Since I don't recognize the 'PBS' you are describing, I'll have to conclude that in MO: all they show are the childrens' shows. You aren't required to look to see if the above 'pledge drive' one is on in your area - it was just a suggestion, as it went to the substance of your poem. (You also aren't required to scan the latest offerings to see if you'd fall asleep for all of them. That part I won't try to guess.)

I knew someone from Europe who emigrated here and went to work for a US company. They quickly realized that she was an excellent worker: so they began piling more and more on her.

After recovering from a bleeding ulcer in hospital, after she collapsed one day - we had a little chat. She began to comprehend what US bizness was like, and that her responsibility to herself required that she learn to say NO in the form, ..if you want That now, I'll drop __. If you want __ now, I cannot do That now. *Period*

I don't pretend to know the 'expected standards' of coding output, but I've gathered enough to see that - TTT (Things Take Time). I can see that you have been in an environment much like H's environment. Perhaps you need to rehearse the setting of priorities and the EITHER/OR firm, but polite reply (?) *They* are responsible for the priorities. You are responsible for 100% of the 8-hour day, if that's what you are paid for. If you perpetually acquiesce into supplying 110%, I'd imagine that you will soon be asked for 120%.

(I believe you see all that, and so do they) -- but as you've noticed: [even without being lawyers to boot] biznessfolk tend to want as much as they can get. You need not, however: supply that more, nor accept the attitude that you have Failed\ufffd, when you are given conflicting priorities and they prove impossible.

Y'know? We all talk to ourselves. Possibly you could practice making some form of common sense to yourself - it is difficult breaking the habit of trying to please even the assholes amongst us. H. learned. I am *sure* that you can, especially since you know the outcome when you quietly accept every task requested. "Enough!" is the common word.

Your next gig is bound to profit from this all and.. You're Free of those Assholes! to boot. If it's a card game, isn't it about time you dealt? Dealer names the game. But you have to practice acting like the dealer sometimes. (Even silly names like 'emPowerment' ... aren't all that silly, actually.)

Maybe too, if you have trouble keeping head up / level and lookin 'em in the eye at interviews.. mirrors are good for practice. Your first one minute sets the tone: you can act-out and remember an entire minute of entering the room, sitting slowly and then relaxing as in .. coolly (that's what they told me, anyway). Cool beats nervous 100% of the time. Like whistling past the cemetery - you'll actually *feel* cool. Honest.

"I'm the guy who saved __'s bacon with an impossible VB-script feat. I expect I can do that and more for ___", because I've also been working on ___ and I see possibilities in __. I just know this ain't a bad line.

Good luck. You're an actor as we all are. Give a fine performance on the next audition / interview! Hell, look what some rilly Bad actors get in action movies; you're better than that. (But ya gotta Look Like It too!)


Cheers,

A.