310. Work is insane ... or is it me?

Work is insane. Or is it me? I remember that is why I started to blog. To avoid insanity. So it must be work.

I head to the copier room. I have to rush as I am probably running late. I do not want to look at the time, I do not want to know if I'm late as it will only increase my stress level and who needs stress? There are no wild beasts running after us anymore, only annoying little ones hiding in over-heated offices, mopping around and crying rivers about how overworked they are.

So of course I jam the thing. There is a loud CLANG and then the screen changes to show the insides of the machine. I follow the first instruction to open the side flap and I yank out a sheet of paper. But then the screen gives me more flaps to open and levers to  lift and handles to turn. I pause. I breathe. I count to 5. This is good: I now remember a note telling us not to attempt to clear jams but to seek for help. I turn on my heels and head to the warm offices where a sweet aroma of coffee pervades. As a white flag I shout happy new year to everyone. They wish me the same back. Good . I can voice my reasonable request.

'I'm so very sorry ... but I've got a jam in the machine. I've removed a sheet but there's more and it looks so complicated I dare not try to solve the problem ... '

I stop because next I will be crawling on the floor my hands joined in prayer.

At these words a panicked woman jumps up from behind her desk (I have never seen such a fast reaction, maybe something to do with her new year resolutions) and follows me. 

'Which machine?' 

'It's the one the left.' I want to point out that there are only two machines left now and that it is the one flashing. But I don't because I have made new year resolutions too. 

'I'm sorry, I have to go in the next office.' I do not add that it is because I can see there is someone there now. 'I'll be right back. Very sorry.' I rage at the resolutions taken, and wish I hadn't.

'Happy new year!' I say entering the second office.

I get a reply, not overtly enthusiastic but I get a reply and I person on with my request.

'May I please have two black cartridges ... for a board marker?' I want to say 'pretty please' but I don't. This is work. We have to be super serious. 

'No. Only one.'

Bang goes my new year resolution.

'Why?' I say too firmly.

'Because I can't give you two.'

As I am staring she continues. 

'I am only giving one at a time so everyone gets one. Our supplies are very low. 

And she goes on. In December we didn't have the budget to order some more so we've ordered some now but then we dont know when they'll get here and then that's why I'm not giving more than one to share equally amongst teachers. 

I am speechless. The school (a big state school in France) does not have the 'budget' to buy cartridges? This is baffling me. I think that I have never ever bumped into a colleague asking for markers in this office. What do my colleagues do? Send a student? Impossible, I've tried and I got told off for it. Am I the teacher who writes the most on the board? I doubt it. I've already had a smarty pants comments on how Maths teachers write so much on the board (understand so much more than language teachers).

'Can I have a black marker instead of the cartridge then. Please?'

I think this is cheeky but I hate coming into this office. 

'Yes, that you can. But only one cartridge because ...'

And I get the spell about the lack of funds again. I could tell her that they could borrow some cash from me to tie them up but I don't. We have to be super serious.

She looks for the little book, looks for a pen and then opens the little book and writes my name and next to it she writes one blue cartridge and one black marker. I think this is utterly ridiculous and infuriating but again I am the only one to think so. Others must be so much more patient than I.

I go back and the copier is ready for me. Hey, these resolutions do work. Maybe a new friendly me is in the making for 2023? Maybe soon I won't need to blog? 

Happy as Larry about my day so far I decide to open my mail box (one of the mail pro box, we have about 5 in all) and shut it very quickly again. There is an 'invitation' for an online training session about some obscure topic and they are very sorry about the short notice as it is for tomorrow. I storm out of the room. I have made an other new year resolution. I will boycott this mailbox. It's just a box full of nuisance.