Yes, Missy.

I have been pretty upfront about everything. She knows that teaching is what I like and do and she knows that I have become as qualified as I have to ensure I am the best at what I do and maintain my competitiveness. I want to work hard, but I am not going to take the first job that comes along every time. This recent job was forced on me somewhat and turned out to be poorly organised. I simply wasn't going to stick with it, whence saying 'thanks, but no thanks'. I got home from work at 10pm on monday which I hadn't agreed to and the following day had my entire evenings classes cancelled last minute. I won't work those hours and I won't work with that level of disorganisation. I don't see why I am in the wrong for that.

About 3 years ago I was working a horrendous schedule teaching about 40 classes a week between 10am and 10pm Monday to Friday. I couldn't eat properly and resorted to taking sleeping pills just to put me to sleep. I was earning rather good money doing that, but I burned myself out horribly. That was when I decided to study my MA and work a lighter schedule. I made a promise to myself that I would never take on such a schedule again. If I was to carry on with this job, it would have seen on the path to the bad old days. Okay, a lot of money to throw around, but really no quality of life for me. I am not going to kill myself for money. It's not like we don't have savings and it's not as though there is any urgency where I need to jump at the first offer that comes up. However, my wife resents me and will call me lazy and say that I am holding her back. My wife has never taught a class in her life and sits in a chair everyday. She has no idea how demanding a well taught, effective class can be. And then she wants them all piled on just like that?

Nah, she can just bugger off. I've had enough of all the bullshit to be honest.