Oh, just caught up on a couple hundred posts and saw the news about Todd. What a lovely human she was, inside and out. So sad.

We went to the Rugby match tonight. The team has been working out in DH's weight room because of a kerfuffle between the rugby team and the soccer team and Messi not liking to share or some such. So the coach gave him some tickets. They won, which was cool because they are ranked #9 and won against the #1 team, and apparently they go to playoffs now. Anyway, my main takeaway was the sweet thighs because seriously sweet.

DH's high school basketball players sharing the weight room with professional rugby players is pretty cute since they are blown away with how strong these guys are. Gives them a look at the potential future.

Sad news, indeed. Thanks for letting us know, Vortex.

I’m sorry to hear about Todd, but thanks for letting us know, Vortex.

Sheryl, I hope your mom is doing better.

I have been offered “voluntary” separation at work, because my department lost 25% of its budget, and most of that was people. If I go willingly, I get 6 months salary and health insurance, plus accumulated vacation time. If I don’t, I can try and stick it out and see if I get officially laid off, but the position will be gone. And everyone else at the university has had to make similar cuts, so there won’t be an opening in another department I can slide into. On the upside, I already have an interview for a job at a community college next Wednesday. And looking for another job in MI is a lot easier when you’re actually in MI.

Yay, I guess, Calli?

Today is indeed a day of celebration! Happy birthday to the magnificent Vortex! I hope you're having a wonderful birthday weekend and that the rest of the year brings you an abundance of joy.

keto blueberry bagel

This is also the anniversary of the first F2F in 2002. It was an event that changed my life in many ways and brought me a group of friends I cherish dearly. (eat a muffin whitey)

Calli, I hope the move happens seamlessly. The extent of disruption across universities, government agencies, and numerous other sectors is truly unfathomable.

I’m sorry you are faced with that, Calli. I am glad you are already in MI and somewhat settled! Interview ~ma.

Happy Vortex Day!

{{{Calli}}} Fingers crossed that the community college opportunity works out.

I don't think most people outside academia have any notion what a big and critical chunk of the economy we are. Unfortunately it looks like they're going to find out the hard way.

So far I think my job is safe (and fingers crossed it stays that way, since Dylan's job search after his layoff last fall is painfully slow--it's just not a good market for senior UX folks right now). We're definitely facing painful budget cuts, but the fact I'm in a central office rather than a department or research center heavily dependent on a handful of federal grants insulates me a bit. Still, it's just an ugly time all around right now.

I talked to Todd a few times at SF2F, and she was, indeed, a lovely woman. Unless I'm mistaken, one of the times was in DebG's kitchen. I'm sorry she's gone, and I wish we had been able to shower her with love.