Day 70: Thursday

I woke at 7 and rolled over a few times. I first checked that I did not have a meeting with leadership and HR. No meeting. No layoff for me. All morning, we all were constantly checked for meetings that herald your layoff. Three managers were let go in our group this morning, two I have known for years and friends. My boss, Brad, called a meeting in the later morning to let us know about the four people let go from our group and to tell us that it was over. We were the survivors. The reasons are unclear for those folks that were laid off.

It was a terrible day, and everyone was stressed and emotional. We are also getting some information on the re-org part of the mess. It feels like they are just making it up as we go. I will not be critical of the folks trying to make this work, as they don’t deserve that. Layoffs are awful.

I looked forward to lunch. I made a roast beef sandwich. I heated the meat in the microwave. I spread Thousand Island dressing on the bread. I carefully packed coleslaw on the now-protected bread. I stacked the beef on the other slice and added a few slices of cold-sliced cheddar cheese. I carefully placed the cheese and beef side of the sandwich on top of the coleslaw. I cut the sandwich with a large sharp knife. It was a wonderful sandwich.

I did more meetings, including some that were dominated by talk about the layoffs.

Corwin was ready after 1PM, and I let him pilot Air Volvo to warm up, his words, across Beaverton. He hit the curb with the back wheel a few times. He pulled out in front cars when making a left turn. It was surprisingly both terrifying and lucky–no damage and Beaverton’s Finest was elsewhere. We finally found the place, and Corwin parked.

I read Analog: Science Fiction & Fact magazine, March/April issue, a new favorite, and I have a two-year subscription (printed) now. I am amazed at how good the editorials and stories are. I finished the Novelette Enough while waiting for Corwin. I could not stop reading. It was excellent. I will look at it again to see how the narrative was structured–so good! I am reading A Long Journey Into Light, which is also excellent.

Corwin passed his driving test. I piloted now and took Air Volvo to the DMV so Corwin could turn in his passing papers for a license. The DMV was busy, so I got quite far in my reading SciFi. Corwin had a paper that was not a license. He failed the vision test. Corwin needs glasses, and this likely explains the trouble he has had concentrating and reading. We tried to find a drop-in place, but Corwin now has an appointment on Monday. I will cover that unexpected cost to get Corwin on the road ($99 for the exam and then the glasses); it is my honor to help change Corwin’s life by enabling him to find more work in food delivery and other like work.

Off to Shack Shack to celebrate, and Corwin gets an excellent custard shake, a double burger, and spicy fries. I had my usual single avocado and bacon burger with fries and a Diet Coke. I did the 4PM check-in meeting, which was a sharing session with our boss Brad, who called it a BYOB and was drinking a beer, while Air Volvo returned us to the Volvo Cave. We all were relieved that the layoffs were over now for us.

I laid down briefly and woke 15 minutes late for our stand-up meeting. I did my last meeting and then rushed out of the house after buying tickets for the movie Wonka. Joan S and I planned to do Jewish Christmas by watching a movie on Christmas Day, but the theaters were packed. We finally got to do that today. Wonka was a wonderful musical that fit a previous age except the sound and special effects are better. There were many hints to the 1970s Gene Wilder movie and Anne. I was laughing with Joan for much of the movie. It was delightful. Hugh Grant, who reportedly hated the role as an oopa lompa, does a perfect grumpy and intense one. Must see.

Joan and I headed our ways after a light hug, and I was soon here at the Volvo Cave writing this blog. I remembered to put out the trash for Friday.