As the year rounds out and the last quarter of the year comes around, the month of August plays a huge roll in setting up how the rest of the year will go.  Now, on to the update.

Sat, Aug 1, I had to take in my car in for servicing this morning.  They ended up changing the brake, and transmission fluids, as well as rotating the tires and changing the oil.  These things take time, and last night I took some time to find a place to eat breakfast.  I found a place less than a mile away.  With the walk there and back I knew I would still have more than enough time.  I dropped off the car, the guy at the dealer telling me it would be ready close to 10:30am.  I told him I was going to get some breakfast, and went on my way.  I walked down to Burbank and hung a left, traveled East through a shady neighborhood.  I encountered many a shady person walking down the street, the most shady was a guy who was flicking a lighter as I walked by.  No, just no.  He had crazy eyes.  I made it to my destination a little early, about 8:45.  The place said that it opened at nine.  I guess I walked too fast.  I figured I would wait.  It was nearly 9am when I guy and his son walk up to the place, tried the door and found it locked.  I talked to the guy, said something like I guess they're not open yet.  But it was now nine, and we couldn't see anyone inside the place stirring.  I was getting hungry.  The man and is son started walking away, and I thought, guess they don't really open today.  No one was even in the place.  You would think a place like that would be getting things ready before they open.  Nope.  As I started to walk away I noticed that a pair of men start walking into the place.  I turned to the man and said something like, I guess they just opened.  Sure enough, we all walk over and find that they're not customers, they're the workers.  They had just arrived.  The guy told us that he could take our order in about 15 minutes.  I thought about going somewhere else, but then thought about how it would take me that long or longer to reach another place.  I figured it would be better to wait.  But then something about how they didn't have the place ready on time made me rethink staying.  I had spotted a McD's on my way to this place, and it was just up the street.  I went there and had breakfast.  Perhaps the next time I get my car serviced I'll come back here, but I seriously doubt I'll give this place a second chance.

Upon finishing my breakfast I walked back to the dealer.  It was still early, but I thought I would just wait in the waiting room and chill with my iPad.  Waiting was fine.  Seeing my neighbor in the seat closest to me on my left made me pissed.  This idiot had his feet up on the nice chairs.  About a year ago the dealer fixed the nasty old waiting room and put in some nice chairs.  Leather and comfy.  But does this guy give a shit?  No, he's going to put his fucking feet up on the chairs.  Idiot!  I got the message that my car was ready and I encountered yet another dummy.  This dope was standing in the driveway of the service department.  Three cars had to swerve to not hit this mental midget.  Fucking pissed me off, hence me mentioning this in this journal.  Every fucking day people just care about themselves.  Never to they think for a moment how their actions have consequences for not only themselves but for everyone that encounters them.  I wanted to choke both of these fools.  In lieu of that I decided to just post their pictures on the internet.

I went to work after the car was serviced, and was told I was covering the children's desk.  The children's desk is to me like being on a deserted island.  No one comes around.  I think I answered three questions in four hours.  Fucking shit!  I wanted to be on the adult desk, but no.  Whatever.  I was paid for four hours of doing nearly nothing.

After work I met up with my buddy and we went downtown to Central market to have a burger at a place called Bel Campo.  The burger was pretty good, though I have had better.  Still, it was good to chalk up another place in the quest for a great burger.  I think this burger isn't top 10 material, but it's good.  Maybe a bit pricy, but good.  After the burger my buddy and I went to Pasadena for pie.  We both had apple, though he had Dutch I had regular.  Damn good pie, though I wish our waitress had warmed my slice a little more.  Oh well.

That being done we returned to my place for some drinks.  My aunt was still awake, and saw me getting some ice from the fridge.  She came up to me and told me to not drink so much.  I asked her what she was talking about.  She looked at me and said something to the effect that if I continued drinking I could lose my job.  Ah, what?  Sure, if I become a raging alcoholic.  I'm quite far from that.  I don't need to drink the entire day.  I don't need to even have a drink at the end of the day.  But a couple of times a week I do need a nightcap.  Well, and then when I have dinner with TheGirl I need a drink.  I just thought her plea was stupid.  I'm going to give it some thought, because I'm not one to just dismiss people like that.  However, I know that I don't go drinking at bars and come home smashed, with some loose women.  I come home after a long day and pour a couple in me.  Is that so bad?  I guess to her it is.

Sun, Aug 2, Today was such a throwaway day.  Like most of my Sundays.  Fucking waste of time.  I showed up to work just barely on time, thanks to CalTrans painting new lines on the freeway.  It is something that's needed, but come on man.  I barely made it on time, and then it was just a whatever shift.  As always, the fucking chiller isn't completely working.  The fucking thing needs to be constantly reset.

There was an artist reception in the community room.  There was a beautiful girl amongst the crowd of people, who turned out to be my coworker's daughter.  Pretty.  She caught me checking her out.  She lives in Hong Kong.

I came home and didn't eat right away.  There's nothing in the house to eat.  My aunt scolded me for not telling her I went to Target.  Ah, I went to Target last week in the morning before work.  Fucking shit, I didn't remember to ask if she wanted anything.  Whatever, I don't go there but once every six weeks, tops.  Yes, I guess I should have said something, but no need to beat me up.  That's her style though.

I had a thought the other day that I might go to Disneyland after work tonight.  It was so damn hot that I thought better of it and just went home.  I came home and didn't eat right away, like I said.  I played some L.A. Noire on my buddy's Xbox.  He lent it to me just so I could play this game.  I played until nearly 9pm.  I fixed myself a little chili out of a can and ate.  My aunt made rice the other day.  Yeah, JUST rice.  Granted, I should eat a lot more rice, but just rice isn't a meal.  I need some chicken on the side to complete the meal.  Perhaps some sausage.  Something to fill my belly.  My hours are long, and come August they are only going to get longer.  Rice alone isn't going to sustain me.  Fucking bullshit!  I know she means well, but this idea that making side dishes constitutes cooking is silly.  Not that I want her to have to slave over a hot stove for me.  I appreciate her making me something to eat, but just rice is like making me nothing at all.  And if it's going to be nothing at all, the next time I'll just come home fed.  I did have a thought of going to a place to eat before coming home, but I was more interested in playing the game than eating tonight.

Lastly, I was talking to my buddy about how many of us in the library are single.  Yesterday, while getting ready for work, I was listening to my Gatsby audio book and came across the following.  I honestly don't even remember this part of the book, and I just read it a few months back.  The following lines speak to how so many of us work and work and have lives that revolve around work.

Reading over what I have written so far, I see I have given the impression that the events of three nights several weeks apart were all that absorbed me. On the contrary, they were merely casual events in a crowded summer, and, until much later, they absorbed me infinitely less than my personal affairs.

Most of the time I worked. In the early morning the sun threw my shadow westward as I hurried down the white chasms of lower New York to the Probity Trust. I knew the other clerks and young bond-salesmen by their first names, and lunched with them in dark, crowded restaurants on little pig sausages and mashed potatoes and coffee. I even had a short affair with a girl who lived in Jersey City and worked in the accounting department, but her brother began throwing mean looks in my direction, so when she went on her vacation in July I let it blow quietly away.

I took dinner usually at the Yale Club - for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day - and then I went up-stairs to the library and studied investments and securities for a conscientious hour. There were generally a few rioters around, but they never came into the library, so it was a good place to work. After that, if the night was mellow, I strolled down Madison Avenue past the old Murray Hill Hotel, and over 33rd Street to the Pennsylvania Station.

