Requesting advice on job interview follow-up time

I did a phone interview for a job I would LOVE to have on Thursday, Feb 16. The interview, I thought, went very well. The lady said that she would know something and call by the next Friday, the 24th. She invited me to call her back in case I had any questions at all.

I sent the obligatory Thank You letter on Friday.

I called her on Tuesday because I wanted to ask her about when she would need the names of references she asked about (but never said exactly when she needed them. Right away? Or after a second interview? Either way, I needed to contact them and ask them to be the references.) I left a message saying I had a question, but never heard back.

On Friday afternoon, after waiting on pins and needles all week long about this, I called after 4 and left another message: "Just following up, letting you know I'm still interested, etc." No call back.

It's now Tuesday. Still no word.

What's the protocol? I'm afraid if I keep calling and leaving messages, I'll either sound like I'm desperate or a pest. On the other hand, "they" say you should keep in contact so you appear interested in the job, and the interviewer is supposed to remember you. Or something like that.

Thoughts? Do I call again or wait it out?

iRock, I hope for my sake you're wrong, but I have sinking suspician you're not wrong.

If so, then this is the second time this has happened to me. The first was an interview two months ago from at a temp company from Mrs. "48 Hours Turnaround Time," that is, she'd let me know after 48 hours--as per company policy--one way or another if I at least had an interview with the company.

Bullshit.

I'm beginning to think I'm more likely to get an agent and get published with a huge advance than to ever find a job.

I like to stay hopeful and somewhat positive, although it has been two and a half weeks since the interview. I can safely assume this job probably has thousands of applications, and who knows how many interviews they're conducting. Am I the best fit? I don't know, I probably have similar or less experience than many of the candidates.

Still, it'd be nice to know one way or the other.

In the meantime, I'm still searching. I have two more unemployment checks left, then I go on extended. By April, it will have been for one year.