It gets worse. So I couldn't go and I notified the BMORG department I was to be volunteering with. Someone sent back that I could have wi-fi access and voip phone for pre-event week. I asked the boss, he still said no so I canceled my shifts, had my early entry pulled, and waived off the baby sitter who was to watch the kids and the dog sitter. But what he didn't really appreciate were the things I had in the pipeline for completion last week. On Thursday things started falling into place with the completion of the Shanghai network rollout and the installation of our main data circuit for our new office.

On Friday morning I get a phone call, it's the boss. He says things are looking pretty good and if I want to, I can go out for pre-event week.

My head about exploded. The problem is that people do not appreciate the amount of juggling it takes to get kids cared for, get them ready for school so they have everything they need school starts when I am away, get the pets a place to be cared for, etc. It isn't something that can be flipped on and off like a switch. When he told me I could go and I told him that I had torn down all those logistical support arrangements for me going based on his earlier refusal to allow my time off, I think he began to get the picture. I can't go jerking other people around at the last minute just because someone is jerking ME around at the last minute. I can't be an asshole to other people just because someone is being an asshole with me.

So it looks like I am, indeed, going to salvage a few days during the event and then I am, indeed, going to look for a new job.

MORAL: When you tell someone yes, mean "yes" and follow through. When you tell someone "no", again, mean no and follow through. This "yes", "no", "yes" shit is abusive.