I began to like New York, the racy, adventurous feel of it at night, and the satisfaction that the constant flicker of men and women and machines gives to the restless eye. I liked to walk up Fifth Avenue and pick out romantic women from the crowd and imagine that in a few minutes I was going to enter into their lives, and no one would ever know or disapprove. Sometimes, in my mind, I followed them to their apartments on the corners of hidden streets, and they turned and smiled back at me before they faded through a door into warm darkness. At the enchanted metropolitan twilight I felt a haunting loneliness sometimes, and felt it in others - poor young clerks who loitered in front of windows waiting until it was time for a solitary restaurant dinner - young clerks in the dusk, wasting the most poignant moments of night and life.

The Great Gatsby is an unmitigated work of art... of genius... of craftsmanship.

Mon, Aug 3, I started work on the reference desk this morning, because I was coving for my coworker.  I drank so much last night, and stayed up so late jerking off, that I was glad I had an extra hour to start work.  It took me nearly the entire morning to feel better.  Thankfully the gin didn't hit me too hard.  I think it was more the fact that I was up until 3am jerking it that effected me.  With this crazy schedule I don't get to jerk-off as often.  I need my medicine.

Job two was whatever.  There is some news about my hours.  It doesn't look good.  I'm likely to lose quite a few hours when the new hours start.  For sure I'm going to have to stay late two days a week.  I'm probably not going to work Mondays at Glendale.  I figure that I'll bunch up my Monday hours so that I can work and also to visit TheGirl after work.  I'll be able to do it earlier as well.

Then there is the matter of driving on Tuesdays.  The other driver drives Mondays and Tuesdays.  He is taking a class that is forcing him to pick the class or the route.  Because he really likes this class, and has already started it, he wants to see it through.  The class is going to last about six months.  If that's the case he can't drive the route, because the time we end the route will be something like 6pm.  His class is at 5pm.  MicroManager told me today that she would prefer that I drive Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I'm OK with that, since I need the money.

Tue, Aug 4, I had to cut my morning shift short, because I was to be at job two for an important meeting at 2pm.  I did have enough time to get some stuff done, and do a little flirting.  There's a Foundation member that I've had my eye on for a few months now.  Lately she's been flirting with me.  I flirt back, of course.  She's a little older than me.  I find her quite attractive.  It would be a pleasure to sleep with her.  If I don't blow it I think I can make it happen.  She's always asking me if I'm working full time yet.  No.  I think she's championing my cause behind the scenes.  I want to be intimate with her.  Maybe, just maybe, if I get drunk enough during the fundraiser I'll plant on on her.  I'll need the liquid courage.

Then came the most useless meeting.  MicroManager sold it as if she was going to tell us all our schedule for the upcoming month.  Yeah right.  Fucking bullshit.  The meeting was pointless, because the big boss, Maleficent, has yet to approve the new schedule as MicroManager made it.  She even said that it would have been better if we had had this meeting next week.  Well why not postpone it?  How hard is that?  Fucking idiots.  The meeting came down to reiterating that MicroManger's hands are tied, and that she has had to cut the hours of the part timers by 25%.  OK, that's kinda understandable.  I just think it's shitty that it's less than a month until we switch to the new hours, but we still don't know what hours we're going to work.  Fuck this shit!

Wed, Aug 5, Despite the fact that I didn't start work until 2pm today I still left early in the morning.  I have to figure out what I'm going to do on Wednesday and Friday mornings.  Today because I don't have to be at work until 2.  Friday because I won't have work at all.  I have just about three weeks to figure this out.  I parked the car and opted to take a nap.  I think I got about an hour's worth of sleep.  Which wasn't bad.  I've been bad this week in terms of getting some sleep.  While waiting for work to start I listened to Stern online.  I even felt like taking a self portrait while there.  Probably to show how I felt at that moment.

My plans to sleep until lunch time, about 12:30, were interrupted when my former coworker asked if I wanted to have lunch with her.  Sure, I said.  She was buying.  We had a nice lunch.  First time I saw her I thought she was cute.  She's still cute.. and married.  Nah, I'm not going there anyway.

I returned to my parking spot and after a few minutes I decided to go in.  Mainly because of the heat.  Can't wait until it's cold.  I forgot to mention that my boss asked me if I was coming in.  Apparently everyone was used to seeing me in the morning.  And since I took the morning off someone began to be worried about me.  I told her I was coming in later, for my actual shift.  The boss was cool with that.  I still have write her about my hours. on Thursdays.  I won't be able to cover them any more.

The Foundation board member I've been flirting with asked me yesterday to come up with some saying for a possible book bag.  While driving to work and in the car I came up with three ideas.  The first was, "What's in your book bag?"  The second, "No groceries in this book bag.. oh no."  Last one, "This book bag contains a green light, a white whale, and a knight on a quest."  I like the third one the most, but I also like the first one, because it's short and sweet.  I sent my ideas to the board member and she loved them.  Now if she would get the hint that I'd like to have an affair with her, then we'd be set.

My shift on the desk was pretty good today.  Nothing bad, nothing that great.  Dealt with the usual, "How do you print," questions.  Just as I was going to leave the internet went out, and this pretty patron who was taking a test needed my help.  I tried to help her, but the reality is that the problem was much deeper.  After nearly a half hour I was able to reset the connection.  Either that or the ISP fixed things on their end, and nothing I did actually mattered.  This stuff made me late for dinner.  I bolted out of there just barely before 6pm.  Despite the fact that I was late I was able to be just a few minutes late to TheGirl's place.  Just in time for dinner. 

Dinner with TheGirl consisted of going out to Fat Dog down the street from where she lives.  I ordered a gimlet and some fish & chips.  Both were excellent.  To top the night off we ordered a bread pudding that was to die for.  Absolutely perfect!  It tasted like a really awesome pancake with ice cream on top.  I mean it was GOOD.  I will definitely want to come back here again.

Thu, Aug 6, The route was pretty much standard today.  The only thing I want to comment about was that I forgot some shelves that were going to one of the branches.  They were piled up in the corner, next to the regular shelves.  I didn't see them because the blended into the background.  Also, I was busy with other things.  Like getting the water and shit.  So I just forgot the shelves.  When I arrived MicroManager threw me under the bus saying that I forgot the shelves because I was talking.  Fucking shit, I wasn't.  This is why I hate that woman.  She needs to know that talking in my natural state.  I'm not distracted by talking.  If I didn't do it so often she could worry, because I'll take my focus off of something important.  Either way, I didn't forget the shelves and she compared me to the other driver she hates.  Fucking shit!  I wish I could take those shelves and cram them up her nose.

Ani was flirting with me today.  That's her general state, so I don't know if she knows I'm trying to get into her pants.  And then there was Snow, and her ice cream supply.  She told me that I had to eat some ice cream.  She insisted, and I did.

TheDesire and I did our parts for a video last week.  Finally this week I get to see my work.  I think I pretty good, but I look so fucking ugly.  TheDesire looks so cute, but I must admit she looks better in the flesh than on these videos.  I just look like a fucking mess.  My hair is all jacked up.  I was sweating like a pig.  And I look fucking fat.  No wonder TheDesire doesn't want me.  I look like a monster.

I really want to try and fix this.  I was thinking that since I'm not working on Fridays, and I don't want to be in the house, that I should go out and hike on those days.  When I wasn't driving I lost a lot of weight.  I looked really nice and skinny.  I think I can do this and make it a two birds with one stone situation, since I'll be thin and I'll also be in shape for my Big Sur trip at the end of the year.  Win/win!  Maybe TheDesire will look at me and yeah.

