My next 50 years...

Dear readers,

For those who don't know me well, I work as an Engineering Manager for an oil company overseeing assets in Russia, Azerbaijan, and China. I have worked there since 1997, and over the last 10 y3ears or so have traveled all over the world working on a wide variety of projects. I have spent time in South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. 2009 has not been a good year at work, with staff reductions and "cost challenges", so it hasn't been fun. Despite that, our International assets have across the board, have done very well - both technically and profit wise. Well on Monday morning, without warning, my company announced that it planned to divest (sell off) of all its assets in the Gulf of Mexico and Internationally. Worse, they announced that they did not plan to retain any of the staff working on the assets after they were sold.

So, how do I feel, you ask? I am greatly saddened by this event.

This announcement is analogous to your spouse, out of the blue, telling you that they are filing for divorce.

1) It comes as a complete surprise.
2) You both agree that you have done nothing "wrong"
3) You had agreed and committed to support each other in good times and bad
4) You routinely talk about things, both reviewing the past and planning for the future
5) Then, without warning the divorce comes
6) You hear:

We thank you for all your past contributions, but
We are not growing in the same direction
We want to go forward in on different path

We will take care of you (a severance payment)
But for now, we have to live together for the next ~ year or so.....

- until you finish up all your activities (including laying off your staff)

Then we part ways
But we wish you good luck

It has not been a good week!