* * *

Some things never change; Chicago may not be the same town it was, and it's not just hogs being run through the mill now, but we're still trying to figure out just how to use that "oink" -- although I did have a pair of Nikes once that had a pretty nasty squeak.

Yes, it's a " Jungle" out there. Even living here in Wausau, Wisconsin, I am still controlled and exploited by the New York based company which owns me -- I mean owns the company which owns me.

Month-end processing has always been an extremely stressful time in the data-center. The smells of spring wafting in through the ventilation system make it even more so; almost too much to bear.

We run jobs to close receivables, jobs to close payables, and innumerable jobs to print innumerable reports for every Tom Dick and Harry -- oh ya, no more Harry -- not to mention all of those reports which go unclaimed but for the recycling bin.

With the end of March there is not only the month-end processing to consider; it is also the end of the first quarter. To make matters even worse, March 31 fell on a Monday this year. It took the better part of the week to catch up as we must run these extra jobs alongside and interspersed with our regular daily agenda.

I'm happy to report that all went surprisingly well though, and we got through the week exhausted, but all-in-all, a job well done. Although I do admit to leaving a foot-print on the printer; sorry Larry, next time fix it right. Besides, it was the smell of charcoal that made me do it.

As far as the aforementioned deadline is concerned; it has of course come and gone and I remain hopeful for the next, and long-standing absolute deadline of June 1, 1997. I have been told on good authority that the head-goombah said come hell or high-water the new system would be operational by June 1. I am glad that I have been isolated from that system. Things could get ugly over there.

I've also talked to several people over the past week from customer-service to sales and all plan on moving to the new facility on may 10.

The phone system is due to be removed from our building May 17, leaving only one line directly to the data center -- and no voice mail!

I still have a rather difficult time believing that it's really true, but time will tell. I've waited this long; what's another two months?

The "available June 1" sign still looms on 3rd Street at the rear of the building. (Years ago when it was a Prange's store this was the front of the building.) For me, this has become a sign of hope.

And so, I'll just run the tread-mill 5 days a week, as things pick up, Possibly 6. This is the last time that I will follow the carrot. I have been strung along for far too long now to go on playing the fool. What I have written here in these pages only scratches the surface of how I have allowed myself to be taken advantage of.

And silence begets silence; I have not spoken to or heard from, my boss (number three goombah) since before Christmas -- although I know that he is pretty strapped himself. But it is the number two goombah, the guy who is to make this "new system" work, he is the one that will have to answer the tough questions if in fact hell or high-water actually comes. He is the reason our complaints are dismissed, and that is the reason I don't even bother. All it would get me -- and so may this column --is labeled a "whiner."

Anyway,ÿnone of that really concerns me anymore, and I'm not nearly as negative as the above words sound. I have reached a watershed point in my life, and one way or the other, things are going to improve. For come hell or high-water I will not be doing what I am now any longer; by the end of June I will be out of there. And the fact that this could only serve to exasperate the number two goombah's problems if --when -- his system fails doesn't bother me any more than my current predicament bothers him.

All I really know for sure is that this can't go on; there's got to be something better than this. And soon I will find it, but over-worked and under-paid is no way to go through life. That I know. I've paid my dues.

Enough of that unpleasantness now. On to much more positive matters.

Soon after I put-up my home page last year, I got an email from Timothy in Corry, Pennsylvania. He was searching for SNE Enterprises and found my page because I mention my employer there. He had worked in SNE's Corry plant until they without warning, shut it down.

He has since been my most loyal reader, and it is he that gave me the title for this week's "Thoughts." He sent me a very uplifting and encouraging email yesterday. I really needed it too; I was feeling like the next two months were an eternity stretched out in front of me. Thanks again Timothy. You're right; it's just the beginning.

I did a story a while back about telecommuting. There have been some promising developments along these lines and I am confident that many jobs will soon be available through the internet. I am now considering two possibilities and if they don't work out, there will be more opportunities to follow.

There are other companies in Wausau to. I have a good deal of experience now, and I do not think I will go long without a job, but I do plan to be as much the interviewer as interviewee from now on.

The economy is doing good, with no sign of trouble on the horizon. The job-market is looking good and employers are going to need to pay more if they want to keep good workers. I believe the pendulum is finally swinging my way.

The change it had to come, we knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all.
The world looks just the same, and history ain't changed
'cause the banners, they have all flown in the last war.

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again!

-- The Who, "Won't Get Fooled Again"