Fri, Aug 7, Having to deal with a blocked parking spot seems to be my thing.  Most of the time it's at the parking structure at work.  Today, it was at the Pasadena library dock.  As shown in the photo above, someone was parked in the dock area.  This makes it more difficult to take the books out of the van.  But oh well, these dummies don't get that.  No one ever gets that and tells these people that park in the dock area that they need to park properly.  Everyone just parks like an idiot.

After my run to Pasadena I had to deliver a huge bookcase to the Trose.  They gave me a helper, and the whole thing was done in just under an hour.  Then started my regular route.  But, of course since I started late I was behind schedule.  I didn't mind, I figured I best just milk this while I can.  I won't be driving Fridays soon, so I best enjoy being able to visit all the branches without them having any employees present.

I was hungry early on the route, but not by time, but by location.  I ate my lunch two stops before I usually do.  It was nice to just eat alone.  But it was different.

Then came Ani time.  I have this attraction to her that is based on physical want, but also on this idea that I think she's a great girl.  She sure isn't a dummy.  And she knows what she likes and doesn't like.  Tough girl too.  These qualities make her desirable.  I am also physically attracted to her.  I love her butt.  It's big, but I like the shape.  I think she's nice anyway.

I finished work at 4:30.  I didn't milk the entire hour that I used to make the special delivery.  But I did take a good amount of time at my last stop to rest.  I finished work, but stuck around talking outside the library.  I forgot that my cousin was bringing her kids over to the house.  I was lucky I did see on the cameras that I have at home that they were there.  I don't need to go home and deal with that.  This is one of the main reasons I need to find something to do on Fridays.  I suspect I'll hike, like I said in my previous entry.  It's a good idea since I can not be home and get in shape.  I think I'll also use that day off to get out of town as well.  That reminds to be seen.  For now, I think the likely thing I'll do is hike.  Maybe sightsee.

The hiking thing is probably what I should focus on.  In the video that I recorded last week I noticed how fat I was.  Not that I don't notice that when I'm taking a shower.  Still, it was illustrated much more in that video.  Also, my hair was a mess.  I wanted to get a haircut last week, which would have been after that video.  So it wouldn't have actually made a difference there.  However, my hair could have used some help.

Sat, Aug 8, My local Fresh & Easy is closed.  Closed this week.  I really liked that it was so close to home.  It became my first choice for market stuff.  It had a small selection, but if I needed something I could go there and very likely find it.  Especially something quick to eat.  They had some entrees all ready to heat and eat.  Well, the dream is over.  I hope the new business is something good, and something that's needed.  Would be great if there was some sort of yummy food there.  Time will tell.

Work today was whatever.  I was on the children's desk for the third Saturday in a row.  And each time I'm on it's dead.  I mean deader than dead.  I only had about four people come up and ask me questions.  FOUR!  That's it!  It's such a waste of time.  The only positive thing is that I actually got some work done while on desk.

I get home, have something to eat, and just as about 3/4th of the way through the show I was watching when I started having dinner my aunt comes into my room.  She interrupts and hands me a piece of paper and then mentions something about my haircut.  But what I didn't realize what she was saying is that she wanted me to cut her hair.  She can't fucking wait until I'm done with my show?  I'm through.  I'm so sick of this complete lack of empathy from her.  Nothing I do is ever good enough for her.  I'm tired.  I've worked twenty-one straight days, and I won't have a day off until next Saturday.  That means twenty-seven straight days.  Nearly a whole month straight.  But does she give a damn?  No.  She just wants her fucking haircut.  I'm done.  She wonders why I drink?  This is one of the many reasons I drink.

Sun, Aug 9, As I mentioned in my last entry, my local Fresh & Easy closed down.  The above photo is of the last batch of mini-burgers that I bought there.  Probably the last batch I'll ever have.  I had them for breakfast.  There's no food in the fridge, which is because my aunt makes the food.  I thought about giving her an extra $50 a fortnight to help with the food expenses.  But, at the same time I figure that I'll just fend for myself.  Still, not having that Fresh & Easy close-by makes that more difficult.

Work was whatever.  I thought about going to Disneyland after work, but for some reason I hesitated.  I didn't want to leave my parking spot after work.  But then I did, and headed down there.  But then I was driving down the street to get on the freeway and I turned around.  I turned around yet again, and headed back to Disneyland.

I eventually did make it to Disneyland.  First thing on my list was food.  I went and ordered the platter above, a two taco combo.  The tacos were good, but they would have been better if they were warm.  Still, they hit the spot, and I went around the park trying to find a short line.  Well, short is relative.  I wanted to get on a ride that had a wait time of no more than twenty minutes.  It wasn't meant to be.  I didn't find a single line that was even close.  I walked around, bought a churro, then I bought some popcorn.  I ate my popcorn right on the footsteps of the train station on Main St.  As soon as I was done I headed home.  I had a pair of swigs before I went into the park.  They did give me a buzz, but by the time I reached the park the buzz was nearly gone.  By the time I had dinner I could barely feel a buzz.

Mon, Aug 10, Once again, there's no food in the house.  I got ready for work and then took myself to a Carl's to get a biscuit for breakfast.  It kinda messed up that I don't just buy some breakfast food for myself and then eat it.  I was doing that for a while, but with my crazy hours I just want to go home.  I don't want to go to the market after work.  So fucking frustrated.  Also, this eating out stuff is spending money I could use for other things.  I have bills.

The weather was so nice tonight that I took my break outside.  The weather liars say that it's going to get warm again by midweek.  I sure hope not, but they're probably right.  Damn.  Tonight it was so nice.  I forgot to mention it, but last night while I was at Disneyland it was just chilly enough that I thought I might need to wear my hoodie.

Tue, Aug 11, I spent much of the morning not doing much.  Most of my assignments need more input from pseudo supervisor, and she's out of down for nearly two weeks.  That doesn't mean I don't have work, but I didn't have the inclination to do it this morning.  What I did is I went shopping.  My two pairs of work shoes are toast.  The ones I'm wearing right now are falling apart.  I also need a new polo shirt, and since I'm not going to be working Fridays I figured that I would go hiking and get in shape.  Well, I still need a pair of pants for that as well.  All in total I bought two pairs of shoes, a polo shirt and some hiking pants.  Total, just under $320.  I never spend money on myself for clothes, and I need them.  I can't walk around with these ratty old shoes.  I can still do the route in my old boots, but those are going to go soon as well.  Best be ready with a replacement.

As I said before, I knew the day would come that TheDesire and I would be working on the same desk.  She's a good partner to have.  While the full timer that was supposed to be on desk with me abandoned me, TheDesire jumped right in to help me with the flood of people that showed up at that moment.  She looked so cute.  My buddy jokes with me that I should just lay a kiss on her already.  Believe me, I'd love to.  I would kiss her with all the passion I could muster, letting her know exactly how I feel for her.

Wed, Aug 12, I was surprised to see the email from the order I made yesterday show that my order was going to arrive today.  It got me excited.  But then I checked and the website said that the package had been delivered.  I went outside to the back of the library, wondering why the driver didn't come in with the package.  The new page told me the guy came into the library.  But here I was, without my new shoes, but the online tracking was confirming that the package had been delivered.  After checking again, I called the delivery company, who said they would run a trace.  Thankfully they found the package had been delivered down the street, and presented me with my shoes.  Woo!

