What's New, Pussycat?

Good: My former boss and I came to a deal but it requires me to do 10 hour/week of research and writing for the next 6 months in exchange for being paid $3000/month.

Bad: My love life is in the toilet again. He acts like I'm more of an irritant than anything. So in honor of that:

A Very Special Friday What the Hamster

Today's What the Hamster involves my current situation. Here's stuff that's happened this week that has made me say, "What the Hamster?"

1. My Ex-Boss. Look, laying me off from my $100k/year gig was bad enough but fucking me out of my "profit-sharing" contributions and a severance package to support my children makes you a douche bag. Not to mention I now have to buy my own malpractice insurance and CLE courses. Freakin' turd. Nothing that a letter to Travelers regarding billing fraud won't cure.
2. Xite Homes. I contracted with these douche bags to buy a house. Then I lost my job. Now they won't return my $1500 deposit that I need to put in my account. I've reported them to the BBB. Next step: Small claims.
3. Unemployment. They're holding my check because I honestly said I can't take just any old job that comes down the pike. Jeez, it's called RA so I can't stand for 8 hours or lift 50 pounds. Rotten government workers.
4. My Landlord. I'm in hock to him after losing my job. He finally got around to answering my, "What should we do about the lease," question I asked him a week ago. Either we modify it, or I'm out living in a box somewhere.
5. My Car. Never buy a Jag. Seriously. The bitch costs more to maintain than Paris Hilton. Now I have a "check engine" light on that could either be the cruise control or the transmission. Regardless, I refuse to spend another time on the POS. It's going back to the bank when I file bankruptcy anyway.

More British Hotness

For you, Sis.

What The Hostages Website Reminded Me Of...

It does not get any hotter than this (okay, Colin Firth runs second):

Happy Anniversary, Baby

Today marks what would have been my 7th wedding anniversary had my former spouse not lost his mind. In honor of that, I filed an Application for Contempt today with the court because he hasn't paid me my money. Oh, yes, he'll be pissed but I figure he'll get over it. Oh and here's a little song for him:

Working Like a Dog

I'm getting heartburn for not posting enough. So here's a post. As some of you know, I just launched my own firm after losing my $100k/year job without warning or a severance package. Let's face facts. I can't get hired by another firm because I'm old (hitting 42), infirmed (with rheumatoid arthritis), and a single parent. Law firms are probably the most discriminatory bastards out there so no way, no how are they hiring me when they can hire Joe Recent Grad for $30k/year.

I started picking up some family law referrals (do what you know, I say) and I've been working like a dog all week. Tomorrow, I get to go to a Temporary Order hearing in a little town about 30 miles west of here. One of those towns where the judge knows every lawyer in town and opposing counsel is one of those lawyers. These referrals are are low income ($50/hour) and I only get paid for 2 hours per client per month. Not really helping me pay bills so I need regular paying clients.

At any rate, I'll try to blog as much as I can while starting my new venture.

Woohoo, I'm Unemployed

Where the hell have I been? Good question. Glad you asked. Let's see, last week I was sailing around the Caribbean with my son, my sister and her friend. My sister paid for that so that I wouldn't go on a shooting spree.

The night before my trip, my boss called me on my cell phone to tell me they were, "letting me go," because, "the insurance company stopped paying." Due to the nature of the beast, our client's insurance company was footing the bill for defense costs. They got tired of paying.

So after nearly six years on the job, I'm canned. No offer of money or anything. Of course, after the call I'm freakin' out because I'm going on a trip I can't afford with no job to come home to. I call everyone I know boo-hooing on the phone.

Oh did I mention that I was the only over 40 with a disability single mother of the firm? The boss man tried to ease the pain by telling me that he canned the son of the office manager as well. Imagine my surprise when this fired employee gave me my box of crap today when I went to the office to turn in my key. Needless to say, I sent the boss a lovely severance package offer. As BiW told me, I know where the bodies are hidden.

So here I am. Unemployed with two kids to support, no spouse and rheumatoid arthritis. I have a better chance at winning the lottery than finding another job. I guess I need to hang out a shingle and try my luck.

The Caymans were lovely though.