Why am I still in academia?

[Melalvai]

I thought you told us that the Institution has to sign the letter, not your former boss.

They will write the letter if he doesn't. It is far preferable to get the letter from him if possible. That means I have to jump through the hoops he's designated. If he still doesn't sign the letter after I've done my part, by July 2, then the university will sign it. Refusing to do my part is tantamount to burning a bridge. The bridge may get burned in the end but it won't be by me.

I think you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself. PIs move, he offered you a job, you didn't want it, so you need to live with your choices.

Well, I can live with my choice, but it seems he can't live with my choice. Since he is continuing to harrass me with his "conditions" for this stupid letter. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm really angry at him. And pretty pessimistic about the future which will likely contain more people just like him.

If it gets bad enough during the next 2 years, my husband will delay or give up his degree so I can start a new job somewhere else.