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 Three Hundred & Eighty: 5/20/2024
I was expecting to work outside today. Last week I was advised that we would. So I did a very subtle look today because I believed that I was going to sweat off my makeup. Except, I didn’t have to embrace the landscaping requirements. I’m so grateful that I didn’t have to. Though, I felt that I was lacking in glamor. Looking radiant helps me get through the day. When I get a glance of myself I feel pretty even when I’m picking after others or cleaning bodily waste from porcelain thrones. It’s also warmer out and I don’t want to waste product when it will only melt off my face from sweat.
I understand other people’s curiosity, this space is unique, but stay out of my way! I had to clean some extra restrooms since a coworker was out. I had the main door propped open so that I could get my cleaning machine into the dance studio without hindrance. When I came out of the female’s locker room I was surprised to see a teenage girl in the main entrance. Clearly she was old enough to know better. Just because a door is open doesn’t mean that you have the right to explore. I didn’t say anything because I prefer to not talk to the rabble. Though, I gave a stern expression as she exited back through the open door. Perhaps, it’s my fault for leaving the space open to prying eyes.
However, their presence in the building was for a performance, not to enter spaces not welcome to the public. If curiosity killed the cat, does that give me permission to exterminate the trespasser? No worries, I didn’t commit any crime today. However, we shall see how the week progresses.
Day Three Hundred & Eighty-one: 5/21/2024
Graduation commencement makes me feel a certain way. I’m not envious of their age. The one thing that I’ve realized being back in the school is that I don’t desire to be their age again. I’m envious that I don’t know if I’ll ever have a moment like what they’re experiencing. It’s a once in a lifetime feeling to graduate from high school. All the years from kindergarten to now.
The student body of the Denver School of the Arts get to have their ceremony at the opera house downtown. A magnificent facility to commence their academic accomplishment. I’m not surprised that the fundraising efforts would afford such a luxury. So I don’t get to see the seniors graduate. Actually their last day was last week.
Today, we hosted a small prep school assembly simultaneously. There were probably about eighty to hundred people for this ceremony and it looked so festive. All the teachers and student body in their robes of purple and black. We setup tables for the attendees and they had senior portraits placed on each table. They even provided the staff with dinner.
As I was carrying on with my cleaning duties I heard their exultations. The joy reverberated from the floors, walls, and ceiling. It reminds me of when I graduated high school and college. Will I ever get to receive the same level of joy and jubilation for one’s own future prospects? Have I already received all of the accolades in my lifetime? I ask these questions because I’m fearful that I’m only meant to be a custodian. I’m afraid that my creative aspirations will remain what they are, dreams not able to be fulfilled. It makes me emotional and brings tears to my eyes.
I don’t have faith in what my future holds. I’m managing day by day at this time. Although, when I hear the cheers and joy from those that are receiving their diplomas that they’ve worked so hard to achieve, I’m only reminded that my time has passed. As if the train for my future has already passed me by? Am I waiting at the wrong station? Will there be another locomotive to pick me up?
I don’t want to take away from the seniors that are on their way to their future, but I’m still feeling my feelings. I’ve barely been in this position for over two years, but this is my third graduation season. I’ve seen three sets of seniors leave these hallways towards their aspirations and collegiate institutions. I’m afraid I’m locked into the building for a much longer duration.
Day Three Hundred & Eighty-two: 5/22/2024
I may not be famous internationally, but I’m slightly famous through the confines of the school. I can honestly state this as I was referenced during the valedictorian’s commencement speech during the 2024 graduation ceremony last night. They were making reference to how unique the school is and no other school has The Teal Fairy! I’m utterly grateful. I strive to be unique and ubiquitous to the Denver School of the Arts. It also means my efforts are not missed by the youth. Even when they drive me crazy, I’m still appreciated for my efforts. That includes the tasks of my job and my creative endeavors. Physically and linguistically.
