I never write. My most insincere apologies...
Homecoming was really fun on my end. I miss hanging out with Fat Z especially and so when we get together and get crazy it is absolutely awesome. Lots of alcohol, windburn, and walking led to my cold getting worse. Monday I didn't have a voice at all which made teaching and singing hard for that Monday at Huegel. Sidenote-I hate how it underlines "didn't" as if it's spelled wrong. It's a common contraction, am I right?
So anyways, I took Tuesday off to recuperate and my voice came back, but now I've had thing nagging cough for days. The kind where you cough til you either gag or have a near pee experience. Sucks. It's just a tickle and it's so frustrating. Def not the swine flu...I don't have insurance right now so I can't get it. ;) Subbed Wed-Fri all half days for general music/band. I already know my schedule for this week, too. I have a 3 day assignment at Kennedy Elem for music and then convention THEN HALLOWEEN. I'm so looking forward to it. We've never done the Halloween in Madison State Street thing, unless you count driving by it one year after we ate Rocky Roccoco's, Perkins, and Perkin's pie all in one night with Errin and Ethan back in the day...saw a guy streaking and that was about it. I think I might pull out the old lunch lady idea again, but I'm not saying anything for sure yet. I just hate how every grown female decides to either be a slutty nurse or a naughty kitty. Really ladies?
I just lounged today and Mary Neff came over, too. We went to eat at the Fireside last night with her parents and it was nice so we spent another day together, too. I did an entire 500 piece Norman Rockwell puzzle today. The one with the teacher standing in front of the chalkboard with happy birthday written everywhere...now THAT'S what I call a productive Saturday.
Looking forward to everyone coming here this week for convention and then for those coming for the weekend as well. It will be nice to play host in our new apartment and catch up on some good educational discussions. Liz and I talk a lot about ed stuff, but it'll be nice to talk to other people. I hope the convention itself isn't lame and I'm really looking forward to hearing Jazz I and the honor bands!! It's been too long!
Well, as many of us have been posting, I wish I had more interesting or "bloggy" things to write, but I don't. I thought last week about writing about the 4 year anniversary of the bus accident, but didn't know what to say. It's an important event in our lives, but it's losing it's magnitude in a way. I tried to listen to Lux Aroumque and remember the entire day and all of the feelings, but it's almost as though my brain is resisting it. When I think of Chippewa now, it's totally different and so much has happened since then. I'll always recognize October 16th, but it is getting more and more distant and I don't like how guilty I feel about that. Well, that's pretty much why I shoudn't have written about it I guess...
I hope to have more to write about as next week rounds out. I can't wait to get paid, especially my Dec. 1st check!! I want to get squared away with Liz and Becky and such more than you'll ever know! Lots of subbing is happening. I had 8 missed calls from Verona the other day AFTER I had accepted a job in Madison for the day. It's crazy different than last spring in EC/Chippewa. So I'll blame my lack of posts on that...
:) Everyone else should not take after me and they should start posting more often!!!!
Sincerely,
Hypocrit Soules
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Falc'in good time.
Well, the subbing has started in full force! Last week I subbed Thursday at Muir Elementary School and considering if was my first day subbing and a full day of teaching general music it went really well. I was nervous because I felt rusty and unprepared, but it all comes back and the plans weren't too bad. Friday I subbed for Orchestra in the morning at Lafollette and East HS Band in the afternoon. I opted to rehearse the orchestra instead of watch August Rush and thankfully, the director was pleased to hear that I was a music sub and that I rehearsed them. He emailed me back (I like to send teachers an email at the end of every assignment because my handwriting isn't so hot and then they have my email address) and asked if I was comfortable teaching beginning strings too because he travels to elem. schools in the afternoons. I think I can handle it so we'll see if he calls. Then I hurried over to East and was late because I got out of Lafollette late due to a different bell schedule for their homecoming assembly. They had a "veg" day planned so I made sure to leave him a message that I am a music sub and today he had me teaching music so that was cool. Monday I subbed in music at Brooklyn in Oregon. It's actually a village south of Oregon so it took over 25 minutes to get there, but now I know. It wasn't a terrible day, but it was one where you come home with a headache. The teacher's room was "da bomb". She had a big room, with lots of Orff instruments and posters of Kodaly so you can tell she does a lot of both. It was a lot of October songs with a CD so easy in a way, but hard because you can't hear the kids singing and there's no real lesson to it so it's a little awkward. She had a huge office connected to the room with her computer, shelves, and a frickin futon. Sweet.
Tuesday was the day we've all been waiting for. I subbed for Liz and it was pretty funny. Even though the kids know we're "twins", they still question whether or not we're telling the truth about who we are. Like, if Liz wears her hair different or her glasses they accuse her of sending me to school, but the first day I actually was the one there, they thought it was her pulling their leg. The younger kids especially, have a hard time fathoming two identical adults so I had to pull out a picture of the 3 of us and show each class which one is their music teacher, which one will be a guest teacher, and which one doesn't live in Madison. I showed them my earring and so they now know a "secret" to telling us apart. Overall, hearing Liz's stories every day about the kids gave me a major advantage, along with looking like their normal teacher. They were fairly well behaved all day and I had a lot of fun. When I would sing they would look like magic just happened and that we have the same voice, which I find hilarious because I thought our voices were different and Liz is WAY better at matching pitch. But more so than in any other college experience or in EC schools, when I am alone and have good plans I am a good elementary teacher. I've found out how to keep kids interest and feel less inhibited with my singing voice, so I can let go a lot more and have a lot more fun. Now, in no way do I want to teach elementary music permanently. But I am finding that my experiences subbing for elem music in Madison will have a great influence on my future teaching in the middle and high schools. It serves as a strong reminder to keep general music concepts and curriculum in mind after they are doing all the "performance"-related things (playing instruments, singing, marching, etc.). There are times where I feel like elem music is a totally different from MS/HS, but in many ways it is all the same. If a band director approached their rehearsal in the way an elem teacher tends to (i.e. planning multiple activities, purposeful lessons on concepts, extensions, relating to culture and history) then they are actually doing their job. Elementary concepts are the building blocks and precursor to being able to assemble these performance-based ensembles and we should utilize what students already know. I don't remember what I learned in elem. school, but I'm pretty sure starting band was like starting from scratch. This is a quarter note, this is an A, this is a march....Middle school band directors should relate back to ta's and titi's to help students realize that they already know half of what they are learning, but are learning a different, more advanced approach and language. Whoa. Rant.
So today I spent the morning at East again. They have a Beginning Instrumental Music class for non-band kids to come in a learn an instrument. Just 7 kids and mostly looking for an easy A, but it's a cool opportunity. Tomorrow, Friday, and Monday I'm subbing at Huegel Elem. which is really close to our apt. (Billie went there!) for the music teacher because her son is playing in Carnegie Hall. She mailed plans to Liz's school and they look fine. I'm nervous about spending 3 days in one place, but subbing for MMSD pays so well that I can't complain about anything. My first paycheck should be around $625 from MMSD and $90 for Oregon (both OCt. 30th). From then on I should be earning about $1500-2000 a month, depending on how many days are spent in MMSD ($141 a day) vs. Verona/Oregon ($95 a day). I can't tell you how badly I am looking forward to getting those checks. I want to be debt free by the end of the year! Then I can focus on school loans.
