Chapter 42 - Back to Junior High (2018-2019)

Eric celebrated his 41st birthday quietly on the first day of junior high. It was a sudden thing for him to be teaching grade 7 and 8. One week before his birthday Eric was wondering how much work he would have, and before he knew it he had about a three-quarters time position teaching junior high math, science, and options at David Thomas King School (DTK) on the far (west) side of Edmonton. On top of that he had already taken teaching evening math upgrading courses at NorQuest College (NorQuest), and his continued tutoring through Lights on Mediated Learning Centre (LoML).

With the thought of only subbing for the year, Eric had already bought passes to the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo in late September, along with photo ops and autographs with David Tennant, Matt Smith, John Barrowman, and Brent Spiner. It was Eric’s last really relaxing fun few days of the calendar year.

Eric’s teaching course load consisted of: High School Math Prep for NorQuest, Tuesday and Thursday nights - a course he enjoyed teaching; and at DTK there was grade 7 Math, grades 7 & 8 science, coding option (combined grade 7, 8, & 9), and foods option (combined grades 7, 8, & 9) which had another option time taught by Caitlin, a colleague.

Prior to Eric joining the DTK junior high team, Kelsy, the head of the junior high math and science division and the other math and science teacher, had entered DTK into the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). The SSEP is a program that gives students a chance to design an experiment to be conducted in the micro-gravity of the ISS (International Space Station), one experiment from each school division that enters would win the opportunity for their experiment to actually be conducted. This was the first year that DTK, and the Edmonton Public School Division, entered the competition.

Eric was on board for this opportunity with the students, seeing the potential it could have. However, with his minimal experience teaching junior high, it became his first challenge to get the students interested, along with both his learning of what the experiment criteria and knowledge base was along with teaching the students the relevant components. By the end of the three months of the student work on the projects, Eric had come to realize that the competition would be better served by teachers with more experience and more ingrained in the grade subject matter than he was as a first time full-time grade 7 & 8 science teacher. He passed on this reflection to Lyndi, the principal of DTK.

Using up this time for the SSEP meant that Eric had to get through the curriculum in less time. With the slightly unstructured nature the classes had with the SSEP, getting the students on task for the rest of the year was yet another challenge for Eric. Despite his desire for more hands on explorative learning, Eric had to go with more traditional note taking, especially when a few students didn’t abide by laboratory rules (ruining labs for their classmates).

Outside the stresses of teaching, Eric’s basement renovations were completed and Lane moved into one of the basement rooms in October - Agnes and Matt still rented the main floor room. Eric completely wrapped up his connections with Spectrum Educational Supplies by shipping back all materials, also in October. Packing up one storage unit inspired him to pack up his personal storage unit, especially with renovations complete.

Socialization with friends and family was greatly appreciated when Eric had, or made the time. Especially around Christmas when his sister’s family came to visit; Samara, Geert, Sebastian, Klara.

As 2019 began, Eric returned to what became a routine for him: teaching daytime at DTK on the West side of Edmonton - with a switch of options in February to Leadership and Drama; teaching the same course for a second term at NorQuest, the same evening schedule - Tuesdays and Thursdays; and occasional tutoring at LoML.

Teacher’s convention, and other professional development, was a welcome reprieve from teaching. It gave Eric the opportunity to interact more with adults, share struggles, and learn new concepts for teaching - both classroom management and course content. Spring break was not as much of a break. He spent that time preparing for the final leg of the school year, alongside Ilene, his colleague who became a mentor. Eric had known Ilene since his first days teaching Robotics at Metro’s Cool School Summer Camp.

Spring brought more changes to Eric’s personal life: In March he rented out his last room to Alvina. April was the end of his work at NorQuest - he knew that three nights a week would be too much for him to handle for the spring term. With less evening teaching, Eric picked up more tutoring. May brought to light some minor health issues; repeated trips to the dentist to deal with some inadequate oral care. May also saw his house emptied with Agnes and Matt, and Alvina all moving elsewhere together - something known since Alvina moved in.

June and the end of the school year was a welcome to Eric. A discussion with Lyndi helped Eric come to terms with preferring to teach high school over junior high, this resulted in him not returning to DTK for the 2019-2020 school year, instead returning to subbing.

