My work is neverending.  I had to drop off cameras at the repair shop.  I left right after period 8.  I still did not make it home until 4.30.  If anyone thinks I get away with something by leaving at the bell for this, they are kidding.  I would gladly let someone else drop them off and sit in that route 80 traffic on my way home around the Market Street exit for the chance to avoid the agita of this trip.  However, if I do not do it, it will not get done.  I tried it last year.  I refused to drop them off.  Did someone else volunteer?  Hardly.  At least the people at the shop are wonderful.  The woman I deal with was telling me about the equipment the repaired for another school.  First of all, 16 cameras repaired.  Sixteen!!!  I was drooling over that kind of repair budget.  Oh wait, I have no repair budget.  It comes out of my supply budget.  Then, here's the kicker:  12 enlargers repaired!  I told her I do all my enlarger repairs myself.  We could not understand how they paid for it.  I have a guess - a supportive school that values the program and budgets money for all students, not just select groups.

I feel anger at the careless way the students handle the cameras, but she told me ours are actually in very nice shape compared to what they see from other schools.  I looked at the Minoltas they had in the case and they were all $200.  Sigh.....  No money for that.  I will be scrounging on e-bay all year.  I have had a never ending battle for fair funding since they gave me this program and told me to fix it.  I just wish they knew how much money I save by soliciting thousands of dollars in donated equipment and doing my own repairs.

I had ordered a magnification lamp on this year's budget.  Somehow, between submitting it in December and some date in February, that item was removed after being marked "no bid" and a paper trimmer was placed on it.  My student teacher took pity on my attempts to repair a camera on Friday - maybe it was the resulting blood blister - and brought in her magnification lamp from home.  Within five minutes I was able to make the repair.  That paper cutter will remain in that box because I did not order it and all six of ours are indeed in working order, especially after I sharpen the blades myself.

I do not get paid any extra to do all this and I am getting frustrated.  However, the kids must never know.  All sunshine and roses in Cafe 026.