Last 2 Weeks

I’m currently working as a custodian for The Denver School of the Arts. I’ve been chronicling my experiences through social media and this blog post. I put a lot of my own complaints and frustrations down, primarily to accurately portray my true experiences. No filter. There are good days of course. One day, this could be sort of a memoir.

I refer to myself as The Teal Fairy because this is a character that I’ve created. I hope to one day write about The Teal Fairy going back to school to protect those that have the potential to grow and flourish. Schools need more fairies over firearms to ensure the safety of the youth. I also use The Teal Fairy persona as my way of expressing myself creatively outside of the written word.

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

Day Five Hundred & Ninety-six: 5/12/2025

I’ve got nine days left! Four days this week and five days next week. It’s almost over!!!!

Why must these little shits stuff things into toilets? I walked into the 8th grade bathroom and found that the toilet was a vibrant green. I’ve had issues with this toilet and I really don’t appreciate finding items that are not supposed to be in a toilet. They had broken a green highlighter and the contents were floating at the top of the bowl. At least that’s all that was in there, I presumed when I put my hand in to remove the trash.

Why? Why must anyone be so bored to do such a thing? Just why?

It hasn’t helped that it’s quite warm today. The temperature hit the mid-eighties. Far too warm for me to be comfortable. The air conditioning was doing its best, but the classroom and teacher pods were quite unbearable. The heat only permeates my disgruntled feelings. I felt like my face was going to melt off. Thank goodness for setting spray.

I know it's not all of the students that misbehave, but the fact that there are any is ridiculous. To all of the students that are unhappy here, then go somewhere else, or channel your issues into your art. I’m no role model, but I doubt I would act out like they do. I would have killed to get to attend a school like this. I resent them fully.

My night ended up spiraling. A coworker didn’t show up and didn’t call out. He handles the elementary school. So, at 8 o’clock I was called to go close down the building. We were already short staffed so that left just two people to finish up the tasks at DSA. I really thought I wasn’t going to have to step foot in that building again. It was another night of unflushed toilets and annoyances in a space that I disdain. The only good thing is that the elementary school is slightly closer to my apartment than DSA.

Day Five Hundred & Ninety-seven: 5/13/2025

What an absolutely horrible day for me. There are many factors that drive me crazy and I was completely tested. I suppose these next few days of work in this job are going to be horrible. But why? Can’t it just be simple?

It started off with finding out that we are going to be short staffed for the remainder of my time with the school. An associate is going on FMLA and we don’t have a choice. So, that means more work for those of us that are still able to make it to work. I barely tolerate my own duties, now I have to do other’s as well as my own. How obnoxious.

Next, we were told that we needed to go outside and do landscaping work. It was already 80 degrees and sunny and I absolutely hated it. I started sweating before I even started that damn hedge trimmer. I did something to make it appear that I did some work, but I wasn’t willing to put in any sort of effort. I found a shaded area and sat down until it was time to go back in.

Later, when it was time for me to finish my normal duties, but they needed someone to clean up vomit in the back hallway of the concert hall. I was totally irate because it was already dried up, meaning someone threw up and then didn’t tell anyone. I told them I was going to finish what I needed to finish and then take care of it. At least the dried vomit didn’t smell.

Then, there were all of the events. So many people wandering around. When we have people all over the building we can’t finish the bathrooms until they are literally at the front doors. Since I had so many to do, I had to wait until a proper time. Not enough time to work on any writings, just sitting for about 10-15 minutes. I was absolutely drained by the end of the night.

I honestly don’t know how I’m going to make it 7 more days.

Day Five Hundred & Ninety-eight: 5/14/2025

Today is starting off much better than yesterday! I was so close to walking out. So, coming in today was such a struggle. I enjoyed the bike in because the weather was much more comfortable than yesterday. There was an actual cool breeze. I’m never one that looks at the warmer temperatures. I’m a perpetual sweater and once it starts it doesn’t really end. So, to start my day not drenched was nice. Then, we didn’t have to go outside to do landscaping.

Since the facility manager didn’t specifically tell the assistant facility manager to go outside, he didn’t have us to do anything. I’m utterly grateful. I’m much better today. Without the annoyances of landscape work, I’m much more intune with dealing with the antics of these adolescents. I’m typing this at the beginning of my shift, so we shall see how it goes.