I started my shift and Snow sent me a text asking if I was free on September 8th to cover for four hours.  I told her I wasn't sure since this whole "I'm driving on Tuesday, I'm not driving on Tuesdays," thing hasn't been resolved.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to be driving on Tuesdays.  But, there has been ZERO confirmation of that fact.  I even called Herr to ask her about that day, and she dismissed it.  She said she didn't need me that day.  She has lost her mind.  But, with her "blessing" I told Snow I was free.  She also wants me to come in on Sept. 1st for some "training."  I pretty much know how most of our libraries run, but it's a good opportunity to spend some time with her, and to also get a few bucks in my pocket.  By then the new schedule starts and I'm going to be fucked.  Still, there is a chance that my buddy and I can pick up some hours at the branches.  He told me later that he was working at Montrose in a couple of weeks.  Good for him.  I'm glad he got himself some hours.  The both of us need as many hours as we can get.

I went TheDesire a text thanking her for helping me on the desk yesterday, and also telling her that it is a pleasure to work with her on the desk.  My buddy called me a bastard for so blatantly kissing up to her.  But still, it's true.  It is a pleasure to work with her.  It's a pleasure to be around her.  It's a pleasure to know her.  It's just a pleasure to have her near.  I'm a sap.

Dinner with TheGirl was nice.  I drank quite a bit of whiskey, which I needed today.  What with all the scheduling drama.  I fucking hate this shit.  TheGirl and I talked about my stupid schedule, and also about what we would do for the Hollywood Bowl this weekend.  Like where we would get some food to eat at the Bowl.  We're leaning towards having what we had last year.  Oh, and plenty of wine.  Lots and lots of wine.  I'll have my flask too.  After dinner TheGirl, her puppy, and I retired to the couch, where I wrestled with her puppy.  It's a good thing I have tough skin, her dog really likes to nibble on my hand and arm.  Still, a good time was had.  I sobered up, and went home.  Another successful Wednesday night dinner with TheGirl.

Thu, Aug 13, My buddy texted me yesterday while he was on the route to have me check our work email.  The idiots at Central didn't realize how loud a jackhammer gets when it's pounding in the a concrete slab.  When the jackhammer was going they finally realized that it's a little loud.  They closed down the library until 2pm.  Well, today there was going to be more jackhammering, so they preemptively told everyone that today and tomorrow the library would open at 2pm.  What a fucking bunch of idiots!  Oh, a jackhammer in the middle of the library won't disturb anyone.  Fucking idiots.  How am I still loyal to this idiot factory?  What's better is that since the library is closed, they put out chairs and tables so people could still sit outside in hundred degree heat and enjoy the library's wifi.  What a grand idea.  They also did some reference outside.  Good for them.  Fucking idiots.  They're going to do this Friday and Monday.  What a bunch of dopes.

The route today was hot.  It was torture.  Still, everything was finished.  I had chicken enchiladas for lunch.  TheGirl bought them for me.  She's nice like that.  If it wasn't for the heat today the route would have been pretty good.  Having to deal with the heat was what made the day difficult.

The librarians at San Marino have a weekly meeting where they discuss things about the library.  After they are done they email us all the minutes of the meeting.  I usually read this email.  I did so today, and in it I found that something I talked to the boss about was suddenly not the same.  I switched my Thursdays for Monday desk duty.  Or so I thought.  Turns out the person I "swapped" with doesn't have a desk shift on Mondays.  Well, guess I'm left to my own devices on Monday, as per usual.  I'm not sure why they fuck the boss said I was swapping.  She's just clueless, that's why.  She gets so many things wrong.  Whatever, I need to go into that job with my head down just like Glendale.  Just do the bear minimum to get by.  I don't fucking care anymore.  I'm tired of all this shit.

Fri, Aug 14, Last night I bought two tickets to Beethoven's Ninth at the Disney concert hall.  TheDesire and I talked about going to this way back in April.  Well, the day has arrived, and now I can confirm that I'm going with her.  I bought the tickets late last night.  The tickets supposedly go on sale on Aug 23rd, but I was only able to find one pair of seats next to each other.  Unless they're holding some tickets back for sale after the 23rd then that was it.  I have pretty good seats, just to the left of the orchestra on an upper level.  When I went to the hall last I saw where they are.  It should be great.

The big kicker is that Oct. 6, the night of the concert, is a Tuesday.  I texted TheDesire last night to confirm if I should buy the tickets or not, seeing as all the Sunday shows were sold out.  She didn't respond until this morning, but I went with my gut and it worked out.  She told me she was going to ask for the night off.  Woo!  All the ducks are lined up.  Awesome!

As for the route today, it wasn't so great.  Not that there were a lot of books, but the heat was torture.  It sapped all my energy.  I was listening to my radio show, and the host was drinking coffee for the first time in something like forty years.  He said he liked it, because it woke him up.  I was wondering if I should go to drinking some coffee as well.  I don't like the taste, but I guess I could get one of those iced coffees.  Hmm, it's a thought.

While on the route Snow asked me about my new schedule.  I told her that I wouldn't be seeing her on Fridays starting next month, since Central is going to be closed, and there won't be delivery on that day.  I could see her mind thinking.  And then about a half hour later the other driver, not my buddy, comes in and Snow asks him about driving on Tuesdays.  He tells her that he is pretty sure he won't be able to drive on Tuesdays because of his class.  Mind you, my buddy and I have been speculating on what would happen with this Tuesday that is now seemingly up in the air.  But hearing that is the first confirmation that the other driver won't be driving on Tuesdays.  Now, does that mean I'll take over that day?  Or will it mean my buddy will.  Have to say, I love my buddy, and I do look out for him.  But I also need to make a buck.  I'm not going to lie, I hope I work that day.  But if it's my buddy that takes over, I'm OK with that as well.  I'll just have to find somewhere to make some money.  But then there's Snow's questioning.  I'm not sure that even if my buddy drives on Tuesdays that I might not make up some hours with Snow.  Win/win.  Still, now this means that one of the two of us is going to be driving on Tuesdays.  The odds are in my favor, but not necessarily.  It's possible Herr will give them to my buddy, because his total hours are way down, and this would make him more equal to my hours.  If I get all the hours it looks like she's playing favorites.  Not that she doesn't do that anyway.  We'll know next week.

And then there's the little matter of Snow.  She's so nice, and pretty.  I told my buddy that even though I have this huge thing for TheDesire, I can't imagine that Snow isn't TheDesire's equal in many ways.  And in many ways perhaps better.  Certainly if I wasn't so hideous I would have a better chance with both of them.  But the Armenian thing would still be a huge roadblock to deal with when it comes to TheDesire.  I don't think my ethnicity would play a part with Snow, if she was interested.  She looked so pretty today.  I stared at her body when she came into the break room.  She's a pretty girl by any standard.

I've been playing this L.A. Noire game that my buddy loaned me.  The game depicts Los Angeles in the 40s.  There are numerous landmarks throughout the game.  I found Clifton's Pacific Seas, formally on Olive, in the game (as pictured above).  I wasn't alive when this location was around.  Earlier this week my buddy sent me a news story that showed that Clifton's is hiring.  That must mean they're going to open soon.  Perhaps by year's end.  I can't wait.

Sat, Aug 15, I don't remember the last Saturday that I didn't have to go into work, nor the last time I slept-in in the morning.  It was proably the same day, some four weeks ago when I had a day off.  It was nice not to have work.  I ate some breakfast, then sat around fooling around on the computer.  It was nice.  Hot, but nice.  I as to meet up with TheGirl at 3:30 at her place.  But the heat got to me and I passed out around 2pm.  I woke up at 2:45 and jumped out of my seat and into the shower.  I gave myself a thorough wash, and flew out the door.  I was fifteen minutes late, but it worked out perfectly.

