Mercury in retrograde or whatever: 18 April 2016

[PaulJones202718]

Well, we now know what the counselor's deal is: she's motherfucking psycho bugfuck crazy.

[SAGG]

Huh? What?

[RDrd]

Huh? What?

If you're into astrology, mercury retrograde is a time of broken communication and a very bad time to make serious decisions.

For responsible people into astrology, they still do their damn job they're just more aware that messages may not have been received and plans are more likely to change.

It implies this woman uses the relative positions of planetary bodies to justify slacking off. Someone really concerned about mercury retrograde would make extra effort to be there at office hours, even increase office hours, knowing that it's far more likely that email communication is going to be unreliable and students will need another way to contact her. And seeing as she's never in her office and everyone has reported this over multiple years? Ain't mercury's fault! There are a lot of people who are fake into New Age to get their ways, may even try to argue it's her ~religious beliefs~ and so going against it is persecution or some BS.

[Weltall84]

Huh? What?

If you're into astrology, mercury retrograde is a time of broken communication and a very bad time to make serious decisions.

For responsible people into astrology, they still do their damn job they're just more aware that messages may not have been received and plans are more likely to change.

It implies this woman uses the relative positions of planetary bodies to justify slacking off. Someone really concerned about mercury retrograde would make extra effort to be there at office hours, even increase office hours, knowing that it's far more likely that email communication is going to be unreliable and students will need another way to contact her. And seeing as she's never in her office and everyone has reported this over multiple years? Ain't mercury's fault! There are a lot of people who are fake into New Age to get their ways, may even try to argue it's her ~religious beliefs~ and so going against it is persecution or some BS.

Okay... sounds like somebody needs to be FIRED like...years ago.

[Attalus]

Okay... sounds like somebody needs to be FIRED like...years ago.

Depends. If she doesn't have TENURE, sure. If so, good luck

[LadyObvious23]

Oh great. The counselor is a hippie. Yay.

[BenjaminT]

I'll admit I had no clue what she was talking about. But after reading the forum and googling Mercury retrograde it appears that these periods last a little less than a month. Unfortunately, it happens 3-4 times a year and that's not even counting Mars retrograde and Venus retrograde that she might hole up for for some reason.

But let's imagine for a moment that Mars retrograde is just wrapping up and tomorrow she's available and willing to help. Will Candi really want her help when the advice may be more informed by her astrology beliefs than based on what would really be helpful for Candi?

Also, I'm curious if Starline created this character as a subtle jab at cakemakers and photographers who are suddenly unavailable to do their work based on if the job is contrary to their beliefs.

[Amethyst Shadow]

Okay... sounds like somebody needs to be FIRED like...years ago.

Depends. If she doesn't have TENURE, sure. If so, good luck

Tenure isn't an end all be all get out of jail free card though.

She can still be fired for job performance (or lack there of) even with tenure.

[clif]

I'm not clear if the counselor has astrological beliefs or if Fritz has vague astrological beliefs that he is appealing to for an explanation of how the counselor could have failed to understand what is expected of her.

[Warrl]

I'm not clear if the counselor has astrological beliefs or if Fritz has vague astrological beliefs that he is appealing to for an explanation of how the counselor could have failed to understand what is expected of her.

The way he says things... if he were into astrology, 1) he wouldn't have to ask them if Mercury is retrograde, and 2) the "or whatever" wouldn't fit.

I think he's just spouting some jargon he overheard - and happens, possibly by chance, to get something that makes sense within the field the jargon is from. (No comment on whether the field itself makes sense or not.)

[SAGG]

Huh? What?

If you're into astrology, mercury retrograde is a time of broken communication and a very bad time to make serious decisions.

For responsible people into astrology, they still do their damn job they're just more aware that messages may not have been received and plans are more likely to change.

It implies this woman uses the relative positions of planetary bodies to justify slacking off. Someone really concerned about mercury retrograde would make extra effort to be there at office hours, even increase office hours, knowing that it's far more likely that email communication is going to be unreliable and students will need another way to contact her. And seeing as she's never in her office and everyone has reported this over multiple years? Ain't mercury's fault! There are a lot of people who are fake into New Age to get their ways, may even try to argue it's her ~religious beliefs~ and so going against it is persecution or some BS.

What? Seriously? So, we have an astrologist consultant counselor, huh? Oh, man...
Thanks for the info as well...

[Attalus]

Tenure isn't an end all be all get out of jail free card though.

She can still be fired for job performance (or lack there of) even with tenure.

I said, "Good luck," not "No way". Either way, it would be desirable to bring your lunch.

[Qaint]

I love how most things I could find about Mercury retrograde was stuff like "How to survive!", "Coping with Mercury Retrograde", or "Do's and Don't's".

Not to shit too much on other people's beliefs though. I am interested in learning more of this character (and if we never directly see her, then of her continued exploits) and how she functions.