In the end, I wanted to drop dead. Because I’m taking tomorrow off I thought I would put in a little more effort. I slept well the night before and presumed I’d have enough energy to do everything. I detailed my area along with cleaning the bathrooms in two other runs. I literally spent 2 ½ hours cleaning bathroom after bathroom. I told my boss that I wasn’t going to do that again. It was a lot. I’m so over all of this extra work.

Day Five Hundred & Ninety-nine: 5/16/2025

Yeah, I’m not going to vacuum. Nope, not gonna do it. I had the time, but I was having some back pain from moving and organizing for weeks. I spent all day yesterday getting things together. I told my boss that I was going to come in today, but that I needed to take it easy today. I mostly said that because if they asked me to work outside, that wasn’t going to happen. It’s not that I’m trying to avoid work, but I’m just trying to get paid. I’ve lost all patience.

My back and body was so worn out that I needed to lay flat for a bit. That’s when I should have vacuumed, but I didn’t have it in me. Sue me! Literally, I’d be willing to be litigated because I wasn’t willing to work harder without any financial incentive. We are short staffed and we’ve been short staffed for weeks. Absolutely over this job. At least next week is the last one that I’ll be doing this damn job.

Day Six Hundred: 5/19/2025

I meant to post last week’s blog, but I got busy/lazy over the weekend and then I didn't want to. So, my last two weeks will be consolidated into one blog posting. It’s not like this has been a game changer. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the handful of readers but I really had hoped that my experiences as a custodian could have made some sort of impact.

In the meantime, I’m going to keep showing up until my last hours on Friday. Can’t say the same for some of my coworkers. We were already short-staffed and yet a coworker called out sick. Like Jesus! I can’t wait to quit. Even though I don’t have a secured job moving forward. This is the first time I’m quitting a job voluntarily without having something else lined up. I might be crazy, or just completely fed up with this job.

My feelings were validated when I started my duties and found that the toilet seat had been pulled off the toilet in the 8th grade boy’s bathroom. Like, what the actual fuck! Must you torment me in your stupid childish ways?

Day Six Hundred & One: 5/20/2025

I’m so over this shit. We are so utterly short staffed it’s not even funny. Don’t even ask me for anything extra for the rest of the week. So many people have called out this week, except for me. I have enough hours to have taken the whole week off, but instead I chose to be a team player and stick it out for the rest of the team. Though, at this point I’m not sure that they deserve it. I’ve been covering and helping out for the last three years. Except, we can’t seem to get coverage or maintain staff.

I’m sorry, but I’m disgruntled. I really wanted to have an easy week. I’m willing to do my job, but each day I’ve shown up I’ve had to either be in charge or compensate for someone else. There’s no financial incentive for this either. It’s just more work, and I’m over it. I suppose that’s why I was more inclined to move to Seattle without a firm job in hand. We shall see how this goes.

Day Six Hundred & Two: 5/21/2025

We have at least more people today than we have had this week. I still have to do some extra work, but it’s less than we’ve had Monday and Tuesday. I’m willing to do it because it’s at least tolerable and I’m getting some of my downtime that I require. My boss did mention that the facility manager wants us to go outside. I told him I won’t be doing that. I’m willing to do the extra work inside, but if you make me go outside to do landscaping then I’ll be leaving.

I absolutely refuse to do any outside work in my final days. We are short staffed and have a lot to do to keep the school in a tolerable condition. I told him you can write me up, but I won’t be going outside in any manner. Absolutely not. Sorry. Even if I’m required, I’ll sit in protest.

Fortunately, none of that had to occur. There was enough inside that doing outside work would literally be overkill. We had a few events tonight too, which always makes for slightly more to deal with. One event, we didn’t know about. A middle school band performance was not on our calendar. It helped that we already had a theater event scheduled so it didn’t completely disrupt our jobs.

I’m quite tired because I performed all of my necessary duties. Vacuuming took the longest, I really don’t understand how these classrooms get so destroyed. I couldn’t vacuum yesterday, and today they were completely wrecked. What is occurring during each session to result in such chaos at the end of the day? I finished at a modest time, thanks to the fact that the events were over before 9pm. When they linger, I’m not able to complete my tasks in a timely manner. I really do enjoy having a few extra minutes to collect my thoughts and process the day through this blog.