The summer gave Eric a chance to catch up on several things, from socializing to home improvements to preparation for the Fringe. On the home improvement front: Eric had to spend some time and money cleaning the main floor room from about two years of Agnes and Matt and their two cats living there, floor was refinished and the closet upgraded from one rail to a set of rails and shelving - similar to the other rental rooms; a self-pollinating kiwi was planted along the fence in the back lane; coloured LED lights added to the front lamppost; and new modem with WiFi extension pods. Socializing included: helping David, Eric’s father, get a new electric assist bicycle; Fringe prep work dates with Sheena at the library; attending PanFest; and coffee, meals, and other general hanging out with friends Eric had minimal time for during the school year.

Fringe was exciting as Eric hosted three performers from Egypt, made it to a number of shows, and enjoyed the festival feeling less stressed and with only volunteer shifts at the beginning and end of the festival.

Eric’s going with the flow summer rolled into his birthday. With no set plans, he decided to just enjoy the day in the country side out of Edmonton. Most of the day at Cottontail Corner beach, a nude beach near Devon, then a road trip in the early evening. As a gift to himself, Eric also bought an iPad and Beats sound canceling headphones with educator’s discount at the Apple store the day before his birthday.

Chapter 41 - Saleing the River of Life to Some Clarity (2017-2018)

Eric was presented with a surprise upon returning to Edmonton after his September birthday trip to Yellowknife with his father David; resting his head on his pillow at home in the late afternoon a movement caught his eye, startled, Eric sat up and saw a red bug crawling across his pillow. A quick online search confirmed his suspicions: bed bugs!

The research indicated that for Eric to see them, they were serious, and not something he brought back from his trip, but something that had been amassing for a while. So that night Eric spent the night at his father’s house and started on the mission to eliminate the pests.

This mission was a major undertaking, for not only did he have to move all furniture from the walls for the exterminators, while the basement was under some renovations, but to get his tenants on board to have their rooms treated.

Agnes and Matt, Eric’s main floor tenants, were happy to oblige, though they had to find a place for their cats for the day. Eric’s basement tenant, Jesse, asked why his room had to be done if the bed bugs were only on the main floor. Eric, as landlord, informed Jesse that the bed bugs could move there, and that he didn’t want any in his house. A reasonably cordial disagreement between Eric and Jesse over the bed bugs resulted in Eric offering Jesse to move out short of the rental agreement without any financial penalty - which Jesse took.

 

With the bed bugs dealt a fatal blow, Eric was able to return to old and new adventures.

 

On the general renovation front, Eric cleared out decomposing boxes of old high school and university notes that were stored in his outdoor shed for close to a decade. ATCO Gas replaced his gas meter, for one they could remotely read and no longer have to enter his back yard. Eric also filed the official paperwork for the basement renovations; which included previously worked on bathroom, previously moved furnace, new walls on half the basement that required moving an electrical panel and rewiring that half of the basement. Eric passed on some of the renovation work to family handyman and crafts-person Terry.

A new adventure awaited Eric in the ocean of work and career. Prior to his trip to Yellowknife Eric had an interview with Spectrum Educational Supplies (Spectrum) to be the Western Canada Robotic Sales Specialist. Hedging his bets, Eric did not give up on his substitute teaching work. On his first day of subbing for Elk Island Public Schools, while supervising a computers & coding high school class, he received the job offer from Spectrum. The next few days he reviewed the contract, discussed it with people he trusted, clarified points he was uncertain on with Wayne Langdon (his to be boss), and asked for leave of absence from Elk Island Public Schools and Edmonton Public Schools.

 

Eric’s work as a sales representative started in early October with a training trip to Newmarket Ontario, part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). Eric learned a lot from his colleagues, especially Kristin the national robotics sales specialist (along with other duties), and enjoyed his time there. A brief trip to Ottawa for Thanksgiving with his Gramma Jean Matheson rounded out his eastbound trip.

Back in Alberta, Eric was soon on the road to Calgary to meet and get materials from his closest, geographically, colleague Lori (general sales representative for Alberta). Then assisting in his first convention in Edmonton with Lori. Soon off to Vancouver to meet another colleague, Kim (general sales representative for BC), and work a large convention with Wayne, Kristin, and Kim, as well as a chance to meet up with a few friends in Vancouver (Amanda, Mat, Shawna). Next was a convention and work in Saskatoon to meet and work with Colin, the general sales representative for Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Followed by yet more work with Lori in Calgary and a convention in Banff. By Christmas time Eric was beginning to get the hang of sales both in person to various clients (like schools, museums, libraries) and at conventions, as well as the paperwork of fine tuning the sale based on requirements of the clients.

