AndyHollinger Posted 11 June , 2005 Posted 11 June , 2005 For the past month or so you've seen many fewer posts by me even though, in the best of times I've been a slow riser through the ranks... As many of you know, I teach history at the local community college, but I was on a one year appointment. This past spring, the slot went permenant (realizing in Texas - as a "right to work" state, one can be fired for no reason at any time) and I was in the competition for that slot - amongst and against over 250 applicants (think about this next time you think the US is having a great economic "boom") Well, I made the short list of 4 - but not the top spot. The job was offered to a woman of color with a PhD and good teaching credentials (hey she really was more qualified) ... but through the grace of God, she turned down the spot. In a pickle, the administration offered the job to me ... So I am still employed - teaching History - the intellectual love of my life. Soooo ... first Lauren and I went to repaint my Mother in laws condo ... yes, on Clearwater beach in Fla ... then we came home to publish our new baby - Lauren and I have purchased a Magazine about Bicycle Racing in the southwest ( The Racing Post ) Well, we learned Quark, hounded both advertisers and contributers - - Any bike racers out there want to publish? We'd love to do a story with pictures about racing in other places - - and got the issue out a week late though the printer also screwed up so it won't be mailed till next week. Okay, life's been a major struggle for this family since I lost my job (retired or fired at 50) as a Internet Consultancy exec .. I work part time at a bike shop trying to make grocery money. What's this mean to you ... well, my forays into the world of WWI and you guys and gals really makes a difference. Where else could you log on, discuss the finer aspects of cooking badger or see a post talking about Puttees' specifications be answered in 5 minutes flat? You, my dear associates and friends, are balm for my soul and for that I thank you. Oh ... just so this post shows up on the various search strings now and in the future: Haig knew what he was doing No Haig didn't The war was all Tirpitz's fault Jellicoe was a good guy, Beatty was a bounder Is the Kitchener death plaque for sale on Ebay, real? and, as the Lobster-backs once said about Boston girls (1774 - 6) - Kentucky girls are so easy, rape is an un-heard-of crime. That shoudl catch about everyone.
steve fuller Posted 11 June , 2005 Posted 11 June , 2005 Thats great to hear Andy, really is. Going through a similar mini crisis myself at the moment and have to say that i agree completely - "balm for the soul" is spot on!! Funny how you can be "over qualified, achieved & experienced" when youre still in your thirties isnt it, but there it is!!! Like you, Ive found a haven in this forum. Helping people on this forum, rather than stewing in my own juices (scuse the phrase), is a distraction that is invaluable. My best wishes to you "Teech", and I sincerely hope it all falls into place soon mate.
bernardmcilwaine Posted 11 June , 2005 Posted 11 June , 2005 hiya andy/lauren,when is someone going to write about the tough ombres in ww1,theres hardly anything about the texan+oklahoma division in ww1 [hint]your in the ideal place for it and you have the qualifications,and your interest in ww1 makes it all the more enjoyable,bernard
DirtyDick Posted 11 June , 2005 Posted 11 June , 2005 Gosh, I never considered myself to be medicinal... although I am told I can be a bit of a pill (doubtless a word not used since PG Wodehouse's day). Well done with the job thingy, Andy. BTW: What is Quark? (Star Trek language??) Richard
Guest Simon Bull Posted 12 June , 2005 Posted 12 June , 2005 Congratulations Andy. Glad to hear you kept your job. How is there "a right to work" in Texas f you can be dismissed at will?
PhilB Posted 12 June , 2005 Posted 12 June , 2005 Congrats Andy. A new bike to celebrate? You haven`t told us yet how Bobby Lee would have handled the stalemate of the Western Front! (We don`t really want to know what John B Hood would have done!) This article:- http://www.aflcio.org/issuespolitics/state...righttowork.cfm indicates that "Right to work" has a down side, but doesn`t mention ease of being fired. How does that work? Phil B
John_Hartley Posted 12 June , 2005 Posted 12 June , 2005 Andy Good news about the permanency of the job. It must be relief for you & Lauren. Even better news is that you're still enjoying teaching - now you're doing it full time. Tough job - I couldnt do it. John
eviltaxman Posted 12 June , 2005 Posted 12 June , 2005 Andy, Congrats on getting/retaining the job. If the work rules are that tight in Texas, it's a wonder anyone gets anything done - everyone is hiring/firing everyone else I totally agree with the forum being a tonic. After a stressful day at work, I often look forward to reading some of Nigels postings (sorry Nigel, couldn't resist!)..... but you know what I mean. Everyone on here is friendly and fairly courteous and most of all, we're all mates!!! Les.
