Hired!

I got a job! I’m now a math teacher at a charter high school in Brooklyn! The interview I had last week went as well as I felt it did. The school is in Williamsburg. It will be a pain to get to. I’ll commute from the Bronx until I find a place closer. It’s even a long commute from the parts of Brooklyn where my friends live. I just saw that I could make it a 40 minute commute if I make an external transfer, one where you pay two fares. With an unlimited MetroCard that’s not an issue. OK so now I can look to live nearer my friends. The ideal location is the apartment I lived in one summer in Fort Greene. That would be 20 minutes from school, my friends, and Rockwood Music Hall. As you can see, I’m thinking ahead. I have to plan on getting all knew doctors and mental health support. These are things that bring me anxiety which is why I’m bringing them up. I’m getting myself used to the idea. The rewards are so high that I have to face them. I feel the tightening in my chest but it’s not as bad as it could be. There is more excitement than anxiety.

I found out I got the job oddly. The principal asked me for more information. I took that as a good sign. Then I wrote him and asked when I might hear of the decision. He said I should have already been sent the contract. There was some glitch, and I didn’t receive it. I wrote the school’s CFO and now the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed. I got the letter from the principal last night at around 11. I immediately called my sisters and told them. I wrote the one friend I knew would be awake, but she was busy and didn’t answer. This morning I called more people I want to hear people’s voices. This is my online announcement.

I’d like to tell you my salary, that’s important. It’s not about being competitive, it’s about knowing how your friend will be living. It’s considered gauche to discuss such things. I don’t want to offend anyone. I’m going to tell you because there’s no rational reason not to, it’s just defying societal expectations which in this case partly put in place by employers wanting to keep salaries secret to keep salaries down. Workers of the world unite! We have nothing to lose but our chains. I start at $65K, firmly middle class for a single person, a bit of a stretch paying NYC rents. I feel like a gazillionaire. As long as I don’t spend like a gazillionaire I’ll be in good shape. What’s a luxury to me? Getting a TV package where I can watch the Mets and Knicks. I have simple tastes. I heard you think, “And a simple mind.” Watch it.

I’ll still be doing Gord’s Gold. That’s on tonight on Folk Music Notebook at 9 PM EDT, don’t forget to listen. This won’t interfere with Falcon Ridge. The only important event I might have trouble with is NERFA. I’m going to go and if things work out present at the DJ showcase on Thursday night. If I can’t get Friday off that means coming home right afterward and then going out after school on Friday night for the rest of the conference. I can live with that. Damn, that’s a 2.5 hour trip. I can still live with it.

That’s my big news that overshadows everything else. I’ll write again manana.