A couple of years back, when I was trying to decide if I really wanted to pursue the teaching gig, I was talking to one of my neighborhood buds, Law Talking Guy. He is a lawyer, so I tend to tune out about 50% of what he says. But one of his insights has certainly come true.
I don't remember if it was during the Spring or Fall, but I remember that he and I were hanging out in the backyard and I was telling him about my plans to expand the garden. More space, more veggies, more self-sufficiency... I bet I listed off all of those great reasons.
Law Talking Guy cautioned me not to make the garden too big. "Once you take a new job, you won't have time to deal with any of your hobbies". Boy, was he ever right! My garden never did get any bigger and that is good. Because since starting the teaching job (and suffering through the worst drought of my lifetime), the plot has received about 2 afternoons of attention. I planted one Sunday last Spring. I pulled out the failed, dry plants a few weeks ago. And that was about the extent of my garden time this year.
Geocaching on weekends? Yeah, I haven't even had a minute to maintain my own 'caches that are hidden only a few thousand feet from my couch. One of them has needed a new log since July (maybe longer...) I haven't even peeked at the main website in two or three months. Heck, for all I know someone may have hidden a geocache in my classroom.
The Chickens? Yeah, they are paying the price, too. Still have them and they are doing OK, but there is never any time to sit and enjoy them. I throw out feed in the morning and lock up the coop at night. Actually, that is not always true, either. Last week I forgot to close up the coop one night. We now have one less bird thanks to a neighborhood raccoon/cat/Chupacabra.
One of the neighbor dudes has bought a 1980's Toyota Land Cruiser. It is a cool rig. And watching him work on it every night is kicking me in the gut. Marge, my 1968 Chevy truck hasn't seen the outside of our garage since Halloween night of last year and she hasn't been on the street since July of 2010.
Heck, this blog seems to get a little attention about once a month now. And sitting on the couch and typing is something that I OUGHT to be able to handle in the evenings. An example, I just realized that there was still a link to my old Geocaching blog on the sidebar. I deleted that blog at least six months ago - maybe even a year ago. Just got around to removing the dead link today.
There is a lot to like about the new teaching job. And I am down to my FINAL requirement to complete my certifications. I have one last state exam to pass and then I'll have my full teaching certificate. For now I teach on a provisional/emergency certification. Still, I find it ironic that for the first time in more than a decade, I have a little bit of $ to throw at some hobbies and I have absolutely not a single minute to spare for any of them.
12 years ago
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