Piscator Posted 12 June , 2005 Posted 12 June , 2005 Congrat's Andy, Nice to hear your all settled now, tho it must have been a trifle tense at times for you. Its great to think I dont have to worry about work anymore although as everyone else does we still have concerns about cash particulary as we never know which way this government is going to jump, and its always a relief to come on this forum even if I dont post all that often, and hear from the rest of the guy's, there's always something of interest. And most of all it helps to bring a little calm to the end of the day. Love it!!! Len (on the beach)
jayne w Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Andy, Congratulations, glad you have some peace of mind now. I, for one, couldnt be without all you guys and gals out there. Made lots of new friends (you know who you are!) and yes dont post vey often but its fascinating reading.I've learnt loads!! Everyone is so helpful I cant get over it!! Anyway good luck Andy to teach History must be a dream job. regards Jayne W
AndyHollinger Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Congratulations Andy. Glad to hear you kept your job. How is there "a right to work" in Texas f you can be dismissed at will? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The Right to work Laws throughout the South are a series of laws aimed at busting Unions - a worker never has to join the Union to work anywhere. There is no "closed shops" ... so the label "Right to work" ... yet, they also were enacted to help employers literally control the workplace in an absolute manner. A worker has NO rights whatsoever. As long as an Employer never says or writes anything about why a worker is discharged ... they're gone. Now, they will probably get unemployment if let go without cause, but that's usually little help. Where employers get into trouble is saying too much. Federal and State laws protect a worker from being discharged for a number of reasons - not the least of which is race, creed, national origin ... but not for "No reason" ... Welcome to the South - have a nice day.
AndyHollinger Posted 13 June , 2005 Author Posted 13 June , 2005 Thanks for all the well-wishes ... I'll let you know how the Permenant Job goes ... I am, in all honesty, moved by the responses here ... but also in all honesty, looking for Bicycle Racers to write for the magazine ...
paul guthrie Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Great news Andythegood! Kentucky is not a " right to work " state but the hire and fire at will doctrine is alive and well...
John_Hartley Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Welcome to the South - have a nice day. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Kentucky is not a " right to work " state but the hire and fire at will doctrine is alive and well... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Please, please, please - let my country become more European and less American. Before it's too late..... John (I still like you guys "over there")
Tom Morgan Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Congratulations, Andy. I've known you and Lauren longer than most Pals, and I know how happy you must be to get this job. Hope you and Lauren get some articles soon! Best wishes - Tom
Terry Posted 13 June , 2005 Posted 13 June , 2005 Let me join in congratulations, Andy. I guess I was one of the lucky ones - able to retire from teaching (yes, history) on full pension at the ripe old age of 52. Cheers from north of the border, Terry
Guest Simon Bull Posted 14 June , 2005 Posted 14 June , 2005 Let me join in congratulations, Andy. I guess I was one of the lucky ones - able to retire from teaching (yes, history) on full pension at the ripe old age of 52. Cheers from north of the border, Terry <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Terry - you are very lucky - not that I begrudge you the early retirement at all, I am quite sure that you had earned it. My wife is Deputy Head in a big secondary school and whilst she loves the job (I frankly cannot imagine why, although it is so fortunate that a small (increasingly small) rump of teachers do still enjoy their work, for the sake of the nation's future), it is so pressured and the hours are so long and it so exhausts her that I very greatly fear for her health in the long term. The popular myth of short hours and long holidays for teachers (particularly senior teachers) is just so untrue and it is such a very tough job with no respite and constant problems dealing with, frankly, often oafish children and then with their stroppy parents who, having succeeded in bringing up their children so badly that they are a thorough nuisance, are now given far too much right to challenge what schools do by government. My job can be very pressured at times, but it has nothing on hers. Meanwhile here in England the government wants teachers to work for 5 years longer before they can retire. She faces having to work 13 years more than you had to. I fear by then she will be, quite literally, worn out and in no fit state to enjoy any of her retirement.
marina Posted 14 June , 2005 Posted 14 June , 2005 Terry - you are very lucky - not that I begrudge you the early retirement at all, I am quite sure that you had earned it... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Simon - who loves you apart from Mrs. Bull? All us teachers on the Forum! Marina
Simon R Posted 14 June , 2005 Posted 14 June , 2005 [Where else could you log on, discuss the finer aspects of cooking badger Ray Mears? (Fat English bushcrafter). Glad you're alright though, not the same without you... quieter.
AndyHollinger Posted 16 June , 2005 Author Posted 16 June , 2005 Almost all the regulars chimed in ...THANKS ... going to my orientation mtg next week where the "new" regulations will be given - Trying to publish the paper and re-write my lectures ... One thing one must remember as a teacher ... it is a calling not a job. I see some people going through the motions every day but many, if not most, really care. It's hard and I take it seriously ... though after 25 years in business, my personality is definitely NOT academic ... and that ruffles feathers ... But this forum helps a great deal ... from road-kill badger to WhiteCastle ... (the same thing) to wishing I were teaching English History in Britain ... and trying to understand WWI and know some more stuff about it ... All here ... and thanks
Guest Simon Bull Posted 22 June , 2005 Posted 22 June , 2005 Simon - who loves you apart from Mrs. Bull? All us teachers on the Forum!Marina <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Certainly Mrs Bull - our Silver Wedding anniversary yesterday!
marina Posted 22 June , 2005 Posted 22 June , 2005 Certainly Mrs Bull - our Silver Wedding anniversary yesterday! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh, lovely! Congratulations to you both - and many more anniversaries to come. Marina
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