Well October, you went by like a blur. I think you carried over to November, because a week is nearly gone and I'm just now sitting down to write you. You started me off very nicely. The end of the regular season in baseball and my afternoon gig at the school started. I did however start the gig a day late due to a golf outing. A great time was had and I actually played pretty well.
Being around the kiddies, even if for only nine hours a week has rejuvenated me. It's given me that little boost of energy and sunshine in what's been a tumultuous time. I'm financially strapped and emotionally drained from the last few months, but for those hours I'm responsible for the happiness of others. It's a duty I cherish. I have however found that it's a lot more tiring than it used to be. My odd sleeping habits, my nocturnal vices, and my general malaise have caused me to become quite the napper recently. The only real beneficiary of these naps is those who battle me in arguments about baseball either online or at the Kilt.
For those that don't know what I'm talking about with the gig, I run an after-school sports & tennis program at a school in Scarsdale. I've done so for either nine or ten years at this one school alone (with the exception of one). Two years ago the school asked me to do it on my own, much to my pleasure. Doing what I love and no boss to answer to or take two thirds of the money. It's a jackpot. The kids are great and it's something to see the second or third, in some cases even the fourth child in a family. I've known some of these parents for ten years. When I started most of the parents were older than me. Now we're about the same age, I'm sure, I'm older than some of the younger parents. It's something I love to do and despite jokes from friends of mine about my "tennis pro" status, it's something I'm good at.
My one regret, is a small one. I wish when I had started this, I wrote down every funny thing that was said by the children. Almost daily there is something said that would make for a great compilation. So far the best was, while picking up tennis balls I noticed a kid, who is five, putting them down his shirt and holding the bottom. When he couldn't fit any more, he'd walk to the ball hopper and pull the bottom out, dispensing the balls into their basket. I told him what a wonderful way to pick them up that was and he continued. Then, he got the bright idea to put them down his pants. I quickly stopped him and told him we can't do this. His response "is that because it makes me feel funny." What do you even say to that?
October brings the baseball playoffs and in doing so, each year, I prepare for what usually amounts to three to four weeks of constant going out. Either I'm rooting for my Red Sox or rooting against the Yankees. Either way, I'm out. This year my Red Sox were done quickly, so I turned my attention to rooting against the Yankees. They won their second round games and then faced the Phillies. Being that my father is from Philly and I was a Philly fan as a youngster, I got behind them. As of the 31st, they were down 2-1, but with two games at home. I had hope.
The middle of the month was rather mundane. The days blended together like clouds in the sky. Some light, some dark, but for the most part they drifted by, taking wonderful shapes at times, but for the most part just a blank canvas that seemed to stay that way. I didn't have the energy to make them any more interesting. November promises to be different.
Halloween approached and as usual, I was indifferent. I love to see my friends kids all decked out in their costumes. So proud to be a superhero or a princess, if only for one day. Our town threw their little parade, which has sadly become more pathetic as the years have passed. There used to be rides for the kids and hot and cold cider stands. This year it seemed more like a reason for parents to walk down the middle of the street. It seems it's not about the kids anymore. I didn't even see my friend's kids on that beautifully warm autumn day. Everyone is so busy these days, they don't stop to admire the foliage or do what their parents did for them. Hustle and bustle? I'm glad I've avoided it. I watched from a window and enjoyed some college football. I glanced a few times, but didn't see anyone I recognized. Sad.
The weather changed, but it didn't really feel like it until nightfall. Some seventy-degree days and thirty-degree nights made us wonder what is happening. I love this weather, even the middle ground of fifty is still shorts and a long sleeved shirt weather to me. No need for heat yet, as my full-time job is so well aware off. When will schools learn that this idea of cranking the heat on a 60 degree day does nothing but enhance the children's chance for sickness? These massive incubators harvest germs and bacteria and kids and parents alike are getting sick at an alarming rate. I have fallen victim too, but only for a brief while. I can't wait for my usual late November/early December cold where I'm usually sick for three weeks. Many times it spans Thanksgiving right up until college bowl season. Then I'm able to fight it with alcohol and leftovers from Christmas dinner.
October, you weren't to bad. Because of you, I'm gonna get back on track financially (for the most part). You'll keep me busy and out of trouble. Maybe I'll find someone who wants to share some time with me. I always do seem to find someone right before Christmas. Isn't that convenient? Aside from the going out six nights a week, I'd like another month like you. Throw in a Thanksgiving dinner with my father and November is looking quite promising. Goodbye October, you weren't half as scary as you tried to be.