McFarland called me about becoming a sub and it's sort of annoying because I left them multiple messages after applying 5 weeks ago. I'll just email them and tell them no. If I'm staying busy with music 5 days a week there is no point adding another district. I haven't even subbed in Verona yet, because every time they call I'm already at a MMSD school. Next week I'm subbing Monday at Huegel, and supposed to teach music at Emerson for a full day Tuesday. I'm hesitant and might cancel because people are now telling me that it's the school for homeless kids and it's off of E Johnson street so....either I'll go to add to my repertoire of experiences or for some good stories. I feel bad because it's one of the first jobs I accepted and so she's planned on me for 2 weeks. We'll see. THEN I'm subbing for Liz already again on Nov. 4th (Music in the morning, Kindergarten in the afternoon) and Nov. 6th and 16th (?) at Huegel again. Dr. Eckel at East said he had some dates in mind for me and with all the teachers I've subbed for and Kyle Peterson and the teachers Liz has given my information to, I have a list of people requesting me that is MUCH longer than it was in EC (oddly enough).
Still getting used to getting up early, even though I've mastered going to bed early. I'm SOOOO looking forward to homecoming. I hope I'm not disappointed. I promise I won't bother Becky to get crazy! :) I just feel like I have a lot to do before we leave Madison. Now that I'm at school all day and sharing stories with Liz all night, my to-do list has been a little neglected. Number one thing I need to do soon is apply for the longterm sub job in Middleton at one of the middle schools and the high school (.66). That would be sweeeeeeeeet. It's for January 25th through April 1st and I think I'd make about the same as subbing, but having a regular gig would be a relief.
So full. So, so very full. So much for losing weight. I watch Biggest Loser religiously (it's a great season, btw) but it hasn't done much motivating. I felt like I needed to focus on subbing and everything this week, but I desperately need to get better about working out and eating less. We'll go 3 days in a row and then not for 5-6 days, or even longer. ah! So frustrating. I've actually gained 1 lb. wtf? Oh well. As long as I'm leading a productive life, right? I'm hoping to find some more ways to be involved in Madison music. I should find time to contact Madison Alumnae chapter for SAI or the Boys and Girls Club drumline or email the sax professor to find out about any playing opportunities. I'd even play in a quartet of freshman sax majors, but at least get some performance/practice in. I miss playing, but I admit I'm not too upset about it. I've played once since the move and some people would have shriveled up a died by now, but I just know that I'll eventually find a way to make everything work and once I get a band job I'll have a practice room and time on my hands, not to mention all of the horn on face time I'll have teaching lessons and full band. Um..........I got nothing else. So, I'll write more post-homecoming festivities.
Tuesday was the day we've all been waiting for. I subbed for Liz and it was pretty funny. Even though the kids know we're "twins", they still question whether or not we're telling the truth about who we are. Like, if Liz wears her hair different or her glasses they accuse her of sending me to school, but the first day I actually was the one there, they thought it was her pulling their leg. The younger kids especially, have a hard time fathoming two identical adults so I had to pull out a picture of the 3 of us and show each class which one is their music teacher, which one will be a guest teacher, and which one doesn't live in Madison. I showed them my earring and so they now know a "secret" to telling us apart. Overall, hearing Liz's stories every day about the kids gave me a major advantage, along with looking like their normal teacher. They were fairly well behaved all day and I had a lot of fun. When I would sing they would look like magic just happened and that we have the same voice, which I find hilarious because I thought our voices were different and Liz is WAY better at matching pitch. But more so than in any other college experience or in EC schools, when I am alone and have good plans I am a good elementary teacher. I've found out how to keep kids interest and feel less inhibited with my singing voice, so I can let go a lot more and have a lot more fun. Now, in no way do I want to teach elementary music permanently. But I am finding that my experiences subbing for elem music in Madison will have a great influence on my future teaching in the middle and high schools. It serves as a strong reminder to keep general music concepts and curriculum in mind after they are doing all the "performance"-related things (playing instruments, singing, marching, etc.). There are times where I feel like elem music is a totally different from MS/HS, but in many ways it is all the same. If a band director approached their rehearsal in the way an elem teacher tends to (i.e. planning multiple activities, purposeful lessons on concepts, extensions, relating to culture and history) then they are actually doing their job. Elementary concepts are the building blocks and precursor to being able to assemble these performance-based ensembles and we should utilize what students already know. I don't remember what I learned in elem. school, but I'm pretty sure starting band was like starting from scratch. This is a quarter note, this is an A, this is a march....Middle school band directors should relate back to ta's and titi's to help students realize that they already know half of what they are learning, but are learning a different, more advanced approach and language. Whoa. Rant.
So today I spent the morning at East again. They have a Beginning Instrumental Music class for non-band kids to come in a learn an instrument. Just 7 kids and mostly looking for an easy A, but it's a cool opportunity. Tomorrow, Friday, and Monday I'm subbing at Huegel Elem. which is really close to our apt. (Billie went there!) for the music teacher because her son is playing in Carnegie Hall. She mailed plans to Liz's school and they look fine. I'm nervous about spending 3 days in one place, but subbing for MMSD pays so well that I can't complain about anything. My first paycheck should be around $625 from MMSD and $90 for Oregon (both OCt. 30th). From then on I should be earning about $1500-2000 a month, depending on how many days are spent in MMSD ($141 a day) vs. Verona/Oregon ($95 a day). I can't tell you how badly I am looking forward to getting those checks. I want to be debt free by the end of the year! Then I can focus on school loans.
McFarland called me about becoming a sub and it's sort of annoying because I left them multiple messages after applying 5 weeks ago. I'll just email them and tell them no. If I'm staying busy with music 5 days a week there is no point adding another district. I haven't even subbed in Verona yet, because every time they call I'm already at a MMSD school. Next week I'm subbing Monday at Huegel, and supposed to teach music at Emerson for a full day Tuesday. I'm hesitant and might cancel because people are now telling me that it's the school for homeless kids and it's off of E Johnson street so....either I'll go to add to my repertoire of experiences or for some good stories. I feel bad because it's one of the first jobs I accepted and so she's planned on me for 2 weeks. We'll see. THEN I'm subbing for Liz already again on Nov. 4th (Music in the morning, Kindergarten in the afternoon) and Nov. 6th and 16th (?) at Huegel again. Dr. Eckel at East said he had some dates in mind for me and with all the teachers I've subbed for and Kyle Peterson and the teachers Liz has given my information to, I have a list of people requesting me that is MUCH longer than it was in EC (oddly enough).
