I’m currently working as a custodian for The Denver School of the Arts. I’ve been chronicling my experiences through social media and this blog post. I put a lot of my own complaints and frustrations down, primarily to accurately portray my true experiences. No filter. There are good days of course. One day, this could be sort of a memoir.
I refer to myself as The Teal Fairy because this is a character that I’ve created. I hope to one day write about The Teal Fairy going back to school to protect those that have the potential to grow and flourish. Schools need more fairies over firearms to ensure the safety of the youth. I also use The Teal Fairy persona as my way of expressing myself creatively outside of the written word.
Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Day Four Hundred & Forty: 8/26/2024
I wish I had something fruitful and witty to say about this Monday. However, it was quite routine. No one was out and the tasks were manageable. There weren't any complaints from the boss, so I suppose it is a win. However, I’ve noticed that there is some sort of dissension or disrespect occurring. It stems from their fiddly hands down to the ground. These hands have the dexterity to pick up after themselves, however, it’s left for me to vacuum up. It makes the process so much more daunting than it should be. It makes me want to leave notes for them to pick up. It’s not too much to ask really. Why leave a space worse than when you found it?
I really just don’t understand why they trash some rooms and then some are kept clean. I want to understand the mentality. Because I look at it as disrespectful to the teacher and the school as a whole. If you don’t want to be somewhere then don’t be there. Go somewhere else. There are too many children that want to gain as much as they can from this institution.
I didn’t feel necessarily glamorous today. I went with a normal look. Since I hadn’t washed my hair in quite sometime I chose to take care of that crisis today. I wore my hair down with ribbons. If you weren’t aware I aspire to look like the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz when he gets out of the beauty shop. Its my aspiration and days like today I feel like I’m right on the mark. I’m not sure if I have a theme for the week. I think I’m just going to be comfortable in my teal attire.
Day Four Hundred & Forty-one: 8/27/2024
I really thought I made all of the precautions to ensure that my face would sustain the events of the day. However, the teal visage could only withstand so much heat and sweat that the day brought. I had to work outside and I thought that I prepped for the dilemma. I tried to pat my face dry each time I was dripped with my own salty water. I didn’t wear any false eyelashes and I layered the face so that I could keep the red undertones at bay. Except, I’m slightly faded and parts of my drawn eyebrows have been misplaced.
I give my look a 7 out of 10. Most of the eyeshadow has maintained and I only had slight fading from the brow bone to the eyelid. The waterproof eyeliner did exactly what I was expecting. However the glittery liner basically disappeared as the day went on.
I certainly hate working outside, but I didn’t have a choice. At least I was given a head’s up from my superior. I really appreciated that. I just want to know if I’m gonna have to go outside since it isn’t a part of our normal repertoire. I applied extra sunblock on my face. I’m going to do whatever I can to ensure that the sun doesn’t completely destroy what I currently have. I don’t want to age more prematurely because of sun exposure. I’m an indoor cat and I prefer the benefits of staying inside.
I’m not sure if I’ll have to work outside tomorrow, but I’m already planning a look that will take some of the strain away from my visage. No eyebrows. I’ve found that if I don’t draw on the frames to my face then I’ll have less to worry about melting off my face when I’m sweating like a pig outside. We will also have open house and I want to try to look my best if I can.
Day Four Hundred & Forty-two: 8/28/2024
Had to go outside again today. I sort of expected it, so I didn’t draw on eyebrows to save off any unneeded frustration. I’m glad I did that because as I was working outside the sweat dripped down my face. The eyeshadow bled and streaked my face with teal coloration. I did my best to remove the hue, but it was hard without taking off my color correction cream. Luckily I keep essentials in my work bag.
I literally have everything I need in a day. Especially if I have to work outside. Sunglasses, sunblock, a handkerchief, touchup powder with brush, cologne, small hairbrush, and hairbow. I don’t always need to use these items, but I keep everything at arm’s length depending on what could happen in a day. Today, I used every item at my disposal to make me feel better after I had to work outside right before a busy night. If there are going to be parents all over the building I have to look as presentable as possible.
It doesn’t help that we are down a person tonight. Though, I was sort of expecting it. This particular custodian was suffering fully yesterday. He was limping and struggling to complete his tasks because of his bodily pain. I really did feel for him and when he texted that he was calling out I wasn’t surprised as well. I’d actually prefer him to stay home and recoup if he can. It only means that those in attendance have extra work to do as soon as the building empties out.
What a whopper of a night! From 5-8pm I couldn’t do anything. Food was provided, but I couldn’t accomplish any tasks until the rabble were out of the school. We were told that everyone would be out of the building by 8pm. As soon as 8 o’clock hit I started doing the bathrooms on the first floor. As soon as I finished one and was working on the next I saw a hoard of people ascend from the basement. It was already 8:45! Like, what the actual fuck!? Apparently there was a last minute vocal meeting, but they didn’t have the kindness to tell us. I had to shun a good amount of people away from the bathroom that I’d just cleaned. I didn’t have the time to clean it again. So frustrating.
I at least finished everything I could before the time ran out. I had about ten to fifteen minutes to sit and type up my thoughts before I had to clock out. I’m very grateful that I’ll be working a short week this week and next week. School has just begun and I’m already over it all. At least my glamorous appearance lasted throughout the day. It also didn’t hurt that I was congratulated by a parent. I quote, “The Teal Fairy in person, I’ve only seen you online and I’ve never seen you in person. Thank you for everything that you do. Thank you!” I’ll take it!
Day Four Hundred & Forty-three: 8/29/2024
I can’t believe that this month is almost over. Granted I was on vacation for a third of the month, so that makes sense. This is my last day to work in August. I’m off Friday through Monday and I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to get myself into, but I won’t be here scrubbing toilets. It would be really good for me to work on my writings and maybe some workouts. We shall see.
What I can’t believe is that I kept my hair up in its updo the entire shift. I think I could feel every pin in my head. Yes, there are two different hair rats to make this look work, but it’s only standing because there are many bobby pins pressed against my scalp. I thought about taking it down before I got off work, but didn’t feel that was necessary since I just need to wait until I get home. Though how it itched after hour seven!
There wasn’t any clear plan to the look today. I was hanging with a friend this morning and I didn’t have the two hours that I usually give myself. I only had thirty minutes to pin up my hair and paint my face. I accomplished this appearance in only twenty-five minutes. I felt very proud of the end result. What a way to end the week, right?
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