Working with pain.

Day Two Hundred & Seventy-seven: 11/27/2023

Well, I guess I’m not counting the two days I worked last week. I meant to continue with my usual routine, but since the work wasn’t routine I didn’t really have the downtime to complete these artistic tasks. I didn’t write a blog post and I didn’t capture a picture for social media. I wouldn’t say that I slacked off, but when the children are not present us custodians have other duties to perform early in the morning.

I’ve said this many times before, I’m not a morning person. I can get to my destination if I must, but I don’t really have a choice in the matter. Thus, I’m not counting last week. It was fall break and we don’t have to acknowledge that The Teal Fairy showed up to work. It was Craig instead. In fact, I didn’t do a full face of makeup because there were no students.

I use the makeup and the persona of The Teal Fairy for confidence. While I have the look perfected, I have the courage to walk the hallways.

Anyway, The Teal Fairy returned after the long break. I most certainly enjoyed the time off. 5 days and 12 hours to be exact. That was how long I had been away from the space. I was a bit disappointed with the manner in which the building was left this day. Every room had been meticulously scrubbed, vacuumed, and dusted. In a matter of hours, two days worth of cleaning was practically destroyed. I might be exaggerating, but I assumed that the space would still be relatively clean. I don’t get the desire of some. Why actively destroy the space that deserves the utmost respect? Children!

Perhaps, my negative attitude is more contributed to the stinging pain I have in my back. I’m not sure what I did to cause the malady, but it hasn’t helped. I could barely manage my job. In fact, there were a few areas where I skimped. I feel guilty when I don’t even put in the bare minimum.

Day Two Hundred & Seventy-eight: 11/28/2023

This day was absolutely rough. There is something going on internally. As the day progressed the pain in my upper shoulder became too intensive to even type. I couldn’t get the words out of my hands. The pressure beneath my shoulder blade was so severe that the act of typing was excruciating.

Day Two Hundred & Seventy-nine: 11/29/2023

Before work, I was able to squeeze in an initial appointment with a chiropractor. This Teal Fairy is somewhat broken and needs to be readjusted. I’m currently in pain. It’s a very intense pain that has persisted since Tuesday of last week. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can withstand a certain level of pain. I was a former dancer and I’ve experienced a few bodily injuries that caused me to be balled over in pain. This is quite similar, but instead of being a bad ankle that seems to sprang itself before a performance, this is my left shoulder. The strain starts from my neck down past my shoulder blade.

Now, I know that this information is not necessarily interesting or remotely entertaining. However, this is my way of recording my time as a custodian, documenting the experience so that it lasts longer than an instagram story. Unfortunately, the pain I have in my left shoulder has made it hard to do anything, especially type.

Day Two Hundred & Eighty: 11/30/2023

I can’t believe that November is over. I know some days just fly by, but it hasn’t felt that this month flew by, but it clearly has. At least we are getting closer to the winter break! I really only look how I can get paid for not showing up to this job. Especially since I'm hunched over in absolute pain.

Day Two Hundred & Eighty-one: 12/1/2023

I made it to Friday. The effort was especially felt as I had to pull myself together another day in pain. There are issues with my neck and upper back. I'm seeking assistance from a chiropractor. So, hopefully I'll have more to say this next week.