Being around the kiddies, even if for only nine hours a week has rejuvenated me. It's given me that little boost of energy and sunshine in what's been a tumultuous time. I'm financially strapped and emotionally drained from the last few months, but for those hours I'm responsible for the happiness of others. It's a duty I cherish. I have however found that it's a lot more tiring than it used to be. My odd sleeping habits, my nocturnal vices, and my general malaise have caused me to become quite the napper recently. The only real beneficiary of these naps is those who battle me in arguments about baseball either online or at the Kilt.
For those that don't know what I'm talking about with the gig, I run an after-school sports & tennis program at a school in Scarsdale. I've done so for either nine or ten years at this one school alone (with the exception of one). Two years ago the school asked me to do it on my own, much to my pleasure. Doing what I love and no boss to answer to or take two thirds of the money. It's a jackpot. The kids are great and it's something to see the second or third, in some cases even the fourth child in a family. I've known some of these parents for ten years. When I started most of the parents were older than me. Now we're about the same age, I'm sure, I'm older than some of the younger parents. It's something I love to do and despite jokes from friends of mine about my "tennis pro" status, it's something I'm good at.
My one regret, is a small one. I wish when I had started this, I wrote down every funny thing that was said by the children. Almost daily there is something said that would make for a great compilation. So far the best was, while picking up tennis balls I noticed a kid, who is five, putting them down his shirt and holding the bottom. When he couldn't fit any more, he'd walk to the ball hopper and pull the bottom out, dispensing the balls into their basket. I told him what a wonderful way to pick them up that was and he continued. Then, he got the bright idea to put them down his pants. I quickly stopped him and told him we can't do this. His response "is that because it makes me feel funny." What do you even say to that?
October brings the baseball playoffs and in doing so, each year, I prepare for what usually amounts to three to four weeks of constant going out. Either I'm rooting for my Red Sox or rooting against the Yankees. Either way, I'm out. This year my Red Sox were done quickly, so I turned my attention to rooting against the Yankees. They won their second round games and then faced the Phillies. Being that my father is from Philly and I was a Philly fan as a youngster, I got behind them. As of the 31st, they were down 2-1, but with two games at home. I had hope.
The middle of the month was rather mundane. The days blended together like clouds in the sky. Some light, some dark, but for the most part they drifted by, taking wonderful shapes at times, but for the most part just a blank canvas that seemed to stay that way. I didn't have the energy to make them any more interesting. November promises to be different.
Halloween approached and as usual, I was indifferent. I love to see my friends kids all decked out in their costumes. So proud to be a superhero or a princess, if only for one day. Our town threw their little parade, which has sadly become more pathetic as the years have passed. There used to be rides for the kids and hot and cold cider stands. This year it seemed more like a reason for parents to walk down the middle of the street. It seems it's not about the kids anymore. I didn't even see my friend's kids on that beautifully warm autumn day. Everyone is so busy these days, they don't stop to admire the foliage or do what their parents did for them. Hustle and bustle? I'm glad I've avoided it. I watched from a window and enjoyed some college football. I glanced a few times, but didn't see anyone I recognized. Sad.
The weather changed, but it didn't really feel like it until nightfall. Some seventy-degree days and thirty-degree nights made us wonder what is happening. I love this weather, even the middle ground of fifty is still shorts and a long sleeved shirt weather to me. No need for heat yet, as my full-time job is so well aware off. When will schools learn that this idea of cranking the heat on a 60 degree day does nothing but enhance the children's chance for sickness? These massive incubators harvest germs and bacteria and kids and parents alike are getting sick at an alarming rate. I have fallen victim too, but only for a brief while. I can't wait for my usual late November/early December cold where I'm usually sick for three weeks. Many times it spans Thanksgiving right up until college bowl season. Then I'm able to fight it with alcohol and leftovers from Christmas dinner.
October, you weren't to bad. Because of you, I'm gonna get back on track financially (for the most part). You'll keep me busy and out of trouble. Maybe I'll find someone who wants to share some time with me. I always do seem to find someone right before Christmas. Isn't that convenient? Aside from the going out six nights a week, I'd like another month like you. Throw in a Thanksgiving dinner with my father and November is looking quite promising. Goodbye October, you weren't half as scary as you tried to be.
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