I'm happy to report that January 2014 was a dang good month.  The things that dominate this newsletter are my promotion and my time with TheDesire towards the end of the month.  Anyway, here's the update.

Jan 1, Nothing really big today.  Woke up at 9am, watched a little bit of the Rose Parade, showered and waited for my cousin to show up.  She wanted me to set-up her kid's tablets.  We spent the better part of the day doing that, and talking, and having a good time.  I just made my lunch for tomorrow, a sandwich.  My cousin and I were talking about possibly going to the Baconfest in February.  The cost is $50 to get in, but it's all the bacon you can eat.  I can eat quite a bit.  She wants to go because she wants to get out of the house.  Nice!  I'm all for that.  I want to buy the ticket right now, but I've been spending MUCH more than I should these days.  I booked the Big Sur hotels a few days ago and that put my credit card balance at nearly $5,000.  That's a lot of money.  I have zero idea how it got to be that much.  I know I've spent money, but I don't remember spending THAT much.  Disneyland annual pass, and trips to Big Sur.  That's really all I have used that card for.  And that can't be that much since TheGirl paid for half of the trips I went with her.  So it all doesn't compute.  Either way, I now have to slow down and start paying that debt off.  Baconfest is tempting, but I also have to think of the following week's trip to Big Sur.  I don't want to be without cash.

Jan 2, Going back to work today threw me off to no end.  I even forgot to drop off the money at city hall because I was thinking about filling the tank up with gas.  It all worked out, I remembered before it was too late and I went back after my second stop of the day.
A thought came into my head today, well several actually now that I think about it.  1) I was thinking of TheDesire, wondering if she was having a good time.  Last thing she told me was that she was feeling really sick before going on the plane.  For some stupid, foolish, reason I care that she's not feeling well.  So much for telling myself I don't still like her.  I can't just turn those feelings off, even though I just want to walk away.  2) My other coworker that just got married would be nice to have an affair with.  I know, what a HORRIBLE thing to even say.  She's cute, and TheGirl has mentioned that she thinks she's not happy in her marriage.  Others have mentioned that as well.  Part of me just wants to see if she would consider an affair.  Could I actually go through with it?  Man, I gotta say that I'm not sure that I could.  But, I've always loved her thighs.  3) Speaking of thighs, one of my other coworkers wore tights today.  I've always suspected she has a great butt, since it looks really nice in jeans.  But her tights really made me go wow.  Such a pretty butt.  4) I told myself that I wouldn't think of women at all for a couple of months at least, and here I am lusting after all my coworkers.  Bullshit!  I need to focus on me.

Jan 3, As per usual I'm the Jack-of-all-trades today.  Today it served to my advantage because the day went SUPER fast.  The three out of four hours on the second half of the shift was spent on the upstairs desk.  That really made the day go fast.  They "trained" me to close up.  Like it's rocket science or something.  It's super easy.  I already know the code even.  My training took all of two seconds.  But, I got paid a little extra for that extra time.  I then spoke to my buddy Dane after work for a little while, but I was tired and wanted to be home early to get some rest for Disneyland tomorrow.
H told me about this dating app where you like or don't like someone and if they do the same then there's a hook-up.  Well, I've been going through at least a couple of dozen woman and none of them have liked me back.  This sucks.  I even showed my buddy Dane how there are some really pretty and seemingly good catches on the app.  It goes to show you the state of dating in this city.  I think I'm a catch, but some of these girls are really nice catches.  Hell, my coworkers from San Marino H and T are catches, and yet no one is catching them.  What chance do I have?  I already said that I would take some time during the first quarter of the year and just concentrate on me.  I want to really be a tourist in my own town.  I really want to explore the city.  I really want to not think about not being in a relationship.  I just what to work on my photography.

