High Stress Manifesto

Glory: I look around at this world you're so eager to be a part of, and all I see is six billion lunatics looking for the fastest ride out. Who's not crazy? Look around. Everyone's drinking, smoking, shooting up, shooting each other, or just plain screwing their brains out 'cause they don't want 'em anymore. I'm crazy? Honey, I'm the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind. 'Cause at least I admit the world makes me nuts.

--Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The Weight of the World" (5/15/01)

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(warning: rant ahead)

There are some times when I really don't like my job. This week was about a month's worth of that feeling.

I'm tired of banging my head against the wall for the benefit of people who don't seem to like or respect me.

I have no patience for people who think that "technical assistance" means "do it for me". 

I don't understand the mentality of people who, despite repeated training, either don't know what they're doing, or don't care, or perhaps both.

I've had it with people who KNOW I'm running IEP meetings, but who will call repeatedly over an issue when a single call will do, and leave a message please. Or, just send me an email. AN email. Not four over the course of a couple of hours. I'm more than happy to comply as soon as I'm not, you know, doing my own job.

I've had enough of people who don't think I'm doing my job because I don't happen to respond within twenty seconds.

And by the way, it's MY cell phone, and it's MY cell phone bill, so if I don't answer? Tough. As soon as the taxpayer picks up that bill, I'll do whatever the hell you want me to do with it. That phone is a convenience for me, not a leash for everyone else to lead me around on.

I don't appreciate IEP meetings that start twenty minutes late because we don't have everyone we need. Thursday is ALWAYS meeting day; you got the schedule weeks ago, what's the problem here? At one school where I work, we have yet to start a meeting within ten minutes of its scheduled time. Yesterday it actually had me ranting in the hallway. With any luck I scared a few people.

I'm sure that underlying all of this grief is the fact that I'm getting more nervous about my sinus surgery. By the time GF takes me to the hospital I'll be seeing the Grim Reaper sitting on my shoulder and chuckling like some ghoulish mohel: "It won't be long now." (Trust me, that was pretty funny.) But that doesn't mean that these aren't legitimate gripes.

What it does mean is that I'm on a pretty thin wire, right now.

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Incidentally, for those who are counting: this is my 600th post. My Blogoversary is in another few days so I'm looking at an average of 150 posts per year, which isn't awful.

Comments

[TheHolyFatman]

Hey man, I hear ya. I have a situation that makes me want to strangle people---For instance:

Don't ignore my emails and phone calls because you deem our org a charity case for your rich friends then tell me that I gather the information needed in less than two weeks before an IRS deadline.

Don't ask me to provide information that I do not have access to in less than 20 minutes from your request. It. is. Not. Going. To. Happen. Especially when I don't HAVE the needed info.

Do NOT tell me I have an agreement that you and your rich friends gave to another rich friend of yours that was entered into well before my time here. I do not have that agreement. Ask your rich friends who forked the money over. I was NEVER a part of your tax loop hole shennanigans.

Don't TELL ME to MAKE THE DECISIONS myself then yell at me for the decisions I make. I made sure we had money to cover payroll. YOUR inability to budget for projects isn't my fault. I do what I'm paid to do--I pay the Bills.

I could go on and on--the laundry list of grievances is LOOONG. Sadly--Jobs are so bleak out there I'm stuck here. BAH. I hate working for rich people and being poor. It sucks.

Good luck on your surgery, though. As a person who has been at the side of many relatives who have gone through both major and minor procedures, the anxeity is normal. All should be fine.

[Merryfish]

My calendar says 133 work days until June 9th.
The ITA Motto: "You are all things to all people and, yes, it is your fault."
Remember - Dr. Hotstuff crawled up my nose and it is a lot smaller than yours and I was fine. A little uncomfortable a day or two after. But got to watch TV, nap, take pain killers and NOT go to work. Turn off the cell phone and enjoy. I know you will be ok.

Claude replies: A LOT smaller? That hurt a little bit.

[yellojkt]

Screw 'em if they expect you to use your personal phone for public business. I'm tired of my teacher wife having to spend her own money to do her job.

Claude replies: Ordinarily it doesn't bug me because I never use up the minutes I'm given. But a lot of people forget that it's a privilege more than a right, you know?

[sailorgrl21]

Jeez--& here I thought that I was the only one who had to track down my team members for meetings! Sux to be us! What was that crack about TA???

Claude replies: Wasn't meant for you.

[Teena in Toronto]

I hope it gets better for you.

Happy blogoversary!