Well, I’m not sure any of them have read any of my work. Do they even know that I exist outside of the world of janitorial duties? I wish I could’ve experienced the moment that the audience cheered when the valedictorian referenced me. As I was told, that occurred at the ceremony. While I was wishing I could feel the jubilation of a crowd, it apparently happened, but without me being present. Does it still count?
I needed this validation too, because I had to work outside. I despise doing landscaping. It’s not my skillset and I’m not trying to improve. I don’t care to improve. While I was working all I could think about was how I could get out of working outside in the future. Would it be beneficial to save my sanity by getting written up? I want to refuse. I want to object. Though, how does one go about it when it is literally part of their job requirements. It’s also why I’m not looking forward to the summer. I’m ready for the student body to be dismissed from the facility, but I’m not anticipating the summer work.
Day Three Hundred & Eighty-three: 5/23/2024
I think it’s a sad day when they take all of the art off the wall. What once was a sprawling hallway of creativity turns back to an empty canvas. It’s necessary for all of the artists to retrieve their pieces before the end of term. We also need all of the sculptures moved so we can clean in the summer. Except, the emptiness is very telling. It’s so bare. There’s nothing else to look at when it’s all gone.
We are definitely on the verge of the end. There is a feeling of restlessness and it appears in the hallways and classrooms. Everything that needed to be cleaned was a mess today.
At least I didn’t have to do any landscaping. I needed to go outside, but it was just to pick up trash and debris all around the school. I suggested this task for myself, because I noticed the mess as I was biking into work today. I also tried to do whatever I could to avoid any landscaping work. I will do whatever I can every time to avoid landscaping duties. I’m not very good at it and I’m not trying to be good at it. I’d rather be written up than face another moment under the sun.
I will say that my appearance was appreciated. I have a turquoise cowboy hat that has a shimmery band and a diamond star in the middle. I wear it anytime I need to be outside for more than ten minutes. If I’m going to go outside, I’m going to do it with style. When I came back in, a teacher had his door opened and saw me. He immediately exclaimed, “I love that hat!” He even encouraged me to present my look to the class. I received a round of applause not for just my appearance, but for my commitment to my job. I may be frustrated with certain aspects of my job, but at least I’ve been receiving excellent validation.
Day Three Hundred & Eighty-four: 5/24/2024
I don’t like living only for the weekends, but by Friday I’m so ready to be off work that I ignore this principle. Some weeks I don’t feel like I have a lot of spare time so the weekends are very important to me. It’s not like I have grand plans every weekend. I would just prefer to not be working. Doesn’t everyone that works?
Well, the weekends are my time for relaxation and recuperation. Along with important hours to work on my creative endeavors. I do have plans to work on some of my writing this weekend. I’ve started another short story. Well, I can say that I’m developing the characters for a story about a warlock that moves to a small town in North Texas. I have a lot of research compiled and I’m working on the details for each character. This usually takes me a while because I want to know everything down to their birth story. More to come with that.
I think I can honestly say that I’m ending the week on a positive note. I finished my work early and I’m going to get to work extra time on this blog. Even if only three people read it. Having the time to work on my creative projects is key to my work-life balance. I get to have this extra time because I cut my break short and I was able to bust through my work with minimal frustration. The middle school had their field day and they were out of the building for half the day. So only half of the accumulation of mess was in the building. It made a difference.
Also, we had the high school piano recital this evening. They didn't linger and were out of the building before 8 o’clock. Generally, I’m waiting around for the majority of people to exit before I can complete my bathroom scrub. Not today! I sat down with all of my duties completed by 9 o’clock. You may think that this doesn’t matter, but it does to me. I relish every time I finish early and get to sit in front of my laptop, because that’s where I want to be.
Now, I’m deciding how I want to spend my evening when I’m able to clock out and leave. Should I scrub off my face like I usually do? I might go out to my local watering hole in my current appearance. If The Teal Fairy can impact the words of a valedictorian, surely I have the confidence to have a cocktail in this glamorous look. Teal is Ideal!
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