Jan 4, I've gone to Disneyland with my coworker T three times prior to today.  Maybe more, but whatever, the point is we're now Disneyland buddies, and I'm more open to just being myself.  It takes me some time to gauge people, and know what I can or can't do around them.  I mentioned getting to the park at 9am, which is pretty dang early considering that I have to factor a hour to get from my door to park entrance.  T didn't arrive until 10am, because she overslept.  It's cool, it was nice to go to the park and just chill.  Since I left home so early I was feeling hungry.  I haven't eaten breakfast at the park in YEARS.  The best breakfast spot is the River Belle Inn.  It serves up those Mickey shaped pancakes, but I decided to eat the Mark Twain breakfast.  It's eggs, country style potatoes, and sausage links (or bacon - hard to believe I turned down bacon, I know).  It was super yummy, and perfectly hit the spot.  When T arrived I suggested we ride every attraction in Fantasyland.  She was down with it.  Our first stop was Peter Pan, which has the longest lines of all the Fantasyland attractions.  It took us about 45 minutes to get on the ride, in that time we chatted about relationships, anything and everything.  T is smart, and I like talking to her.  I heard from her sister that she was kinda shocked that I had an interest in our former coworker, Carolina, the girl that got sick at the last Delicious Destinations party.  T basically wanted to know why she wasn't the object of the male's at the office desires.  Hey, T is cute, but I had a thing for Carolina, and so did the coworker that went on to ask her out.
I had set a curfew for myself of 5pm, but that was way too early really.  Especially when T suggested that she needed a drink.  I'm always down for drinking.  She was having "female issues," and that caused her to want to get some booze in her system.  So we went to the Grand Californian to get some booze.  It was nice.  I half thought of kissing her.  Boy, that would have been awkward.  We waited till her phone was charged and returned to the park.  At around 7pm a friend of her met up with us, and that was the moment I became the third wheel.  I followed them around for a little bit while I sobered up.  Once I did, around 8pm, I took my leave.  It was a cool day at Disneyland.  The holiday displays won't be there the next time I visit, since this weekend is the last hurrah.  I loved the holidays this year.  I "celebrated" them in a totally different way, and it worked out for the best.

Jan 5, Today was the day, the first day I was on the Reference desk at San Marino.  The day went well.  I think I did a good job answering the questions thrown at me.  The first one was by a child and his dad, who were looking for "Star Wars" books.  There are A LOT of Star Wars books.  Some are in the children's area, some in the adult, and some in various other places.  But, I fell back on my wits and found them some books.  That popped my cherry, so to speak.  After that I had a couple of questions that got me a little nervous, but I think I handled them pretty well.  Thankfully.  T was on the desk with me, and I think I did OK since she really didn't say that I was doing anything wrong.  Whew!  Day one is now in the books.  I'm glad I didn't panic.
After work I went with TheGirl for a celebratory dinner at Slaw Dogs.  I was really wanting to go to Doghaus, also in Pasadena, but TheGirl's daughter said that she wanted to go to Slaw Dogs, so we did.  It was damn good too.  I had the mac & cheese dog (pictured above).  Good stuff.  Fancy dogs like this aren't always that good.  Sometimes the old tried and true onions and mustard is perfect.  After dogs we went to get some ice cream in Old Town Pasadena at a place called the Coolhaus.  I had a flavor called Maker's Mark Manhattan.  Which didn't taste anything like a Manhattan, but it was good.  Actually, it was REALLY good.  A friend of mine has pointed out that I'm always attracted to "strange" looking girls.  The girl behind the counter wasn't traditionally pretty, but I liked her.  It's hard to describe her, except to say that she was dark haired, petite, and had what I think was a cute ass.  I liked her pale skin.  Hey, even though I said no women for a while I'm not dead.  I can still look.  Day two tomorrow.

Jan 6, Second day on the Reference desk went pretty well.  I answered a lot of tech questions about the computers and even figured out how the microfilm machine works.  In six years at San Marino I've NEVER had occasion to use that microfilm machine.  Ever! Today I figured it out on the fly.  Thankfully the machine is nearly identical to the one I've used a bunch of times at Glendale.  Whew! Thank the maker for my Glendale experience in all this device stuff.  I'm using every little bit of experience that I learned while at CSUN and at Glendale.  Good stuff that I learned.  I was paid a compliment from T, who told the boss that I, "Hit the ground running."  NICE! My goal from this point forward is to point out what a mistake it was to give LM the promotion two years ago instead of me.  I don't have anything against LM, just that she doesn't have the chops for this work.  I'm cooly efficient, and my task is to show that every time I'm on the reference desk.  Also, I want to prove that they finally made the right decision.  Because every time someone gives me a chance I prove to them that they made the right choice.  I did it with my CSUN job.  I did it with the driver's job at Glendale.  I've risen to the occasion every time someone gives me a chance.

