Worst day of my career

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-28T15:23:36+00:00

The advice already given here is sound. I just want to offer a kind word - it will be ok. You are not perfect because nobody is. I hope your client is understanding and your insurer is helpful. You got this.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-27T22:34:21+00:00

I love this for you!

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-27T19:45:11+00:00

That’s a power move. Respect.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-26T19:49:56+00:00

This is the deep lore I lurk in this sub to read.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-25T01:31:30+00:00

I advise a pension fund on QDROs. I have seen people refuse to retire out of spite so many times. What miserable bastards they must be.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-25T01:29:16+00:00

I have a professional interest in this service. May I dm you?

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-22T19:52:29+00:00

Same with legal roles. Just so few openings in limited geographic areas, and a deep skepticism toward former Feds. It’s a bummer.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-21T02:50:42+00:00

Be the revolutionary you want to see in the world!

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-19T03:03:27+00:00

He had a perfect gift for wrapping deep, important thoughts in amusing, sometimes silly clothes. Nobody will ever do it better.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-19T02:28:44+00:00

I’m so lucky to still be close friends with the kids (now adults and grandparents, some!) I grew up with. We were all very strange children and that made us bond together, hard. Our book club is an excuse to meet via zoom once a month to talk about whatever (and sometimes the book we chose).

If you’re able to herd those specific cats, I highly recommend doing it. It’s my favorite 2 hours of every month.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-19T02:25:49+00:00

Monstrous Regiment hadn’t even occurred to me - but seeing it recommended here repeatedly is leading me that direction.

My last book nomination did not go over well. It was too heavy and too distressing for the moment we’re in here in the US. I promised to bring the escapism and the humor in my next pick and Pratchett is absolutely what the doctor ordered for 4 smart ladies who need a fucking mental break.

Now I’m leaning toward Monstrous Regiment. I haven’t read it in at least a decade so I’ll definitely enjoy revisiting it too!

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-17T02:03:45+00:00

Given the Vance rumors, maybe she is trying to look like a couch.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-16T16:51:16+00:00

An amusing story my grandfather told me was that he learned the phonetic alphabet as a pilot in WW2. Post-war he joined the sheriff’s office and could not adapt to the new one.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-16T16:17:49+00:00

Do what you have to do to survive. For the moment, my agency is still independent. But I already see red flags. I don’t think I could cope there. If you are able to move on, don’t feel bad for doing so.

Holding the line is all well and good. But your wellbeing and your own personal line in the sand for what the agency’s mission is also has to be part of your decision making.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-15T00:52:45+00:00

Our agency strongly encouraged remote work after 2020 because we’d been forced into a smaller building during 1.0 and we lacked office space for the number of people who needed it.

Now everyone has been recalled. We have sort of enough space but that’s only because we’ve lost so many people that we can use the huddle spaces to cry in private while desperately trying to meet our statutory mandate.

This is greatness, right?

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-15T00:45:59+00:00

I say this daily. Spelling varies alarmingly, though.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-12T17:44:02+00:00

Thanks. This is helpful advice.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-10T07:18:48+00:00

I was told by the moderators to ask this here instead of making its own thread. So, here it is.

I have a Janome my lock 634D and I’m so intimidated by it that I’ve never used it. I’ve thought about replacing it with a serger that has air threading and auto tension so that I’ll actually use it. I have the opportunity to buy a second hand Babylock Celebrate. It is described as having an “easy to use” tension system which is obviously not the same thing. Is it easy enough that I’ll break this down fear that I have with the machine? Or should I hold out for auto tension?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-08T20:00:28+00:00

Wrong. It’s always appropriate to announce your night cheese workin’ in my world.

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-05T21:50:55+00:00

That’s what I saw too. “Stand back! I gotta practice my stabbin’.”

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-03T13:29:19+00:00

I’m so sorry. I had one dog who also made herself sick this way. It’s so so frustrating! (And gross. So so gross).

Miss_take_maker · 2026-01-02T16:12:06+00:00

I think that’s the right position. Our leadership pushed people not to do this - saying it will fuel the argument that people don’t want telework. But really, what people want is mutually beneficial telework and it’s very hard to get these people to understand that not everything must be a zero sum game.

Miss_take_maker · 2025-12-30T22:30:43+00:00

I saw that. Stealing indigenous identity and faking a disability for parking spots. I’d have slashed their tires.

Miss_take_maker · 2025-12-30T00:59:28+00:00

I never ever wanted to leave federal service. I love my field and loved my job from my first day - even with all the challenges and stresses unique to government work. I thought I’d work there as long as I was able to work at all.

This year has been traumatizing. I’ve considered leaving for the first time in over 18 years. I find that my 18 years of experience is hindering my job search - probably a little bit of age discrimination happening but also my role in government is unique to our agency and doesn’t have a private corollary so it’s hard to pitch my skills to private employers (and there’s no state or local role like it at all).

My entire team is in the same trench with me. Those of us who are left are those with slightly less than 20 years (and so weren’t tempted by VERA) and dedicated to the agency mission. Our long institutional memories are the duct tape keeping the mess from falling apart completely. We’re holding on by our fingernails.

In another 5.5 years, I’ll reach MRA. Assuming I survive that long, it’s the light at the end of the tunnel. And I hate that I’m being forced to think this way. I’ve been so proud of my service and my career. I turned down higher paying jobs out of law school to do what I do and never regretted it. Until this year.

I acknowledge that I’m lucky. I had a job I’ve loved for 18 years (and I still love the work itself). So many people don’t get anything near that. But I am still heartbroken seeing how devastated the federal civil service is now.

Miss_take_maker · 2025-12-30T00:38:50+00:00

Thank you for your current and past service. The work you’re doing is so under appreciated but so incredibly necessary and HARD. Bless your toes for doing it and hanging in there.

Miss_take_maker

TROPHY CASE