Well, I've mentioned it before.  Work is a mess.  The union is fighting with the company.  The company is fighting with the union.  Before, they were both playing nice.  That's over now, I guess, and I'm sitting here in the middle.  I'm a union rep, so I'm supposed to represent my guys.  I want to do what's best for all of them.

The problem is...I'm also the guy in the safest position right now.  I've got seniority.  My job will be there until the company closes its doors.   The company still has some time before that's going to happen.  So these guys I'm supposed to be representing are still depending on their jobs.

Here's where I have to make a decision.  I heard that next week they're going to have to lay off a couple of guys if things don't change.  The newest guys will be the ones to go.  They've got kids... wives... people are depending on them.  I've got less than a year before I can retire with full benefits.  I can retire today and get less--a good amount less--but we could probably make it if we tightened our belt even more.  If I stick around though... somebody else is going to lose their job.  Soon.   I've got to make the decision.  Soon.