Jan 8, My third day on the reference desk was chill.  I hardly had to answer any questions because it was pretty crowded at the desk.  There was the librarian, a library student that is working at the reference desk, and then me.  Three people, two spots.  I was good with doing more of the graphic work they have assigned me.  I need my own computer in the building though.  Doing some things on my iPad is fine, but the heavy lifting needs to get done on a computer.  And talk about heavy lifting, they already gave me at least five posters to create for the open house on the 25th.  That's a lot of work in a short period of time.  I'm up to it, I just have to get in front of a computer to do it.
After work I didn't have traditional Wednesday dinner with TheGirl.  She went off to see the Ellen show.  She had stand-by tickets.  She didn't get in, and later texted me that dinner would me would have been preferable to sitting in the green room watching the show on a big screen.  Yeah, watching the show that's literally a few feet away from you on a screen is a bit of a cock tease.  I need new shirts for this new job, but I was too lazy to go to the store.  Actually, I was more tired.  Just as I was leaving the library tonight I got a hit on a dating app that my coworker H told me about.  For days I've been swiping through various faces, looking at women and either rejecting them or liking them.  If one likes you back it's a match and the app lets you text the person right inside the app.  From there, good luck.  Well, tonight someone liked me and I sent them a text.  Her name is Jennifer, she lives out in Ontario, and has three kids.  We went from texting on the app to texting for real.  She even called me on the phone to tell me about some TV show (somethings are easier said on the phone).  We'll see where this goes.

Jan 9, My route today was pretty chill.  There weren't that many books today.  The big news is that my buddy Z had his interview at Glendale today.  I "coached" him last night.  We talked about what questions they might ask him during the interview.  I didn't see when he came in, because I was already on the route.  I put in a good word for him to the boss.  I hope that helps.  Afterward my buddy and I talked on the phone.  He liked the boss and micromanager's style during the interview.  He said that they seemed like they had done this a lot, and I'm sure they have over the years.  They'll let everyone know on Tuesday who got the job.  I told my buddy about the first couple of candidates, both women, and he remembered them from the tests he had to take before qualifying for the interview.  We talked about how delivery doesn't seem like a job suited for women, especially when we're asked to move heavy furniture around.  I've yet to have one of my fellow female employees hep me move a filing cabinet or huge amount of books.  I suppose they have to be "fair."
I didn't see TheDesire on the route today.  I think she was in the back office, but I didn't go back there.  I did send her a text saying there is a movie that I want to go see, La Grande Bellezza (aka The Great Beauty).  I've been told by a couple of people that it's a great movie.  The reviews online seem to confirm that.  Hence me asking my "movie buddy" if she wanted to go see it.  Secretly I still want to remain in front of TheDesire's face.  It's a stupid idea, but I've been told not to give up trying to bed her.  Maybe that's all she wants, one guy said to me.  He knows TheDesire, and I'm sure if he had the chance he would bed her.  She's sexually desirable, no doubt about that.  I'm pretty sure that it would have happened by now, but I don't mind hanging out with her as friends.  It's always nice to be seen with a human girl.  We didn't set a date, she said she needed to check her schedule.  We'll see.

Jan 10, Again, Friday is a busy day for me at work.  Nothing much to talk about there.  After work I was supposed to go to a wedding reception for my coworker from Montrose.  But as the time drew near I grew more restless.  I didn't want to go to this reception.  I didn't want to go anywhere but home.  I stood in the parking lot talking to homeless buddy Dane until it was past 7pm.  Even then I could have made it, but I sure as hell didn't want to go.  I didn't want to deal with people tonight.  I just wanted to go home, so I did.  I felt a little bad, but something inside me just kept nagging at me not to go.  I felt a little guilty that I didn't go, but at the same time it was the last thing I wanted to do.  Mingling with my Glendale coworkers tonight was not my idea of fun, for some reason.  I just wanted to go home.  Once I got home all I did was eat and get into my PJs as soon as possible.  Watched a little TV, and then turned in.  Easy, peazy.

Jan 11, Two weeks ago my aunt went to Forest Lawn to start the process of arranging her funeral.  She's not feeling sick, she just wants to have it paid just in case something happens.  Today we went and finalized the paperwork.  It was pretty straightforward.  She wanted nothing fancy.  But the funny thing is that despite all that the cost is nearly the same as my Grandmother's funeral, which also had a priest, a service, and viewing.  Today it came out that my Mother didn't want to be cremated, but that she knew there wasn't any money for anything more.  Of course if my Mother knew that the price was still over $10,000 she wouldn't have picked cremation.  That's my aunt's story, anyway.  I specifically remember my Mother saying she wanted to be cremated.  However, if she said that to me because she had already talked to my aunt about how she wanted to have the cheapest option, than I wasn't privy to that information until now.  That fucking sucks.  Still, the fact that my Mother was cremated does make it easier to visit her.  She's in the room next to me, so I can go over there any time I want.  After the papers were signed my aunt bought me lunch at Mick's Subs in Tarzana.  It was yummy.
After coming back home I stayed glued to the TV watching the playoffs, and glued to this computer I'm writing this on right now, doing my work project.  They didn't have a computer ready for me at work, so I've had to do most of the work on my computer.  The mail today contained yet another in a series of rejection letters.  My photography just isn't good enough.  It doesn't cut muster, and this is probably why it doesn't get noticed.  I'm glad I didn't enter the Brand 43 bullshit contest.  I would have thrown $40 out the window.  Better save that for a new shirt for my new job.  I can't say I was surprised when I saw that rejection letter today.  That's been my whole life story when it comes to my photography.  As I said before, maybe my work just isn't good enough to hang up on the wall of some museum.  Things like this cause me to wonder why I ever share my work with the world.
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Jan 12, Sundays are crazy busy.  It's non-stop during the whole day.  It's like how it's always been on Sundays.  After work my coworkers came out to my neighborhood to eat at a nice Italian restaurant in Encino.  I went on Foursquare to find out what others said was good, and the majority said that the gnocchi was really good.  I ordered it and it was so delicious.  I ordered the cheesecake for dessert, and it was absolutely wonderful.  It was nice to hang with my coworkers.  T commented that she liked that we're doing Dinner Club again.  Dinner club works best when most of us are single, since we don't have a significant other that takes up all our time and prevents us from going on these dinners.

