Who Knows?

When I worked full time as a paramedic I was asked why I didn't become a nurse instead.  After all, they get paid better.  My answer...I like helping people. As a medic, I do it for an average of 30 minutes each patient, more for extenuating circumstances.  End of.  No muss, no fuss.  (well except for deconning my ambulance and myself on occasion).  As a nurse, I would have to deal with said patient for several hours, up to 8 or 12 depending on my shift.  Lots o'muss and fuss.  No thank you.  

As a paralegal, I get, "why don't you go back to school and become an attorney.  They make more money"....<sigh>    My answer...The pay is decent and my benefits are great. As a paralegal, I do it for 8 hours a day,  more for extenuating circumstances.  End of.  No muss, no fuss.  (well except for putting out last minute emergences the attorneys have created).  As an attorney, I would have to deal with lots of B.S. and games for many more than 8 hours a day.  Lots o'muss and fuss.  No thank you. 

I am a paralegal.  You are an attorney.  We work together.  I can make your life easier, or harder.  You pick.  Please do not tell me how something is a "paralegal duty" when the task is truly as simple as subtracting the beginning of a bates range from the ending of a bates range to determine how many pages there are in the range...duh.  You did the majority of this simplistic and logical task then handed it off to me, and when I didn't complete your task you assigned at 1:44 p.m., within moments, you might want to consider I am redacting 26,000 pages of Excel spreadsheets for you.  I've been doing it, nearly 8 hours a day since Tuesday of last week.  For you. 

When you send me a condescending email regarding the above and eluding I do not complete my work and do not support you, do not be surprised when I come into  your office, shut the door, and tell you I have an issue with said email.  

To top it off, you come into my office and tell me how you will not be spoken to in such a "tone", and that you are considerate of my need to try to leave work on time to deal with issues regarding my son; and that you don't require me to work after hours or on weekends and I should be more respectful.

*blink, blink"

Newsflash...I don't have "issues" with my son.  I like to spend TIME with my son.  It's called being a parent. 

Further, YOU don't REQUIRE me to work after hours or weekends.  If I want to be nice, I'll offer to spend after hours or weekend hours helping you out.  I will be paid overtime for it.  But otherwise, I have another job on the weekends, and I have a life.  It goes back to "I am a paralegal.  You are an attorney.  We work together.  I can make your life easier, or harder.  You pick." 

Humpf...no wonder attorneys have the reputation they do, and ugh...who talked me into this job???