One chapter ends, another begins. In the book of life nothing ever remains the same.

Two weeks ago my company shook up the upper management in the organization I work for. This week my boss was sacked unceremoniously, without any notice at all. One hour I was on a conference call with him, the next hour I hear he’s terminated. Just like that. And this is someone who was universally liked and respected, not just for his experience and his way of dealing straight with people (old school, you know?), but for his years of service with the company before it became the actual company it is now.

I’m sure he got a nice severance package, but that’s not the point. The point is, it just goes to show that when you work for a company that treats people like that, you have to realize that no one’s safe. Not you, not anyone. All too often in this day and age, the only thing that matters is the bottom line, and you have soulless decision-makers who could care less how their decisions impact employee morale or loyalty. You don’t like it? Find another job. That’s just the way it is, I’m afraid.

How this impacts my own situation remains to be seen. I’m probably safe for now, but who knows? For the time being I’ll just try to do the best job I can, to the best of my ability, and let the chips fall where they may. Perhaps dust off that resume. And that’s all you can do. I try to live my life in a spirit of gratitude for the bountiful blessings God has bestowed on Tracey and me. Uncertainty about one’s job, in the long run, is a pretty minor thing compared to those who deal everyday with concerns about their health, making ends meet, having a roof over their head, or food and water.

For now I’ll simply enjoy the simple pleasure of a cold beer, surf sounds, and gazing at pool water reflecting the lights of the Tiki bar. On a lovely night like this, it works.

Of course, the events of this week tosses a little cold water on our drive to pay the final two credit cards off. We’ve decided to put that on hold for the time being and use the next few months to beef up our savings – just in case.

Tonight I broke in the new pool. Two weeks ago Pool Guy came and emptied out the old water, gave the whole side and bottom surfaces a nice acid wash, refilled the pool, and dumped the starter chemicals in it. Voila!, two weeks later the water is crystal clear, the heat of the past two days raised the water temp to 70 degrees, and I had a lovely swim to the sounds of surf music tonight. A great way to clean the head after a rought week emotionally.