Jan 13, Work was work.  It's different, of course, now being on the reference desk.  I kinda miss my old post, but at the same time I don't.  The challenge of the new post is enough to cause me to not miss the old grind.  After the two jobs I went over to TheGirl's, and it was different since her daughter wasn't there.  She moved out on Saturday, because of issues with TheGirl's landlady saying shit.  Because of this turn of events TheGirl now has to come home to an empty room.  It super sucks.  But, she thinks that this will help motivate her daughter to find a job sooner than later.  Because the sooner she does find a steady job the sooner the both of them can be reunited in a new apartment.  Until then, both of them are staying put.

Jan 14, Today was a frustration at San Marino.  My coworker told me that the computers in the lab have Photoshop elements.  Well, he was wrong.  They don't.  I spent the whole morning trying to download and install Gimp, Photoshop (trial version), and even tried to find Photoshop online.  All this while the clock ticks and I don't get my work done.  The main problem I had is that I didn't know the administrative password for the computer, so even though I downloaded the files I couldn't actually install anything.  I left early, and decided not to even put it on my time card.  But, before leaving I ran into LM, who congratulated me on the promotion.  Then she told me that she was engaged.  I told her that I was happy for her.  She showed me that her fiance gave her a ring that belonged to Iggy Pop.  It was a spider with a pair of dark stones and two little rubies.  LM also wondered how it would be if they put us on the desk at the same time.  I told her, it would be fine.
Then the good news came.  I went to my Glendale job, found out that they had me monitoring an event tonight.  The good thing about that is the set-up was easy, and the event actually ended on time.  Also, I was able to just chill since I simply sat in the control booth for four hours.  During the event, just as my tired body nearly went to sleep my buddy called me to inform me that they gave him the job! I was so overwhelmed, that I nearly cried.  I'm so glad to help my buddy.  I mean, he might come to regret it, but for now he even said, "Let me enjoy the honeymoon period."  I will.  As jobs go it's not horrible.  And also, I do good work and because of that they actually treat me nice.  Tonight, the micromanager actually told me in a nice way that I needed to talk less.  Apparently a full time employee complained.  Ah, they're the worse.  Everyone there wants to talk.  But anyway, in the past my supervisor has warned me about this in a mean way.  Tonight she whispered it, and said, "I know you understand what I'm saying."  Wow!  Big difference.

Jan 15, Work went super fast today.  I was on the desk and it really went fast.  They gave me a new computer at work as well.  It's a nice new machine that runs Windows 8, and has a nice big monitor.  The coworker that I'm supposed to take over for when/if he gets another job looked at the computer and exclaimed, "Oh my God."  He was that stunned.  I tried to deflect and say, "Well, Jen also got a new monitor."  But the writing is on the wall, I'm liked.
After work I went over to TheGirl's for our traditional Wednesday dinner.  We went out, and then went to buy me some nice shirts for this new job.  She bought me one, and I bought one.  Nearly $100 for each Polo shirt.  I'm going to go poor trying to look nice for this new job.  Right away they have given me word that they will be giving me more responsibility.  This despite the fact that I HATE responsibility.  Oh well, I guess I'm finally a man with real responsibilities.

