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.
Got the T-shirt on that one, Ant. And although things are finally sorted, I do still miss going from house and garden to small pokey rented flat.
Mr. Watts – What strikes me, after I read your courageous submission posted waaay above, which is a very heartfelt and personal admission of vulnerability, hurt and pain – is that through this vehicle (which is a large part of your old life – which is available for your new life – to the benefit of all I hope) I have seen nothing but an outpouring of support and commiseration from us followers on WUWT. Just – wow. Lurkers posting for the first time to offer condolences, regulars offering their own anecdotes and personal experiences – it just feels like a family here. Corny, maybe – but true. I get the feeling you felt the same way as you were contemplating putting up for all to see this very personal insight into your life. Just in doing this, you have cemented in this poster (and more than likely quite a few other readers) what I had felt all along – that you are honest and forthright in this blog, therefore (more than likely) in the rest of your life as well. You opened yourself up to us all – including the potential posters that could have used this opportunity to stick the knife in and twist it – but you did it anyway. Thank you for trusting us. I humbly offer my best wishes as you embark on the next phase of your life. And I want to thank you for allowing us all this avenue of expression, standing up for the true light in climate chaos! May this bright spot in your life – WUWT – help you to heal and find a new zeal for your life. And again, thank you. Looking forward to eventually meeting you, in person.
Regards,
MCR
All I can say is damn…… and glad you made it..
Anthony, thank you so much for hanging in there and keeping your superb blog going. It is compulsory reading every single day. I am not a scientist, so would just read, learn and be educated. Never commented on the issues, always leave that to the people “in the know”. Very sorry to hear you had to go through all that stress, wish you all the best for the many years ahead of you. Keep well, we all need you! God bless you!
Yah, just when you think you have it all put together life comes and knocks you into the rapids with a cosmic Gibbs slap. Feet downstream, kick off the rocks and swim down river to the shore:) Hope your bumps and bruises are healing nicely, and glad to have you back.
Whatever courses your lives now take, I wish the best for both you and your former wife. — Eugene WR Gallun
The Internet is often an anonymous medium, which is why I’ve always respected the fortitude of men like Anthony Watts, putting themselves out there to take the slings and arrows – it’s a particular kind of courage. I’ve often thought Anthony must have a special kind of fortitude and abnormally thick skin to stand it all without going crazy. This is partially why I use my own name on this board – no Internet handle – because I choose to stand and be counted beside him.
But beneath it all, are always human beings, and the same things always hurt, no matter who you are. And when you’re hurting in the heart, there’s just nothing quite like it.
I promise you, though, it does get better. Time eventually heals everything. And you’re far from alone, because when push comes to shove, we’re all human together, and we’ve all been through something like it at one time or another.
In the meantime, I recommend a couple of beers, a few friends, and a few good songs. That’s what those things are for.
All my best.
As a very long term visitor to the site, I feel privileged to know the little bits about your personal life that you have shared with us over the years. It makes me feel a little bit like family.
Your news today fills me with sadness on the one hand, but your positive attitude is a great relief to me as well.
I have noticed changes in your mood and now I understand. I wish you well, Anthony, on many levels.
I have over many years been encouraged, educated and impressed by Watts Up With That, I have often felt if politicians could offer a fraction of the objectivity and impartiality shown here the world would be in a far better place than today. I have as many been through the same pain as you have many years ago, truthfully it does change you, it has to we are evolved that way, upside is nothing ever hurts that way again and you do become stronger.
Wishing you all the best for the future
Anthony, it is not in my gift to make you happy.
…But it is within my power to say that you have made the world I live in a better place.
I want happiness for you, your ex-wife, and any children if you have any. None of us are perfect, but you come a lot closer to being a star than I do.
I am so saddened to hear you were put though all that, but am very grateful you come out the other side. Keep hanging in there, and know that so many people are pulling for you, and so many hearts stand beside. All the best to you, Anthony.
Good luck Anthony, divorce sucks, whether you want it or your spouse does. I hope it goes well for all of you, but to you I’ll say, in the words of my fellow Liverpudlians, “You’ll never walk alone” we’re with you and wish you and your family well. I had it happen to me it was horrible, but there is life beyond. Good luck.
Sorry to hear all that Anthony – keep WUWT going please it’s SO important – you have kept my faith in true science – thanks and all the best for the future
Hey Anthony. I’m the only guy in the room who doesn’t have any history or meaningful connection with you, but I wanted to thank you for the end-of-post shout out, and for linking my way.
I have some catching up to do if I’m to understand what you’ve been through. It would seem you went through the end of a marriage, and may still be picking up the pieces in one form or another.
Changes your life. Profoundly and painfully. I hope you’re doing well relative to whatever your timeline is.
Thank you again. It appears you’ve built a pretty fantastic community here. Good stuff, sir.
Best wishes from another loyal reader. Good on you!
Ken Stewart
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
― Albert Einstein
Keep riding. Thanks for all your hard work. Many of us are better people, not only from what we have learned here, but for being the person you are. Keep riding.
Thanks for sharing Anthony,
I’m sorry. Obviously you’ve had no shortage of challenges in your life.
Yet look what you’ve achieved – this blog alone would be a life’s achievement for many of us.
Do carry on, please.
Good luck, Thanks, and Kia Ora (good health) from NZ. Brett Keane
So sorry you’ve had all that to endure. Best wishes for your future Anthony, God bless you, Annie.
Anthony, look forward to the new life. Best wishes.
Best wishes for the future and thanks for keeping the blog running whilst under such difficulties.
You are one of my heroes, Anthony. So sorry for how things turned out, but you have handled it with grace and dignity. And selfishly, so thrilled to have you back!
Anthony, wish you the best going forward.
FWIW, really appreacite WUWT, its a fantastic site. Thank you very much for it!
Best wishes …. there is life after divorce. Sometimes a much better life. Remain positive.
Anthony, you give us hope and inspiration. Wattsupwithat is part of my daily life here in tropical North Queensland .
Good luck mate….
Robin