Bad news and good news

Rob had been passed a job lead by a friend on Livejournal. He had a phone interview and was asked to submit a formal application. He was under the impression from the interview that this was a mere formality, that the job was practically his. It would have been a summer job working in a call center, but it might have continued on in the fall when some of their other workers went on to school. The pay was modest, but hey, we'll take it, and we were so relieved.

But he got an email yesterday saying, sorry. No job after all.

This was crushing news, the first ray of hope we'd had in months, brutally snuffed out. Geez, my husband can't even get a job at a call center.

BUT!

I got an astounding surprise at work. The office managing partner went around the day before yesterday distributing unexpected bonus checks. A HUGE bonus from out of the clear blue sky, the biggest one I've ever received here, four figures. We had settled a huge case.

So that will allow us to limp along a few more months.

It will also enable us to get Fiona her graduation gift and hey! We'll be able to pay for the party!

Joel Rosenberg

I was alerted to this by minnehaha k. who reported the following announcement was on mgs's journal here:

Joel stopped breathing last night and was taken to HCMC by the paramedics. He was anoxic for an extended period. His breathing is restarted but he has not regained consciousness and remains in critical condition. I do not have any other details. My best wishes and hopes for a miraculous recovery go out to him and his family Rachel, Judy and Felicia (fgherman).

This is shocking news, and I would be grateful to hear from anyone who knows more. Joel was one of my primary writing mentors and invited me to the writing group where I made the transition from short stories to novels. In fact, the character of Arikan in Emerald House Rising is entirely based upon Joel.

I add my heartfelt wishes to mgs's for Joel's recovery. If anyone hears anything that is being done to support the family or knows of more news, please let me know.