by TPO
// ~~//~~//
Well, the new year is underway. Already it has been pretty eventful here but in a rather depressing way. We've had a couple weeks of a cold snap (sub-zero temps) in the Twin Cities. It was only last Saturday that we got some reprieve, and we could begin to thaw out. Also, this was the first opportunity to go out and visit some friends and see how they are doing. So it was that I drove out to Coon Rapids to check on old Zack. I'm happy to report: The tough ol' curmudgeon is hanging in there. He told me he's got everything under control now ... and he's right on track with his retirement schedule at the end of the current year!
I always enjoy my time with Zack ... I find it cathartic hearing about his trials and travails, and I'm sure he enjoys unburdening himself to me as I am a trusted friend. He once told me that I might even be his alter-ego or something of that nature ... he said I always knew where he was coming from when he talked about his experiences. In some sense, of-course, he is right. We're both the same age and have had similar things happen to us, although his were more dramatic and noteworthy. For my part, I do cherish his friendship and trust. Zack knows that I write about him in a sensible and sensitive manner. His real name, for example, is not Zack. Funny thing, though, ... he likes the name Zack. He also jokes that as I am like his father-confessor-priest-counselor, I should perhaps be called Father Foghorn, or Doc Inshop.
Astute and forward-looking that he is, Zack told me that he has some good (positive) feelings about 2014. To begin with, his health is pretty much okay ... he does get some signals of the shape of things to come ... little things like creeping arthritis, dizziness (higher blood pressure), and maybe loss of hearing. These are all things that people approaching their mid-sixties should take in stride anyways. However, Zack's immediate concern, as usual, is his work environment. He said that he is now right on track as far as his coping mechanism and strategies go at Hell-House [his name for his workplace]. I asked him if there were any new incidents with his manager or supervisor. Zack said that short-fat-and-ugly [his words] is probably too occupied with other victims right now. Zack may not be out of the woods completely, but he is prepared for all eventualities. As far as the supervisor goes, there is not much to be said about the weaselly sidewinder [again Zack's words]. The tyrant and the lackey recently made a show of goodwill with presents of candies and cookies for the workers. Zack would have none of it ... he would have gotten indigestion and heartburn if he had eaten from the villains' hands, he said.
Nonetheless, he is quite cheerful. Less than a year to go, lucky guy! Maybe even eleven months, if he can swing it. Till then, all he has to do is stay under the radar. There will be no extra effort to shine in one's job ... none of the beyond-the-call-of-duty dedication or some such nonsense from Zack anymore. I asked him if he was going to blatantly show bad exit-behavior. He said that while that is not such a terrible idea, it inherently was not productive. It would be basically a wasted effort, and may actually create more hardship for him. He told me he would rather do things covertly and not expose himself to further aggravation. It is almost certain that the manager and the sad-sack lackey already think of Zack as a bad egg, to put it mildly.
In sum, Zack says that everything seems to be rolling along fine for now. Should any incidents flare up, Zack [good boy-scout that he's always been] is firmly prepared. He shall prevail!
I always enjoy my time with Zack ... I find it cathartic hearing about his trials and travails, and I'm sure he enjoys unburdening himself to me as I am a trusted friend. He once told me that I might even be his alter-ego or something of that nature ... he said I always knew where he was coming from when he talked about his experiences. In some sense, of-course, he is right. We're both the same age and have had similar things happen to us, although his were more dramatic and noteworthy. For my part, I do cherish his friendship and trust. Zack knows that I write about him in a sensible and sensitive manner. His real name, for example, is not Zack. Funny thing, though, ... he likes the name Zack. He also jokes that as I am like his father-confessor-priest-counselor, I should perhaps be called Father Foghorn, or Doc Inshop.
Astute and forward-looking that he is, Zack told me that he has some good (positive) feelings about 2014. To begin with, his health is pretty much okay ... he does get some signals of the shape of things to come ... little things like creeping arthritis, dizziness (higher blood pressure), and maybe loss of hearing. These are all things that people approaching their mid-sixties should take in stride anyways. However, Zack's immediate concern, as usual, is his work environment. He said that he is now right on track as far as his coping mechanism and strategies go at Hell-House [his name for his workplace]. I asked him if there were any new incidents with his manager or supervisor. Zack said that short-fat-and-ugly [his words] is probably too occupied with other victims right now. Zack may not be out of the woods completely, but he is prepared for all eventualities. As far as the supervisor goes, there is not much to be said about the weaselly sidewinder [again Zack's words]. The tyrant and the lackey recently made a show of goodwill with presents of candies and cookies for the workers. Zack would have none of it ... he would have gotten indigestion and heartburn if he had eaten from the villains' hands, he said.
Nonetheless, he is quite cheerful. Less than a year to go, lucky guy! Maybe even eleven months, if he can swing it. Till then, all he has to do is stay under the radar. There will be no extra effort to shine in one's job ... none of the beyond-the-call-of-duty dedication or some such nonsense from Zack anymore. I asked him if he was going to blatantly show bad exit-behavior. He said that while that is not such a terrible idea, it inherently was not productive. It would be basically a wasted effort, and may actually create more hardship for him. He told me he would rather do things covertly and not expose himself to further aggravation. It is almost certain that the manager and the sad-sack lackey already think of Zack as a bad egg, to put it mildly.
In sum, Zack says that everything seems to be rolling along fine for now. Should any incidents flare up, Zack [good boy-scout that he's always been] is firmly prepared. He shall prevail!
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