Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

I like political parties that aren’t owned by foreign adversaries.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

I’m more christian than these people and i’m an atheist.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

No one could have predicted…

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

This fight is for everything.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Tentatively Safe

Tentatively Safe

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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.

Reader Interactions

41Comments

  1. 1.

    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

  2. 2.

    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.

  5. 5.

    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.

  6. 6.

    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.

  8. 8.

    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.)

  9. 9.

    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.

  13. 13.

    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.

  15. 15.

    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.

  17. 17.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    Glad your job is safe for now. Sorry about the kitty. Hopefully, it was quick.

  18. 18.

    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.

  21. 21.

    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.

  22. 22.

    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.

  23. 23.

    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

  25. 25.

    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?

  26. 26.

    mvr

    Condolences on the loss of Fozzy. Too much loss.

    Happy to hear that you seem to be spared from loss of the job.

  27. 27.

    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.

  32. 32.

    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.

  34. 34.

    wjca

    @mrmoshpotato: Go Phils!  Bummer about the O’s

    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.

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