So, as many of you know, I am a former middle school science teacher. Though I took a break to be at home with my kids when they were little, I spent a total of 10 years teaching 13-14 year olds the concepts of earth and life science. Thanks to this involvement with this particular age group, in the early 2000s I knew Jack Black was in a band called Tenacious D before most adults even knew Jack Black was a comedian and an actor! I was in on the 13-14 year old “know.” I knew all the ridiculous middle school jokes and lines from movies which were frequently quoted in class. (Austin Power was popular so there were lots of “Oh, BEhave” and “zip-it” lines…) If I liked a particular song on the radio, my students would burn me a CD via Napster (when it was still legal…) and then during work time I would play it in class so long as they stayed quiet! Then I left teaching for six years while my own kiddos were little. When I came back, a FEW things had changed in my absence! Now there was Facebook and smart phones and Instagram and texting! I had some learning to do, but fortunately, I taught the age group perfectly equipped to do just that – teach me. Though there were still movies, there was also YouTube….and crazy things like “What Does the Fox Say?” – something I still don’t understand, but I have viewed and at least know what the kids are singing! And so began another wonderfully symbiotic relationship where I taught students science and they taught me technology (and then some…) so I could maintain a slightly “cool” status despite my ever increasing age.
Then I left teaching again….
Now I am in a completely adult role. Adults are everywhere. And I know none of their names. I am never in a room where there is a roll call or where I can make some joke about Justin Bieber…(well at least not one where I’d get any laughs). I am new and all the people are new. To make it even more fun when they ask the question – that they always ask – what do I do…. I have SUCH a fun answer! I peddle poop. Yeup. That’s me. The poop girl.
In fact, just last week I was at a networking get-together where I did by chance know a person there. (Praise God, I knew someone!!) She was there representing her local magazine and had been to this social gathering before so she helped by introducing me to some people. We started talking and I confessed my nervousness when she said, “I know, it can be a little nerve-wrecking, but you’ll get used to it. Sometimes I’m still nervous at these things.” To which I replied, “Yes, but you peddling a magazine…I’m peddling something MUCH less desirable!” Fortunately, I got a laugh. Maybe I will figure out how to get more adult laughs…which hopefully will lead to more adult business…particularly grease traps (if anyone who reading this cares…hint, hint…)
Despite my new world, I do believe in what I am doing. We do peddle services to remove poop and grease and liquefied animal remains, (I know, I know… it’s gross, but that’s what we do!!) However, the world needs people like us or we wouldn’t have a business! We don’t like messes anymore than you do and for that very reason you should use us. We want things clean and nice too!
So I will carry on and learn about this new adult role I am in. (Surely I can figure out how adults tick…after all, I am an adult myself, so it shouldn’t be THAT hard!) I will do what I can to attract people who need my grease trap cleaning and other liquid waste services. (Shameless plug…restaurant owners – please, give me a call!) And I will continue to peddle until I can’t peddle anymore!