I made a list for you:

1. It has always been true that you have a MUCH better chance of finding a new job if you are already employed. It is much TRUER now.

2. Six months on a job looks crappy on a resume. You'll be asked why you were there such a short time, and you will be the one who looks bad for quitting.

3. You will find that recalibrating your outlook to feel blessed that you have any job right now will make you feel better psychologically.

4. As your boss is a gossip and a liar, protect yourself. Do not say anything personal about yourself in any way whatsoever that you wouldn't mind being passed on and distorted to a dozen other people.

5. You can minimize your interaction with her by pre-empting it each day, while looking good doing so. Every morning, go in and talk to her in a bright and enthusiastic way about the duties of the day. Spend these 5 minutes with her and you're likely to greatly reduce further time with her as the day goes on.

6. You don't say that you actually hate the job (the stuff you do all day), just the boss. Try to give your concentration and efforts to the things you are accomplishing and the people you're accomplishing those things for. (Those people are not your boss or your co-workers, but the ultimate faceless clients out there who are also slogging away at their own jobs to benefit you.) "Circle of life" kind of thing.

You can do this, until you find something better. Really, you can.

healthcare

Because most bosses are bad. Most American bosses are incompetent and pompous. I agree with the other posters who have told you this. You need to learn to laugh about them, even when they fire you.

I have worked for people who ran their companies into bancrupt extinction, and remained arrogant, learned nothing from that. Many bosses become bosses because they want to be in charge, rather than for any competence in management or in their fields of work.

In old America, and in American myth, the economy expanded and many businesses prospered, even with bad bosses. That no longer is true. Please try to do your work and your boss's work and stay and learn. Learn for the time when you become a boss, so that you can do better.

Now would be a terrible time to quit. The economy and the job market are awful. That is not your fault, but getting a new job will be almost impossible for at least the next year, I fear.

going to the library tonight.

Could this be the source of Chandler "I need your WENUS Report" Bing's name?

In business, they say its about WHO you know, and that's true. And who you need to gain knowledge about is your boss, your co-workers, and the game being played in your office.

Don't make the assumption that your boss is the way she is because she's doing it for the money, as Cary mentioned. To successfully walk through the daily minefield that you call your job, you must must observe your boss and figure out her motivation.

So often we are so absorbed in our own victimization, in all the things that hurt us, and in everything we don't like about the situation, that we rarely, thoughfully, consider the game board and then figure out how to get out of the game what we want.

SOLUTION (aka Figuring out the game board):

1. What type of person is your boss? What makes her happy and angry? Why does she do what she does?

2. What is the landscape of your office? Does she have complete control? Who else do you work with and what is the group dynamic?

3. Where you do fit into the group and this game? Are you at the bottom or closer to the top? Why are you there? Who is above or below you and why are they there? Would your boss consider you to be an ally or a possible enemy?

The answers to these questions will begin to help you figure out how you need to react to your coworkers and your boss. Also, it will help you come up with a game plan that will put to rest some of your frustrations. You are mad as hell because you have no control. But, when you come up with a way to handle that craziness then you will be able to calm down. And, once you see your plan working it will make you more comfortable and put you at ease.

For example, if your boss in on the attack, it might be because she is threatened by your professionalism and abilities. She might think you think you're better than she is (which may be true). But what you NEED to do is make her an ally. If you notice that she enjoys cosigning and giving her approval to others, then even when you don't need her help ask for her input. Don't kiss her @ss, but if you graze it (instead of kicking it the way you want to), it might work wonders.

Also another lie that folks choose to believe about the workplace is that its all about work. If you are a good worker you will receive praise, power, and respect. That is sooooo not true! Depending on your style, you might come off intimidating others and looking like a know-it-all. It all depends on the folks you work with and their issues.

So finally, let me be perfectly clear to you: DO NOT LET THAT CRAZY BOSS B!TCH MESS WITH YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE! That means, you have to get your head right and realize that you hating her won't hurt her, but it can hurt you! So you need to figure out how the game is played so that you can sidestep the B.S. until such time as you can roll out ON YOUR TERMS.

Peace!

Even in small towns, the schools are usually screaming for subs and the pay is decent...around $100 a day. You could continue to look for a job you love while helping to pay the mortgage. As a former school teacher, I think working in the schools will help you appreciate having a job where you can actually go to the bathroom or make a phone call when you want. Public Libraries sometimes have sub lists, too. And tutoring is another option after school. Can you teach music? We can't find enough piano teachers where I live or woodwind or drums. Can you help with math or reading? Ditto. Charge $20 an hour and watch the money roll in.