Jan 17, Chan got stuffed today! I asked work to let me off an hour early, at 5pm, so I could book it down to Disneyland with Chan and TheGirl to have hims get stuffed.  Poor Chan has been floppy for the longest time.  Mainly because of the way I puppeteer hims.  Tonight he was filled with cotton by the good people at Build-a-Bear in downtown Disney, for no charge.  They ever let us put in a pair of hearts, normally put inside their bears.  The whole thing was very cute.  TheGirl wanted to buy him a baseball cap, but we couldn't find one.  Then she spotted a pair of Mickey Mouse ears, but it came alone with a tiny little shirt that wouldn't fit Chan even before he was stuffed.  So, we passed on that.  After Chan was filled to the brim we went to eat at Earl.  I had the Cheesesteak, which wasn't very flavorful.  I kept on dumping mustard on it to give it SOME flavor.  It was the first sandwich I've had there that I didn't like.  Following dinner we headed to the park.  We were planning on buying a locker to put Chan inside, but this nice couple who was leaving gave us the combination to their locker.  It was big enough that Chan fit in without having to go in sideways.  We went into the Disneyland and walked around.  Our first stop was Pirates.  Our second stop was Haunted Mansion.  Our next stop was the Mark Twain, which rarely travels at night since it's part of Fantasmic.  Thankfully Disneyland is renovating Fantasmic and one of the ships on the river.  That meant we got to do something I haven't done in a long time, and TheGirl hadn't done every... ride around the rivers of American at night.  It's different in that it's dark, of course.  The cute thing is checking out all the ducks that are sleeping along the banks of the river.  That was quite a cute sight.  Following that we walked around the park a bit.  We decided that we should get Chan a pair of Mickey ears.  We stopped at a stand, found nothing.  Then went to the Mad Hatter in Fantasyland.  Again, nothing.  We finally went to the hat shop on Main Street.  There we found a pair of ears made for infants.  We got his name embroidered on the back.  We went back to the locker and put the ears on his head.  Sure enough, it was the cutest thing every.  TheGirl was cracking up from the sight.  As you can see by the photos I took Chan looks SUPER cute in his Mickey Mouse ears.  It was a great night.  Chan is like our child, the child we'll never have.  I asked TheGirl, "Did you ever think you'd by buying a pair of mouse ears for a stuffed monkey?"  Neither of us did.  Still, hims the best stuffed monkey I've ever met.  Chan is the glue to TheGirl and I's continued friendship.

Jan 18, On my day off I don't want to do anything.  I was sure that my aunt was going to blow my one day off this week.  Thankfully she went to visit my Godmother today, and I was left alone to my own devices.  So, I jerked off for an hour.  I made myself some hash browns, bacon and eggs... the breakfast of champions.  Then I showered and watched TV the rest of the day.  It was chill.  I had better enjoy it, I won't get another day off for two weeks.  Next Saturday I'm working at San Marino.  I will say this, the reference desk is a LOT less hectic than the circulation desk.

Jan 19, undays are pretty hectic, but not today.  I openly mentioned that perhaps it was the "big games" that kept many people away.  Having worked during the NFL playoffs in the past, it's not unusual for the library to be a little more still on the weekends there is a huge playoff game, not to mention the actual Super Bowl day.  That promises to be a super slow day as well.  Perhaps not when we initially open, but by about 2pm the library gets quiet.  Today was super chill.  The boss game me an assignment to work on, but I couldn't get any traction going, because of the patrons coming up to the desk asking questions.  My aunt makes me food to eat during the week, despite the fact that she doesn't really have to do such a thing.  Tonight I was hungry for some Mediterranean food, so I passed by a local place in Pasadena on the way home.  My aunt was making pasta, that I forgot she told me she was going to make.  But then again, she will often SAY that she's going to make me so and so, only to then flake and not make it because she was "tired."  Again, she DOESN'T have to make me food.  However, when she offers to make it I make my plans accordingly.  The other night I came home and there wasn't anything to eat, even though my aunt said she would make something for me.  I counted on that, and came home to an empty dish.  Again, she DOESN'T have to make me anything.  Nevertheless, if she says there's going to be food waiting for me when I get home I tend to come straight home.  Finding no food now makes me seek it elsewhere, like crappy McD's up the street.  Worse thing I can eat, but when I don't have any other choice that's where I end up.

Jan 20, Today's "training" was a big bust.  We were there for an hour, at most, "learning" about customer service.  Really we were just TOLD about customer service means, but not how we are to implement these ideas for better customer service.  After that waste of time we met up with some other people from other city departments to learn how to deal with our new city website.  Each department will have to deal with their own part of the main site, such as the library posting, and editing, and updating the library portion of the city site.  At the end of the day I felt pretty good about what we learned in "that" class.  After work I was hungry, decided go to a local place known for their hot dogs.  I had one of their burgers, which was pretty good.  I didn't photograph it though.  After chow I headed home, tired.  My coworker H had mentioned that she and another coworker wanted to catch a movie and then go for drinks.  While I was interested in the drinks, I wasn't interested in the movie, so I went home.  She wasn't very happy with me after I told her I was nearly home.  She had expected me to just go along with the movie plan, and I wasn't going to see a movie.  She was none too happy, but it turned out better that I didn't go, because her sister T didn't want to see American Hustle, but rather wanted to see Saving Mr. Banks.  But H didn't want to see that, so they got into an argument.  Finally they went to see American Hustle.  After the movie H ditched her sister and Edwardo and went for drinks with P, our other coworker.  I was glad I didn't go see the movie with them.  I didn't see TheGirl tonight because I didn't work in Montrose tonight.

