Besides getting to sleep in for the first time in a week, I spent the morning trying to decide what to do with regard to my employment for the near future. As documented in my last rambling, the decision was not nearly as easy or clear cut as I had anticipated. But I knew I needed to have something ready to say to management at the deli when I arrived. By the time I left for work, I knew what my message would be.

Tomorrow will be my last day working as an employee of King Soopers. I'll be going full steam into the newspaper sales gig.

I really hope I don't end up regretting this. Obviously, I believe the path I have chosen to be the best one; otherwise, I wouldn't have made this choice. The reasoning for my decision rests largely on, 1) the belief that I can improve my sales skills with practice, experience, and perseverence, and 2) the fact that I have become utterly sick of working in the deli.

When the deli manager asked of my plans, I told her she could clear my name off the schedule at her convenience. If needed, I would be willing to work a couple more days next week while a replacement was found, since I know that staffing has been tight. She told me that it would not be necessary, since they already have 2 new people coming onboard, regardless of whether I stay or not.

Indeed, there were 2 new names written in on the schedule. Neither was present today.

Last week, the deli lost another employee in my absence. The most recent recruit, "Y", whose troubles were discussed not long ago, was fired.

What I heard: Last week, on the day she was scheduled to return to work, she called stating she was sick. It was later discovered that she was unable to report to work, but for another reason entirely: She had been arrested and incarcerated. The charge? Marijuana possession.

[Insert rant about the idiotic and unjust laws which govern U.S. drug policy.]

That's all I know. That's all they knew. And that's probably all we'll ever know. What a crazy world.

And tomorrow will be my last day.

As I went to deposit my not-quite-final paychecks, recent raise figured into the sum, I hesitated. I could keep doing this. With Tobias nearly paid off, and a slightly better hourly wage, I could eke out a decent existence on this. Maybe live in Peter's basement for a while. A set hourly wage which I would always be guaranteed. Do I really want to give this up now?

Maybe I will be proven a fool soon. But hopefully not.

The manager told me that if I ever do end up needing a job later on, I am welcome to return. (But of course, I would have to start at the bottom of the wage and seniority ladder again.)

I guess as far as departure terms go, that's about as friendly as it gets.

But it's not over yet. I still have one more shift left to work tomorrow.

On that note, I'll conclude this and go to bed before I fall asleep in this chair. The future looks like an interesting place.