Still getting used to getting up early, even though I've mastered going to bed early. I'm SOOOO looking forward to homecoming. I hope I'm not disappointed. I promise I won't bother Becky to get crazy! :) I just feel like I have a lot to do before we leave Madison. Now that I'm at school all day and sharing stories with Liz all night, my to-do list has been a little neglected. Number one thing I need to do soon is apply for the longterm sub job in Middleton at one of the middle schools and the high school (.66). That would be sweeeeeeeeet. It's for January 25th through April 1st and I think I'd make about the same as subbing, but having a regular gig would be a relief.
So full. So, so very full. So much for losing weight. I watch Biggest Loser religiously (it's a great season, btw) but it hasn't done much motivating. I felt like I needed to focus on subbing and everything this week, but I desperately need to get better about working out and eating less. We'll go 3 days in a row and then not for 5-6 days, or even longer. ah! So frustrating. I've actually gained 1 lb. wtf? Oh well. As long as I'm leading a productive life, right? I'm hoping to find some more ways to be involved in Madison music. I should find time to contact Madison Alumnae chapter for SAI or the Boys and Girls Club drumline or email the sax professor to find out about any playing opportunities. I'd even play in a quartet of freshman sax majors, but at least get some performance/practice in. I miss playing, but I admit I'm not too upset about it. I've played once since the move and some people would have shriveled up a died by now, but I just know that I'll eventually find a way to make everything work and once I get a band job I'll have a practice room and time on my hands, not to mention all of the horn on face time I'll have teaching lessons and full band. Um..........I got nothing else. So, I'll write more post-homecoming festivities.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sorry for the delay!
Soooo it's been what? 3 weeks? That's pretty sad. Like I've said before...I used to be at writing in these things. A lot has happened but still most of same news. I had thought that I'd be subbing by now and that with the physical things would move quicker. It still took forever! Well, with all the interviews, paperwork, TB tests, physical, and orientation all coming to an end...I accepted my first job. I'm subbing for this Elizabeth Soules character. This totally white teacher from Falk Elementary who submerges herself daily in the Madtown ghetto. Then I also already had a request for the 20th for another elem. music teacher who Liz and I don't know. Kinda weird.
Working out is so exhausting. It's hard to keep a regular schedule, but mostly hard to be patient. I want to drop weight fast enough to stay motivated! We've done pretty well exercising over the week, but then every weekend something is going on.
Last weekend was extended for me. I drove up to Chippewa Falls on Wednesday and subbed for the afternoon for Tim and Christine. Whenever I'm at that school the kids make me feel so welcome. I know mostly they know Becky and any young sub with a familiar face and history with the program is going to be better than some crotchity old lady. It makes my desire to teach there even stronger and I can't afford to think about it for months. I believe the plan is to apply there after Feb. 15th and so until then I need to just do my thing. Sub, lose weight, make money, get things in order!
After subbing I drove to Menomonie and spent the night with the fam. It is so much nicer to go home alone. When we all 3 go home together it's as though they can't afford to listen to all of us, so they pretty much ignore us. I hate it when I go home and feel like nobody notices that it's unusual. For years now I have been acutely aware of that fact that I don't live there anymore and it makes visits more important so when you feel invisible it totally sucks. BUT this time was great. Dan and Christa (plus Morgan!) stayed for dinner and I thought that was lucky, but Morgan ended up being there the whole next day. I stayed until 3pm or so Thursday because I couldn't get a sub job again in Chippewa. Spending a whole day with mom and Morgan is a wonderful sort of therapy. Morgan is smiling SO much now. Last I saw her you had to work so hard! So between getting to absorb some baby magic, I got LOTS of time to have meaningless and meaningful conversation. Then I went to EC and spent a few hours at Collin's and showered before heading to SAI pledging ceremony.
That was cool. I didn't know any of the girls, but 4 is a good Fall number. Only Rachel and Abby knew I was coming, and that goes for Becky, too! It took everything for me to not tell her I was coming, especially when I was in Menomonie/Chippewa the last two days. Her face was pretty funny and then Angela started crying and jumped up on me. Perkins was delicious and it's great to spend time with the girls. Joynt briefly afterward and then a group of us partied at Becky's until 3am. Friday I sort of bummed around EC a little bit-watched some Jazz I rehearsal, went to the old Dollar Tree, went to the bank, etc. Then Becky, Rick, and I had a quick silly hangout session before they got on the BMB bus to Chicago. I drove around looking for Memorial's homecoming parade and was confused until I got home and saw on the school website that it was cancelled. It was barely even raining! Sooo, then Collin and I split a pitcher at the Joynt, popped come Big Red, and went to the HS football game.
It was SO great to see everyone. I love Memorial and the kids and I feel like...ecstacy. I miss teaching, I love seeing how much some of them have grown up, who's dating who, the kids coming back from college, the marching show, etc. But I feel like I'm in desperate need of a job so that I can not have to feel like such a loser for being obsessed with the one group of kids I've worked with for an extended period of time. I just feel so attached to them. I love them. And I think that should be something that I'm proud of and see it as a good thing. But it comes off more pathetic and I just really need to have a constant stream of students in front of me so I don't have to start missing them so damn much!! I think it's also that my life is moving so slow right now and Eric and everyone in school seems to be flying by at such a quick (and much more exciting) pace.
Friday night after the game BJ, Collin, and I went out for Collin's birthday and whoa, we got DRUNK. BJ kept buying shots, Collin kept buying pitchers. I literally spent $3. We went to the House of Rock to see the Walk/Klenz Sextet and that was a blast. Danced a lot with Callie and her mother in law-haha. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Power could tell I was getting pretty tipsy. Collin ended up passing out in my car after delusions at the GI so BJ and I could keep going until Bar close. Then BJ says, "Hey. Weren't you guys like...drink for drink?" Yes. Yes we were. And I ended up staying up until 5am playing Sega with Brandon Covelli. I am amazed at my post graduation abilities sometimes. Although, it is likely directly linked to how fast I am going gray this year.
SO, now I NEED to start subbing. I've had way to much time on my hands. The guilt of the debt is really starting to weigh on me and I'm feeling very unsettled and anxious about getting more behind before I'm able to pull it all back together. I feel like I'm trying hard one minute and feel like the laziest sonofa betch other times.
Well, none of this was funny so again I wonder why I write. I thank Becky for writing. Her crap has been really funny. It's embarrassing that I don't write more considering the excess time I have had for a month. We're going to eat with Kyle Peterson and his girlfriend tomorrow. I can't wait to get a social life down here! Between working and knowing people here I won't be so tempted to haul up to EC to get my social fix. That's been the biggest adjustment to being here. In EC I had a very irregular schedule in that I'd run into people one day, different people the next, big party here, sai social there, lunch with so-and-so, and rehearsals, etc. Even while student teaching and subbing we had girls nights and pub crawls and concerts. We've had visitors every weekend we've been here, but I think it's the impromtu, semi-regular flow of social interactions that I am used to. Liz and I have fun-don't get me wrong. But a lot of it involves sega, Drop Dead Diva, Biggest Loser, and Intervention. In general, TV. Adoption Diaries, Family Guy, 2 and a Half Men, So You Think You Can Dance, etc. I need to be running around a school all day, work out and then watch TV when I deserve it! Bah....15-20lbs need to disappear before Pat's wedding. I've been talking to Erin's bridesmaid Whitney a lot about the bachelorette party. My main concern is letting loose and meeting back up with Pat and his bachelor party. I have never seen my brother drunk and it can't happen soon enough. Can't wait. Gonna be great.