 

Christmas gave for a bit of a break from work. Not only sales with Spectrum but the occasional tutoring with Lights On Mediated Learning Centre - when not out of town. As well as a break from the ongoing renovations in the basement.

Christmas and New Years was spent with family in Belgium: Sister Samara, brother-in-law Geert, nephew Sebastian, niece Klara, Geert’s family. David, Eric’s and Samara’s father, also visited - for a longer stay than Eric.

Back in Edmonton, Eric continued with his robotic sales, taking the opportunity while volunteering at the FIRST Lego League robotics competition to introduce himself to the organizers and formalize the connection. Next was Spectrum’s national sales meetings in Newmarket, Ontario, where Eric came down with the flu, making the trip home uncomfortable. A little rest and Eric was back at traveling and meeting clients. First a conference in Edmonton, then introducing Wayne to some clients in Edmonton, followed by conference in Calgary, then meeting clients in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas of BC (Vancouver, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Hope), then back to Edmonton with conference and work there.

 

As spring began, change was in the wind. Eric’s basement renovations were progressing smoothly, thanks to Terry. A new stacking washer and dryer were installed, heralding the approach of completion of the renovations. Eric also took the opportunity to consolidate a number of loans into his mortgage.

The biggest change however came in work. Through his time working with Spectrum Eric was working from home. His nearest colleague was in Calgary. Eric focused on work to the best of his abilities, yet always felt this sense of uncertainty; was he doing the job correctly? Was he doing enough? What more should he be doing? Despite reassurances, guidance, and advice from colleagues, Eric continued to feel uneasy. Eventually he managed to contribute some of this to a change that happened in September: At his hiring interview he was informed that the CEO of the parent company wanted to work on client relationships, when Eric was hired the CEO of the parent company had changed, and now the focus was profits; Eric had always been skeptical of his ability to succeed in sales for profit. This uncertainty in Eric lead him to look back at teaching.

On a sales trip with Wayne and Kim around the Okanagan Valley, BC, Eric got word from NorQuest College about teaching spring courses. The same day, Wayne informed Eric he had broken some sales records for the month of March, and well on the way to meet or exceed for the year. With a heavy heart, Eric informed Wayne of his decision, that his heart felt more at home teaching, but was willing to stay on to do some sales orders until a replacement was found. Wayne respected Eric’s decision and agreed to keep him on in a diminished role.

 

After that emotional day, and wrapping up work in the Okanangan, Eric took some personal time to visit friends in the area: Tolka in Kamloops and caught up with his old elementary school friend Nathaniel in Kelwona. Eric hadn’t seen Nathaniel for over 20 years.

 

May and June were busy for Eric. He was teaching math at NorQuest College, wrapping up work with Spectrum Educational Supplies, tutoring with Lights on Mediated Learning Centre, beginning to get ads out for his available rooms (having only Agnes and Mat as tenants since September), and continuing to socialize when he could. Home improvements included the install of a modern central vacuum (the old one was, as Eric called it, the Betamax version - none of the piping was consistent with modern vacuums, so in the basement renovations it was all re-piped), an upgrade to the alarm system, and quotes for new exterior doors.

While working at Spectrum, Eric had informed Gerald, with Metro Continuing Education, that it would not be possible to teach the Lego Robotics Summer Camp. Gerald made the decision to cut the program, since Eric was the robotics instructor, and in previous conversations it was about time to change up the program. This gave Eric free time in July to catch his breath and to actually feel prepared to enjoy the Fringe come August.

August brought a busy change-filled time for Eric. Samara and family came to visit, Eric’s basement bathroom finally got the final plumbing installed (working toilet and sink, shower still missing glass), Eric hosted two artists for the Fringe, Spectrum work items were officially returned as a new robotics sales representative was hired, Eric accepted an evening teaching position with NorQuest College, and got new/used furniture: family friend Robin’s old futon for Eric’s main basement room; the single bed at Eric’s father’s place that matched one Eric already had (and part of a bunk bed set from his Mom’s childhood) was returned for the newly renovated basement room, this triggered Eric to return the antique 3/4 bed to his father as replacement and then to get his own new double bed.

As Eric was looking into where to go for his annual trip, about one week before his birthday, he got a call mid-afternoon from Lyndi, with David Thomas King School, Edmonton Public Schools. She asked Eric to come for an interview that day for a part time teaching position in the junior high part of the elementary-junior high school. Eric was surprised, and rushed to get ready and make the interview. It went fast, and Eric felt overwhelmed by the end of the interview, with a job offer in hand. That night he thought about the job, and despite some uncertainties, having to do with this being his first time teaching junior high full-time for a whole year, he decided to take the job. This meant that he spent his birthday teaching on the first day of classes; truly a new adventure.

