freak out

I think "a big freak out" pretty much characterizes our mood in the past three weeks. Basically, Jay lost his job. Well, Jay got "fired" for very, very unjust and unethical (and probably illegal) reasons. If we were litigious, or even interested in thinking about his boss ever again, we'd probably have grounds for a lawsuit. But, as it is, we're just moving on. I'd type the story, but if I ever have to tell the story again I think I might suffer a boredom-induced aneurysm.

We spent 3 weeks stressing out, nail biting, applying for jobs, wondering, worrying, etc. In the end, Jay got another job that pays slightly less, but is going to be a great new experience where he will learn a lot (and not have a boss who is a huge b*t&h) . Simultaneously, I got a job at a middle school. Its a temporary job teaching 8th grade science, which is going to work out well for me. Its a good first gig teaching because a lot of it is mapped out and I don't have to set up a classroom or anything. But I will have to be the real teacher for these kids from now until Christmas.

We found a great person to take care of our kids at our house while we work. She is going to bring her two kids--age 4 and 18 months--as well.

I wasn't really ready to go back to work, but it seems like this is a situation where we will all pitch in and just do what needs to be done. I'm actually excited to get back into the classroom. I think a lot of me felt like the longer I wasn't working, the scarier and scarier teaching was becoming. This will help me get a job next year. Part of me wanted to use this whole Jay-getting-fired-thing to just say "let's get out of here!", pull up roots, do something crazy like go live in a commune or buy an RV and drive across the country or something. Honestly, what stopped me was that I'm so incredibly sick of moving that I think if I have to move again in the next two years, I will puke. We've moved 7 times since 2000. Yes, that's once a year. We just told our landlord we would be here for two more years (because of the whole rent-raise thing, he agreed to not raise the rent again for two years at least and insulate the attic), and like the next day the specter of moving reared its ugly head. I was offered interviews at far-away districts, but really couldn't stomach it. Maybe next year. We have a whole year now to decide if we want to move. Maybe jay will really like his new job, and it won't even make sense to move.

While all this was going on, garbage increased and I think in the last month and a half I have put the garbage can out twice, but I can't remember. We started eating tons of food from our garden, and haven't bought any produce (save some fruit and avacados) from the store in about two months. We are up to our eyeballs in tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, pole beans, summer squash, herbs, peppers, lettuce, broccoli and chard. I'm still a little stunned at how well the garden has done, despite our ignorance in gardening. The whole thing has made me wonder why in the hell anyone ever uses chemicals? If you just use some compost and water a bit, you get a crop. There are so many spiders and ladybugs and such out there, i haven't seen hardly any problems. Maybe a few veggies here and there get relegated to the slugs or whatever, but hardly any. I guess doing huge monocrops for profit is different from what we're doing, but still.

I have been hearing a lot on NPR lately about people doing more with local food, global warming concerns, concerns about consumption (esp from China) and things, it really seems like people are starting to take a look at their personal choices more.

Another nice thing is that with our new jobs, it is very easy for both Jay and I to take the bus to our respective jobs. Mine is a 4 block walk and a 15 minute ride. Pretty good.

Sorry for the lag in posting. I will do better. While this whole thing was going on, I couldn't think about anything else. I think that is why the earth is screwed while so many people live in desperate poverty. Its hard to think about something nebulous like the future or the earth when you are wondering if you are going to be able to provide for your family.