Well. It's 1am. I went to bed at 11pm but had to get up and eat because I was hungry enough that I couldn't sleep. I had only eaten 1275 calories today....HAD eaten... :) I should be able to go to sleep now. So, I'll try to write again within a day or two. In the meantime, MORE FROM BECKY?!
Working out is so exhausting. It's hard to keep a regular schedule, but mostly hard to be patient. I want to drop weight fast enough to stay motivated! We've done pretty well exercising over the week, but then every weekend something is going on.
Last weekend was extended for me. I drove up to Chippewa Falls on Wednesday and subbed for the afternoon for Tim and Christine. Whenever I'm at that school the kids make me feel so welcome. I know mostly they know Becky and any young sub with a familiar face and history with the program is going to be better than some crotchity old lady. It makes my desire to teach there even stronger and I can't afford to think about it for months. I believe the plan is to apply there after Feb. 15th and so until then I need to just do my thing. Sub, lose weight, make money, get things in order!
After subbing I drove to Menomonie and spent the night with the fam. It is so much nicer to go home alone. When we all 3 go home together it's as though they can't afford to listen to all of us, so they pretty much ignore us. I hate it when I go home and feel like nobody notices that it's unusual. For years now I have been acutely aware of that fact that I don't live there anymore and it makes visits more important so when you feel invisible it totally sucks. BUT this time was great. Dan and Christa (plus Morgan!) stayed for dinner and I thought that was lucky, but Morgan ended up being there the whole next day. I stayed until 3pm or so Thursday because I couldn't get a sub job again in Chippewa. Spending a whole day with mom and Morgan is a wonderful sort of therapy. Morgan is smiling SO much now. Last I saw her you had to work so hard! So between getting to absorb some baby magic, I got LOTS of time to have meaningless and meaningful conversation. Then I went to EC and spent a few hours at Collin's and showered before heading to SAI pledging ceremony.
That was cool. I didn't know any of the girls, but 4 is a good Fall number. Only Rachel and Abby knew I was coming, and that goes for Becky, too! It took everything for me to not tell her I was coming, especially when I was in Menomonie/Chippewa the last two days. Her face was pretty funny and then Angela started crying and jumped up on me. Perkins was delicious and it's great to spend time with the girls. Joynt briefly afterward and then a group of us partied at Becky's until 3am. Friday I sort of bummed around EC a little bit-watched some Jazz I rehearsal, went to the old Dollar Tree, went to the bank, etc. Then Becky, Rick, and I had a quick silly hangout session before they got on the BMB bus to Chicago. I drove around looking for Memorial's homecoming parade and was confused until I got home and saw on the school website that it was cancelled. It was barely even raining! Sooo, then Collin and I split a pitcher at the Joynt, popped come Big Red, and went to the HS football game.
It was SO great to see everyone. I love Memorial and the kids and I feel like...ecstacy. I miss teaching, I love seeing how much some of them have grown up, who's dating who, the kids coming back from college, the marching show, etc. But I feel like I'm in desperate need of a job so that I can not have to feel like such a loser for being obsessed with the one group of kids I've worked with for an extended period of time. I just feel so attached to them. I love them. And I think that should be something that I'm proud of and see it as a good thing. But it comes off more pathetic and I just really need to have a constant stream of students in front of me so I don't have to start missing them so damn much!! I think it's also that my life is moving so slow right now and Eric and everyone in school seems to be flying by at such a quick (and much more exciting) pace.
Friday night after the game BJ, Collin, and I went out for Collin's birthday and whoa, we got DRUNK. BJ kept buying shots, Collin kept buying pitchers. I literally spent $3. We went to the House of Rock to see the Walk/Klenz Sextet and that was a blast. Danced a lot with Callie and her mother in law-haha. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Power could tell I was getting pretty tipsy. Collin ended up passing out in my car after delusions at the GI so BJ and I could keep going until Bar close. Then BJ says, "Hey. Weren't you guys like...drink for drink?" Yes. Yes we were. And I ended up staying up until 5am playing Sega with Brandon Covelli. I am amazed at my post graduation abilities sometimes. Although, it is likely directly linked to how fast I am going gray this year.
SO, now I NEED to start subbing. I've had way to much time on my hands. The guilt of the debt is really starting to weigh on me and I'm feeling very unsettled and anxious about getting more behind before I'm able to pull it all back together. I feel like I'm trying hard one minute and feel like the laziest sonofa betch other times.
Well, none of this was funny so again I wonder why I write. I thank Becky for writing. Her crap has been really funny. It's embarrassing that I don't write more considering the excess time I have had for a month. We're going to eat with Kyle Peterson and his girlfriend tomorrow. I can't wait to get a social life down here! Between working and knowing people here I won't be so tempted to haul up to EC to get my social fix. That's been the biggest adjustment to being here. In EC I had a very irregular schedule in that I'd run into people one day, different people the next, big party here, sai social there, lunch with so-and-so, and rehearsals, etc. Even while student teaching and subbing we had girls nights and pub crawls and concerts. We've had visitors every weekend we've been here, but I think it's the impromtu, semi-regular flow of social interactions that I am used to. Liz and I have fun-don't get me wrong. But a lot of it involves sega, Drop Dead Diva, Biggest Loser, and Intervention. In general, TV. Adoption Diaries, Family Guy, 2 and a Half Men, So You Think You Can Dance, etc. I need to be running around a school all day, work out and then watch TV when I deserve it! Bah....15-20lbs need to disappear before Pat's wedding. I've been talking to Erin's bridesmaid Whitney a lot about the bachelorette party. My main concern is letting loose and meeting back up with Pat and his bachelor party. I have never seen my brother drunk and it can't happen soon enough. Can't wait. Gonna be great.
Well. It's 1am. I went to bed at 11pm but had to get up and eat because I was hungry enough that I couldn't sleep. I had only eaten 1275 calories today....HAD eaten... :) I should be able to go to sleep now. So, I'll try to write again within a day or two. In the meantime, MORE FROM BECKY?!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Starting to pick up...
Everything is starting to feel like it's coming together. I had my interview in Verona today for subbing and after they call references and enter me in the system I should be able to start. Plus, I have to get a TB test and physical, which they pay for. Hopefully when I do that I can get a new prescription for BC pills and spiro and start to feel better. Liz and I got passes to anytime fitness and it should be very worth it. Biggest Loser started tonight and that is very motivating. I want to lose 7-8 lbs by homecoming and 20 lbs by Pat's wedding which is Dec. 12th. I want to work out 5 times a week or so and cut my calories to under 2000. Calculators online and such say that someone my age, weight, height, etc. should eat 2250 calories a day so if I can cut 500 or more a day and work out another 500 or so at the gym I can hopefully lose an average of 1-2 lbs a week, which would lead to my goals. We also got unlimited tanning for $4 and that is cheaper than one time at most places so I'm excited that I can tan 2-3 times a month and not break the bank and I can even out my old drum corps tanlines (yes I still have 'em!) and look good at the wedding. It's especially important to me because if I lose the weight, then I will be 30 lbs less than at Dan's wedding and won't have a major sports bra tanline. It was embarrassing because our whole family was there and it's a major event with lots of pictures. I want to feel proud of who I am and feel as pretty as I can, for me and my family.
