bait and switch

So, as many of you know, I am on the job market. Its no secret as my supervisor knows and I apply for a lot of stuff in the hopes it comes through. Its become more important to find the job because they want to move my office to a satellite campus like 20 some miles away, which would not be a fun commute. In addition (as background to this story) they are opening up a one-stop shop, a place where financial aid, student accounts, and bursars will be in one location and allow students not have to go from place to place to get their financial issues dealt with.

Well, I applied for a position that was Assistant Director of this one-stop shop. It would've been a sizable increase in my salary grade and I'm assuming my salary would've as well. Well the newly appointed director called me and we had a phone interview on Tuesday and she subsequently emailed me to set up an in person interview where she referenced the term "Assistant Director" multiple times. So the next day I go to a training and they say in the training that there is no assistant director position, but that was a mistake and they only have these positions called Ambassadors, which are a ridiculous position that directs people what line to stand in. So I emailed her back and asked her about that and she responded with "I just found out that they weren't going to hire for that position." (what a lie) and that we should cancel our meeting the next day? (with a Question Mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!) So I responded that yes, we should cancel our meeting and good luck with the center.

But she clearly knew they didn't have that position available and they posted that position with no intention of hiring for it. They wanted me to go through the entire hiring process and then at the end switch the position on me. I am furious about it. This school has found more ways than I thought possible to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

What a great trip!

So I have been traveling a lot this summer. The month of July brings me to New York City and Rehoboth Beach. I went up with a friend to NYC. Our trip starts with him going out to meet one of his college friends. So I tag along and its to a little straight bar with cheap martinis and a pool table. So I alternated in between watching pool players and chatting with the people I was with. At some point they go outside and the gay poolplayer boy was like "your making me nervous." in a flirtatious way. So we started talking. At some point, my friend and I went to dinner and on our way out, i gave the guy my card that said "I'm visiting for two days and would love to see you before i leave." So 5 minutes later he calls me and we set something up for the next day. However, after dinner, my friend wanted to crash so i went back to the bar and hung out with the guy for a couple hours. We seemed to get along quite well. I eventually left to meet up with my friend, but we decided to hang out the next night.

So the next night we go out on a date, get some drinks, he shows me his part of the city. Then we go back to his place, order some diner food and well you know... But let me say this: it was the best sex I've ever had. I usually don't have great experiences when it comes to sex, but this was by far a great and emotionally positive sexual experience.

And it took most of the night so i slept most of the way home on the train. Turned around and headed to the beach. I made a new friend in the group that was going so it was a good time. Read some Harry Potter. Drank a bit. Invented a new drink (which I am very excited about--- Pink Lemonade and Vodka and I call it a Dolly Madison.) But there was also drama at the beach.

Of course there is always a little awkwardness when you travel with a couple, but I felt that it got ridiculously out of control. When people feel the need to make out so much that you can't have a complete conversation with them, then it becomes prohibitive to good group dynamics and that was the start of it. An example, if you will- I was talking to one of them about the new Harry Potter and in the middle of the conversation, of me talking, they start making out, so i said "Oh, I thought I was talking, but I guess I wasn't." And I turned around and stopped communicating with them for a while. So I and another guy started to separate away from the group so we didn't have to deal with it, which only ticked off other people. But the couple, which at this point wasn't dating for a full month yet got engaged.....yes, you read that correctly, engaged.... with rings and everything, although as i understand it the rings didn't fit. How do you not tell people you are going on an engagement trip with that you plan to pop the question and How do you pop the question after less than a month together. It makes me question the seriousness of relationships and wanting to be in one. TO me, this behavior trivializes relationships altogether. But then I realize "wait, when people do this, i usually make fun of them... ALOT." But its my friend, so I'd feel guilty doing it... clearly, i'm conflicted by this.

But it didn't ruin the trip and I still very much enjoyed the beach and the sun and the splotchy burn I somehow got...

academic update

Just a quick message to update you on an academic goal that is within reach now. I was accepted last week to present a research paper at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). My paper will be on the differing aspects that scholarships impact on students when deciding on a college. Is it a financial edge? Is it the feel of recognition and honor? I guess we'll see.

Conference

So my national conference has been this week and it has given me lots of stories for me to recount. I had a great time and learned a lot, so this post will be some of the highlights.

An awkward moment: On Tuesday afternoon I ran into three people from the research position that I didn't get due to being overqualified. And I wasn't in a position that I could've pretended I didn't see them or knew who they were. So I had to endure a 15 minute conversation with people who didn't hire me like 2 weeks ago. What is the correct protocol in that situation? Probably to say something like "I'm sorry I'm in a rush and unable to chat, it was good seeing you." But David said more of what I felt: "Be cordial, then key their car."

A moment of TMI: THis guy who worked the conference with me got way too personal on a discussion of what he did the night before. I ran into him at a bar and asked how the rest of his night was. He proceeded to tell me that on his walk home, he was propositioned for sex by a guy on the street, which he then had it in an alley way with. Then the guy told him it would be $100. HE didn't have the money, so the prostitute was going to call the police and have him arrested. (editor's note: Ummmm Wouldn't they just arrest the prostitute. And what proof would they have that the sex even occurred? Sex workers logic is entertaining)

A moment of exercise: I ran my second 5k through the conference. It was humid and hot, even at 6 am! I overexerted myself and thought I was going to pass out at one point. However, I shaved 3 minutes off my time from the last 5k and came in at 32:14. YAY!

A moment of self-confidence: DP met these guys from my conference at JRs. I met this guy who worked with a lender in one of those fly over states that people never vacation to. I introduced myself to him two days later and invited him and his crew out dancing with a few of us at Cobalt. We had a good time. I hung out with him that night with his coworkers, then invited him over to my place. And he came... So its like the first time in two/three years I was successful in a bar-scene hookup. He was a really nice guy, sort of resembled waiter guy, but without the game playing.
I do plan to stay in touch with him.

But this leads to a serious work question: For those that don't know, I work in financial aid, which has been in the news for inducements from lenders to financial aid counselors. In this stage, schools are overreacting and my school has asked that we disclose every thing we've ever gotten from a lender, such as a birthday gift from a friend of mine who works in a bank. etc etc. So do i need to write general counsel and say that a lender gave me an orgasm?