Can you run to a drugstore and get some of those self-stick heating patches?

Those are definitely my favorite.

Jesse, this is where working from home definitely comes in handy! I mean, you could call in sick that day, if it's an all day thing, but yeah, "doctor's appointment" or "waiting for the cable guy" or something. Whatever's easier for sneaking off or sneaking in with a suit stuck in your bag!

I am so very sorry, Tom. Echoing everyone else who can't believe there exists a company with its very own Scola that wouldn't want to move heaven and earth to make sure it keeps its Scola. And vibing very, very hard that eventually this leads to something better. And sending virtual hugs and hairpats and exotic hand-crafted mixed drinks and microbrews.

If we get to vote on what you do with yourself in the short term, I'd say (a) sign up with a recruiter or headhunter so that person can do all the dismal Actual Job-Hunting on your behalf and you don't have to shoulder that burden, and (b) take your camera and start wandering and taking advantage of all the interesting late winter daylight shadows and angles and curves your horrible job cut you off from by keeping you there all week and many too many weekends working until stupid o'clock trying to fix various idiots' self-inflicted crises.

And ita, I'm so sorry for your loss, and for all the heartache you and your family are going through.

Six month severance, based on my length of employment, which was 12 years. Not bad, considering.

Whatever's easier for sneaking off or sneaking in with a suit stuck in your bag!

Yeah, there's the rub. Do I go home and change, making the time out of work even longer? Try to figure out a way to hide the fact that I'm wearing a suit? (I could probably put a sweater over the skirt suit, hide the jacket, and it would be OK...)

Six month severance, based on my length of employment, which was 12 years. Not bad, considering.

Could be worse, for sure.

Fuck, Tom, that sucks royally! And after 12 years? That says a lot about the economy these days.

Wishing you for-the-better-ma on your job search.

Try to figure out a way to hide the fact that I'm wearing a suit?

Do you ever have drycleaning at work? You could bring it in a drycleaning bag and change somewhere else...

Wear the bottom with the top you plan to wear under the suit with a cardi or sweater. Wear casual shoes, and -- do you drive? -- stash the jacket in the car and bring a change of shoes. If you don't drive, just bring the jacket in a dry cleaning bag -- you had to pick up the dry-cleaning up on the way to work because of your "appt."

And six month's severage is really good, Tom. That gives you a ton of breathing room.

Luckily, I can just hide the jacket in my coat -- I don't drive, and would never have dry cleaning here! One of the annoying things about this job is the location. I can work it out, obviously. But it's been literally almost 10 years since I've looked for a new job from the old one, so I am rusty!