they sit here

talking about banal television shows. they sit here, eating tasteless food. they sit here, bitching about the "work" they do. as i try to watch youtube in peace. for the moment, it's the film of miles and trane playing so what. but their murmuring voices invade my serenity. trane tries to blow them off his back, but talk of csi remains on the premises. for this is the teacher's lounge, the place i go to not earn my money. this is where i go when i tire of telling the students such things as "if you must fail, fail with dignity," "come on guys, i'm trying not to work," and "hey, don't make me not keep you after school." yes, i have found a halfway decent gig. i don't give grades, i don't have department meetings, and i haven't shaved for a week. as bags and cannonball would say, "things are getting better," and i am "groovin high."

meanwhile, a fellow behind me with a half assed beard continues to pontificate, speaking but saying nothing. at the moment, he and a couple of other hacks are talking about various phone, cable, and internet packages. oh, what might be next on the verizon? with a comcast of coworkers like this, no wonder i am having a hard time sleeping. now, it's trane and dolphy. i have the impressions i have heard it before, but so what? it drowns them out. if only i could drown them. i guess all i can do is wait and sea if they go away.

why do people feel the need to talk? and if they must talk, can't they talk about something worthwhile? do they know a war is going on? that children are starving? fuck them and their wireless internet and their dish network and their precious cell phone plans.

the worst thing about schools are the teachers who work in them. the hours are great, the students cool, the duties light.

the people?

fuckheads.

yeah, i got to invest in some better headphones, for i can still hear them.

well, i am on the clock, and dolphy is blowing.

all in all, not too bad a deal.