The law professor I'm researching for just called me, said that the article I sent her hadn't been bluebooked, and then fired me because she just finds it "too nervewracking" to work with me. I had no idea what she was talking about, so while I was asking, "Um, exactly what article are you looking at," she goes, "Excuse me, I'm busy..." and HUNG UP!
The thing is, I didn't send her anything. I haven't done anything for her in about 1 1.2 weeks, and then what I sent her had been bluebooked. So either she managed to open an earlier version of the article. Or there's some other misunderstanding - probably the latter. Every time I talk to her, she thinks I'm Katie (the girl who worked for her last semester). So I think she meant to fire Katie. She's already chewed me out a few times for Katie's inconsistencies. And I'm just not going to take it personally since, I certainly am not perfect, but I didn't accept an assignment to blue book cites and then send it back to her undone. I this know because 1) that would be nuts. and 2) she emailed back what I'd sent her earlier this week, and it was done!
I am clearly a huge, horrible flop as a law student. Seriously, every single relationship I have with a professor ends in something like this. Sheesh. I never thought I'd be such a failure and I'm freaking out because I can't get a reference from my clinic prof, or from this one now and I am clearly not going to get hired by anyone ever. This sucks y'all. It's funny - there's definitely a humorous angle to being fired in Katie's place (Katie quit and sort of volunteered me for the job a month ago - apparently the prof never quite caught on...) But wow. I need a plan B for my life's work. Fast.
So, let me get this straight...your prof has you confused with someone else and has now fired you, thinking that you're the other person that she fired awhile ago? That's insane! Please don't let this crazy prof of yours make you question yourself. This sounds like it's really just about your prof and isn't a reflection on you. Is there any way at all you can gracefully talk to this prof and clear up the issue and maybe salvage the relationship?
I wish I had more words of wisdom or something to make you feel better about the situation. It sounds like you're at least seeing that there's humor in this, so that's a good thing, because seriously, this prof of yours sounds like a crackpot.
Anyway, I'm sending good thoughts your way and I hope things turn around for ya!
Update!!! It turns out that two Katies were working for the prof last semester, and one still is! So she had two research assistants, me and Katie! Ok, that is funny! I'd been wondering for a while why she couldn't keep it straight, and just kept gently trying to correct her (law profs are just never contradicted here... I have a friend who will always be steve, even though he's chad, and another that will share a name with the only other Asian in class for as long as the relationship with that prof lasts...) So, apparently the prof told Katie to do something, found it wasn't done, and fired me! I sent her an email explaining the assignments she gave me, and resending the finished products, but I doubt she opened it.
Y'all, NEVER GO TO LAW SCHOOL. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER. I hate this place. There are a handful of people who do not freak me out. In fact, there are at least three profs who are probably wonderful human beings (of course these are the ones who almost never teach a class). That is the best thing I can say about it. Period. Oh, and just for the record, this prof is probably very good at what she does. But she wouldn't have lasted a week at any job I've ever had. So if she'd been at my newspapers, she would have been as much a fish out of water as I am now. sheesh. sheesh. sheesh. sheesh. sheesh.
Ps - Oh, and the Katie-who-is-still-a-research-assistant was in a car accident recently. So, um, that is reportedly the reason why she didnt' bluebook the article.
You poor thing!! That woman is out of her mind! Well one good thing about it is you don't have to feel bad for being fired, since Katie was!!! Hopefully she will realize what is going on. Is there any way you could call her and let her know that you think that maybe you were somehow mixed up with Katie? That is if you would even want to work with the crazy lady anymore. Good luck and don't worry. One day you will find a great job and all of this will just be funny stories you tell your children! Just because you are having problems there I am sure it is just the area that you are in. I bet you could go to a different town where you feel more comfortable and do great in your future career.
I don't know what to say, but I'm sooo sorry. Is it worth explaining the mistake to her? What a psycho. Even if you were Katie, her way of firing "you" was really immature and unprofessional.
This reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada. The boss in the book always called the main character by her old assistant's name. Not that it would help your horrible situation, but maybe you should see the movie this weekend for a little comic relief.