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Either it's happened to you or it's happened to someone in your life: The boss calls you in -- or calls you on the phone -- and says they're letting you go. Downsizing, rightsizing, difference of philosophy, disappointment with your performance, not going to renew your deal, whatever the case may be.

Or perhaps you're the one that calls the boss, or turns in the resignation letter, because you've got a better deal elsewhere.

Either way, you're moving on -- and you're told you've got an hour to gather your belongings and turn in your keycard.

Or maybe they don't even give you that one hour. Maybe there's a security guard waiting to escort you out.

Seems cold and unnecessarily harsh -- but one can understand why the company might not want certain short-timer employees hanging around for a week or two, especially if the parting isn't amicable and/or the employee is going to the competition. Sometimes, letting you stick around makes about as much sense as a couple deciding to sleep in the same bed for two more weeks after they've agreed the relationship is over.

Sweet Lou says goodbye

If you give a two-week notice, or even a two-month notice, it's quite possible this will create an unsettling environment for you, your co-workers and your employers. There's just a different mind-set when you know you're leaving.

So it was when Lou Piniella announced last month he'd be leaving the Cubs at the end of the season. The season already was looking like a lost cause -- but you knew it was going to be even more difficult for Piniella to inspire his players now that he had one eye on the sunset.

In my column of Aug. 10, I wrote:

''[Y]ou have to wonder if Piniella and the organization would be better off if he just went home for good. When you know you're not coming back next year, when the players know you're not coming back, when the season is a lost cause, how motivated is anyone going to be-

''The Cubs might be better served if Lou stepped down now. ...''

And that's just what Sweet Lou did on Sunday, in a bittersweet farewell.

Not because of anything suggested by the media, of course, but because he decided it was time to go home and tend to family matters. Even when you're of retirement age yourself, your mother is still your mother, and you still want to cherish every moment when she's with you in this world.

Godspeed to a terrific player, a successful manager and sometimes comically entertaining personality, and a fiery, passionate, decent man.

Meet Dave, my pet anaconda

That's two alligator sightings in a span of less than three weeks along the bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Celebrity deaths and alligator sightings: They say these things come in threes, so be on the lookout.

On Sunday, a family boating on the Chicago River saw an alligator that was about 3 feet long, near the same spot where a 2½-foot long alligator was captured on Aug. 6.

So in recent years in the Chicago area, we've had sightings of cougars, coyotes and a couple of alligators. And that's just in the Viagra Triangle, ba-dum-bum.

Authorities say this most recent gator most likely was a pet released by someone. I'm thinking that's probably the case, as I'm reasonably sure alligators aren't indigenous to the Avondale neighborhood.

I don't get the ''exotic pet'' mentality. Years ago, I was at a party where a guy walked around his home with his giant pet snake draped around his shoulders, as if he were backstage at the circus. This guy owned a number of other snakes and colorful birds as pets as well. For all I know, there was a panda in the laundry room.

Mike Tyson's cultural impact notwithstanding, tigers and wolves and alligators and pythons -- I just don't see them as pets. (Cue the snake-loving crowd to e-mail me about how their snake gives them more love than any stupid cockapoo.)

But if you do find yourself with an alligator who has outgrown his domestic viability, you just let him go- Really- What's he supposed to do, walk to Florida-

Department of good intentions

This Friday is the annual Aces Up! poker tournament, with proceeds benefitting the Urban Prep Academies of Chicago. I'll be playing once again, and I'd love for you to join me, whether it's to play or just to come out and have a good time.

For more information, go to:

http://www.acesuptourney.com/

We'll also be giving away some tickets to the event on the ''Roe Conn Show with Richard Roeper'' on WLS-AM (890), weekdays from 2-6 p.m.

Cheers.