Last time we went to the Bowl TheGirl and I had a picnic before the concert.  We repeated that this year.  TheGirl bought wine, which we packed up in a pair of coolers.  We then went to Mendocino Farms for a pair of sandwiches.  Mine was something called "Not so fried chicken" sandwich.  I know, strange name, but the damn thing was good.  Because it was hot today I didn't want to end up at the Bowl too early, but thankfully me sleeping a little before heading out helped with the timing.  Once we had the sandwiches we went to the park and ride.  Found a good spot, close to the shade.  That was important, because Chan was with us.  I don't like leaving hims in a hot car.  I figure the heat will damage him.

Upon arriving at the Bowl we walked directly to the picnic area.  We thankfully found a shady spot, just before the mass of people arrived on buses after us and also looked for a spot.  The food, as I said, was yummy.  So was the wine.  And because of experience this time we had two bottles of wine.  Wine is good, because it doesn't hit me as hard as a cocktail does.  By the time I was done with our picnic I was feeling full of food, and good from the wine.  TheGirl said that she likes coming to the Bowl with me, and can't imagine going with anyone else.  Sigh.  I thought about how we're better as friends.  How come our relationship couldn't be like this friendship?  The main thing we don't do is have sex.  And that's the difference.  Though, I do wish we could still have sex, even if we weren't mutually exclusive.  I was OK with that arrangement before.

After our picnic we moved our way into the Bowl.  TheGirl was texting a friend from her youth that also was at the concert.  We meet up with her, exchanged pleasantries, and then made our way to our seats.  This year the seats I bought were much better than in previous years.  Cost more too, but after experiencing the view I definitely will pay more for better seats.  The concert was great, and fun.  The best thing about tonight was that the temperature really cooled down.  By picnic time the weather was nice.  By the time we made it to our seats it was downright perfect.

The whole day was just right.  The heat of the Valley was replaced by the niceness of the cool breeze in Hollywood.  Everything turned out near perfect.  Originally I asked Snow to come with me to this concert.  I'm not sure how it would have gone, but thankfully TheGirl came with me.  I don't think I could have had a better time with anyone else.

Sun, Aug 16, Not a hell of a lot to report tonight.  Went to work.  It was bullshit, like every Sunday is bullshit.  I did notice that my big boob coworker seemed to have bigger boobs today.  I mean they looked huge.  The above picture was not taken today, but rather a couple of weeks ago.  She wore the same outfit today, but her boobs looked somehow bigger today.  One of my coworkers told me I should go after this one.  But I don't know anything about her, and part of me wonders if I would only make a pass at her in order to try to bed her and finally see her naked.  That would be quite a sight.

Since I know there's no food in the house, and my stomach was in pain because I was hungry, I decided to go to My Taco for dinner tonight.  I ordered some nachos and a sope.  I was stuffed.  Even as I write this I still feel a little stuffed.  It was a damn good meal.  Maybe I should have eaten less, but I was hungry.  I came home and I've been sweltering ever since.  I'm about to pass out.

Mon, Aug 17, All the speculation about who was going to drive on Tuesdays is now gone.  The other driver mentioned that he wasn't going to be able to drive on Tuesdays.  My buddy and I figured that he would talk to Herr today.  Sure enough, when I arrived Herr wanted to talk to me about the route.  She mentioned how he wouldn't be able to do it.  She didn't want to commit the route to me though.  And she also balked at giving it to my buddy.  I saw the opening I was waiting for, and I pounced.  I told her, "Why not split it between the two of us."  Her reaction was like out of a cartoon.  She was in awe, and loved the idea instantly.  And there it was.  All the speculation, all the thinking and analyzing, and my buddy and I were right.  I told him this weekend that I would offer to do it every other week, mainly because I knew she wouldn't want to just give it to me.  It will short me on hours, but in the long run I still make out good.  And here's why.  It looks like I'll make up a lot of hours on Saturdays as well.  The idea under the new schedule is that the full timers were going to have to work Saturdays.  While they will likely still work the majority of their Saturdays, it's also likely that they will take as many Saturdays off as possible.  That means more hours for me on Saturdays.  I was already going to start working Saturdays on September 12th, then two weeks later go to work again.  Well, tonight Herr said she needs me on the 19th as well.  That means three weeks in a row I'll be working on a Saturday.  And it won't just be for four hours.  At least two of those days it will be for at least six hours.  This will, thankfully, help me make up the gap in wages due to this new schedule.

Tue, Aug 18, Not much to report today.  I did want to show a picture of the progress at the library with the renovation.  There's some progress, but nothing big.  My usual hang out time with Dane is going to change with the new schedule.  10pm is way too late to go get something to eat with him after work.  He concurs, so we figure that we might hang out on Saturdays after work.  We'll see.

Wed, Aug 19, Without having to do the computer class any more I have my mornings kinda to myself.  Especially this week, since pseudo supervisor is out of the office.  Today they wanted me to start at noon and finish up at 5pm instead of 5:30.  This is fine by me.  I could get really used to getting out at this time every week.  Alas, it was a one time deal.  There was plenty to do this week.  The big fundraiser is coming up.  This week, it was dealing with invitations and RSVPs.  Had to double check the copy, and then send them all to the printer.  But not quite yet, pseudo supervisor has to see them first.

Like I said earlier, I got off work early tonight.  That meant being able to go to dinner with TheGirl earlier as well.  We went to an Irish pub tonight for dinner.  I had a Reuben and TheGirl had chicken and fries.  We also had booze.  Well, she had a glass, I had my new one, two combination, which consists of a gimlet and a Manhattan.  But then some girls went around giving us samples of flavored rum.  The girl wanted the t-shirt that the girls were offering if we drank a cocktail made with the rum.  I was OK drinking another cocktail in order for the girl to get the t-shirt.  Once I was nice and feeling good we went back to her place.  I sobered up and went home.  The Reuben I had was pretty good, but not super great since I've had some good sandwiches in this city.  It was definitely a good place eat though.  We'll definitely have to return.  Once again, a good Wednesday night.

Lastly, when I arrived home I found that my tickets for Beethoven's Ninth arrived.  This is so going to happen!

Thu, Aug 20, So much news today.  First off, last night my buddy and I talked and he told me that Snow offered him work hours on Monday.  He was pretty sure that I was going to be offered some hours next.  Sure enough, this morning Snow was at Central for page interviews, I later found out, and she asked me when I was available.  She told me to text her what days I was available.  I later sent her the text saying that I was available on Fridays only.  That's really the only day I have to give at this point.  She later said asked if she could schedule me for every Friday in September.  I figured that meant just for September.  But as my buddy pointed out later, she can only publish a month in advance on our work schedule software.  He's pretty sure that I'm permanently on Fridays.  Hey, I'm good with that.  I need the hours, and as an added bonus I might have a better chance at socializing with her after work.

