One morning before half term I grumped around the house, bashing various body parts on cupboards that seemed to have moved
in the night. My ironed clothes now appeared to be crumpled rags, the books I’m sure I’d stacked the night before had
dispersed, and I knew I was late when I heard the post thudding on the doormat. Forgetting that “no news is good news” I
ripped open the letters, to find a final demand for something that I’m sure had been paid, and howled at the ceiling when
I realised sorting it out would be one more thing I’d have to squeeze into my busy lunch break.
Consequently, I was ratty with my form group, hollered my head off at a girl who continually chatted over my instructions for the first lesson, and had to go into my cupboard to swear quietly yet obscenely when I was asked a question I’d already answered several times in the previous five minutes, regarding the submission date of homework.
And yet, by the end of the day my mood was much more pleasant, despite the usual chaos. The reason? The kids, normally
so annoying when I’m in that kind of harassed mood anyway. So a secret thank you to all those children that made me laugh
with them, at them, and especially at myself. From the “Ha ha, look, it’s the ministry of silly walks” comment and guffaws
as I tried to reach a classroom (obeying the “no running” rule) before the desk was overturned and somebody left dangling
out the window; to the sniggers as I said something rude by accident: rude only in a double entendre way, not in a
say-it-in-the-stock-cupboard way. I’m a sucker for double entendres anyway, and am usually amazed at all the examples
the kids miss. It must have been an early diet of “Carry On” films that’s responsible for that particular trait.
Cheers, Sid James!
At least I was blatantly shown how ridiculous it can all be, which saved some call centre slave going home in tears that evening after an extremely rude customer lambasted her for a letter she didn’t even send out. Or maybe, as the half term holidays approached, I was just feeling demob happy after all, caught up in the kids’ excitement instead of skulking around dreading the cold winter mornings. Although, if it wasn’t for the job I wouldn’t need to be up so early anyway…
added 7/11/04
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