My lab-mate is retiring after about 33 years on the job. We've been in the same lab for about 20 of those years and tomorrow is his last day. We're going to punch out a bit early tomorrow and go have a couple beers, but after that I doubt we'll see each other again. We've never really hung out outside of work, but after nearly 20 years we're good 'work buddies' - we've got our inside jokes and long-running 'code words' and phrases that don't mean anything to anyone else, but crack us up to no end. Hell, after almost 20 years, we can crack each other up without saying a word. We've bounced ideas off each other, bitched n' griped about corporate BS, celebrated each others' successes and laughed a ton. I'm genuinely happy for him and wish him well, but damn - when I come in Monday morning and am greeted by his empty desk, it's going to be wierd.

So long, ol' lab buddy - we've had a good run.

---

_________________________________________________
"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare" - Juma Ikangaa

http://www.litespeed.com