It would seem that my email to Snow a few weeks ago has turned this bad situation into something more manageable.  Not only that, both my buddy and I have hours outside of Central.  I told my buddy that I want to buy Snow some sort of gift.  Now that I think about it, I should get her something from Disney.  Or perhaps give her a photograph that I've taken.  Decisions, decisions.  Speaking of my buddy, he and I have been talking a lot about work and trying to use logic to figure out what was coming next.  My move to email Snow came from analyzing the situation with the upcoming schedule, and making a move to ask for hours way before everyone received their schedules.  As of this the start of next month I will have almost made up all the hours I lost.  I still lose some hours, but at least I didn't lose the amount I was to lose.  Under the old scenario I was to average fourteen hours a week.  Now, it seems that I'll be averaging twenty to twenty-one hours a week.  That puts me nearly on par with what I'm averaging now, which is twenty-three.  If the Snow hours become semi permanent it would help with my money situation, but also it means that Herr has less of a grip on both my buddy and me.  The way I put it to my buddy is that we did well to ask for hours early in the game.  Well, I asked for hours, technically.  I emailed Snow to say we were both available.  Because I laid that foundation we are now both in a better position than our coworkers at Central.  In short, logic helped us figure this all out.  Logic, for the win!

The route was standard today.  TreasuryGirl looked nice, as always.  But there's nothing else to report.  Oh, wait, the other driver, having given up his Tuesdays on the route, told me today that he will be working at one of the branches on Tuesdays now.  This pretty much completes the trifecta for Snow helping out the drivers.  All three of us have been able to cover some of our hours through Snow giving us hours.  Herr is going to hit the roof when she finds out all of us have hours at the branches.  I'm going to love it.  She deserves this.  Her actions have not always been pure.  Sure, I know she has to deal with her budget being cut.  But I think some of her motives have not been pure and benevolent.  As always, we have to look out for ourselves.  And we have Snow to thank for offering us hours.

Tonight is my last night working Thursdays at San Marino.  At least for a while.  Actually, even after the renovation I don't think I'll gain these hours back.  That's fine by me.  I know it's kinda easy to work at San Marino's night shift.  It's usually quiet, and I get paid to basically not do much.  Still, it makes for a long day.

Fri, Aug 21, In two weeks time I won't be driving on Fridays any more.  As it turns out, I might be working at one of the branches for a few hours.  I had planned on using these Fridays off to go hiking in Griffith park.  Anything to not be home.  I can still do the hikes, seeing as I don't start work until 2pm.  It's the best of both worlds.  I still get to do my hiking, hopefully get in better shape, and also get to work.  Win/win.  Not that I was sentimental about it, but today is the second to last trip to Chevy.  There was a long while there during my route that I wasn't going to Chevy.  Mainly because of my accident there, I suspect.  But, then when the other driver was fired I took over his day, and I went up there again.  No problems since.  Driving every other Tuesday is going to be interesting, for sure.  The route was once again standard.  Nothing too crazy.  I did get my photo prints last night.  One is for donating to the fundraiser.  The second is going to be a gift for TheGirl's upcoming birthday.  The third was a small print for treasury.  TreasuryGirl needs to pose for me.  The gifting of these photos is for the purposes of that end game. 

Emma, a girl I don't think I've mentioned here before, asked if I was interested in hanging out with her and a few of our coworkers.  Sure I said.  Tonight is the night.  But what I wondered about is what was Emma's motivation for this gathering.  Shay provided the answer when she told me that Emma's fella broke up with her.  Dang.  Still, it's good to have these outings.  Before that I had to still deal with the rest of the route.  Up until the last stop I was doing well.  Last stop was a mess.  First, the damn alarm continues to go off as soon as I enter the fucking door.  I mean what the hell.  After dealing with the alarm company I get to see this shit stack of books for donations.  Fucking shit.  We weren't taking donations at Central because we didn't have any room.  They started selling books at a dollar a piece and sure enough they started going out the door.  But now, since they have such a low supply, administration is saying we can take donations again.  This has made my life suck on the route.  Because two of the branches send me these boat loads of books.  Fucking hate this shit.

I finished up work and since our little outing tonight wasn't going to start for at least a few hours, I figured I get my night started with a little food and drinks at Jax.  It was early still, but the timing worked out just right.  I had two cocktails and a yummy breaded chicken plate.  I was feeling really good.  While drinking and eating I was able to coordinate with my buddy and Emma about tonight.  Tonight, was all about getting Vagabundo to have some quality time with Shay.  Whenever I could I moved so I could engage someone and have my buddy engage Shay.  I have to say that I think it went well, but more on that in a moment.  Jax is nice.  I like going there.  I think next time.. ah, who am I kidding.  I always say I'm going to drink less and I always end up drinking so much.

Emma and my buddy and I were picked up by one of the pretty pages that work in our system.  She's nice, and I remember taking a bead on her when she first started working.  Nice body, nice face.  I thought she wasn't Armenian, but rather Latina.  But I was wrong.  Anyway, she drove us to Burbank, but the place we were going to hang in was packed, and small.  We quickly decided to move the festivities to downtown Burbank, where there are a lot of bars.  Shay directed us to one, and meet us there.  I had yet another two cocktails.  I spent some time talking to the cute page.  She's nice.  Wouldn't mind getting to know her better.  We then moved to another bar and by then I was feeling damn good.  I was about to sit down when I noticed that Shay was going to sit next to me.  I quickly pointed to my buddy to sit where I was going to sit.  He did, and the rest of the night he was able to talk to her.  It was hard, seeing as the music was loud.  But still, he got that one on one time.  You can see he has a huge grin on his face.  Emma, also pictured above, had a good time it would seem.  We all did.  I do hope this becomes a semi-regular thing.

This week has been a good run.  The hours situation, hanging out, two nice dinners out, and drinking.  All good shit.  I was pretty far gone by the end of the night, and an hour in my car would not sleep this off.  My buddy, who was feeling great from the time with Shay, but not tanked like I was, drove me home.  He told me he would pick me up tomorrow so I could come back and pick up my car from the garage.  I came home, and passed out in moments.  I don't even remember getting into my PJs.  I remember somethings, but not that.  Still, a great night to top off a good week.

Sat, Aug 22, My buddy told me last night that he was picking me up this morning, in order to take me back to my car.  I was awake early, but passed out again after taking a piss.  He knocked on my window and I jumped out of bed.  I dressed super fast, with last night's clothes, and we were on our way to Glendale.  It was still early by the time we arrived in town, and I suggested we get some breakfast burritos.  I treated.  My buddy was worried about the time, but we made it to the garage, and he made it into work with five minutes to spare.  I got into my car, and rested.  I was thirsty, so I went to the vending machine to get a bottle of water.  But the stupid machine sold me a soda instead.

I went back to my car and tried to sleep.  I didn't fall asleep.  I can usually sleep in my car, but for some reason I wasn't falling asleep.  I rested a bit more, and in that time I think I might have actually slept for maybe ten minutes.  I drank some more soda and decided I was awake enough to drive.  I drove home.

As I said before, I came home and did pretty much nothing.  I sat and watched some TV.  Then some stuff on Netflix.  I did take a nap after 3pm.  Then I caught up on my journal (this thing).  A strange start to a day, but a good day.

Sun, Aug 23, I don't really have anything to report tonight.  Work was work.  It was busy, but aside from that nothing really happened.  I thought about going to Disneyland after work for some food, but the temperatures made me rethink that idea.  About the only thing I can report is that I wore my new fancy shoes at work today (pictured above).  I came home, ate something I picked up, and then just chilled in front of the TV playing some video games.  Pseudo supervisor comes back tomorrow.  I so don't like my jobs.

I'm looking over my possible schedule for September, now that my Glendale hours are going to change.  First off, I will have two days off in the entire month of September.  September 5th and 7th.  That's it.  After the 7th I will work twenty-five straight days until October 3rd.  After that my schedule stabilizes and I'll work about thirteen days in a row, tops.

As of today there is ninety-four days until my Big Sur trip.  Fucking A!