Jan 21, Today's training was a continuation of yesterday's training for the library's new website.  While it was cool knowledge, there was a part of me that checked out after a couple of hours.  I was getting what our instructor was saying, but I became less and less interested in the whole thing.  The whole thing is intuitive, so I don't think we'll run into too much trouble.  But, you never know.  Job two was uneventful.  I do have one thing to say, I do like my new computer at work.  It's a windows machine, and while I don't get why it has to switch between the Metro interface and the regular windows interface all the time, I will say that it's pretty dang cool.  Supposedly a nice new student version of Photoshop arrives tomorrow.  Good, I'm tired of having to work at home to do these projects.

Jan 22, Lots going on today.  At work I was not on the desk much because there were too many people on the reference desk.  I'm good with just being in the back of circulation, to tell you the truth.  Work is for dummies.  But, work I did today.  My new supervisor had me fill a spindle with tax return forms.  What a fucking good time.  Yeah, right!
After work I went to TheGirl's for our traditional dinner.  She told me that she didn't need anything, and that she would cook me one of her pasta dishes that she gets from Jenny Craig.  However, I don't feel like I should be eating her out of house and home every Wednesday.  So i picked up a sandwich from a sub shop by work.  The sandwich was really tasty.  Definitely going to go back again.  The only problem was that she was mistaken about the amount of wine she had in the fridge.  It was barely enough for one glass, so she poured it into one glass and told me to drink it.  I felt so horrible.  And I didn't even get a buzz from so little.  I really need to start traveling with some spare booze.  After dinner we went to Foster's Freeze and got some ice cream.  We played with Chan a bit after the ice cream was in our bellies.  I love playing with that stuffed monkey.
I texted the girl from the Tinder app this morning and didn't get a response.  I think it's pretty much done.  She's been short with me the last few days.  Oh well, what can you do?  On to the next one.

Jan 24, There are days at work that go by super fast.  Today wasn't one of those days.  It's probably because I had about three and a half hours of shelving.  When I'm on the desk things go fast.  There's no time to rest, so there's no time to check the clock.  But, when shelving there's nothing but time.  It's slow, and the day drags.
After work I felt exhausted, but no rest for me.  My buddy, who wanted to thank me for possibly getting him this job, bought me dinner.  We went to a place in Van Nuys called Outlaw Cafe for a burger.  I checked it out online and the reviews looked good.  So did the picture.  The girl who seated us was pleasant, and had big boobs.  The burgers were yummy, and just the right size.  I didn't even take a picture of the burgers I was starving so much.  My buddy and I chatted a bunch.  We went back to my home and drank and watched a pair of movies, Machete Kills and Thief.  Both really cool movies.  What I noticed most about Thief was its resemblance in style to my favorite shows Miami Vice.  The style of the shots, the telling of the story with visuals, the music being an important aspect of the storytelling, all of those things are hallmarks of Miami Vice.
In three weeks I'll be in Big Sur.  Wow, only three weeks.

Jan 25, Today I worked my first event under the wing of the woman that does the fund raising at the San Marino library.  I found out why everything is always last minute, because there isn't much preparation done beforehand.  The biggest example is when I was sent to get some balloons filled with helium.  I was told, "The store manager always fills them up for us for free."  I was sent away, but I knew I would be paying for those damn balloons.  Because, why would you just trust that this manager would do it AGAIN for free?  And why would you assume that he's even there?  Sure enough, he wasn't there.  The service manager was, and he said that he didn't have the authority to give me free helium.  I get it, helium isn't cheap.  Why should they just fill our balloons any time we want, for free?  It's dumb.  So now the library owes me $12 for balloons.  Dumb.  See, something like that you clear with the manager days, weeks before.  You don't leave that till the last minute.  You find out if he's willing to do this again, get it in writing so that even if he's not there the underlings won't say different.  When I go on a trip to Big Sur, or anywhere for that matter, I have all my ducks in a row.  I just need to go.  This is not going to be fun.  I think my habit of always being prepared is gonna help me with this job.  Oh, I should add the important thing.  People liked my "posters" for the event.  However, hardly anyone showed up.  The whole thing was a total BUST.  It was such a non-event.  Just sad.
After work we went to a local Mexican food joint.  The food was good, the drinks were yummy but weak sauce.  I would go back there again, the sopes were really yummy.  Actually, the entire meal was good.  Afterwards H, and another coworker ditched the Carolina and Stash and went to a bar.  This bar was a super dive.  I mean this thing was jacked up.  The drinks were weak too.  But, by then I didn't want to drink too hard, since I still had to drive back home.  There was a strange encounter with this guy that came up to me and asked me if he could buy me a drink.  Ah, no! The guy was creepy.  I was thinking he was going to shank me.  He was good and drunk, and I was ready to run out the door.  Fuck man, what kind of vibe am I sending out that guys are coming on to me?  Or maybe I'm just that handsome.  Ha! Suuuurree.

