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 & Eighty-three: 11/4/2024
We had an open house tonight, and by “open,” I mean “please invade my personal space and critique my life choices.” We’ve got this happening today and again on Wednesday, so buckle up! I was told there were about 700 people invited. Yes, you heard that right, 700. That’s a small army ready to storm the halls. I can only hope they come bearing snacks.
Now, when we have these events, I prefer to adopt a stealthy approach. Think ninja meets hermit crab. I hide out and work on my projects like a raccoon in a garbage can. My plan was to prep my area before the tidal wave of visitors arrived. Spoiler alert: it was basically a futile endeavor.
I mean, I did try! I swept the hallway and even checked the bathrooms before 4 PM. I thought, “What a hero I am!” But, of course, it was as effective as trying to shovel snow during a blizzard. Kids are always roaming the hallways like they own the place, leaving a trail of crumbs and chaos in their wake. I could clean up just before class gets out, and it’s like the moment I turn my back, it’s a trash tornado in there.
At least there was one silver lining: food! The administration provides dinner for the staff during these after-school events, which I happily accept. Honestly, it’s like winning the lottery when you’re working long hours. I’ve reached a point in life where free food is my primary love language. So, here’s to keeping my stomach full and my spirits slightly higher than my expectations for this event!
Day Four Hundred & Eighty-four: 11/5/2024
It’s election day and I’m feeling a certain way. I’m not confident on how it will go. I want it to go one direction, but there is still a chance that it won’t. I’ll be spending the night at the elementary school. Which I hate! The night could evolve into something great or it could crumble like a stale cookie.
I’m trying to do my job as well as I feel like doing it while I’m at the elementary school. The election polls don’t close until much later in the evening and I keep stopping what I’m doing so I can view the current results. I probably shouldn’t keep my eyes on it so intently, but I’m utterly nervous that a convicted felon is going to be elected president of the United States. I don’t have the resources to flee to another country!
Day Four Hundred & Eighty-five: 11/6/2024
I’m trying to process my feelings after the results of this election. I’m disheartened and morose. I’m not disillusioned or shocked, only upset and uncertain. Where there was hope now is a feeling of dread and despair. I want to be optimistic, but only my pessimism exists. I know I won’t feel this way for too long, but for today I’m feeling the gloom.
It didn’t help that I had to bike the few miles into work today in the snow. The snow may look beautiful from the window, but that’s about it. I don’t really like being out in the snow, unless I was skiing. Except, I’m not able to ski to work. I have to bike to work instead. It’s my only option, because I hate having to walk to and from work. Biking in the snow is like being splattered with chiseled ice. Specifically when the wind fights against the direction that I’m traveling. I suppose winter is here. It made me dust off the helmet and snow coat.
I’m hoping that my reward for showing up to work today is free food. There is going to be another open house. Joy! A slew of people will be traipsing through the building, hindering my time to do my job. I suppose I will just have to sit and work on my writings, which is what I’d prefer to do anyway.
I did some much needed work on my writings, but I also took some time to lay down. I didn’t sleep much last night and I was feeling the result of it. It’s not that I was being lazy, I just needed to rest my eyes. Staring at any sort of screen was only going to strain the pain in my head. I couldn’t take a mental health day, but I could take a few hours for my mental strength. Who could begrudge me for that?
Day Four Hundred & Eighty-six: 11/7/2024
I was quite grateful that I didn’t have to bike in the snow today. The flurries had ceased when it was time for me to peddle to the school. I was utterly grateful, but I fear there will be much more snow later on this evening. I’ll be prepared for that, and I’m glad I traveled to work prepared. Since the sun had come out, it allowed for the snow to melt off the tree’s branches. I was pummeled by chunks of snow and sprinkles of water. Glad there is a hood on my coat, otherwise my hair would’ve been ruined.
Yes! My hair is very important this week. It’s the first time that I’ve been successful at wearing my hair straight for multiple days in a row. I of course have to retouch the style each day. My curls are fighting to break through, but I’m not willing to have curly hair just yet. I think it will be a look for the weekend anyhow. For this week I’m rocking the straight and sleek look.
I’m grateful that my hair doesn’t stand on end, because the way I’ve found the female bathrooms would surely make my hair spike in anger. These little twats used tampons and pads to decorate the space as if the sanitary items were knick-knacks deserving to be displayed. Also, I’m surprised that my anger didn’t adjust my makeup to be something grotesque or gnarled. I found that they had also drawn all over the stalls and walls. I took evidentiary pictures to post on social media. Any way that I can shame them to curtail their shitty behavior is retribution for me.
Well, it appears that I won’t have to work tomorrow. The district has called for a snow day tomorrow. The night crew doesn’t always get the days off, but this time I think we will. There is still a chance that we could be called in. Nothing is certain until the time is right. I will be glad for it too. I’ve had to travel in the snow for the last few days and a reprieve would be lovely. It would give me an extra day to work on my writings. I feel like I’m getting so close, but I need to review and review what I have so far. These MFA programs are so highly competitive that I need to ensure that I send the very best of work.
Snow Day: 11/8/2024
It was supposed to be a regular day, but the district surprised us all with a snow day, called the afternoon before. I never got to have such a wonderful release in my grade school days. Levelland never had snow days. I can’t tell you how many times I slipped on ice on the way to school. In fact, I had a driving course after an ice storm. Yet, here in Denver they allow for days off when we get inches of snow. I’m not bitter, you’re bitter!
Now, there was still a chance I’d have to go in, but my lucky self got to stay home. I half-expected a last-minute call anyway, which would’ve been strange since, last I checked, weekends aren’t exactly bustling with student activities. Sure, there was a dance recital scheduled, but I’m guessing the snow took that off the agenda too.
Then, I got word that I might have to come in on Sunday. Overtime pay? Not the worst deal. I’m not a fan of shoveling snow, but I’ll do it if it means I get paid. My philosophy is, if it involves money, a shovel, and a snowstorm, I can power through it.
So instead, I used the day to focus on my craft. With the MFA application deadline creeping up, every bit of progress feels like one small victory in a long, scary battle. Am I wildly confident? Not exactly. But am I putting in the hours? You bet. Besides, having the day off saved me from the ultimate winter trial… biking through a blizzard. That’s the kind of “character-building” I can do without, thanks.
Σχόλια