I'm kind of irritated because Oregon called and said they were having trouble getting ahold of Dickerson and I know that his Fall schedule only consists of marching band, U-Band, and observing student teachers. BMB is a lot of work, but he should have plenty of time to return a phone call. I have done a lot of hard work, including for the BMB, and I deserve his recommendation in a more timely manner. I feel upset that my success isn't important enough to him to do that for me. What if it were for a permanent job? Eric called back right away and I'm thankful for that. If she got the references checked then the only thing I have to do is get entered in the system and START SUBBING. I need to start making money. These schools only pay twice a month so if I sub now until the end of the month, it still only gets on the mid-month check so I won't get paid until mid-Oct. My Memorial check is late too, especially considering it's from work in mid-august. I emailed the lady my frustrations and she's trying to push it to Friday's payroll. Thank god. Gotta get Becky paid off so I can just concentrate on the rest of my expenses.
Things I need to pay:
Becky: After the Memorial check comes I will hopefully only owe her $100-150.
Liz: 2 months rent by the time I can pay her, 2 months gym pass, cable, and some smaller loans=probably about $1000.
Car: my brakes are leaking fluid and the dilemna is whether to fix it or to throw it on craigslist now and get a new car. A new car would probably be around $3000 or $150-200 a month.
Credit card: I owe just under $700 on that.
Saxophone: I am only paying the $27 minimum right now, but the interest is insane. Total due is over $3,700.
School Loans: Right now, I don't have to pay these, but I think around January I will have to start paying $190 a month!
Then the current expenses come in, let alone the things I really would like to have (new tennis shoes, I-Pod, a new computer, some new clothes).
If I sub every day of the week, my monthly income will be close to $2000 a month before taxes and so you can see how I'm eager to start getting out there. I could pay $375 (rent), $55 phone, $100 (cable, energy) and another $150 on gas/food. Total=$680. I can really make a dent on those debts if I am really good about spending as little as possible. With working out, I'll be less likely to blow money and effort on fast food, which is my biggest area of wasting money.
You probably don't care to see my breakdown of expenses, but it does help me to write it all out. This is what the adult world is like! If I can set aside $500 a month for paying back loans and the credit card then I should be feeling a lot better by the end of the year. Interest is a terrible thing. They really take advantage of people who need money! This past year has really proven that you never know where you'll end up in a year so I need to pay things off and starting saving for emergencies as much as possible. Last year I would have told you I would have a salaried job by now. I won't even be so bold as to predict that for next year, because now I know better. I will, however, continue to keep that as my main goal and push for as much as I can get. I cannot wait to get huge checks (in comparison to now) for doing something that I love to do. Having a regular schedule for the first time in years could be really good for my stress levels, weight problems, money problems, etc. I can just worry about growing as an educator and musician, and spending time with those who matter to me.
A boyfriend would be nice, too. It's not something that I ever really let get me down, though I throw out the occasional "woes-me" comment-I really am happy either way. I just imagine the happiness that can be ADDED if I have another person to share everything with, especially if it's the way I can share with my sisters. I find myself looking around more since graduation, maybe it's my body's way of knowing that time is limited. I check out everyone it seems! The guy who runs anytime fitness (never would happen), the guy mowing his lawn, the guy in the checkout, the teachers in the area, people I already know, etc. It's sort of funny. It's been so long and sometimes when you are single for a long-time you wonder if it's the way you imagine it or if you've started to build a whole new (unrealistic) concept of the way kissing feels or snuggling up next to someone. It's like...I forgot what touch feels like. It becomes really so hard to remember that you hope when you do that you aren't disappointed. Like..."that's it?". You know? Like, rubbing someone's back always seems good in your daydream, but the rare chances I've had just seem forced and awkward. Touch is touch, someone rubbing their hand on your shoulder doesn't feel much different than if you did it to yourself....I can't imagine holding someone's hand with thinking "we're holding hands". So I am rarely down about my single status, but I hold a great deal of wonder about how it will actually feel because I've never really had anything to compare real life to, besides my imagination (which could be way off!). When I watch chick flicks, Pretty Woman for example, my stomach gets all knotted. I have to wonder if a real life connection can actually do that or just experiencing an imaginary story gives off that sort of tension. So.....yep. We'll see I guess? I just want someone who I look up to and admire and does the same to me. It'll come.
I think, since my blood is pumping after that workout, that I might stay up for a while and try to get a website going for myself. I want to promote myself as a licensed music educator, but also as a freelance musician, though my expectations for gigging are not high. I think it will do my image and sense of self a lot of good to create a nice site that shares more about who I am, what I've accomplished, what I can do, and what I want to do. So...that's my project for the next few days. I'm new at this, but I can work around technology fairly well so I'm hoping that it's something I can be proud of and start to share it. I want to create business cards and write letters/emails to all of the area music teachers and be able to list a site where they can explore if they so please. SO, with that, have a great night and I hope you enjoying the Season 8 premiere of The Biggest Loser-"Second Chances".
I'm kind of irritated because Oregon called and said they were having trouble getting ahold of Dickerson and I know that his Fall schedule only consists of marching band, U-Band, and observing student teachers. BMB is a lot of work, but he should have plenty of time to return a phone call. I have done a lot of hard work, including for the BMB, and I deserve his recommendation in a more timely manner. I feel upset that my success isn't important enough to him to do that for me. What if it were for a permanent job? Eric called back right away and I'm thankful for that. If she got the references checked then the only thing I have to do is get entered in the system and START SUBBING. I need to start making money. These schools only pay twice a month so if I sub now until the end of the month, it still only gets on the mid-month check so I won't get paid until mid-Oct. My Memorial check is late too, especially considering it's from work in mid-august. I emailed the lady my frustrations and she's trying to push it to Friday's payroll. Thank god. Gotta get Becky paid off so I can just concentrate on the rest of my expenses.
Things I need to pay:
Becky: After the Memorial check comes I will hopefully only owe her $100-150.
Liz: 2 months rent by the time I can pay her, 2 months gym pass, cable, and some smaller loans=probably about $1000.
Car: my brakes are leaking fluid and the dilemna is whether to fix it or to throw it on craigslist now and get a new car. A new car would probably be around $3000 or $150-200 a month.
Credit card: I owe just under $700 on that.
Saxophone: I am only paying the $27 minimum right now, but the interest is insane. Total due is over $3,700.
School Loans: Right now, I don't have to pay these, but I think around January I will have to start paying $190 a month!
Then the current expenses come in, let alone the things I really would like to have (new tennis shoes, I-Pod, a new computer, some new clothes).