Chapter 40 - Money Pit (2016-2017)

Eric returned from Kamloops (his 2016 birthday trip) to an emptier house, Zack and Landon having moved into their own house while he was away. This gave Eric the opportunity to start some general fix up and renovations, as Cesar was his only tenant. First item on his list was scraping off the mouldy popcorn ceiling in the main floor bathroom, a task he ensured he was wearing full PPE and had drop sheets all over the bathroom. Painting the ceiling came next. All just an intro to the work ahead.

September also brought in a change of focus on work. Back in Edmonton, Eric returned to subbing with Elk Island Public Schools, this time with a Permanent Teaching Certificate. He also continued to look for other full time jobs and tutoring through LightOn Mediated Learning Centre.

October was the start of Eric’s full on adventures into the money pit as he tore out the carpet and ceiling, uncovering many (mouse) skeletons, in Zack’s old room, a room Eric had not spent time in for close to 8 years. This was followed by tearing down most of the remaining wood panelling in the basement; leaving the only wood panelling in the house in the stairwell. Eric used the back bedroom (Zack’s old room) as junk storage as he tore down all easy to bring down framing on the back side of the basement. The central support wall staying, as did the framing under the stairs and along the perimeter and any wall with plumbing, at least for the time being.

Eric didn’t neglect friends during this time of subbing, tutoring, and renovations. He went to the Deadmonton Haunted House with John, attended Brad’s Halloween party in Devon, attended games nights at JD’s, helped out Robin, tea with Erwin and Johanne Rauscher, and general other socialization with other friends and family. Eric’s continued search for full time work garnered some progress; he impressed the interviewers at the Pride Centre of Edmonton when interviewed for the position of Community Educator, however wasn’t surprised that an acquaintance he knew got the job.

November and December saw a major advancement in Eric’s renovations, and hit to the pocket book, with: the installation of new windows in the main floor; removal of all the basement demolition materials, including the tiny basement shower; mitigation of the asbestos tape on the air ducts; then installation of a new high efficiency furnace and air conditioning unit zoned separately for main floor and basement, as well as both a water softener and a flow-through / tankless hot water system.

With this major advancement in his house renovation, Eric took a break to join his father, David, on a trip to Brussels to spend Christmas and New Years with his sister Samara, brother-in-law Geert, nephew Sebastian, and niece Klara. David had gone ahead, but Eric managed to make it in time for Sebastian’s 9th birthday party.

Eric enjoyed his European time with extended family, which also included his Aunt Judy and Uncle Jonathan (from Winnipeg) for Christmas, distant cousin Jean-Paul and his wife Ina (from Paris) for a day in the new year, and Geert’s family a few times throughout his time there.

Many adventures happened in Europe, highlights included: Going to see a Dutch version of the Waldorf/Shepherd’s play, where, although Eric couldn’t understand the words the play, he was familiar with it from his youth, recalling the plot and vaguely remembered the jokes Staying in an AirB&B at a small farm in Domburg Zeeland and enjoying a foggy coastal visit, including helping Sebastian and Klara build a river track for a spring on the beach. Exploring an abandoned building with Samara and Sebastian while on a family walk. Visiting the Tashen Art book store with David. And exploring Utopia, well exhibits on Utopia and author Thomas More, in Lueven with David, Samara, Sebastian, and Klara.

Calgary tried to hold Eric hostage while on his return to Edmonton, keeping him at the airport for 5 hours due to flight delays.

Once home, Eric got back into his routine of subbing with Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), tutoring through LightsOn Mediated Learning Centre (LOML), socializing with family and friends (JD, Joel, Brent, Matt, Ken, Lane, Zack & Landon, Johnny and Erik, Sheena, and John), volunteering again for FIRST LEGO League, continued meetings and commitments as a volunteer Team Leader of the Fringe Festival, and more job applications out - which resulted in a position with NorQuest College as a supply teacher for their academic upgrading program, commencing in May.

On the renovation front things slowed down for the first quarter of 2017, partly in finding an electrician replace the electrical panel and sub panel into one panel. Eric also started weekend courses, through NAIT, in basement renovations, starting with bathroom plumbing. A journey with David to the spring Renovation Show resulted in an excursion to Trail Appliance to put on oder a new stacking washer and dryer.

