in fact there was a lot I didn't have control over in my last job. Basically the PHBs had complete control, they contradicted themselves, provided vauge instructions, changed their minds at the last minute, and then accused me of placing blame when I asked a simple question.
About the movie, at first I didn't want to go. My friend talked me into it. He said for the sake of my sanity that I should go. That he goes to one every month just for the sake of his sanity. Then he offered to buy me a ticket so I could go with him. I haven't seen a movie in the threatre since. Only on TV, and Movie rentals (we got a video store near us that rents them for $1 each or 2 for $1 for the "Turkey" movies. Kid's movies are free, but costs an extra $1 to turn them in late.).
Mistakes I made and learned from:
Never trust an employer, expecially when they break so many promises to me. When that happens either quit, or look for another job. A big clue I should have followed on was when the firm got investigated for fraud by the FBI and SEC in 1998, and set up one of their partners as a patsy. If they do that to one of their own, imagine what they'd do to an employee?
I got backstabbed and sabotaged. Apparently I wasn't playing office politics and one of the sides went after me to get rid of me. Guess they won? next time I need to learn to socialize more and smooze around. I've been all work and no socializing.
My illness was a factor, but I don't really have control over that. Even if management thought I did. It is not like I can wake up in the morning and say that "I'm not going to be sick today". Since my doctor notes vanished from my HR file, at my next employer I will photocopy each note myself and save a copy at home. Just in case they try to screw me at review time again.
If I need to get training, and the firm is too chickensh*t to pay for it, I should do it on my own. No matter what they promise me, if they keep breaking their promises for training, get the heck out of there.
Next time, try to apply for a supervior or management position. I think this last time I wasn't gutsy enough to apply for one. A coworker did this, but he chickened out of it and quit the project manager position. I wouldn't do such a thing.
If they want me to work like a Codemonkey (for those who don't know, a code monkey produces code quick and sloppy. Does not bother to test it, only gets it out as quick as they can to please managers.) I'll do it, but will look for another job where they want quality over quanity.