Just thought this picture is pretty. Those clouds look nice. Ahhh, relaxing.
I know it's been awhile. I finished "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski which was great. The ending was a little lacking and I'm still a bit unsure what happened, but it was wonderfully written and I enjoyed it. I also just finished "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt. It's a very short book, but took me sooo long to read. It was a book that I couldn't read much at one time. I constantly needed a break. I guess because it was kinda depressing. It was great and I have an interest in reading the sequel Memoir, but not sure when that will be. My Mom and I finally started "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert and I'm already over halfway through. I'm really loving it! It's absolutely wonderful. And it doesn't hurt that she goes by Liz too, so every time she's talking to herself, it's like she's talking directly to me. It's really speaking to me.
So the real reason I'm typing here today is because I hate people. I know I've said this before, but it's really true. I mean from the Census to now working for the Burbank Public Library. Why are people so rude and unwilling to understand that you are just doing your job? I'm not mean, I'm not hurtful and don't ever say anything to offend (or try not to). I'm the first to admit when I'm being a dumbass and do something completely incorrect. I always try to apologize and do the whole..."the customer is always right" thing. I've never worked as a waitress and this is why! I'd spit in everyone's food! I'll tell you part of the reason I loved being an assistant...when you answer the phone and someone is rude to you...put them on Hold...for as long as you can! I'm telling you, it makes you feel so much better and it's the power you have of being the gatekeeper.
With the Census, some people were so mean to my crew and then in turn mean to my assistants and then to me. People would complain about giving their last name and their birthdate. Really? You give that information out willingly every time you sign up for another discount card at the grocery store or for any stupid reason. What do you think I'm going to do with that info?? We all took an oath and with the 1,600 cases I had, do you really think I'm going to remember where YOU live, your name and your birthdate?? And even if I did, what would I do with that info??? I don't have your Social Security number nor your credit card info, nor your income info nor anything else! Do you think I'm going to run down your street, screaming your name and address and saying "Jane Doe lives at 5555 Streetname Blvd Apt 99 and her birthday is January 1st 1950!"?? And then what? And if you hate that I'm coming to your door and getting this information, why didn't you just fill out your Census form yourself and send it in on time?! Now you're just wasting your time, not mine as I'm getting paid for this. And it's my Job! How hard is that to understand. I need money and at least am finding decent work. I could be in front of Rite Aid begging for money and harassing you or robbing a bank, but I want to work and earn a living and be a productive person in society. Sucks that this is all I can get, but hey have you heard about the economy and the lay-offs? Surprise! I was one of those people!
So now I work at the Burbank Public Library as a clerk. No, I don't paid much. Yes, I'm part-time. No, I don't get many hours. Yes, it's in the industry I want to be in. No, I still don't want to work in a Public Library when I get my Masters. Yes, it's your fault. This is why I want to be an Archivist or a Conservationist. I still think Public Libraries are wonderful and think our tax dollars should be helping them. They are great on so many different levels and usually have the nicest people working there. It's the people that come in that give it a bad wrap. I'll admit that 95% of the patrons are very nice and great. It's those 5% of you who should not be allowed in. At all. You get me all frustrated and upset! Why?! Really? If the item you borrowed is late...YES there is a fine! And if it's really late, yes the fine may be extensive. Has common sense been lost? I think so. And YES we need your information! How do we know from just looking at you that you are not one of those people who will wrack up hundreds of dollars in fines and lose our items? So your phone number and address are important. No, we don't sell your information! We're a PUBLIC Library. Talk about scandal if that ever happened. Seriously, people. If you put something on hold and we call you to let you know it's in...how can we call you if we don't have your info? Or if you lose your purse and the person who finds it only finds your library card, wouldn't it be great if that person called the library and gave their info so that we could call you and let you know how to get your purse back?? Yes, that has happened in the short time I've been there.
So today this patron comes in to borrow some books. And when I scan her card, the computer prompts me to verify her information. This happens all the time, it's just to make sure we have the most updated information on our file. So I let her know "I need to verify your address & phone number are correct." I say, "Are you still living at Somestreet Blvd?" She gets all flustered, starts to take out her ID and I say, "Your ID won't have your phone number." So she goes to grab a paper to write down her info. (Meanwhile, there's a line out the door and this should only take me about 10 seconds, but it's taking much longer because...she's CRAZY). So she starts saying how she doesn't want me to say her information out loud. Ok, sure. So I accommodate by asking if it's okay if I just read the last 4 digits to her phone number and she can let me know if that's correct. She agrees. So we do. I check her books out to her and even wish her a nice weekend. I never said her address, just the street name and only the last 4 digits of her phone number. I feel I was ever so polite and accommodating to the crazy lady. So I was a little miffed. Fine. Whatever. I've encountered stranger there. But then 20 minutes later, she seeks me out at the desk and starts saying how I should never say people's information out loud, it's private, and how do I know that the people behind her in line weren't following her, etc. As nicely as I can I apologize and remind her that I didn't say her complete address or phone number and that it's part of my job. She goes on some more about how there should be a better way, blah, blah. I say the most appeasing things I can think of and apologize again. She rolls her eyes at me and says, "So you're going to keep doing that aren't you?". I just smiled nicely and watched her leave.
I just don't understand people. Blech. Venting helps though, thanks!
I know I'm going to encounter many, many more. I'm just wondering if it'll ever stop ruffling my feathers so much?
"I hate people, but I love gatherings. Isn't it ironic?"
