This morning I sent out an emailed note announcing, to about 200 people in my rolodex, that my employment situation has changed. Aside from a few details about transition and updating their contact information for me, this is what it said:
I leave on good terms with Earth Island: my boss, Dave Phillips, was extremely reluctant to accept my resignation. The decision was for personal reasons: I’ve left because my 16-year-old dog, Zeke, is in need of 24/7 supervision these days and yet is enjoying life too much for us to make that final vet call just yet. And Becky and I can afford to lose my income, so we’re taking advantage of that fact.
The silver lining in this decision, aside from uninterrupted quality time with Zeke in his declining weeks, is that I’ll be able to take on finishing my Joshua tree book as a full-time job. It’s about time, after ten years of research.
I’ve gotten a few very nice notes in response from friends and colleagues, from some of whom I have not heard in some time. And I also got this, just now, from a person I know not at all well:
Well isn’t that nice that you abandon doing important work in order to play with your dog. I bet the people on the front lines fighting environmental battles, like the indigenous people you portrayed in Earth Island Journal back when you still had a conscience, are really glad to know that you think your dog is more important than their struggles and their lives. Or that she is more important than your reader’s right to know about those struggles.
One more self-indulgent yuppy shows his true colors.
Can you believe this person? Zeke’s not a girl. Talk about failing to pay attention.
I will say there are some things I will not miss about that job.
Also, I’ve usually seen it spelled ‘YuppIE’ not ‘YuppY’. How dumb can you get?
OBviously someone who has never been close friends with a dog. Sure… dogs are mostly nonjudgmental, but even THEY have limits!
Delete the bitter note—You are giving him air supply just by posting. And people have to react.
Glad to read about the changes. If you ever get up to Seattle, come by Good Nature Publishing for a visit.
Did you read Boston Review’s essay on climate change? Good writing
See link
http:/goodnaturepublishing.blogspot.com/
Best fishes,
Timothy
(former advertiser for Earth Island)
Yeah, Tim, but I’m not giving credit for his rant. That’s gotta sting.
We’ll be visiting Seattle sometime soon, at least after Zeke’s gone, as Becky’s sister just moved there cruelly and callously taking my nephew and niece with her.
I’ve noticed that people who are filled with boundlesser and more passionate love for the universe and all mankind than the rest of us tend not to like people very much.
... besides, you’re too old to be a yuppie.
Actually, now that you ask us, we really are glad to know that you think your dog is more important than our struggles and our lives. We know Zeke is an exceptionally good boy, and we have always loved him from afar. Go ahead and care for him, Mr. Clarke. We’re rooting for you.
Also we thought that graphic novel of yours was very funny.
just to affirm:
A great many of us have greatly appreciated your efforts on the EIJ these past years. You’ve done outstanding work and (nearly all of) us who knew your work are forever grateful.
I think you’re to be commended as well not just for lasting so long, but for moving on for good reason, in a healthy and positive direction. It’s too rare that happens in these burnout circles.
Regards to Zeke, with props for his taste in humans.
Ok, don’t know the person, don’t know nothing, but suggestion:
take it from the “good side”! Apparently you’ll be missed!
(I mean ... how would it have sounded something like: “Oh, you’re leaving? Who cares!” ???)
Everybody is responsible for its own life and it looks to me like you’ve done more than many others, so ...
take care of Zeke ... and yourself!
I suspect it’s another case of someone deluding him or herself into thinking that they are an amazing person for doing something trivially “good” (knitting a nasty hat for charity, reading (and only reading) about environmental problems, recycling yogurt containers while driving a hummer, going “rah” while someone else does real work, etc.). Of course, that all goes to bits when real life intrudes or someone calls him or her on the bullshit.
You’ve harshed his/her mellow, man.
As a result of a scientific experiment involving the recombination of DNA, I have created a hybrid of Kirby Olson and Ann Althouse. I believe this new creature will be funnier and more improved than both the original subjects combined.
He is not a she. She is not a dog. No—this magnificent IT is the new Kirby Althouse!!
That really caught me by surprise. I thought I was going to read a story about someone cool from your past.
Of course, it’s wonderful - inspiring really - that you’re taking the time to be with Zeke when he needs his best friend to be with him. Good luck in the coming, hopefully peaceful, weeks.