Tue, Aug 25, San Marino work was really busy today.  I hit the ground running, dealing with all the things that I have to do for the big fundraiser in October.  This is the last Tuesday I'll be at San Marino at a regular basis, since I'll have to shift some of these hours to Glendale.  I would be here next week and the following week, but I'm covering some hours for Snow.  It's going to get some getting used to, but it will work out.  With all my focus on my Glendale hours I haven't yet figured out how I would maximize my San Marino hours.  I'll do it later in the week.

Meanwhile, at Glendale, I arrived to experience some of the shit hitting the fan.  Some people have been given their official schedules for the renovation's first phase.  A woman that works there was crying.  I could see it.  These hours are going to hurt so many of my coworkers.  They have few options to get hours at the branches.  Especially since it looks like my buddy, the other driver, and I have taken all the potential hours at at least two of the branches where there were potential hours.  As a matter of fact, the manager at Adam's texted me to see if I could cover a short shift on September eighth.  I said sure.  So now I'll be working there in the morning and going to one of Snow's branches in the afternoon.  Those two shifts nearly equal the hours I lost at Central on Fridays.  Not that this is going to be a regular thing, mind you.

Wed, Aug 26, I arrived at work early to get some work done, and I had a lot of work.  Mostly having to do with the fundraiser that's coming up in October.  I'm working on several different things right now.  First, posters.  I'm also working on a bookplate.  And I'm working on ads for the catalog.  Yes, I have a lot on my plate.

I got some inside news today, bad inside news.  According to my pseudo supervisor there's a proposition to extend a tax in the city.  If that tax doesn't pass it will cost the city about $1.5 million.  A significant amount in a small city.  Supposedly the city manager was talking to my boss about this during yesterday's employee luncheon.  He also said that if that tax, that has been in effect for twenty-five years, doesn't pass that the library would take most of the hit.  He would have to fire everyone and turn the library over to a private firm.  That news hit hard.  I know that many cities are considering this sort of shit.  I even voiced it to my buddy, saying that I thought Glendale would pull the same move after the library renovation is done.  It kinda ruined my day.  Pseudo supervisor did mention how she thinks I'm much better than my current job at the library.  I appreciate that.  She also said that she wants to help me get out of there.  Even if the library isn't decimated, it's still a good idea for me to leave, she thinks.  To better and brighter jobs.  Full time jobs.  I agree with that.

I finished up my shift, returned to my office to gather my things and leave when I picked up Chan.  That little stuffed monkey has become quite important in my life over the last couple of years.  Today wasn't a hard day at the office, by any scale.  It was pretty standard.  But when I picked up Chan today I gave hims a big hug, and I cried.  The world is so cruel, and full of idiots.  These days I have my hands full with idiots all day long.  I rarely met anyone that's not a fool.  I grin and bear it, because my next meal depends on it.  But really I just want to shake some sense into everyone I met.  This little monkey brings me more joy than 99% of the people I know and encounter.  I know that he is a reflection of me, and that makes me bias towards this stuffed monkey.  Also, as an inanimate object it can never wrong me with it's actions.  Any actions are because I make it move and act a certain way.  I can never be offended by it.  No human could ever live up to that level of inoffensiveness.  I'm not a fool though.  I know that people aren't stuffed monkeys.  I know that they are going to offend me at times.  I'm good at letting things go.  But humans today are fools.  They are idiots that think there are no consequences to their actions.  I'm not a perfect person.  I facilitated adultery.  I broke up a home.  I came into people's lives and shattered that which they thought to be permanent.  This is my gift.  For a moment today the weight of the world hit me, and a stuffed monkey made me feel better.  Chan always makes me feel better.  This is why I don't care that people talk behind my back about the dummy that carries around a stuffed monkey.  That stuffed monkey makes me happy.  Which is more than I can say for nearly everyone I know.

After a busy shift on the desk I went to TheGirl's for dinner.  I told her all about this stuff, and the stuff that's been going on at Glendale.  I told her how it looks like I won't be losing many hours at Glendale.  More importantly for her, her dog wasn't dead.  She said that last night was a rough night.  Her dog was said to have fleas, which I'm pretty sure jumped to me since I've seen them on me.  Anyway, she mentioned that the vet gave some meds to the dog and it really knocked her out (the dog).  She was lethargic, which is something this dog is not normally.  She's full of energy.  Thankfully the dog is much better today.  Not 100%, but certainly MUCH better.

Thu, Aug 27, The route today was brutal, no thanks to the heat.  As I write this it's 9pm and it's still hot.  I have a wet towel on my head, but I'm still hot.  I'm just glad the van has a strong A/C.  Even still, it was brutal.  It really hit me at the half way point.  I felt like I could just pass out.  The last half of the route was a real struggle.

The countdown to the new schedule is down to the last few days.  Monday I won't have to go to Central, I'll just work at San Marino.  More importantly, we'll be driving the route two hours later than now.  Instead of starting at 8am, we'll be starting at 10am.  Instead of finishing at 4, we'll finish at 6.  I'll break down my official schedule later, since today I was handed my official schedule.  I talked to the guy at Pasadena, and he just knows that the shit is going to hit the fan come Monday.  But at the same time he also confirmed that nothing will happen.  He thinks that Pasadena will not like it, but will also not voice their complaints to Glendale.  Leaving everything to just fester.  Well, this is how these two libraries apparently function.  The Pasadena driver suggest we just let the chips fall where they may.  We worry too much about this stuff, because it's us who has to directly deal with this route shit.  The administrators don't care, because they won't have to deal with it directly.  I shouldn't even give a fuck.

I finished my route, and just before I left Herr handed me a piece of paper showing me my official hours, until further notice.  As you can see on the picture, I'm working three days a week.  Here's the breakdown: 2nd and 4th weeks of the month I drive the route.  That means that I'll start at 10am and end at 6pm.  Ah, but I still have to work from 7pm to 10pm.  On the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month my buddy will drive, and I will only come in from 7pm to 10pm.  Thursday I'll drive and also work the desk, so it will be 10am to 10pm, with a two hour break from 6pm to 8pm.  Saturday is the new day for me.  I'll be working 1pm to 6pm, though Herr has already mentioned that I might get more hours on Saturdays.  Now this is my schedule for Central.  This does not include hours from the branches.  Snow has asked me to work every Friday in September from 2pm to 6pm, in addition to two Tuesdays early in the month.  As I do my calculations I have increased my hours.  Last week it looked bleak.  It looked like I was going to lose nine hours.  As it is, I will gain two to four hours, on average.

My buddy is the same way.  I don't know his breakdown, but he also gained hours in this whole thing.  This is in contrast to some of my coworkers that have lost half or more of their hours.  I know that two of the pages have no hours.  They're not working for the foreseeable future.  Supposedly until the first phase of the renovation is done.  I told my buddy that I feel this renovation is a grand move to get rid of everyone.  To clean house and bring in a private firm.  And sure enough, I heard there has been talk of that in the city.  Typical, so typical.  In light of my gaining hours it hurts to see that some of my coworkers will not be working all.  And the worst part is that they didn't see it coming.  The meeting that was held two weeks ago should have been used to give some of my coworkers more of a head's up warning.  As it was, it hindered them from being able to make any moves, because they didn't officially know their hours.  They may have been able to find some hours at the branches, like my buddy and I did, but not without knowing when they were free.  Fucking Herr!

