Monday, April 07, 2008

Many drinks later...

Going on vacation, immediately after learning that I wouldn't have a job next fall, was probably the best thing I could have done. Poor Heather has had to listen to me complain, whine and get angry for the last twenty four hours. She's been great about keeping it all in perspective, though. "F**k'em, you deserve so much better...let's drink!"

We're in Palm Springs visiting an old friend of mine and it's definitely therapeutic. I had a margarita by the pool yesterday afternoon. Drinks in our condo before dinner. Another margarita at the restaurant and then more back at my friend Monika's condo. Yep, who needs therapy?

Yes, I have a headache this morning, but nothing a little ibuprofen can't tackle. Today I feel calmer. I know that this is "for the best", but I just hadn't planned on leaving school counseling this way. I had visions of them begging me to stay when I quit. This is a little different. Now I don't even know if I can show my face next Monday. Think about it - I'm supposed to go back to work - for TWO MONTHS and act as if everything is fine. What do I tell the students? I have to tell some of them as I'm the advisor of a club and we're planning for next year right now.
Monika said yesterday that I have to go back and act completely professionally, or don't go back at all. I'm not to discuss it with anyone - just hold my head up high and continue to do good work. Ummmm, what? Me? Act like the bigger person? Not get petty? I honestly don't know if I can do that. C'mon! If I go back, I want to bash these people, behind their backs, because I'm a chicken shit when it comes to confrontation. I'm basically admitting that I don't think I have it in me to be the consummate professional. I will be officially entering my mid-forties next month, but today I feel like I'm 14. I'm just sayin' - if I had to go back today, I don't think I'd act terribly mature at all times.

So today the cleansing needs to begin. Less alcohol, fewer calories, exercise and laying by the pool are on my preferred agenda. Monika, the Palm Springs party girl, has other ideas, however. She has a lunch date planned for us at 11:00 and drinks and appetizers at 5:00.

I better go workout and try to get some of this out of my system.

On a personal note, Chris - I can't respond to your emails - something about a server connection error - but I am truly sorry that it's snowing in Salt Lake. (tee hee hee!)

24 comments:

dyanna212 said...

Hi, I came to your website through dooce and OH MY GOD you and my husband have the same problem!! He was told that because of 'budget cuts' his new Assistant Principal job (that he left 10 years of teaching for) was not going to be around and hey! You used to teach, so here! Go teach Global for the rest of the year. But dont tell anyone!

It's insane, the beaurocracy of school systems.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know you're not alone. It's hard, it may not get better, but at least now you know and you can move on.

Good luck!

[Anna] said...

I'm new to your blog but I've read enough to know that you need to spend your week in Palm Springs soaking up the sun and drinking too many margaritas!

Enjoy not being in the snow :)

HalfAsstic.com said...

Bless your heart! That is terrible! I really truly think that even if you change your mind a thousand times between now and the time to return, last minute, just before you go back to work, (you'll know when it happens), you'll have this moment of clarity and just know what you have to do.
That's the way things like this happen for me, anyway. Hopefully, you too.
Be brave.

Krissa

Dave said...

This is going to be completely unhelpful, but I can't stop fantasizing about the havoc I would cause if I was let go from a job in a sector I wasn't planning on returning to. I think I'd starting advising students on the best way to prank the school.

BTW, I wouldn't be surprised if you ran into a bunch of California teachers drinking away their sorrows while you're there... our school budgets have been seriously whacked, and 70 teachers at our high school alone got the slip.

Anonymous said...

Oy, I know how you feel. In my last teaching job, I learned in November that my teaching contract would not be renewed for the following year (similar reasons to yours), and I had to remain there until the end of June. I was mortified.
I'm sorry for you. By all means, have some margaritas and repeat to yourself: Two drops in a bucket, f*ck it (if only it were that simple!).
Take care!
Maureen

I For One..... said...

(Whines) I want dooce to link to MY blog. Look at all these new readers and comments you're getting. Anyhoodle, I feel your pain girl. I too am entering my mid-forties and looking for work. Yuck, yuck, and yuck! Good luck with the job hunt, but fuggedaboudit this weekend and enjoy your time with the faboolus Ms. Heather Armstrong. See if I saw her sitting two rows ahead of me, NEXT to Rick Springfield, it'd be her eye I'd stick my tongue in!