If I sub every day of the week, my monthly income will be close to $2000 a month before taxes and so you can see how I'm eager to start getting out there. I could pay $375 (rent), $55 phone, $100 (cable, energy) and another $150 on gas/food. Total=$680. I can really make a dent on those debts if I am really good about spending as little as possible. With working out, I'll be less likely to blow money and effort on fast food, which is my biggest area of wasting money.
You probably don't care to see my breakdown of expenses, but it does help me to write it all out. This is what the adult world is like! If I can set aside $500 a month for paying back loans and the credit card then I should be feeling a lot better by the end of the year. Interest is a terrible thing. They really take advantage of people who need money! This past year has really proven that you never know where you'll end up in a year so I need to pay things off and starting saving for emergencies as much as possible. Last year I would have told you I would have a salaried job by now. I won't even be so bold as to predict that for next year, because now I know better. I will, however, continue to keep that as my main goal and push for as much as I can get. I cannot wait to get huge checks (in comparison to now) for doing something that I love to do. Having a regular schedule for the first time in years could be really good for my stress levels, weight problems, money problems, etc. I can just worry about growing as an educator and musician, and spending time with those who matter to me.
A boyfriend would be nice, too. It's not something that I ever really let get me down, though I throw out the occasional "woes-me" comment-I really am happy either way. I just imagine the happiness that can be ADDED if I have another person to share everything with, especially if it's the way I can share with my sisters. I find myself looking around more since graduation, maybe it's my body's way of knowing that time is limited. I check out everyone it seems! The guy who runs anytime fitness (never would happen), the guy mowing his lawn, the guy in the checkout, the teachers in the area, people I already know, etc. It's sort of funny. It's been so long and sometimes when you are single for a long-time you wonder if it's the way you imagine it or if you've started to build a whole new (unrealistic) concept of the way kissing feels or snuggling up next to someone. It's like...I forgot what touch feels like. It becomes really so hard to remember that you hope when you do that you aren't disappointed. Like..."that's it?". You know? Like, rubbing someone's back always seems good in your daydream, but the rare chances I've had just seem forced and awkward. Touch is touch, someone rubbing their hand on your shoulder doesn't feel much different than if you did it to yourself....I can't imagine holding someone's hand with thinking "we're holding hands". So I am rarely down about my single status, but I hold a great deal of wonder about how it will actually feel because I've never really had anything to compare real life to, besides my imagination (which could be way off!). When I watch chick flicks, Pretty Woman for example, my stomach gets all knotted. I have to wonder if a real life connection can actually do that or just experiencing an imaginary story gives off that sort of tension. So.....yep. We'll see I guess? I just want someone who I look up to and admire and does the same to me. It'll come.
I think, since my blood is pumping after that workout, that I might stay up for a while and try to get a website going for myself. I want to promote myself as a licensed music educator, but also as a freelance musician, though my expectations for gigging are not high. I think it will do my image and sense of self a lot of good to create a nice site that shares more about who I am, what I've accomplished, what I can do, and what I want to do. So...that's my project for the next few days. I'm new at this, but I can work around technology fairly well so I'm hoping that it's something I can be proud of and start to share it. I want to create business cards and write letters/emails to all of the area music teachers and be able to list a site where they can explore if they so please. SO, with that, have a great night and I hope you enjoying the Season 8 premiere of The Biggest Loser-"Second Chances".
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I deserve a medal.
Liz is passed out in my bed and Lauren just barfed spaghetti on my carpet. Still smilin'!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Still not gettin' comments on here really...hmmm...
Well folks today proved to be a very interesting day. I woke up at 8am to a call from Verona SD offering me an interview to sub for the district. I definitely accepted considering their website says they are already full for subs and it is the school district that I live in. So that is next Tuesday at 9:30 am. Great. With my interview in Oregon complete, which went well in case I forgot to mention, that means I essentially have at least two districts to sub in (similar to last Spring). Madison Metropolitan SD said they started processing references and such this week and would bump me up the list so that is a big possibility for a third with a ton of schools, which is great news considering I quit DT. (I never showed tonight and they only called once 45 minutes after I was supposed to be there-probably means they have a high turnover rate-wonder why?). So everything seems good.
I applied to be a nights and weekends FULL-TIME retail sales associate at Ward Brodt as well. We'll wait to hear what they say, but I am otherwise planning on stopping in there next week to talk to someone face to face.
Around 3pm I get an email from Doc that goes as such:
Theresa....
I only just now found this out, and I realize that you probably already know, BUT I couldn’t take a chance that you didn’t. Chippewa Falls High School is taking applications for Andrei’s old job. If you haven’t thrown your hat in the ring, I’d suggest that you do so....
Later... Doc
P.S. Also sent this to your uwec address and copied it to Liz – when I got your out of office message, I just re-sent the whole thing here. Just wanted to be super sure that you got it.
Ok. What? That can't be right? So as I'm processing that in my head frantically, Liz popped her head in my bedroom door and says, "I'm hooooome". I screamed so loud! ha. Scared the shit out of me. So I showed her and she dials Doc right away and he said that Dave M. doesn't want to stay the whole year and that at some later point they will need a long term sub. It's hard because I want to make sure this is true and don't want to spread rumors or get my hopes up, but it's major news. Why? Because now I live in Madison. I pay rent (well, Liz does and I pay her back sometime). I moved everything down here. I have potential jobs lined up. I don't know if or when this will happen but it's a lot to think about. So I'd rather just wait and see. Why worry about something that won't be happening for months, if even at all?
As Liz wraps up her conversation with Doc my phone rings...It's Madison Met. SD offering me an interview for either of the (still open!) elementary music positions (.9 and .2). I didn't even apply! I was sort of stuttering with the lady trying to explain my situation. I want income, but I'm not very well equipped to teach elem. and Liz would essentially write my lessons every night for me. I might an opportunity down the road to finish the year out in Chippewa, which is my dream job that I thought wasn't even going to be open until the Fall. So I set up the interview and agreed to think about it over the weekend and let her know Monday (before my interview at 3pm). I called a few friends right away. Kristin interviewed for these positions already and never heard back, which is strange. And then I thought to call Matt Tiller, but figured he was settled in Osseo or EC or something. He was really interested and Liz and I both agree he would be a much better fit and we would urge Madison to hire him. If he calls them Monday morning, he might have an interview by the afternoon. He talked to Claire and they're going to go for it-so wish him major luck!!
I don't know if they would hire me anyways, but it would be extremely difficult for me to teach elementary music, pretty much full-time, as a beginning teacher AND in an extremely diverse and large school. I don't think I'd be very happy doing that. If I can sub a lot and save up money, then if I need to move or something in the Spring I can. Looks like a tough semester/year either way.
Then I watched Bryce B.'s video he shared on facebook and almost threw-up laughing (I posted it in my profile too) and then Liz and I drove around Madison looking for comfort food. We ended up at Chili's and weren't too satisfied. Expensive long islands and spicy food and I had a migraine so our plans of getting giddy and drunk at home were foiled by our food coma and indigestion. We watched "The Girl Who Cries Blood" a terrible documentay On Demand about a girl with a blood disorder. Final diagnosis-The mom is probably putting blood on the girl's face making it look like she's crying blood. WTF?
