A week of annoyances

Day Sixteen: 9/19/2022

It was an ordinary day, so to speak. Trash was emptied. Carpets vacuumed. Hallways swept until gleaming. Bathrooms sanitized and scrubbed. All the duties of the job were completed in a timely manner with minimal fuss. At least none on my part. My greatest challenge was my own exhaustion. I had a friend in town for the weekend, I was still recovering from the shenanigans from the weekend prior.

It was filled with debauchery. Antics befitting younger men, but it was all enjoyable. No regrets, only I required copious amounts of caffeine to get through the day without a proper nap. Perhaps, it’s also been helpful to have a building with adequate cooling mechanisms. The warmer temperatures are so draining to the body and soul. I’m hoping for a smooth week.

Day Seventeen: 9/20/2022

What a day! I accept the additional responsibility when a coworker needs to call out. However, we are already short staffed, so it just means for a longer day. Well, today kept getting worse. I had a complaint from the orchestra instructor. I hadn’t been vacuuming his room because it was messy and I don’t appreciate the fact that he leaves trash all over the floor; empty water bottles, papers, plastic utensils, and other crap. It’s gross and I’m not impressed. Apparently, he’s allergic to dust and needs to have his office vacuumed regularly. Sure, but could you be less disgusting?

Talking about disgusting things. It was another obnoxious day of students being completely disrespectful of the space they are graced to inhabit. Leaving rooms completely trashed, running around the halls, and always abusing the furniture. If they only knew how bad they’d have it in another institution. If they only knew how absolutely fortunate they are. These kiddos would never have survived my experience. Not at all!

The other horrendous part of my day is that I’m not spending enough time in the bathrooms. The toilets specifically need to be scrubbed by hand more thoroughly. If only my spell casting abilities were real. I’ve sent out hexes and wishes to have the toilets clean themselves. I’ve tried sprits of potions on the mops to run away on their own. All to no avail. I have to perform all of my duties like a basic mortal. How boring.

I keep reminding myself, why am I here? Why did I choose such a job that I find beneath me? With all my skills, intelligence, and fortitude I’m ashamed of some of the messes I have to clean as if I’m the personal maid to the ungrateful. I soldier on as best as I can.

Day Eighteen: 9/21/2022

I find it so fascinating how adults can be such slobs. I’ve become completely fed up with one specific instructor. I believe that he must be a genius when it comes to teaching orchestra. Except, his personal office is a mess. I will continue to vacuum their space, but I refuse to pick up the trash off the floor. There is a trash bin for a reason. I’m not the personal maid for each room or space, I’m an employed custodian for the district. It is disrespectful to leave a space so utterly disheveled that a trained professional is unnerved.

Another note of interest is a trend with the boy’s bathroom. Lately, these little heathens have been placing unopened ketchup packets on the rim of the toilets. So, when someone sits down on the toilet it explodes red sugary sauce all over the victim. Along with parts of the bathroom. I had to scrub portions of the lavatory walls.

I was forced to rat out a teacher too! This instructor has continued to allow their class to trash the space. A mess greater than one would expect from a kindergarten art class. Unacceptable, especially for seventh grade social studies.

I know I may sound pretentious or privileged. Except, I’m not being paid a livable wage for the available apartments/dwellings in the area. All I ask is that I get to work in a respectable space. Respect the facility and respect the staff that has to clean it.

One day, I’ll be writing books and essays. This period of time will be a blimp. An unprecedented experience, but until it is a distant memory I’d prefer to feel appreciated.

Day Nineteen: 9/22/2022

I remember not having much decorum in the cafeteria. I recall when I was basically a boor when it came to masticating. I’m not saying that I eat at a linen covered table with all of the appropriate flatware. Consuming a multiple course meal every single night. I’m not that fancy. Though, when I come into the lunchroom after the students have exited with forces similar to a tropical storm. I’m reminded of the lack of refinement from the youth of today. Maybe it's because they don’t have enough time to eat? Or maybe they just don’t care! Whatever it is, I’m annoyed when I’m having to sweep up chunks of food, have eaten items, and my favorite are literally discarded trays. Ungrateful monsters. Moving on.

I’ve received lovely compliments on my hairstyles this week. I find it very sweet when the kids enjoy what I’m doing every day. I’m grateful when they want to compliment me. Funny thing is that I don’t really know how to talk to them. I’m focused on my job, my writings, and my aspirations. Sometimes, I have a hard time engaging in the moment. I’m not shy, but over the years I’ve become an extroverted introvert. I do appreciate it, I only wish my social media would grow along with the personal compliments.

An aspect of my job that I hate is having to make a complaint. I don’t want to have to tell someone that they need to control a situation. I want and desire to be a fixture, a moment, just doing a job. Well, I needed to complain because a certain room was absolutely trashed. Every single day, this room was a mess! To the point that we needed to address the situation with the Vice Principal. It worked, today this room was perfect. I only needed to vacuum the room. It didn’t require strenuous work and I really appreciate that. I have to clean every carpeted room, clean every toilet, and sweep every tile. If I don’t have to labor hard with a vacuum strapped to my back, I’m eternally grateful. Ending the night, not fully exhausted and angry. It’s a win! Also, tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

Day Twenty: 9/23/2022

I’m actively trying to humble myself. I put myself upon this path. My hand was not forced, I chose to be doing what I’m doing currently. I’m trying to be grateful for what I have and what is given to me. Unpretentious. I want to be that person, but I still have these feelings of indignation. It’s not that I feel superior, yet, I have this yearning inside of me to be great.

So, when I’ve been critiqued this week I’ve felt cynical. Incredulous of the fact that my skills as a custodian are subpar. I don’t need to be great at everything, I don’t even care to be the greatest at this job. I don’t want my performance to be deemed inadequate, who wants that? Yet, I don’t care. This week has shown me over and over again that I don’t desire to do this job day in and day out. I’m actively researching and working to ensure that I won’t be doing this line of work in the next year. For the love of all goddesses I beg to never have to clean a toilet, that isn’t my own, ever ever again! Until that happens, I’m here cleaning.

I do have a wonderful team. I work under one of the nicest persons I’ve ever met in my life. Roman Villegas is generous, thoughtful, and just pure kindness. He always has a smile, he grins when he says your name. He helped me out today because he knew how frustrated I was this week. When I become irate, I feel just absolutely awful because he only deserves the attitude befitting a Disney princess. Wonderful human being.

It has been a long week. One key component to my annoyance is my right foot. For anyone that has worked on their feet for long periods of time would understand. I need new foot insoles, but most of my money has been spoken for. The ache is quite excruciating and I can’t afford new shoes. Well, maybe I could afford new shoes, but I’m still waiting to hear back about a few writing contests. Also, I’m unwilling to drop my whiskey budget. Priorities.