No, you're quite right. I underestimated how seriously people take some things. I mean, i know not to take people's stuff, but the definition of "stuff that is mine that you shouldn't touch" versus "general stuff" seems to elude me. Though it was basically "our" desk, she had been moved there temporarily due to recarpeting, and as a new trainee, i had been told "we don't have desks for you, just pick somewhere to sit." We were on different shifts that overlapped (at the time) by 90 minutes, so 90 minutes after i arrived, she left and i would sit at her desk.

I really didn't think i was risking my job doing any of this, especially since i thought the matter was closed after they spoke to me about what happened the first time (the yelling, desk-sharing, and CD player)

As for personal experience, I always try to be extra careful with other people's belongins... Some people are extra sentitive about touching their stuff, and any little thing can cause an uproar...
The sad thing about this story (obviously getting fire is the msin thing) is that you will probably find people like her eveywhere you go... The good thing though is that now you probably know how to handle a situation like this if it ever happens.

Clearly. Aside from a new lesson in how strictly i'm going to have to define personal property, I've also learned that, from beginning to end, the burden of workplace disputes should be placed upon management: at no point should I assume a right to do anything that has not been explicitly spelled out to me.

I didn't say i was giving up, though i thank you for your concern. Fortunately i never got around to moving out of my parents', who agreed to suspend the rent they were charging me while i was working as long as i show dedication in the new job hunt.

This time i should be able to get a better job. Probably not one that pays better, but one that isn't as stifling or deathly boring.

Best way to avoid this in the future:

At the job if you are not sure, ask Management.

I have had a job where I was in the similar boat as you (No desk as they were remodeling the other floor of the building) and I had to share a desk with 3 other people. It sucks and I almost was in a situation like yours with moving things/things going missing.

Difference is, I had asked my Manager what to do with certain things and they told me. When it was brought up that all these things were going on, I could point to management.

Also, always get things in writing. If you are brought up on Disciplinarian reasons, get it in writing what you did. Even if you are not sure, get them to write something to you saying "You were accused of this but are not guilty...etc" If they wont, go to HR with the complaint. Also (and you probably know this already) its much easier to get a job when you have a job. To bad you didnt look during that time.

Well, they had this little caveat that you had to pay for your background check if you left before 1 year of employment, and i wanted to be there longer so it didn't look to employers like i just hop around from job to job

Sounds like this was going on for awhile.  At the first sign of things turning bad (even if you didnt know they would turn this bad) I would have started looking for another job.  I do not like job hoping either (hell Ive had 5 total jobs in my life, 3 of them for over 4 years each.)  Only reason it isnt 4 of 5, is that I have only been at my current job for 2.5 years.  Even though I love my job, I will never stop looking for a job.  Been to 3 interviews while at my current job, just to stay sharp, though it was very unlikely I would have left for any of them.

Hunger and boredom are a bad combination