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It was one year ago yesterday that I completed my first home page. Since then, it has evolved to some extent but remains largely the same as it was then.

The same thing was true of my career up until last week. As I stated on my home page last week, I had to work -- 20 hours of overtime -- so I promised to write about the happy news this week:

It being Labor Day weekend,
I am, of course, laboring.
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Tune in next week for the happy story of an amicable
resolution to my employment situation.

I will get to that in a minute, but first I must state that it has been very difficult to think about writing this story when my thoughts this week have been filled with those of Diana, Princess of Wales.

So much has been said, and will continue to be said about this most beloved of all women, who overshadows even Mother Teresa (another tremendous loss); what else can I say?

She accomplished so much, simply by caring and the accomplishments will continue in her memory for a long time to come. She will be greatly missed, as will Mother Teresa. May they both rest in peace.

It has been a very sad week indeed for the world, and I will always remember where I was and what I was doing as the news unfolded.

While I mourn along with the world over the loss of these two amazing women, I will not mourn the loss of my job.

After being pushed too far last week, my supervisor collectively for me, the other operator, and herself, quit

"We quit."

And we were prepared to walk out, never to return. We knew that if we left and others tried to run the system, it would have been fouled-up beyond reparation inside of a week. After discussing the possible ramifications of our acts, the three of us pledged to cross the rubicon together if our demands were not met.

They sent in an ace negotiator, the vice-president of sales. He asked what our grievances were and then listened as we told him. At the end of two hours we all felt better.

If all goes as planned, I will be temporarily retired as of October 31, 1997. Any ideas for a suitable Halloween costume?

Although our makeshift union held all of the cards, and we could have asked for outrageous concessions, we demanded -- and got -- a fair deal.

Because of my diminishing eyesight, my particular situation is unique, so my contract was different than the other two.

Mine was designed to get me out of there in sixty days, thereby allowing me to train someone else to replace me before I go. The other two signed on for the duration ... a new carrot on a new stick -- a fixed-length stick.

Like I said: they sent in an ace. He is good ... very good. Not only did I negotiate an escape for myself, I also received a lesson in the art of diplomacy, one which I will never forget.

For the circa 2400 people who's jobs were saved that day: good luck. I sincerely hope that the new owners can turn things around and bring order to chaos.

As for me: I feel as though I am graduating from high school all over again and I have to decide what I want to do when I grow up. And this leaves me with one question:

Where's the guidance counselor's office?