Received an email today that everyone in my department had been notified about being terminated, and I received no such email, so make of that what you will. There is zero trust on my end with the admin any more, so until I see a new contract I am assuming nothing.
Now for the bad news. I did not want to tell you this with everything blowing up, but my neighborhood kitty, Fozzy, the little scoundrel who was being fed by everyone in the neighborhood to the point he refused his dry kibble at his actual house, was hit by a car and died. I will miss him. He was a good boy, and spent a great deal of time in the house I bought him for my porch, or on the swing, and he was there most days to greet me when I got home. I’m leaving his bowl on the porch until I am done grieving.
Devore
Congrats on surviving so far. But if the axe falls, since you’re so capable. I’m sure you could find something else. That likely is even better
sorry about the kitty
Elizabelle
Sad to hear about Fozzy.
Do you think WVU is competent with its notifications? How much of the department did they RIF?
I am so sorry that scoundrels are in charge of your state, voted in by people who should be better voters than they are.
Ann Marie
So sorry about little Fozzy. Hugging my Harley extra tight tonight.
Benw
Sorry to hear about Fozzy. Condolences
Ohio Mom
Life is such a goddamn rollercoaster.
Sorry to hear about Fozzy. I have to say, it sounds like he lived his best life up until the end.
HumboldtBlue
Good news for you, so sorry about Fozzy.
Also, the Phillies whupped the Braves 10-2 to take a 2-1 series lead and can kick them from the playoffs tomorrow night.
eclare
I’m so sorry to hear about Fozzy. I’m sure he appreciated your kindness.
CaseyL
So sorry to hear of Fozzy Cat’s death. Sounds like he was the neighborhood mascot.
It’s interesting when you’re expecting the bullet, planning for the bullet, and then… no bullet. I wonder if any of the alternate pathways you thought about seemed attractive enough to pursue anyway, but on your own timetable rather than the university’s.
(Also: I hope you checked your spam/junk folder. Just in case.)
Joy in FL
I’m so sorry about the kitty Fozzy.
the mix of things in our lives- I’m glad you still probably have your job. I get not trusting the administration. I know that’s wise. I know that feeling.
Dan B
Sorry to hear about a good kitty like Fozzy. They leave such holes in our hearts.
Suzanne
I’m sorry about Fozzy. We have some neighborhood cats like that, and they’re a joy.
cain
Poor baby.. I’d be blubbering now.
Well wait till you have a contract before celebrating.
dlwchico
Sorry to hear about Fozzy.
We have an orange boy cat that was living outside when we bought it about 6 years ago.
We took him in to the vet and he had a chip but the number wasn’t valid though it had been put in like 8 years before so he’s probably in his teens now and shows it.
We tried to bring him inside once but he immediately sprayed the coffee table so the wife said no way.
I’m afraid I’m going to find his body outside one of these days.
zhena gogolia
I’m so sorry about Fozzy.
I hope the news stays good re your position.
Rileys Enabler
I’m really sorry about Fozzy. Thanks for giving the little dude a safe place to hang and swing. You made a difference in his world.
gwangung
Ugh. Sorry about Fozzy.
Keeping fingers crossed about your position. Dammit…teaching is so much harder than it looks.
Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony
Glad your job is safe for now. Sorry about the kitty. Hopefully, it was quick.
Chetan Murthy
I know the feeling. My neighbors (landlords, too!) used to dog-sit (probably still do) for friends. One friend had a pit bull: the sweetest nicest pitbull female named Billie. She’d climb up the back stairs to my deck and sit right outside my kitchen while I worked. Never made a move to enter: just sat there. I’d go outside and pet her and it was all sweet. She came by off-and-on for years, and then suddenly, no longer. Turned out she’d died. Sigh. I really liked Billie.
Betsy
Well, fuck.
Old Dan and Little Ann
That’s good. That sucks. Check you spam folder.
Betty
Losing your job by email sounds so ruthless. Good to hear you are likely to be okay, but this is still a lousy situation.
Sorry about Fozzy. Never easy to lose a buddy, especially like that.
Odie Hugh Manatee
I’m sorry to hear about your neighborhood kitty/pal, he sounded like a sweet little guy. RIP, Fozzy.
Survivor: University Edition
Sounds like you live for another day, maybe.
Lurker no more
I didn’t know up to now that you were caught up in the West Va University drama. I am very very glad you seem have survived.
I am very sorry about the cat
If this helps at all, I have read with great pleasure this blog for many years, and I have the utmost respect for you.
Best Wishes
Kristine
I hope you keep your job, John.
I’m sorry about Fozzy.
prostratedragon
Ah me, with a name like Fozzy he had to be good. Reminds me of my first cat, a gray tabby outdoor cat which, since I was about 5, I called Kitty, whom Mommy helped me feed. Kitty was the subject of a story involving some nice fresh fish parts, a windy day, and — oh my goodness where did all these other cats come from?!!
Good luck with the job, who needs greatness thrust upon them?
mvr
Condolences on the loss of Fozzy. Too much loss.
Happy to hear that you seem to be spared from loss of the job.
MinuteMan
Not getting an email is a bit ambiguous. When my mom succumbed to dementia-related(?) things my dad couldn’t bear talking to anyone about it, so he e-mailed out a note to the kids. Unfortunately, we had half of the email addresses wrong. So, I ended up finding out when I got a phone call from my brother and he remarked how much he hated 2020 which led to questions and then a long, awkward pause. Ain’t tech grand.
mrmoshpotato
Sorry to hear about Fozzy. Hope your job prospects are good.
mrmoshpotato
@HumboldtBlue: Go Phils! Bummer about the O’s
Leto
Well sort of good news on the job front, but that’s really heartbreaking on the kitty. Here’s something that might brighten your/everyone’s day: Video captured Tuberville slipping down a row of steps while exiting an airplane Wednesday.
And here’s the quick video: Tommy Tumbleville tumbling down, down, down…
eclare
@Leto:
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy.
Old School
@Leto: I’m not clear if that fall happened today or not.
The Newsweek article also mentions that the fall is from 2014 on his way to a bowl game.
Leto
@Old School: well damn. Still brought a smile to my face.
wjca
This.
The best that can be said of the American League is that either the Astros or the Rangers will get taken out by the other. But that’s grasping at a frail reed indeed. Here’s hoping the surviver loses the Series in 4.
mrmoshpotato
@wjca: Fuck the Astros. They should be stripped of their trash can banging title.
Manyakitty
@Leto: thanks for the smile!
wjca
@mrmoshpotato:
Can’t argue with that.
wjca
@mrmoshpotato:
Can’t argue with that.
wjca
Duplicate deleted
Paul in KY
Hope all is well for you, John.
PhaedrusOnBass
So sorry to hear of your loss, John. Even if he was a neighborhood kitty, he’s still family.