To start, a few words from Rod Stewart

“Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you
It’s late September and I really should be back at school.”

A long time ago in France, the return to school was in late September, nowadays though we go back earlier every year. A few thoughts …

Kids dragging unwillingly to school, workers crawling back to the daily grind – summer was but a blip – just a long coffee break – Nothing will have changed when I return to work; pens, papers, books, and files strewn across my desk, exactly where they landed in July when I joyously flung them across the office and ran away as quickly as possible. Conversations with colleagues will start again where we left them in mid sentence a few weeks ago. The boss will give us his traditional pep talk, and as I plough my way through the moutain of e-mails that have accumulated over the summer, I will have only one thought – just 102 shopping days left until Christmas – Yes, it is that time of year when we begin the long slow haul on the long slow road to the festive season.

«Think of all those people who don’t have a job,» snapped a friend during a summer get-together of burnt offerings and cheap wine – a babrecue – Yes, in these hard times, I have what many millions don’t – a job, a position, gainful employment, but …  I just want to go back to work.

Let’s consider the alternatives:

I could steal my dady’s cue and make a living out of playing pool.

or

I could find myself a rock and roll band that needs a helping hand

Not exactly reliable jobs with regular salaries. Guess I’ll just stick to teaching. Okay, time to sharpen my pencils an get my bag ready. Oh god – I’ve been going  through the same ritual every year since I started school as a kid 45 years ago. Sod it! Time to hit the road and find a band.