Anonymous said...

Here from Heather and have been reading some archival posts. Interesting what happened March 11 with the chick that used to have/might want again your job!!

Anonymous said...

might i say...your "sorry about the snow" doesn't seem entirely sincere!

hope you have a wonderful time!

Melissa

ByJane said...

Well, I just spent a half hour reading through your blog--and now I feel, if not your first best friend, then someone who could be in the running. I too got the heaveho unexpectedly from a counseling job. There's was only one day of classes left, so petty me, I bailed. I'll be back...

Anonymous said...

God, Dooce is unsufferable.

Anonymous said...

Dooce? Unsufferable? Are you sure? Cause she is always good for a quick chuckle and it's hard to find fault with that!

Anonymous said...

maybe i'm missing something, but why are you surprised they are firing you after you've negatively, and publicly, discussed your job?
on the other hand, think of it as a favor. we all need that push to go out and get the job we've always wanted (or think we wanted...). it's no consolation when you have a family and kids to take care of, but you have two months now to look for a better job. that's two months more than most people get before they get the ax. i got a day's notice.

Lisa said...

Oh crap. I thought when you got a letter, that was like, it. You have to go back for 2 months after that? That is just insane. Well, I say teach 'em what a mistake they made by being the bigger person and doing a fantastic job in your time remaining. In the meantime, however, you are on vacation with friends, sun, and booze. More importantly, without children to care for. A rare thing in a mama's life. Less alcohol, fewer calories, and exercising can wait until you get home - for now, enjoy, eat and drink!! Oh, and enjoy the lack of snow!

Anonymous said...

Ugh--a letter? That is really not the way to do that. I'm so sorry!

(But there was that guy with the fanny pack--I mean, if you're going to get screwed, at least you are having some fun now with people who are important in your life and you got to see a 1980s B list star wearing a fanny pack).

You deserve SO much better--and I hope that this is the first unfortunate step to finding that thing. I'll be thinking of you.

Mom O Matic said...

Sounds like you did a great job standing up for yourself. Confrontation is overrated. Sometimes it's best to just drive away and give them the finger as you peel out.

Anonymous said...

Came here via dooce.com. How the hell does she think one ought to pronounce "concrete"!? I'd like to know how she says it.

So sorry to hear of your being laid off. Best of luck.

-- anonymous and curious semi-Midwesterner

Anonymous said...

Honey, let me tell you something that will surprise you and vindicate your feelings of betrayal: YOU mentioned that you are coming up onto your mid forties.........when the same thing happened to ME, I was coming up on my mid fifties, and I STILL felt like a betrayed child! And to this day, FIVE YEARS LATER, I'm still rerunning the "I should have said THIS" and "I should have said THAT" through my head!

No matter what our age, we're still sent reeling when our trust is thrown in our face and we are WOUNDED.

danajoywyzard.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Been there, but at a younger age. I, too, was "non-renewed" in April due to budget cuts, and then I had to sit in on the board meeting to listen to them publicly cut it....ON MY BIRTHDAY.

Hold you head up, tell the kids if they ask, and start looking.

Anonymous said...

Been there, but at a younger age. I, too, was "non-renewed" in April due to budget cuts, and then I had to sit in on the board meeting to listen to them publicly cut it....ON MY BIRTHDAY.

Hold you head up, tell the kids if they ask, and start looking.

HalfAsstic.com said...

Ewww. On your birthday? That sucks. I feel for you.

Anonymous said...

Wow. dooce. Rick Springfield, and unemployment. Priceless. Your life, pictures and stories are amazing. Hug your kids, drink another margarita, and move on with a smile.

Beau said...

Find another job over the next two months. THEN bail without notice.

Sarah said...

Also here via dooce...seems to be a common theme.

In any case, my department just moved me from my current position to a different position with little to no input from me, so I can sort of feel your pain...good luck with dealing with it all, especially having to work there for 2 more months...it's tough.

Dave said...

Let me be the first to say, "who's this dooce person hanging around with Carol?" :)