WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and perhaps share advice. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here.
A friend of mine suggested that there is such a thing as a free lunch. She mentioned that when she worked at a sort of exploitation agency people sent over free lunch all of the time.
But the cost was SOUL CORROSION....yeah...not a free lunch! I think most work comes with some cost of soul corrosion, which sucks.
And this little discussion about "free" lunch in an email reminded me of one of my favorite Smiths songs, "Frankly Mister Shankly":
Frankly, Mr. Shankly, this position I've held
It pays my way, and it corrodes my soul
And this idea is also fresh on my mind since tomorrow is the first day of classes for my students. I've had a week of faculty orientation, a week with registration and student orientation, and now classes begin.
I'm feeling a little soul corrosion.
I have a couple of issues with my employer that I need to get over. I have a few hurt feelings that I need to just....well....I need to suck it up. But that doesn't change the fact that I'm the Marxist working at the private school.
It also doesn't change the fact that I worked 70 hours this week, and that doesn't count the work I have ahead of me tomorrow.
So, tonight, MFP is overworked, underpaid teachers, specifically being one of them! I love my work, but I'd rather work less.... And don't you dare start with that "summers off" bull shit. I worked plenty this summer reading, researching, lesson planning, and making up for all of those 60-80 hour weeks during the school year...oh, yeah....and doing my second jobs. (yes, in the plural)
I should be happy. I'm employed, and I get to do work that isn't pure soul corrosion. However, I'm sorta sad knowing that I won't have the energy to do the things I want, the time to see the people I want to see.
Unfortunately, all of this time at the schoolhouse pays my way, but it corrodes my soul. I'd rather do those things that don't corrode: climb mountains, eat sushi while laughing with friends, read books in the park, nap with my cats, read for fun.
Enough from me....what's YOUR fucking problem???