So, crazy day. Tomorrow Fat Z is coming and we're having texas toast with a side of SAILOR. Should be great. Post some comments so I'm more motivated to blog again.
I applied to be a nights and weekends FULL-TIME retail sales associate at Ward Brodt as well. We'll wait to hear what they say, but I am otherwise planning on stopping in there next week to talk to someone face to face.
Around 3pm I get an email from Doc that goes as such:
Theresa....
I only just now found this out, and I realize that you probably already know, BUT I couldn’t take a chance that you didn’t. Chippewa Falls High School is taking applications for Andrei’s old job. If you haven’t thrown your hat in the ring, I’d suggest that you do so....
Later... Doc
P.S. Also sent this to your uwec address and copied it to Liz – when I got your out of office message, I just re-sent the whole thing here. Just wanted to be super sure that you got it.
Ok. What? That can't be right? So as I'm processing that in my head frantically, Liz popped her head in my bedroom door and says, "I'm hooooome". I screamed so loud! ha. Scared the shit out of me. So I showed her and she dials Doc right away and he said that Dave M. doesn't want to stay the whole year and that at some later point they will need a long term sub. It's hard because I want to make sure this is true and don't want to spread rumors or get my hopes up, but it's major news. Why? Because now I live in Madison. I pay rent (well, Liz does and I pay her back sometime). I moved everything down here. I have potential jobs lined up. I don't know if or when this will happen but it's a lot to think about. So I'd rather just wait and see. Why worry about something that won't be happening for months, if even at all?
As Liz wraps up her conversation with Doc my phone rings...It's Madison Met. SD offering me an interview for either of the (still open!) elementary music positions (.9 and .2). I didn't even apply! I was sort of stuttering with the lady trying to explain my situation. I want income, but I'm not very well equipped to teach elem. and Liz would essentially write my lessons every night for me. I might an opportunity down the road to finish the year out in Chippewa, which is my dream job that I thought wasn't even going to be open until the Fall. So I set up the interview and agreed to think about it over the weekend and let her know Monday (before my interview at 3pm). I called a few friends right away. Kristin interviewed for these positions already and never heard back, which is strange. And then I thought to call Matt Tiller, but figured he was settled in Osseo or EC or something. He was really interested and Liz and I both agree he would be a much better fit and we would urge Madison to hire him. If he calls them Monday morning, he might have an interview by the afternoon. He talked to Claire and they're going to go for it-so wish him major luck!!
I don't know if they would hire me anyways, but it would be extremely difficult for me to teach elementary music, pretty much full-time, as a beginning teacher AND in an extremely diverse and large school. I don't think I'd be very happy doing that. If I can sub a lot and save up money, then if I need to move or something in the Spring I can. Looks like a tough semester/year either way.
Then I watched Bryce B.'s video he shared on facebook and almost threw-up laughing (I posted it in my profile too) and then Liz and I drove around Madison looking for comfort food. We ended up at Chili's and weren't too satisfied. Expensive long islands and spicy food and I had a migraine so our plans of getting giddy and drunk at home were foiled by our food coma and indigestion. We watched "The Girl Who Cries Blood" a terrible documentay On Demand about a girl with a blood disorder. Final diagnosis-The mom is probably putting blood on the girl's face making it look like she's crying blood. WTF?
So, crazy day. Tomorrow Fat Z is coming and we're having texas toast with a side of SAILOR. Should be great. Post some comments so I'm more motivated to blog again.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Madison Dollar Tree=NO THANKS
So things have been very different since I got down to Madison. I've always had a sort of romantic relationship with Madison and am glad to be here. Living somewhere more permanently is, however, less exciting. We didn't have internet for a week so instead of hash through what Liz already wrote in her blog, I'd like to mostly fast forward to more recent events.
Excuse me, but holy shit do I hate the Madison (Whitney Way) Dollar Tree. Before moving I had talked to the manager and thought he sounded a little drab, but whatever, I figured SOME of the other employees have to be more upbeat in personality. No. Then my EC manager suggested that I visit the store first because she's weary of the Madison stores having lived here previously. Liz and I went when moving into our apartment that first weekend. It seemed normal enough. Odana Road, next to Laredo's, in a nice strip mall...The size and content of the store was very similar to EC and I figured all would be fine, especially if seen as merely a transitional job. My manager and I talked a couple more times before my first shift and again, very drab. Boring, skeptical, fatigued, and it seemed like they needed me but were afraid to say it. So whatever. Tuesday night I go in and this high school mexican chick is just staring at me. ok:
"Hi. I'm Theresa and I'm here to work....Transferred from another store. Nice to meet you"
"Talk to the manager"
"Ok....where?"
Yer comes around the corner. "Follow me. You can put your purse here and you'll be on register 5". We proceed to sign and in it's awkward. Fred, who never introduces himself (though I did in a friendly way to him) grumbles about my log-in number thing not working for 10 minutes before we realize that someone else has the same 5 digits of their SSN as me. We figure it out and I get sign-ed on. Cashier for 2 hours, not a word from anyone. Then, "You can go on break". Ok, great well there's a huge f-ing line. After helping another 10 people I (politely) ask 2 elderly women to go to another register. They're fine with it. Big Ole Black Lady walks over as soon as they leave and slams two 4 packs of Shasta on the counter and I ask her to go to register 1 please so I can shut mine down (The light is already off). "Where your closed sign?!" "I don't know. It's my first day and I have already helped too many people after I was told to shut down. I'm sorry, but she can help you on 1." "No." ok, so ring her up and politely ask if she wants a bag, acting as though she hadn't just been extremely rude. "yeah, but don't bother!!" She grabs her own bag from behind the register and slams her shit and takes off. WTF?? The rest of my night was equally bad, we got out late and NOBODY talked to me. Then I find out the bank that I have to follow the closing manager to is fricken halfway to Middleton. I got done and needed a damn orange cream shake from McDonalds.
TONIGHT I did NOT want to go, but I was trying to be optimistic. "It'll only be for a month or so until I start subbing"... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH NNOOO THEY DIDN'T! It was ten times worse. The manager was STILL old, boring, and cold and won't even look me in the eye. No feedback, no chatter, no help, no condolences. Drunk as hell lady loses her keys and wants us to drop everything and look for them. SHE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING. IF YOU CAN'T TALK-YOU CAN'T DRIVE!! She swearing her head off and finally we find them aftering doing PA announcements and crap. By the time I had my break I wanted to walk out, but the manager is so frickin' creepy I thought he might come after me. I decided to finish out the night. I didn't know that the store outside of my front area looked like hell, and someone else was a no show tonight and that I would stay an extra hour and a half AFTER close. We didn't even do everything we're supposed to do because then I would have legally had to take a break. This was me working with the GENERAL MANAGER, busting my ass, and he just kept grunting and NEVER thanked me or gave me any feedback. It's not just the lack of feedback. It's the lack of instructions at all. Don't they know that stores do things differently and someone needs to tell me what I should be doing, at least in a general timeline sense? ARGH. Tomorrow I am NOT going. Wow, that was a long rant for only 2 days on the job.