Jan 26, It was a typical Sunday at work.. rush, rush, rush.  It started out slow enough.  I met one of my new coworkers.  Then about an hour and a half things heated up and it was non-stop from there.  I like the constant action though, it makes the time go faster.  Also, I like the challenge.
I'm preparing and considering entering a photo contest run by the Burbank public library.  I think after the whole Brand library fiasco I need to not get mad but get moving.  Fucking assholes, I need to SHOW them they made a grave mistake.  I'm good.  I want people to see my work.  I put a lot of effort into my art work, and I hope it shows.  Perhaps most people will see it and say that they could do the same, and then try to do the same and fail.  THEN, and only then, will someone understand that my art isn't done without thought.  But whatever.  I told myself I was doing this for me.  So why care, right?  But I do care.  I like taking nice pictures.  I think part of the fun is showing them to people and having them have a reaction.  Hopefully one that's similar to my reaction when I took the photo.
On a side note from yesterday.  The library got me a new computer and bought me Photoshop to work on the posters and other projects for the library.  Now if I could actually INSTALL the fucking thing, I'd be all ready to go.  What's keeping me?  The fact that I don't have administrative privileges on my computer.  So, every time I want to install something I have to have our tech guys do it.  This is complete bullshit.  Photoshop arrived last Wednesday but I've YET to install it.  Even the boss acknowledges that it sucks that I've had to do most of my work at home.  Idiocy.

Jan 27, Three weeks and a day after starting my new job at San Marino I was left alone on the reference desk for the entire shift.  Yet another cherry broken.  It was hectic on the desk today.  The four hours didn't feel that short, but I handled it.  I scored some more points with the boss.  Woo hoo! It's not rocket science to work on the reference desk, but it's not easy by any means.  You never know what you're going to be asked.  Also, my computer at work now has Photoshop.  Finally!
I bought a ticket for me to go to the old United Artist theater downtown this Saturday.  I mean, why not treat myself to something I like?  TheDesire won't want to come, and really I don't want to pay for her if she's just going to be a friend.  Fuck that shit.  I'm going to see her on Thursday for her music thing.  I'll throw an invite at her, but really I don't care.  I was supposed to throw her a movie invite, but why bother at this point?  In other news, I noticed online that TheGirl was busy this weekend.  But, when I checked up on her page it showed a picture of her hanging out with TheHusband, and not TheChisel.  The last time TheChisel posted something with TheGirl was New Years.  I know they have hung out since then, there's no denying that.  However, I noticed that he doesn't post anything with her included.  She must have said something to him.  Oh, and she hasn't mentioned hanging out with me on a weekend since that one day a few weeks ago.  I'm OK with that.

Jan 28, I don't really have any duties on Tuesdays.  I pretty much show up at work and they pay me.  However, I'm being proactive and getting some things done for the big TV in front of circulation.  With my former circ. supervisor a no-show on Tuesdays everyone turns to me as the pseudo "Circ." guy who knows the answer.  It's kinda neat being the boss without the boss responsibilities.  The new boss wanted me to install the DVD player for the community room.  It was a little daunting because although all the connections where made there was no sound.  That is until I figured out that some line was disconnected.  After that, we had sound.
Too bad I can't say that job two went as smooth.  A stupid lady threatened to call security on ME.  ME, the guy who was trying to help a fellow patron with something on the computer.  She was pissed off, but why bother getting mad at idiots like that.  I thought about calling security on her, but that would be petty.
Lastly, H told me that they fired one of our coworkers tonight.  No explanation was given for her firing.  I suspect they didn't want to tell her that she was a terrible worker.  She was very often late by 15 minutes, but just as often late by an hour.  She didn't finish the passport certification.  Rose is smart, but she is not a savvy person.  I do like her as a person, despite being strange and having some shortcomings. 

