Why I hate August

August is the worst. It's not just that teachers have to go back to work then. But it puts the whole month in limbo.

August starts off with a dreadful unease, knowing that you're in the final days of your all-too-easy existence. It's coming. You know it. And even though the stress of going back has decreased markedly in recent years, there's still a major lifestyle change that occurs when you make the switch from doing pretty much what you choose all day to having a job again. It all culminates in the last few days, where no matter how much you want to 'make the most' of the end of summer, the fact is you're just so USED to it that you can't appreciate it.

When work actually starts, it's almost a relief - the thing that's been a big unknown in your mind is finally able to be made real. And it's a lot easier mentally dealing with 'the devil you know'.

And then there's late August. First, it's hot. Stinking hot. And my room at school has no A/C and is situated by the parking lot where the sun beats right into the windows all afternoon. So by the end of every day I am melted and beaten down. Every day I check the weather, and every day, the 90s seem to continue. And usually, as happened this year, it gets nice and cool on the weekends, then heats up again all week. It makes me yearn achingly for fall. But even worse than the temperature is the late August time phenomenon. As a teacher, I always need to feel like I'm progressing through the calendar towards something. The problem with late August is that no matter how good you feel about the progress you're making...IT'S STILL ONLY AUGUST!!! It's like you haven't even started yet. Think about it. In the same month, you were still on break! So each day that the calendar still says "August" is another day that doesn't even seem to COUNT.

It isn't until the month finally turns over that all the days you put in actually feel completed. And suddenly, you can see all the work you've done, realize that you're firmly planted in your routine once again, and not feel like every day is a drop in the bucket.

So farewell, August, I hated you like I always do. I will see you again next year and I will hate you again. September, you aint much better. But you aint August so I welcome you. Thanks for getting here.

Matt