An unfortunate observation

On August 12, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn Work1 Comment

Spent all day surrounded by teachers. I’m not sure whether I can use the word “other” in that sentence anymore. It hit me today that I could, if I wanted, use the word sabbatical to describe this year, since at least in theory I plan on returning to the classroom next year, so I think my ten-second “So what do you do?” job description is going to be to continue to describe myself as a middle school math teacher and then admit that I’m on sabbatical if pressed for further detail.

But that’s not the point. The observation is this: it was rather amazing to me just how exhausted everyone already looks. Now, granted, for a lot of folks this was their first day back, and we did start awfully early in the morning, but I know the difference between exhausted and tired and I’ve chosen that word on purpose. It’s not a thing I’ve noticed at pre-school events in previous years. Just about every adult in that room looked fucking exhausted already and we haven’t even started.

Not a good sign. And I’ll tell you what else: not for a single second did I regret my decision to not teach this year. That will come, I think– we’ll see what happens when the kids get back– but it sure as hell ain’t here yet.

I’m sure this will be just lovely

On August 9, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn Parenting1 Comment

I am expecting OtherJob tonight to be an absolute madhouse. It is either the weekend before school starts or the weekend before the weekend before school starts for virtually every school-aged kid in the area, the weather is going to be perfect, and there is a major event of some sort going on in the neighborhood.

In between now and then, I need to mow my yard for the first time in a couple of weeks (I’m the lazy neighbor again… sigh) and gird my loins to attend a birthday party for a three-year-old that I’m not related to, because my son was invited, and apparently this is the way things are done in my life now.

Pray for me, to whatever dark gods you may represent.

In which I go outdoors on purpose

On July 2, 2014July 2, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn Parenting2 Comments

The Internet was down, meaning there was no TV either (we get everything through Hulu or Netflix), so we decided to go outside and somehow ended up at the 4-H fair. A few random observations that really ought to have pictures with them but somehow don’t:

There was a giraffe. At the petting zoo. There should always always always be giraffes. Everywhere. Especially at petting zoos.
After a while, though, watching the giraffe became less fun than watching the people walking by who were consistently surprised by the giraffe. I heard “Is that a giraffe?” probably ten times from people who knew damn well what a giraffe looks like but couldn’t process the fact that there was one right the hell in front of them.
There were tigers doing tricks, but they were really not in the mood for them and so it was kind of sad and slightly embarrassing. As far as I know, no one was eaten, though.
The boy really really really likes merry-go-rounds. I like merry-go-rounds less than I thought I would; turns out that when you’re standing next to your toddler they make you crazily dizzy.
Saw no less than 12 students. Luckily, only four of the twelve saw me, and all four seemed happy to do so. Considering that the last time I saw one of them I was hollering for our resource officer to put him in handcuffs that percentage is probably a good thing.
I bought no food, which means that the gyro I had for lunch is the grossest thing I ate today, which is probably as it should be.
I had no idea that rabbits could even get that big, holy shit.
Pissed-off pigs are scary. Pissed-off goats are hilarious.

All in all whee fun would pay $8 again.

This time of year again

On June 21, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn Photography3 Comments

Transforming into a Greasy Lump: Progress Report

On June 16, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn idiocy6 Comments

So far, so good, actually. I think I’ve hit upon a summer schedule, at least for the days when I don’t have the boy around:

6:15 AM: Wake up.
7:30 AM: Be dressed, showered & have boy to day care.
8:30 AM: Breakfast eaten, morning BS procrastination completed.
8:30 AM-12:00 PM: Morning writing session. Goal is 2K words on novel; extra time can be used for other writing projects, including blog posts. (Realistically, a blog post will probably be first, but this is the schedule.)
12:00 PM: Lunch.
12:30 PM-4:00 PM: Miscellaneous errand-running/reading/cleaning/SOCCER/lazing about time; possibly other projects (SEE: Bathroom, comic books)
4:00 PM: Wife returns home with boy; rest of evening spent with family.

I pulled this off once; I can do it four times a week for the next eight weeks… right?

Sure.

Oh god

On June 16, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn idiocy, Writing6 Comments

So.

It’s 8 AM.

The boy is at day care and the wife is at work. Other than the pets, I am home alone.

Starting today, for (roughly) the next two months, my job is literally-no-bullshit “full time writer.” I am under contract to produce a novel this summer. For money dollars. And it starts today. Now, technically.

(Looks around)

There’s gotta be something needs cleaning around here.

That wasn’t supposed to happen

On June 13, 2014 By Luther M. SilerIn Teaching2 Comments

Had my interview at the other school in my district today. I know this principal, having worked for him in the past. I had forgotten what a magnificent salesman he is; the guy had me thinking hey, maybe I want to stay in this district after all after like ten minutes. There’s a rant in here somewhere about the inequality among our schools; his place has facilities my building simply cannot dream of, which is incredibly frustrating but will be awfully nice anyway once I’m actually there.

Anyway, long story short; if I want to teach fifth grade math and science in his building next year, I’m golden. On the plus side, for various reasons that I’m not going to go into he can’t actually officially hire me until mid-July, giving me some time to keep looking around at other districts without actually screwing him over. Then again, if there’s ever been a guy who would accept “Hey, I found something better,” without getting pissy or taking it personal, it’s this guy. But whatever; I actually prefer having the time before it becomes official. I’d rather not jerk him around if I don’t have to, y’know?

But, yeah. An hour of talking and being shown around the building again and he’s got me excited about teaching again all the sudden. Who knew?

(There will almost certainly be more later. I’m supposed to be writing, so obviously I’m going to be doing almost anything else.)