Temporary

Despite all of my school-inspired stories, my job was merely temporary and now, nine weeks after it started, I'm done. Today was my last day as the band substitute for [Insert Name Here] middlle school in [Town], VA.

I had really been looking forward to and counting down to my last day for a few weeks. I've been really tired and, as a long-term sub, I couldn't take a day off or I would lose my higher rate of pay which was NOT an option. And also, with an end in sight, it was hard to keep the momentum going. I was working in an arc* that ended October 31st which, yes, was the end of their 9 weeks, but in band class, with a concert coming up, is not a time to be ending and winding down. And kids aren't stupid. They treat subs differently and after a week or two we all got over that, but once my time was coming to a close a month and a half later, they resorted to their past behavior. I expected it so I was not taken by surprise. But knowing that I would be (ready?) handing over the baton today/tomorrow to their regular teacher, the last week or so was trying as my momentum was waning. What I'm trying to say is that while the past two months have been great and I've learned a lot, I was ready for it all to be over.

But then all those stupid kids were really adorable and gave me gifts and cards and hugs and some even made me pinky swear I would visit. Those 6th graders don't know any other band teacher so for them, it's a big change to get the 'regular' teacher back tomorrow. I'm going to miss a lot of those little boos.

I'm also going to miss my paycheck because now I feel semi-unemployed and am going to be freaking out soon once my bills start coming. I'm pissed at Barnes and Noble for being complete wankers who aren't giving me what I need.

Things I will not miss:

+Being at work by 715am.
+Announcements which make me deaf. (Does one really need to yell into the intercom system??)
+Drills (fires, bomb threats, intruder threats, tornado threats, etc. They're good bc they take up class time, but bad because it's like, "DO NOT TALK!!!!!!!" which is like fighting a war with a rubber gun.)
+Having no windows in my room/office.
+Axe
+7th graders who have boyfriends in high school. (That's just wrong.)
+The crappy copy machines and the Copy Nazi
+Not being able to use sarcasm as much as I would like to.
+Not being able to say crap.





*When I was in Mr. Gredler's 9th grade World History honors class, I told him that the word "arch" is stupid and I would never use it. Just a side story for today.

I Was Meant For The Stage

Apparently, my last blog on concerts did not reach the mass audience I expected it to because last night at The Decemberists' concert at the 930 Club, I witnessed way too much annoying behavior. And somehow, this annoying behavior was happening all around me.

1. High Schoolers: Do yourself and everyone around you a favor and try not to act like you are still in high school. This includes not talking about english class, what you are going to wear to school tomorrow, as well as if your dad will know which side of the club to pick you up from*. I'm not saying you shouldn't be allowed to go to shows, but just try to act mature about it, okay? I took my younger sister to plenty of shows when she was in high school and she never acted immature.

2. Dancers: *sigh* I feel bad that I'm picking on the high schoolers again, but Lack-Of-Rhythm Girl was practically asking for it! She was doing that ridiculous 'dance' of shaking her head back and forth so her hair would swing across her face. And anytime she tried to some other sort of dance, she would flail so badly I wasn't sure she could even hear the beat anymore. I mean...just don't. Okay? Don't dance. It will be okay.

3. Copy-Cats: The band claps-they clap. The band jumps up and down- they jump up and down. The band laughs- they laugh. The band jumps off a bridge- Well...you get the idea.

4. Requesters: "I WAS MEANT FOR THE STAGE!" "PLAY THE CRANE WIFE!" The only person I like during this time of requesting songs while the band is tuning or something is the one who yells out, "PLAY SOMETHING FROM THE SETLIST!" Haha, makes me laugh every time. It's like the new Freebird. Because really, if you think about it for one second you will realize that they're changing guitars in between every song and doing other intricate instrument changes so the likelihood of them playing the song you're asking for right then is low. Now, if they ask for requests then go for it, but until then shut up, please.

5. "I just got a t-shirt!"- I know, you're wearing it. At. The. Show.

6. "This is my favorite song!"- That should only be said ONCE. Not for every song you recognize.

7. Hand-holder/puller- Every once and awhile the singer will step up onto the ledge of the stage and will often use an audience member's hand for support. When this happens do not try to pull him/her off the stage. Why would you do that? Do you think you're going to pull him/her off the stage and back home with you? Just be the support he/she needs and then LET GO.

That is all I have for now. Don't let my negativity fool you, it was an awesome show! The band play for what must have been two hours and I don't even have bad things to say about the opening band who were entertaining and only lasted 30 minutes. I will say that my feet were ready to go on strike by the end of the night since I had already put in 8 hours of standing at the bookstore earlier that day. OUCH!

XO,

SVR

*Get over it. I'm not changing my sentence to not end with "from." That's a stupid rule anyway!