Mr. Utley: The Educator/Ski Lift Operator

Finally began my substitute teacher duties. Only about 10 months after I starting talking about it! Teaching the little ones. Started last week, so far have "taught" pre-K, Kindegarten and 3rd grade. It's actually kind of fun. The children seem to like me. They must be able to see deep down into my kindhearted soul.

It has all gone smoothly for the most part, with the exception of a small fight breaking out in my 3rd grade class and the one little wiseguy who felt it necessary to kick a pair of somebody's soiled, abandoned skivvies into the classroom from the bathroom. He was attempting to be a funny guy. So, how did I handle this situation you may wonder? I had this little pr*ck pick up said soiled skivvies and carry them down three floors to the lost and found. Nobody gets one by ol' Utley!

And I've also accepted a position at a local ski area. I will be working nights as a lift attendant. Or "liftie" to those in the industry. Standing outside on cold winter nights and helping the skiers safely onto the chairlift.

So here's where I stand for now: For the foreseeable future, I will be working most days teaching and most night at the ski area. Goal is to at least earn some respectable income, which in turn gives me more time to search for the "golden opportunity;" meaning the full time sales/marketing opportunity I've been looking for. Until then, I am getting in touch with my blue collar roots...

The month of October was actually pretty busy with interviews, although no bites. Some of the interviews I went on merely for the interviewing experience, and a couple of the interviews I was actually really interested in the position. Haven't heard an official "no" from the front-running company, but it has been a while now, so I'm really not banking on it. Thought the interview went so well!

So, loyal followers, I am still here, still plugging away. Perhaps this holiday season will bring some good luck for me, in the form of the dream gig. But we wait patiently. And in the meantime, you can find me wiping runny noses and making sure the little ones are sitting "criss coss applesauce" in their appropriate spots on the reading rug...