This is a personal note to readers that I’ve been meaning to write for a couple of weeks, and I feel today is the right day. Don’t ask me why- it just feels right.
Regular readers may have noticed that for about 18 months, I’ve been somewhat absent from WUWT. There have been lots of guest posts, many press releases, and times when there were many hours in delays in moderation of comments or long hours between new posts. Readers may have noticed that I’ve been rather curt, maybe even “grouchy” during that time. Projects that I have been wanting to get off the ground, such as the Open Atmospheric Society, have languished. All of that lands squarely on me, my physical health, and my state of mind these last few months. I’ve alluded to this before in a previous post a couple of months back but things weren’t sorted out yet, and I really didn’t want to tell you all until I was ready.
Basically, I went through a life-changing experience: an ugly divorce. It was announced to me shortly after my return from London and Bristol in September 2014. All of the things I had hoped to accomplish after that wonderful trip went to hell in a hand basket with an express ticket as I had to sort out new life priorities. I’m sure many of you reading have been through the same thing, and know that when I was told by someone that the only thing more disruptive to your life is the death of a loved one, you can most certainly believe that. This affected my health, my mental well-being, my demeanor, my job, my finances; everything. Those of you that have been through it, you know the drill.
Some of you might ask, “was my dedication to keeping up WUWT a factor”? The answer was: mostly, no. The good thing about WUWT was that I could do it from home, and the multitasking nature of it did allow me to carry on family matters while at the same time keeping up with the state of climate science and posts about it. That said, in the early stages, I did offer to give up WUWT completely and shut it down if it was something that made a difference. There was a day when I actually took all my computers out of the house with the pledge that I would no longer blog from home. It didn’t make any difference because the problems were rooted elsewhere, and as I discovered, unsolvable. I suppose the best way to describe this whole situation is that people change. And sometimes other health related life altering events in the past set people you love on new paths that maybe they didn’t intend to follow. There’s really no blame in this nor really any good answers, it just is what it is, and you have to deal with the regime change the best you can. That’s what I did, and throughout that time, while I suffered, so did the quality of what was presented on WUWT because honestly, there were many days that even bringing myself to the keyboard was an impossible effort. But, like me, WUWT continued.
Now I’m happy to say that I’m out of the dark, and into the light again. Things are completely sorted, the road ahead looks clear, and while I’m bruised a bit and somewhat poorer, I’m OK, and I’ve left my baggage behind. I’ve checked my baggage and told the airline of life that I’d appreciated them losing it for me, and no, I don’t want it back. In fact, they can eject it over the Pacific into that mythical great Pacific garbage patch, because I’m ready to travel to new destinations, new experiences, and new friends. I don’t need the old baggage where I’m going.
I want to thank a number of close friends, some of whom are WUWT friends, who knew and helped me get out of the tunnel. You know who you are. I also want to thank Matt over at Must Be This Tall to Ride for his help in putting things into perspective.
P.S. Shortly after publication, I got an email inquiring about who got to keep Kenji, our resident pooch and the only animal member of The Union of Concerned Scientists. The answer is that even though Kenji technically was a gift to my ex-wife, Kenji long ago chose me as “his person”, and it was decided he’d go with me.
good luck. forward always forward.
Thanks Mr. Watts for endeavoring to persevere. This site is important.
Good luck.
I’m truly sorry for what you went through but I am so glad you have found your balance again and can move on through life.
I”m very sorry to hear about the pain you have experienced. I also have felt it and it is truly the worst event most people can experience in life. Your work on WUWT is profoundly appreciated, and and I admire your dedication so much. My take on this kind of thing is simply that the best approach is to find something constructive to do while you wait for it to be over, so you can take comfort in the fact that the time was not wasted. You have clearly done that, and congratulations to you. I look forward to more of your contributions and I am so glad that you didn’t appease an impossible demand by giving up meaningful work.
What an incredible outpouring of support Anthony. You have many more friends than most people do.
Further to my rather dark poem posted way up the thread, there are second chances. I lost my only child to cancer when he was 14 and got divorced a year later. Now I am happily married to a beautiful wife and our daughter has just graduated.
Good to have you back out of the tunnel. From someone who has experienced similar difficulties my friends and work kept me whole. I thank them and do not forget to be there for others.
Been thru it, Anth*ny, like you & many others. In the end, however, it’s actually better as it forced me to be my own person instead of somebody’s husband.
