I’ve really just about had my fill of being a “booster parent.”
Ever since my children were young, I swore that I would be the mom that was always at every function, cheering on my children, very much the OPPOSITE of how my parents did me…they didn’t even take pictures at my high school graduation, but whatever…
So, I decided that we (hubby and I) would be booster parents and wear the T-shirts and attend the games and just be doggone helpful…and we were…a couple of times. In fact, my husband has at this point taken HUNDREDS of fabulous photos of the band with his fancy professional camera. Photos that I would have killed to have someone take of ME. Do you think that rates him a fucking volunteer pass? Evidently not. At least he gets to be snuck in with the band, though. I keep having to pay to help out.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I get that the stupid gutter whore governor, Jan Brewer, completely bent public school music programs over the rail, leaving many schools without a marching band at all. In fact, I don’t mind coughing up the cash to get into the games – except that actually benefits the football team, but whatever - however I am noticing that I seem to be one of the only assholes ponying up the dough for admission…and THEN I am volunteering on top of that…okay, NO. It doesn’t work like that. Volunteering means showing up and helping. It should not become cost prohibitive to VOLUNTEER to help out the band. I stood back at the last game and watched the booster parents descend like vultures on the volunteer passes as soon as they left the grasp of the band director. That is the last time that evening I saw many of those “volunteers.” I did see one parent pay her admission, and then spend the next hour rolling out the bench covers on the bleachers for the band members. I saw and watched her, having no qualms about not helping when I paid my admission to WATCH the game. This political bullshit pisses me off. I watched one lady literally DO NOTHING BUT EAT KETTLE KORN, but she had a volunteer pass.
Okay Band Boosters, here’s the deal: please don’t send me any more fucking emails telling me that “due to the low number of passes” I will have to pay to get in. You fuckers NEVER PAY to get in. I don’t want to be an exception, of course, but since NOT paying seems to be the RULE, then you need to spread the passes around evenly. It really is VERY NICE of my hubby to be taking such fabulous photos of EVERYONE’S CHILDREN for FREE, photos that would cost hundreds of dollars if he CHARGED for them, which he is NOT because that is what VOLUNTEERING MEANS. Unclench your fucking asscheeks, people, and let the man in to take the friggin’ pics, okay?
Now, I realize this is yet another self-indulgent rant based on my own personal irritation over the last week, and I also realize that this is another version of politics and it will never be defeated. For me, though, the satisfaction lies in them knowing that I am wise to this stupid game of theirs. It would seem that you would either WANT the help of parents, or it is not necessary. At this point it certainly appears that what you WANT is the help of parents that pay to get in and then do the grunt work so that you can linger authoritatively in some hidey-hole until the game starts, and you can appear alongside the band as though you have been dutifully working “behind the scenes” right up until they march to the stands. Yeah, I know how that shit works. I’m lazy, too.
BUSTED.