I know I need money. I am determined to make a lot of it. I would rather scrape the grill at McDonald's than ever set foot in that hell-hole again.
One thing that Liz and I are looking forward to, being in Madison, is leaning about and experiencing diversity. Sometimes it's hard not to generalize or stereotype. Stereotypes exist because of patterns in reality. There have been a lot of pleasant interactions since moving here, with people of all backgrounds. Some of the customers were surprisingly welcoming for example. Some...paid for $23.00 worth of shit in dimes, nickels, and pennies and yelled at their kids to shut up the entire time. Some...yell across a quiet store because they think they own the place because they have an EBT card. Some...smell like they only bathed in their own urine for the past year and steal shopping carts at 7:30am to cart around their garbage bags and recycling.
Believe me. I care passionately about being a good person and doing right to all of humankind. But right now...I wanna bust a cap in someone's ass. I want to smack some of these parents. At the same time I want to hug some of these kids. I want to have a beer with some of these old Bill Cosby types and I want to make a difference somehow. So right now, I guess Madison has not been very much like I thought it would be. That's not negative. And it's not extremely different either...but it's perplexing at times.
ALSO, between Verona Rd. and our apt. must be the thicket from Bambi because I have seen a racoon, rabbit, a cat, many squirrels, and a FRICKIN' SKUNK. Damn thing was wierd. Very black, with 2 very clean, white stripes, checking out our patio area. Better be careful.
Well, that's likely plently of reading material for now. Tomorrow is major job hunt time and hopefully I'll hear back from some of the schools I want to sub for. Fat Z and Yakob are coming to visit Saturday night I believe and I can't wait! Cable=more frequent posting hopefully. Catch you on the flip-side folks. Send me some sega.
Excuse me, but holy shit do I hate the Madison (Whitney Way) Dollar Tree. Before moving I had talked to the manager and thought he sounded a little drab, but whatever, I figured SOME of the other employees have to be more upbeat in personality. No. Then my EC manager suggested that I visit the store first because she's weary of the Madison stores having lived here previously. Liz and I went when moving into our apartment that first weekend. It seemed normal enough. Odana Road, next to Laredo's, in a nice strip mall...The size and content of the store was very similar to EC and I figured all would be fine, especially if seen as merely a transitional job. My manager and I talked a couple more times before my first shift and again, very drab. Boring, skeptical, fatigued, and it seemed like they needed me but were afraid to say it. So whatever. Tuesday night I go in and this high school mexican chick is just staring at me. ok:
"Hi. I'm Theresa and I'm here to work....Transferred from another store. Nice to meet you"
"Talk to the manager"
"Ok....where?"
Yer comes around the corner. "Follow me. You can put your purse here and you'll be on register 5". We proceed to sign and in it's awkward. Fred, who never introduces himself (though I did in a friendly way to him) grumbles about my log-in number thing not working for 10 minutes before we realize that someone else has the same 5 digits of their SSN as me. We figure it out and I get sign-ed on. Cashier for 2 hours, not a word from anyone. Then, "You can go on break". Ok, great well there's a huge f-ing line. After helping another 10 people I (politely) ask 2 elderly women to go to another register. They're fine with it. Big Ole Black Lady walks over as soon as they leave and slams two 4 packs of Shasta on the counter and I ask her to go to register 1 please so I can shut mine down (The light is already off). "Where your closed sign?!" "I don't know. It's my first day and I have already helped too many people after I was told to shut down. I'm sorry, but she can help you on 1." "No." ok, so ring her up and politely ask if she wants a bag, acting as though she hadn't just been extremely rude. "yeah, but don't bother!!" She grabs her own bag from behind the register and slams her shit and takes off. WTF?? The rest of my night was equally bad, we got out late and NOBODY talked to me. Then I find out the bank that I have to follow the closing manager to is fricken halfway to Middleton. I got done and needed a damn orange cream shake from McDonalds.
TONIGHT I did NOT want to go, but I was trying to be optimistic. "It'll only be for a month or so until I start subbing"... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH NNOOO THEY DIDN'T! It was ten times worse. The manager was STILL old, boring, and cold and won't even look me in the eye. No feedback, no chatter, no help, no condolences. Drunk as hell lady loses her keys and wants us to drop everything and look for them. SHE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING. IF YOU CAN'T TALK-YOU CAN'T DRIVE!! She swearing her head off and finally we find them aftering doing PA announcements and crap. By the time I had my break I wanted to walk out, but the manager is so frickin' creepy I thought he might come after me. I decided to finish out the night. I didn't know that the store outside of my front area looked like hell, and someone else was a no show tonight and that I would stay an extra hour and a half AFTER close. We didn't even do everything we're supposed to do because then I would have legally had to take a break. This was me working with the GENERAL MANAGER, busting my ass, and he just kept grunting and NEVER thanked me or gave me any feedback. It's not just the lack of feedback. It's the lack of instructions at all. Don't they know that stores do things differently and someone needs to tell me what I should be doing, at least in a general timeline sense? ARGH. Tomorrow I am NOT going. Wow, that was a long rant for only 2 days on the job.
I know I need money. I am determined to make a lot of it. I would rather scrape the grill at McDonald's than ever set foot in that hell-hole again.
One thing that Liz and I are looking forward to, being in Madison, is leaning about and experiencing diversity. Sometimes it's hard not to generalize or stereotype. Stereotypes exist because of patterns in reality. There have been a lot of pleasant interactions since moving here, with people of all backgrounds. Some of the customers were surprisingly welcoming for example. Some...paid for $23.00 worth of shit in dimes, nickels, and pennies and yelled at their kids to shut up the entire time. Some...yell across a quiet store because they think they own the place because they have an EBT card. Some...smell like they only bathed in their own urine for the past year and steal shopping carts at 7:30am to cart around their garbage bags and recycling.
Believe me. I care passionately about being a good person and doing right to all of humankind. But right now...I wanna bust a cap in someone's ass. I want to smack some of these parents. At the same time I want to hug some of these kids. I want to have a beer with some of these old Bill Cosby types and I want to make a difference somehow. So right now, I guess Madison has not been very much like I thought it would be. That's not negative. And it's not extremely different either...but it's perplexing at times.
ALSO, between Verona Rd. and our apt. must be the thicket from Bambi because I have seen a racoon, rabbit, a cat, many squirrels, and a FRICKIN' SKUNK. Damn thing was wierd. Very black, with 2 very clean, white stripes, checking out our patio area. Better be careful.
Well, that's likely plently of reading material for now. Tomorrow is major job hunt time and hopefully I'll hear back from some of the schools I want to sub for. Fat Z and Yakob are coming to visit Saturday night I believe and I can't wait! Cable=more frequent posting hopefully. Catch you on the flip-side folks. Send me some sega.
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