Jan 29, Today my senior computer class started once again, and it was a packed house.  The hour and a half went by fast.  But I can see this is going to be a tough group to teach to simply because there as so many of them.

Jan 30, Because I do such a good job on the deliveries my supervisor always waits for my day to get special deliveries done.  Today I had to take four tables from one branch to another branch.  I was supposed to also take a fancy new printer to Brand.  But, thankfully I didn't end up doing that.  I also had to pick-up some paper goods and deliver them to my second to last stop.  I did that and still finished ahead of schedule.  Fucking hell! After going to dinner with my coworker Nia I came to the library to help AG with her musical program.
Just over a year ago, Jan 20th 2013 to be exact, TheDesire (who didn't have that nickname here yet) called me to see if I would help her with a grant proposal.  A year later the proposal is a reality.  The instruments are real.  I can't believe it's been a year since that day I went to the coffee shop to help her write the proposal that eventually became this event tonight.  I had a small part of this in the beginning, but I do feel a connection with it.  Mainly because of my work and me liking TheDesire.  Wow, an entire year.  That's how long it's been.  The event was pretty cool, and went well.  One kid I was showing the trumpet to liked it so much that he might switch from violin to trumpet next year.  Too cool.  The real news was at the end of the night.  I was left waiting in the dock area of the library when I heard from the elevator a pair of voices talking.  One was the performer from tonight's event, and the other was TheDesire.  Here's what I heard.

performer: he's not your boyfriend
TheDesire: no, he's just a friend

I don't know the context of the whole thing, but I was the ONLY male left at the end of the night.  My intuition tells me that the performer asked TheDesire if I was her boyfriend.  The reason why I think this is because we spent a lot of time together tonight.  TheDesire hit my knee and was touchy flirty more than a few times tonight.  To cut to the chase, if you observed us we interacted like a couple.  Now if TheDesire would rethink this whole "must be with an Armenian man" thing I MIGHT have a slight chance.  It really hurt because tonight made those old feelings come back for her.  I REALLY wanted to kiss her at the end of the night when we were standing outside the library in front of her car.  She made some excuse for not hanging out with me tonight.  Something about taking her mother home.  I didn't expect to hang out, she brought that up.  She gave everyone a card of thanks. The contents of that card you can read above.  I had put my feelings aside for TheDesire, knowing I didn't have a chance.  Tonight made some of those feelings come back, stronger than ever.  I know this is just a big set-up for another fall.  I'm a fool.  Yeah, but I'm a fool that still likes TheDesire.  Seeing her interact with a young girl made me really want to give her those kids she desires.  I think we would make beautiful babies.  Wow, I can't believe I really think that.

Jan 31, The last day of the month started out with my aunt being a total idiot.  She stood outside showing me the rain gutter and how it was detached.  I fixed it in under 30 seconds.  It's not like she couldn't have done it.  She's here ALL fucking day trying to find something to do.  Granted, she's shorter than me, but she could have just gotten a little stool and fixed it herself.  But NOOOO, she needs to have me do it just as I'm going to work.  She left me some papers last week from her funeral stuff to read.  I'm tired when I get home.  The last thing I want to do is fucking read anything.  It's fucking bullshit.  Again, she's here ALL DAY, finding things to do.  But can she sit down and read the contract she signed?  No, that's too much to ask.  So she sees the paper and decides she needs to call me while I'm driving to work about a line she doesn't understand.  I fucking lost it when she called me not more than five minutes after I left the house to go to work with her stupid question.  Again, she can stare at the fucking letter all day and figure it out! It completely pissed me off that she can't wait until I get home in the evening.  I didn't say hi to her when I got home, and I plan on making that my default from now on.  I'll just come into my room and that's that.
Work was tiring.  I passed out while talking to H last night on the phone.  I woke up at around 1:30am and then went to bed.  I was completely sleepy the entire day at work.  Eating a huge meal didn't help either.  But at least I was busy, which makes the day go by faster.
I arrived home tonight a little earlier, dreading my aunt talking to me after I settled in.  Of course she comes out while I'm making myself something to eat and asks me how I couldn't take a moment to explain to her one thing on the letter.  The question was "when did you receive this packet."  I mean mother-fucking shit for brains.  THAT was the pressing matter that couldn't wait until tonight?  I seriously need to do something to get away from my aunt.  Ideally I could win the lotto, repair this house, have enough money to buy a house up the street, and have my aunt live here while I lived in the house down the street.  I'd probably see her as often as I see my father's side of the family.. like never.

I've been doing these 52 week projects for the last four years.  This is year five.