Day Six Hundred & Three: 5/22/2025

I’m exhausted. Partly my fault, partly on those that caused mayhem at 3am. My street neighbors caused quite a ruckus early in the morning. I was already up late, but once the chaos started at 3am, it didn’t relent until after 5am. There were multiple fire trucks, police cars, and emergency service associates. I have no idea what was occurring, but at one point I heard yelling from down on the street. Two people were being arrested and they were definitely resisting.

The point is that I lacked sleep and I worked on my apartment all morning. Cleaning and organizing the last bits before my move. I did take about 45 minutes to rest before I got ready for work, but other than that I’m heavily sleep deprived. Working today is going to be a challenge. I still have extra work and we have an event starting at 6pm. I can only hope the folks are out of the building in a timely manner.

Well, I totally lapsed on some of my duties. It started off because I needed to sit and then next thing I know, there’s no time to do it all. So, I didn’t sweep the science rooms and I didn’t vacuum at all. The faculty knows that we are short staffed, so I’m going to hope that they don’t mind. I still managed to sweep the hallway, dump the trash, and clean the bathrooms. Including the extra bathrooms that I have to do. I’m going to get sleep if it kills me tonight. So, hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day. Especially since it will be my last.

Day Six Hundred & Four: 5/23/2025

Technically, this is my 704th and last day working as a custodian. I restarted my count after the 100th day. It was a new school year and I thought I’d begin again. I’ve experienced a lot in these last three years. This month particularly. It has been rough and grooling to say the least. I’m so glad it’s almost over.

Of course, it couldn’t be easy either. The dumbest and most annoying coworker called out. I really do hate him. He’s annoyed me since he first started. I’ve found him obnoxious and honestly I think he’s a bit of an idiot. He’s clearly inconsiderate if he called out while we are already short staffed. I honestly hope that he’s terribly sick. Like an absolute wretched and in pain. Otherwise, he’s done something so rude.

I could have called out today or multiple days this week since I have plenty of hours at my disposal, but I didn’t because it would leave extra work for those able to make it in. I’m so tired and worn out from the whole moving process while working simultaneously. I hope it will all be worth it in the end. For now, I have a lot to do and I’m planning to get out early if possible.

Wow! What an exit. I received many handshakes and hugs from coworkers and faculty. That felt nice. I made an impact without trying to. I really only wanted to work here because I was desperate and I wanted a position that would allow me to work on my creative endeavors. I’m leaving with confirmation that others enjoyed my mere existence. It feels good and I was given a small gift of their appreciation. I’m utterly grateful.

I didn’t rush through my tasks, but I went from one duty to another without a break or a lunch. I replaced the trash liners, swept the hallway, swept the science rooms, vacuumed all of the classrooms, and managed to clean the bathrooms in my area along with the run upstairs. Oh, and dump a slew of trash barrels by 8pm. I clocked out early, and I’m using two hours of sick time to cover the remainder. It was already discussed and agreed upon. My official last day is Monday the 26th, but I’ll be flying to Seattle tomorrow evening.

I still can’t believe this is happening. This is the first time that I’ve made a move without a set employment contract. It’s a new adventure and I’m ready for it. I honestly don’t think I could handle another annoying antic from an adolescent. I want to take some time, and maybe rehash my thoughts and feelings about the 704 days that I worked as a custodian. It was a slow burn that seemed to extend much longer than I had anticipated. At least in the three years that I worked as a custodian, I wrote 3 books. I even mustered the courage to apply to MFA programs.

I’m leaving with resolve and understanding and so much appreciation for those that work in custodial, cleaning, and facility maintenance. No one can understand what it’s like to be a custodian, unless you step into those shoes. For me, that would be a full teal attire, from brows to boots.

I do feel a bit sad that I didn’t take more of an effort with my look this week. However, after everything was bagged and tagged. I didn’t have a place to really apply the makeup or hairstyle. So, I kept it simple. It’s more like Craig has left the building, but the memory of The Teal Fairy will remain at Denver School of the Arts.

So long, and Farwell.