by the way....know any one who is hiring?