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Location: Work.
Relief: My eyesight is much improved.
Listening: "Wild Horses" ~ Sundays.

This hasn't been the best morning.

I woke feeling relieved that my eye problems were apparently related to the fact that I hadn't changed my contacts in four months (before you even begin...shh!) and that, with my glasses on, the world was clear again. However, when I reached work, I noticed a sharp stinging in my left jaw and now have a swollen lymph node at the base of my earlobe. Apparently, it could have been instigated by any number of things, but I vote for my wisdom teeth. *sigh*

I then learned from my boss, Hitoshi, that the "reductions" began Monday at corporate in Connecticut and
HR representatives are sweeping in a wave across
the continent, dropping in on Manhatten, Atlanta/Conyers, Napa, Manhatten Beach, and finally Long Beach next Monday. The reductions are reputedly taking the form of "box and go" farewells rather than anything filled with long, lingering glances. Basically, those whom the claw has chosen are called in in the morning, presented with their severance packages, boxed and gone by close of business. I've always admired this company's efficiency and this is apparently another example.

This news wouldn't necessarily concern me. As I've mentioned before, I'm still in my Zen Master state, because there's nothing else to do but fret (besides, the Bellagio is hiring cocktail waitresses). However, these tidbits were followed by the news that the Executive Vice President of Satellite Operations "resigned" earlier this week. This is noteworthy for two reasons:

1. This person was the one in charge of briefing our teleport about the reductions and was actually our primary point of contact for news from corporate regarding the reduction process.

2. Satellite Operations is known to be firmly entrenched in the "safe zone" comprised of the tech divisions that form the backbone of the company. This person was not only the Executive VP of Sat Ops, but the highest ranking executive at the teleport, making him the last line of authority before corporate. In theory, he should have had no reason whatsoever to fear for his job. Unless...

This is where I realized that the hypothesis that I've been simultaneously nurturing and writing off as "paranoid" since the news hit is, very possibly, right on target. He should have had no reason to fear for his job unless the teleport won't exist after August 31st.

I then took a stroll around the floor and really looked at my workplace for the first time in months. Massive stacks of flattened cardboard boxes tucked into corners and behind doors in copy rooms..."guest offices" emptied of furniture and rubber plants...vending machines that haven't been refilled in over a month...two represenatives from corporate installed in my area yesterday to "help us transition to the new accounting software" who spend a lot of time discussing labor and facilities accounts...

I took a picture of my cubicle this morning.

I have a feeling it's going to last longer than I will.