Friday: The End of the Week

Look, I won't pull any punches: this week has been an excursion into tempers, high blood pressure, meetings, clenched sphincters, fright, lies, political machinations, more meetings, backstabbing, even more meetings and sheer panic. I've still managed to post here on my political blog despite the fact that I'm faced with demotion or completely losing my supervisorial position at work -- and losing my full-time staffers (consisting of four deputies) to layoffs, plus my part-time contingent of 43 instructors.

I've had to deal with my father's estate, my brothers, lawyers, little critical roadblocks to the sale of my father's house, niggling details, crisis phone calls, voicemails, delayed mail and bills, utility turnovers, and making the new purchasers of my Dad's house happy. And some mistakes. And the realtor. The sale of my Dad's house must go through.

I have 30+ years accrued time in seniority at work so I'll at least "have a job." There is no guarantee where I'll work, of course. I could find myself back in Corrections, patting down drunks for change in their pockets at the Main Jail like I did when I was a rookie, but at least I'd have a job at a much reduced wage.

At my age, I guess you could summarize my general unease as "shitting bricks."

On the other hand, as compared to the young bucks we've recently hired and whose positions are clearly down the toilet -- at least I can count on paying bills.

Additionally, I will benefit from having minimized my debts to the point where I essentially write a check for my mortgage only. I pay off my credit card monthly and I have no carryover debt. My wife, however, is another issue entirely.

Suffice to say, I am one stressed Jesse. It's tough to face something like this in your sixth decade on the planet. I've done everything right: my credit is pristine and flawless and I've labored long and hard to make that so. I'm a good citizen. I've done good work in my career. I've lived well within my means for years.

And still, you and me and everyone must realize:

Shit can still occur.

BZ