Oh wow, passing out when you are trying to make it back into the house sounds really scary! Injuring yourself when you live alone is no fun and I can see why that would prompt a run to the store for dessert. They put caffeine in Excedrin, so the caffeine in chocolate must be beneficial right?

I bet a surprise box of pralines would perk your friend up

They countered late today with a contract rate 20% below what I asked for and what they were paying me (already too low). It is not a livable, long-term contract wage. It is closer to half of market rate. This winds up being very close to their initial offer in terms of net. Their reasoning? If they start me off making that, well, that's a lot of money annually, and if I ever went full time, I wouldn't accept a pay cut.

Do these people negotiate like this with their plumbers?

They also sent me a contract. It's a contract for people in their field, not people in my field. There's all sorts of insane stuff that needs to be taken out. Lesson learned: when I counter offered, I should have sent my own contract. At least I am learning more about how to do contracting and negotiating the right way. This stuff seems so obvious after the fact. I feel like I have the negotiating skills of a five year old. How do people learn this stuff? Why are some people so polished while other people are like me?

I sent my friend a list of requested changes and five minutes later sent her a note telling her that if it would make her life easier, I could just say no. I really can't see this going anywhere good.

In hindsight, I wish I had been clearer about only wanting to discuss a contract option. I kept playing along with the full-time job thinking I could get some contract work. And the more I got into this, the more I realized I did not want full time work, especially with these people.

I also should not have named an annual salary when I pitched the three day week, knowing that they were planning on prorating it - but I expected prorated benefits! Was that really so stupid? They are treating this as a temporary arrangement before I go full time, but I am trying to set up a part time arrangement I can live with.

I feel so horrible about the role my friend is now playing in this. Apparently the guy I have been dealing with is not the only disorganized person. The HR person is also clueless. My friend, who is not even the hiring manager, has been putting together these contracts and taking the lead in negotiating with me.

I do need to figure out how to stop my rumination. I am positive that I have spent more time and energy worrying about this situation than I will actually spend working there. This is a very negative pattern in my life.

I hope you have a nice, relaxing weekend that doesn't involve a lot of strain on your bum ankle or wrist or any more sugar headaches