Freedom!

Oh well, all right. No blue face, and no hair extensions either. But I do feel a sense of freedom right now, having discarded my only private student on the grounds that he kept giving me late notice that he wouldn't be coming (at breakfast this morning - he was on a trip that was arranged ages ago) or - even more annoying - simply not turning up. A bright kid, engaging and essentially well-mannered - but completely scatter-brained and disorganised.

I've commented on this before. His parents, middle-class and highly educated both, know fine how scatty he is. But do they take the trouble to nag him about his obligations? Or even ask him if he's checked in about a lesson if there's any doubt? Or even - shock, horror - tried contacting me themselves to see how he's getting on/apologise/offer an explanation?

No on all counts, I'm afraid. So, on behalf of teachers everywhere who are deemed to be beyond common courtesy - I walked away. And I wrote the letter. It's in the post. And I feel liberated.

"Free at last" ... if you prefer Larkin. Source, anyone?

Reasons for (non)attendance.

Trouble with voluntary organisations is that you can't coerce folk into doing things. You can't make them do homework, appear on time - or indeed appear at all. You rely on goodwill, loyalty and an inherent unwillingness to let others down.

The church is a voluntary organisation in which there are a few professionals and a floating mass of people who have their own reasons for attending - or not attending. No-one is coerced into being there at a specific time, though some of the volunteers are more pressed into service than others. In fact, giving someone a job often ensures that they will be there on that day - though they equally might just not bother.

The priest has to be there. The organist is missed when he/she takes a break - and usually this will be timed to avoid any major festival. Everyone else is free to drift in and out as the spirit moves them. It's hard to predict and it's hard on the committed.

But I don't understand why the spirit would keep anyone away over Easter.

The title is yet another quote. The usual rules apply - unless you're sick of chocolate.