The last couple days I have just avoided her. She hasn't really gotten the hint. The closing reception for the conference is tonight and I'm sure she will go. We will see how she acts then.

I did finally stand up for myself today. There is a guy in our dept who people really have a problem with but the brunt of everything focuses on me and this other girl. We have been talking it out trying to figure out the best course of action and I suggested that, when you lay down the line and people still don't respect it, the dept. head is the best option. He has most likely dealt with this behavior before and would know how to handle it. Well she starts yelling that she was going to go confront the guy (terrible idea) and telling me that going to talk to the dept head was not good at all and that if I said her name as a person with concerns, she would deny it up and down (even though she HAS vocied concerns). So finally today I told her: don't go to him. I have it taken care of. And she asked if I was sure and I'm like...yes....you have no place in this. He is not doing this to you - DO NOT CONFRONT HIM. And she finally dropped it. Low and behold...I talked to the guy and the situation has (for now) been settled.

Just seems like she needs to be involved in everything and loves to be surrounded by drama. Tries to start arguments over the tiniest things which I stopped about 5-10 years ago - because it's not worth the energy. Anytime she tries to rile me up I just say "to each his own" and change the subject. Doesn't stop her from going off though.

I have decided that I have to just keep telling myself that her opinion has no bearing on my success and, if I know I'm right, just ignore her and let it go. After all, if I try to convince her of something and she refuses to believe I'm correct - SHE is the one who will look like an idiot saying the wrong information to a colleague or higher-up.

Thanks for talking me through this guys. I think it all came to a head because we are secluded at this conference for 5 days and I typically only get her in tiny doses and this week has just been constant. But I'm going to enjoy my last night here and ignore her.