Mini-Vacation: Day 1

As I woke up on the first day of my "mini-vacation" from work, I thought I was going to enjoy this week to the fullest...

Well, to be honest, the first day didn't start off all that good. I'm not saying anything disastrous happened or anything - it's not like it's going to make all that much of a difference - nor is it that I was surprised by any of the two things that happened first thing in the morning. I knew they were coming... though I kind of wished they didn't have to present themselves so clearly right off the bat during those days off that I was looking forward to.

That's a lot of words to get to the point, isn't it? Wanna get to the point? Shall we? Allrighty, then - here goes:

My cellphone called out to let me know I had a new text. I was not yet out of bed, enjoying a day of sleeping late. I reached my hand out and took the cell off of the nightstand and pressed the middle button, which would allow me to read what was sent to me... I almost knew what it was before I saw the words:

'NOW I'M ON MY WAY. ON THE BUS RIGHT NOW. 24 HRS OF BOREDOM AHEAD OF ME. I HOPE I SURVIVE THE FLIGHT. IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!!! TAKE CARE WHILE I'M GONE AND KEEP WORKING OUT!'

So. That's it. She's gone. Out of my life for the next four months, at least. Maybe I'll never see her again... one can never know for sure. For so long... I really thought she was The One. I would still want her to be that. I feel so lonely already now that she's gone, but I need to move on with my life and start looking at other girls.

Bye bye, sweet one. I do hope you have a wonderful time over there. And, I know you don't want me to be longing for you, so I'm gonna have to let you go. I hope you don't forget about me - I know I will never forget about you.

So... I lay in bed for another fifteen minutes. Sent a reply - wishing her all the best, and that I would send positive vibes her way, and that the flight was going to be smooth. She is terrified of flying - I wish I were there to hold her hand and comfort her...

After a while I got out of bed. I made my standard pot of coffee, and just as I sat down in front of the computer with a freshly brewed, hot cup of java the phone rang.

"Hello?", I answer the phone. Caller ID was unknown to me.

"Hi. Is this R.E.H.?"

"Yes, that would be me."

"This is Morgan. I am a union representative, and I thought I'd call you up and have a chat. I understand you know about the situation at your work."

Oh, that's just great. First day of vacation, and now the fucking Union wants to let me know I'm going to be fired. I'm not sure I made this clear to you people who don't know how things work over here. The Union are involved in EVERYTHING that companies do. Businesses can hire people to their hearts consent, but when it comes to salaries, insurance, work environment, work hours - and of course the firing of staff. Then the Union steps in and have their say... they are supposed to protect the employee - I feel very protected during this phonecall.

"Yes, I do."

"So you have received the notification that they are cutting down on staff and that, as it works, you are the last employee hired with a full-time job - which sadly means that according to rules you are the one who will be let go."

"Yes, I understand how it works."

"Do you have any questions you would like me to answer. Regarding your future."

"Not really. Are there any benefits available to me? I didn't do anything wrong, and from what I hear when a company lays off people like this, there is some form of financial security for a month or so?"

"The company you work for do not offer anything like that. However, if you need to go to a 'job search' group, to get started looking for a job - they are willing to pay the $3.000 such a class would cost. Are you interested in signing up for that?"

Another thing that irritates the hell out of me in this country is what this guy just suggested. For some reason, they believe that people are so utterly incompetent and stupid that they don't know how to apply for a job. There are classes that teach this. When you're unemployed, the unemployment office has a habit of forcing these classes on you - I've attended a few of them back in the days when I was unemployed... many years ago. They are completely worthless.

"No, I don't think I need that. I could use the $3.000 to keep my own finances in check until I do find a job, however."

The idiot had the nerve to laugh about that, as if I'd been joking. I was dead serious - give me the god damn money! It's not like I deserve to be fired... I haven't done nothing wrong. Now if the Union are supposed to have the employee's back... why the hell am I being offered junk in return for the wrong doings my job are doing unto me?

And, I pay these shitheads about 80 bucks a month - so they will keep me safe at my job.

Well, if I didn't - there would be no unemployment benefits if I can't find a job, so one better pay that money just in case something like what just happened does happen.

Oh, well...

The rest of the day has been better. I went to the gym again. Worked on legs and I also atempted to find that sixpack behind the flab on my belly. Tried a couple of new machines on both muscle groups.

I have always used this particular machine for my stomach muscles. There was this other one that I didn't quite know how to use, and I didn't think it would be any good anyway. Well, I took the time to study it and figure out how to operate the damn thing... BOY! was I wrong. That thing locked on my muscles and made me squeal like a baby trying to do the sit-ups. I'm going to be hurting badly tomorrow... I'll be using that one from now on.

Oh, and just to let you know I am not completely hung up on The One... I saw this chick at gym today - she was so freakin' hot I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She had dark hair, a pretty face and a body so perfect it should be on display in a class-room where they teach the human anatomy... the female human anatomy. I hope I will see her there every time I go - she must be new. If I do - I promise, I'll work up the nerve to ask her out...

After the gym session, I spent a good 15 minutes in the sauna. I love the sauna.