Anthony, we greatly appreciate your courage and perseverance during this very difficult episode. Having experienced a similar situation earlier, I can assure you that one can survive and even make life much better and more fulfilling. We do learn from these experiences and move upward and onward. Your efforts on this website and in other areas are truly inspiring and serve as a rational voice in what would otherwise be a storm of confusion and misinformation.
Hang in there man, life will only get better and we all desperately need the sanity that you bring to center stage.
Anthony,
Like so many who have posted, I hurt for the shock, the gut punch, of being told to get out. I too offered a change of location, occupation, whatever would make it better. But there was no answer…and the tunnel was very dark.
I too have recovered and have made thirty years with the finest of women. But I have to say that even today, there are shadows that fall unexpectedly across the path. Stay strong, walk through the shadows with boldness, and have faith that you are making a difference all around the world. Most of all, make sure that you have human contact with those who love you unconditionally, and who will support you through what ever bumps are still in the road.
pbh
I’m sorry to hear about what you’ve been going through, but glad to hear you’ve reached the point where you can get on with your life. Time may not heal all wounds, but it heals most of them.
I’m so sorry, Anthony. I’m glad you made it back into the light.
For us, you are one of the world’s shining lights, and I’m glad your life is improving.
Anthony, yes we did notice the slight change in focus and also quality and nature in the reporting while you were walking through that tunnel, and we do welcome your re-emergence. You have been, and will continue to be, a tremendous contributor; you have an uncanny ability to research, analyze, and concisely report on key data. You have been going through a lot – but as painful as it might be, welcome it as a time for growth and strengthening in a relationship with God. In His hands we can find comfort and meaning.
You are a leader, a voice of sanity in a world filled of delusions. Even to the extent that we “accept” a “scientist” to change historical experimental data to be modified to agree with what an (invalidated) computer “model” said it should be! Integrity in research is being compromised, and you are a bold, strong, and respected voice. Keep on, we all appreciate you!
vg
Eli hopes that both take a bit of time (vacation, did somebunny suggest a vacation) and gain space to not keep thinking about bad times. As several above point out, with time and space hurt fades. Never disappears, but recedes.
Glad you are back Anthony. May your friends and family help you stay on the sunny side.
Anthony,
Putting you an the prayer list.
“for You lifted me out of the depths” -Psalm 30
Andrew
Sorry to hear you have been going through difficult times. I wish you the very best.
Anthony, thank you so much for sharing this. Been in that dark tunnel as well.
The light came visible for me was when all my new ‘firsts’ stopped being painful and became more enjoyable. Sensing you’re at this pivotal point as your resilience is evident. 🙂
Onward ever onward.
So sorry Anthony ( as one who’s been there, done that). Your blog is a thing that gives hope to others in these trying times and it has missed( though still excellent) your personal touch.
Dear Anthony,
I am sorry that your family life took such a turn for the worse after your trip to Bristol, and wish you well for the future. After speaking with you in the pubs before and after the Cook talk, I believe you are more than deserving of much better times.
Kevin Marshall
Anthony, we feel your pain and are saddened by the News. I hope that you can keep your excellent work going into the future. Anthony, you and Tony Heller are the pillars of the anti CAGW resistance front.…
Because of your work the fraud that is CAGW is out and exposed in the open public gazeand is weakening.
My thoughts for a bright today are with you. I like penning it with the word “today”. Every time you read it, it refreshes itself. Which is to remind you to do so as well.
How brave of you to bare your healing soul and shake off the darkness. Be well, Anthony.
And how impressive to read these very many testimonials of friendship and love and respect. We all appreciate your effort to bring us WUWT.
Carry on, dear friend. Blessings..
Hi Anthony,
great you overcame this loss. It is a big victory for a man.
As for Kenji… smart dog!
Dear Anthony,
You are in my Prayers. God Bless! I will continue to support WUWT with my small financial abilities and my constant broadcasting of this wonderful website.
YOU are our leader in this gruesome fight!
Thanks for all You do!
Mike B.
Anthony I remember the day I found WUWT after searching for “the other side of the story” following the declaration of “The science is settled”. As an engineer that declaration started my antenna vibrating so hard they gave me headache. WUWT and Climate Audit amongst others have been beacons of sanity for me.
Your persistence, objectivity and now your bravery are exemplars of strength of character that one could only wish the political leaders of the western world had more of.
I for one am very grateful for the time and energy you have put into this site, even more so now.
I’m fortunate not to have gone through a divorce, but have seen closely in friends, the pain and anguish that it can cause. I wish you, and your wife, all the best as individuals as you exit the tunnel and re-engage life with a renewed vision.