Save Me. Please!

[thescarletwoman]

I'm at work right now -- and I really don't care that I'm on LJ and probably shouldn't. I'm having what has to be the worst night ever here.

I came in in a good mood. I really did! Just got back from the casino wherein I won a couple hundred bucks (ended up $50 ahead of where I began) and was feeling great. Then I walked into the store. Starts with Erin's daughter here. I don't do well with little kids. My two nieces I adore. Other little kids... not so much.

Things are degenerating from there.

1. Was on the phone with the devil!child (tm) that I teach. Get off the phone and Jim ONCE MORE yells at me for talking too loudly. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a voice that projects. Jim takes pride in telling me, it seems like once a week, that I'm too loud. I've never ONCE heard anyone say I'm too loud. And Jim says that, listening to me, everyone holds the phone a foot away from their head. Yeah. that makes me feel wonderful.

2. We're busy. I work in a small two room mom and pop type music store. We're NEVER busy. Yeah, save for tonight. 5pm comes and Jim is OUT the door, even though we're busy. The phone has been ringing off the hook and given the fact that I started typing this at 5:30 and it's ten minutes later... it's insanely busy here tonight.

3. The lesson book is totally and completely fucked up. Erin is the one who does all the spreadsheets as who owes what. I just take payments. So when people (this has happened FOUR times tonight and it's only 5:30. I got here at 4:00) say that the teacher cancelled 3 weeks in a row and I only see one, I have to go by the book. And I have people yelling at me, saying they don't want to pay for lessons they're not getting -- which I agree with. But please, stop yelling at me as if this is my fault. I have no control over it.

Can I cry now? Or curl up into a tiny, tiny ball?

And I have another hour and a half here. *cries*

*points to icon* that is exACTly how I feel right now.

Comments

[brighty18.livejournal.com]

***hugs***

I've been through the store thing... believe me. There seems to me some kind of vortex that sucks out co-workers and a spell that draws in obnoxious customers all at the same time. I hated it!

And SO many of my friends have been through the evil students with multiple cancellation things. My friend Troy (who plays for the Alabama Symphony) used to call me to bitch and whine about it all the time because not only did HIS students cancel, but he had to pick up the slack when the other teachers canceled. Parents are the worst part, too, are they not? Do you have students yourself or just keep books?

And this probably won't make you feel any better, but here is something to quasi-romantic (but work safe?) read: http://community.livejournal.com/brightyfics/13359.html#cutid1
(Apologies for shameless pimping!)

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

Whoa. Small world. My friend Erica plays for the Alabama Symphony.

And I think I know who your friend Troy is. :) AND I live in Cleveland. Do I know you?

... weird.

[brighty18.livejournal.com]

Okay, that would be really bizarre, but cool if I knew you.

It's Troy Bast and he's dating Jim the principal oboe player. My husband (Andrew, who plays the bassoon and went to CIM) knows Troy from Ohio Light Opera, but I "stole him" (as Andrew claims I do with all of his gay friends.)

Does she like Alabama? They have obnoxious auditions and hiring practices. My friend Colleen who plays the viola had a really strange audition with them.

Did you go to CIM?

Definitely small world.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

HA, no, I went to Baldwin-Wallace College. My major was music history and theory. They don't do so much of that at CIM. Also? Not anywhere near good enough a pianist to get into CIM.

Erica is one of Jim's old students, so that's how I knew who Troy was. (I checked; there was only one Troy in the violin section.) She's the assistant PM (I think) and the extra oboe/EH for them.

She likes Alabama because she likes the people there, and she's made remarks about the orchestra's 'policies'. Heh. But the state in general . . . eh. (It's not that easy to be a vegan lesbian in Alabama.)

Re: Definitely small world.

[brighty18.livejournal.com]

Music theory? ***shudders*** Sadly, I had a very difficult time with music theory. (I was a music minor at a liberal arts college, though.) Music History, however, I loved and still love. In fact, I really enjoyed helping Andrew with his stuff at both NEC and CIM.

But, no, CIM is not too big on history especially. Most conservatory-type schools are not!

I've heard Troy speak of Erica - he likes her a lot. He's vegetarian (and gay) so he's pretty much in the same proverbial boat!

Do you mind if I add you as a friend?

Re: Definitely small world.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. :)

Sure! I'll add you back.

[tjs-whatnot.livejournal.com]

Man! I hope you are no longer there feeling miserable...I hope you are in some bar somewhere drinking yourself silly!!

"It sounds like you're having issues with boxes..."

[adaptor.livejournal.com]

Hugs and WW references! :-)

[starshine-rain6.livejournal.com]

*hugs!*

I hope you're getting a good paycheck for all that misery. And this Jim person needs to loosen up - you're not too loud, he's too old!