I Knew It

Well, the front offices had their big meetings today, and we had one, too. Those of us over 55 with more than ten years of service are being offered early retirement packages. They want to cut heads through synthetic attrition, as I call it. That does not include me. I couldn't now anyway. Also, there will be some restructuring. Some jobs will be moved or consolidated, some will go away. About 100 jobs in sales and marketing will go away, we were told. 100 out of a company of about 2,500 or so. It could have been a lot worse.

It has not started snowing out yet. In fact the skies are half-clear right now. It is still plenty cold, though, and the air feels damp. I have a feeling things will change in the next few hours.

This morning I got up early and went to see my psychiatrist. I still have to stick to all of my meds. He did put me on a cheaper version of one of the meds though, so that helps. He had a general lack of appreciation for my Ohio State ball cap. He went to the University Of Michigan. I had forgotten about that. Oh, well, he was light-spirited about it. After my appointment I went to the gym and worked out for an hour. I came home after that and promptly fell asleep on the couch until almost time to leave for work. I have a feeling that I will sleep very well tonight.

In the next few days I have to have a talk with my ex about something and I'm not looking forward to it. Nice, maybe too nice, guy that I am, I get her her lease car for her through my company because it's a great rate and the insurance is included. The payments are deducted from my paycheck each month- I get paid monthly. We had an agreement that she would pay me back half of the cost every two weeks. Well, she paid me nothing in December and has yet to pay me anything this month, which is almost over. At this point she owes me about $800 for the vehicle lease. In spite of what she may think my circumstances are, I need that money. I have bills to pay and so on. That should be a happy little chat when it happens, which will be sometime this week yet.

An aunt of mine died over the weekend. I had not seen her in probably over 30 years. Although a nice person, she was never really close to the family. I think that maybe she distanced herself because of my uncle, who was an alchoholic and a schizophrenic. They divorced when I was very young. He was my mother's brother, so this was an aunt by marraige. I remember very little about her. It's a shame when things happen that way. I only have one aunt (blood) left now, and she lives somewhat of a hermit's existance somewhere out in Arizona. I haven't seen here since I was probably six or seven years old. I don't even remember what she looks like. All I know about her is her name and where she lives. Sad, isn't it?

Well, I don't want to end this post on an unhappy note, so I'll say that I am starting to plan a trip t go home to visit the family sometime in February or March. I haven't been home since July. Now is the time to go while gas is still reasonable. I can't wait. I'm thinking that I will surprise my parents this time and only tell my siblings that I'm coming. I can hardly wait.