The backup plan ...

or, I think I'll go live in a cave



So I went to substitute teacher training yesterday. Which is something I never thought I would actually be attending. I just signed up to be safe and have it be my backup plan. And here I am using it. Along with the retired teachers who sub for fun and the scary people with no apparent social skills who can't get a job. And I'm one of them now.

This goes along with my theory that I like to plan FOR things, but I don't like USING the plans when it comes down to it.

I should be happy to be done with school and relieved to not have to do any of the mind-numbing bureaucratic work in the program, but instead I'm depressed about having to use my "backup plan."

Why am I so upset about it? I'm going to make money, I don't have to worry too much about being responsible for test scores or the other headachey things that schools are famous for, and I'm frustrated. For one more year, I can go on a vacation whenever I want, and I'm pissed about it.

I think it all comes down to dealing with people who start conversations when they just shouldn't go there. There's much more to me than just a JOB or SCHOOL but they don't get it.

Once again I have had to restrain my urge to poke people's eyes out (even over the phone) for saying STUPID crap things in response to me not getting a "real job." I've resorted to the shortest possible responses and not furthering the conversation which they were dumb enough to start. Like these:

Anonymous Relative 1: So I hear you're unemployed.
Me: Yep. (long pause)
AR 1: Huh. Where's the soda?

AR 2: So you haven't heard anything about the job?
Me: Nope. (long pause)
AR 2: Well, it will be good to sub for a while. That way you'll figure out where you want to be. (Nevermind the fact that she KNOWS I want to BE in my OWN classroom, not pinballing from school to school.)
Me: Yep.
AR 2: And could you be hired a few weeks into the school year?
Me: Mmm-hmm.
AR2: Well at least then you'd have a classroom. (Didn't she just say it would be good to sub?)
Me: Yeah.
AR2: You'd have to hit the ground running.
Me: Yeah, I know.
AR2: Well, that would be good. (What???)
Me: I'm screwed either way, so it really doesn't matter, does it? I have to go.

AR3: So did you get a job for fall?
Me: Looks like I'll be subbing for a while.
AR3: Oh. Well, I meant a real job. Like at a school.
Me: Do you know where the drinks are?