April showers brought more than just flowers to Eric’s house and life. After numerous attempts to get on with Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) they finally opened the door for him to start subbing. Eric now had to pick up juggling. . .  Juggling his multiple part time jobs: subbing with EIPS, EPSB, and Norquest, tutoring through LOML, and occasionally tutoring Oil Kings hockey players (through a school with EIPS).

Just prior to tutoring an Oil King player on April 1 Eric got a call from Cesar that he was moving in with his girlfriend, and out of Eric’s house. This was another hit to Eric’s rental income, bringing it to nil. Also a chance to touch up the paint in the main floor bedroom. Eric’s vacancy was fairly short lived. By early May Jesse move into the finished basement rooms.

During this time Eric continued his renovations and courses: taking home electrical then a framing and dry walling course, both weekend courses still through NAIT. He also finally started to frame the basement, commencing the building phase of the renovations. Eric hired a company to do the plumbing ground work for the bathroom.

June brought a slowdown and conclusion to many of Eric’s part time jobs. This opened time for Eric to prepare more for volunteering at the Fringe Festival, having offered to learn the new volunteer management system and help the volunteer coordinator with some aspects of it. Eric also assisted in the Fringe Festival’s float in the Pride Parade, and took time to socialize with family (David, Katrina and her kids Josie and Leo) and friends (Ken, Sergey, Elias, Joel, Chirs, Lane, John, and Jeff). Matt and Agnes, a refugee couple from Poland, moved into Eric’s main floor bedroom in July, bringing with them their two cats.

On the renovation side, Eric hired a friend of Sharon Remple to rejuvenate his back yard, turning it from a scarred mess of mud, weeds, and renovation litter, into a lush green sanctuary. Spray foam insulation was applied along the exterior wall of the basement bathroom, also attempting to fill the cracks in the joists that may allow the mice inside. As the framing progressed, the plumber and electrician came back to run their lines.

Summer was a busy time for Eric beyond the renovations. July was yet another year of teaching a LEGO robotics summer camp through Metro Continuing Education’s Cool School Summer School. August started with Panfest, which Eric was dragged to this year (application graciously paid for by friends who could not bear to not have Eric or Sheena there). Fringe Festival was the craziest year for Eric’s team he had seen in ages. The Fringe Theatre Festival implemented a restructure of some volunteer teams and the introduction of some technology into the new Information and Patron Services (IPS) team, this made the year memorable due to the unforeseen challenges Eric and other fellow IPS Team Leaders had to contend with, especially with the technology.

Aside from the pleasant surprise of attending Panfest, Eric had a few other joyous moments in the summer. Samara, Geert, Sebastian, and Klara came for a short visit, and Eric always enjoys the time he can spend with his nephew and niece. A lead from an old classmate, Jeff Warner, lead Eric to apply to Spectrum Education Supplies as their Western Canada Robotics Sales Specialist in July. A few phone interviews in August lead to a flight to Toronto for an in-person interview at the head office in Newmarket.

Upon the heels of returning to Edmonton from Newmarket, Ontario, Eric hopped in his car with his father David and headed North on his annual birthday trip.

For his birthday trip Eric decided to visit a part of Canada he had never seen before because it was Canada 150 (the 150th anniversary of the signing of confederation); Yellowknife.

The Yellowknife adventure stared with a drive to Grande Prairie and the Philip J Currie dinosaur museum. A lovely coffee and catch up was had with Adrian in Grande Prairie. The following day was drive to High Level with a stop at Dunvegan, where after assisting in proofreading some signs, David and Eric had a free tour of part of the historical site. Day 3 was leaving Alberta and entering North West Territories and a stop at the 60th Parallel Information and Visitor Centre. Other stops for nature viewing occurred this day: The twin falls of Alexandra Falls and Louise Falls, where Eric slipped while walking barefoot in the river above Alexandra Falls and landed in the mud. In Hay River a stop at the local museum was a fascinating experience. Day 4 took Eric and David to Yellowknife itself, despite the Bison Blockade on the way . . . Well a few bison that couldn’t decide what side of the road to be on.

We shall leave this chapter off with Eric and David in beautiful Yellowknife, where they visited the Legislature Assembly, Prince of Wales museum, Pilots’ Monument Lookout, and a wonderful day, on Eric’s actual birthday, with Eric’s old engineering classmate and friend Elaine canoeing part of Great Slave Lake and exploring Joliffe Island.