After work I sat in my car with the A/C on.  I was wasting gasoline, but I needed some time to recover before hitting the road.  I was feeling tired, and hungry.  I bought myself a Fatburger tonight.  It wasn't super great, but it was good and it hit the spot.

On a totally unrelated subject.. ninety days until my Big Sur trip!

Fri, Aug 28, Today was the last Friday route I'll do for a while.  At least for the foreseeable future.  Next week we start at 10am, instead of 8am.  Not sure how the Pasadena portion of the route is going to go, but the rest of the route will be two hours behind our old schedule, for sure.  Above is a picture of the crowd of people that will be the last to see the library open at 10am.  Next week the library officially opens at 2:30pm.  However, just yesterday there was an email that was sent out that said the children's room is going to open at 10am.  Which throws a monkey wrench into the whole 2:30pm thing.  Because before the doors weren't going to be open until then.  Now, the doors will be open for parents and children, and those getting children's books.  Everyone else can't come into the library, except to use the bathroom, and make new library cards.  As well as getting their book holds, and paying fines.  So, effectively the library is open at 10am.  I know they say we're not, but we are.  These shortsighted idiots have said this party line about working late, only to now open early and nullify that.  Fucking idiots.

I went on my now awake way to my next stop.  I kept on chugging along until I reached Brand.  Ani is a big girl, but man I find myself so fucking sexually attracted to her.  I love her butt.  It's big, not going to lie, but man I just love her butt's shape.  Iv'e been trying to "make time" with her, but today I knew that I had little chance with her.  As a matter of fact, I don't have any chance with any woman.  I like how women try to set me up, or at least talk about possibly setting me up, but they never do.  Know why?  I can't be set up with anyone.  I just don't have the goods.  Simple as that.  My personal beliefs don't make me ambitious for money, and that puts me at a disadvantage.  Mainly because the average woman sees me as some sort of man-child.  Which is likely true, I am a man-child.  I never saw growing up to be such a great thing.  I still feel that "adults" are just children that play this roll of what an adult is supposed to be.  There are people in the world that are adults, and they're not playing.  Most of us don't fall into that category, we're children.  Back to the subject.. I would very much like to bed this girl.  It's not going to happen.  It would have happen already.

I finished up my route with a nice little rest at my last stop before returning to home base, Adams.  I'm usually pretty beat by the time I reach Adams, so I take a little rest.  Nothing too long, but just enough to recharge my batteries a little before heading back to base.  Today I lay there, thinking about what lies ahead.  Next week will be the start, the beginning of the end.  Not only is my schedule changing, I have to start looking for new horizons.  I need to get out of these two jobs.  I need to find something better.  TheDesire has been away for about two weeks, and I do miss her.  But I can't think of her when I think of leaving these jobs.  I need to move on, and soon.  I've spent nearly a decade at this jobs, and it's gotten me nowhere.

I finished up my route, parked the van and went back to Central.  Normally that's the end of the day.  Today it wasn't.  Today Herr wanted me to stay until closing, at 6pm.  Nine hours on the job isn't that much, but after dealing with the heat on the route I was ready to drop when I finished today.  I tried to do the least I could while on the desk the last two hours.  I let my coworker check in most of the books, simply because I could not do it myself.  I was dead tired.  I had a quiet moment when I took the picture above.  From here on out I will be working late in this place.  This place is not perfect, but I stay here because it gave me a chance when no one else but San Marino did.  I'm a loyal idiot.  I gave so much to this place when I first arrived, and the bosses didn't appreciate it for a long time.  Finally they woke up and gave me a promotion.  I did my best to not only do my best, but to go above and beyond to help those who come in here and encounter the dummies I work with who have checked out and no longer care.  I don't know if I care, but I still stick to my personal philosophy that I treat other the way I want to be treated.

I finished up my shift and went outside to talk to my buddy Dane.  He was very chatty, but I was just dead tired.  There was more than one time when I was falling asleep as he talked to me tonight after work.  He wouldn't stop talking to me even while I nearly passed out in front of him.  He's a good guy, but tonight I just wanted to say good night to him and leave.  He wanted to do something tomorrow, but I was dead on my feet.  I even told him that I was going to take a nap in my car before going home tonight.  I didn't, only because he kept me awake talking.  I knew tomorrow was on his mind, but with the heat and all I told him it was best we hang out next Saturday.  I have a thing downtown next Saturday, which means I have a curfew.  Which means I can drop Dane off and go downtown to the neon tour.  I just had a thought, I could give him some cash for his next birthday in October.  Good idea.  Anyway, he wouldn't quiet down, but I understand.  He doesn't talk to many people, perhaps no one else but me.  He needs to talk to me, because there's no one else to talk to.  We will hang out next week.

I finally get home after going to the market to get some whiskey, along with some ice cream.  I thought of buying something before I went home, but I just wanted to rest.  That's too much to ask.  Rest after a long day is fucking too much to ask in this fucking house.  I go to my room to tell my aunt I'm home.  I want that moment to pass quickly.  Mostly because I just want to get something to eat.  But she then goes into a longwinded story about my cousin and the neighbor.  ARGH!  I just want to eat, not listen to this story.  She then says how since we will likely get some new neighbors soon that she wants to put up some curtains on a pair of windows that face our neighbor's house.  Mind you, the windows face out into a little walkway behind their house.  There are no windows that they can look into our house from.  So the idea of curtains is stupid, because they would have to walk out to that walkway and actively look into our house.  She then says, "I know you don't want to do anything.." and just before she can finish I bolt out of her room in a huff.  I don't want to say something cruel, but at the same time I just don't want to be there any more.  I tell her, "Oh sure, I get home at 10pm every night and of course I want to do something."  It's fucking idiocy to expect me to want to do anything when I work full days and get home late.  Today was a good example of me being so tired I didn't want to deal with anything when I finished work.  I should have ditched Dane earlier.  Even as I write this, about four hours after she said what she said to me, I'm still livid.  Know what, I'm going to be glad when I work until 10pm.  I forget the level of empathy for me and my struggles is absolutely at the bottom of my aunt's list of important things.  Fucking shit!

Sat, Aug 29, Today I didn't want to do a thing.  I woke up and found myself in a quiet house.  My aunt and I had a row last night, and I figured her closed door meant she was taking a "break."  It wasn't until past midday that I started to wonder if she was OK.  I didn't hear a sound coming out of her room.  I half wondered if she was dead.  I knew she was awake earlier than me, since the back door was open.  But I failed to check the cameras I have in the house for signs of her until midday.  For some reason I didn't notice the emails those cameras send me when someone is detected.  I think I must have deleted them, making me think that my aunt was still home, when she wasn't.  Upon inspection of the recordings, I found that she had left about twenty minutes before I woke up.  I went to her room and sure enough she wasn't there.  The rest of my day was spent in front of the computer.  I figured out the alarm schedule for my upcoming change in schedule next week.  I also paid a bill online, thought about redoing my photography website, and played a video game.  Not a productive day, but I needed a day to just chill.  Too bad it was too hot to really chill.  I dealt with the heat.  It is much nicer to be in an air conditioned library.

Sun, Aug 30, I should have known today wasn't going to be a regular day.  It turned out to be a frustrated day.  It was hot today, to say the least.  Sweltering is more like it.  The damn A/C seemed to just be chugging along when suddenly the power went out.  Since I had some experience with this a few weeks ago I knew what to do.  I got the power back on, then went about getting our internet back.  But while I'm running around trying to do this, the stupid patrons were chasing after me with dumb requests, and even dumber questions.  "When is the internet coming back?"  Ah, it will come back as soon as you stop asking me stupid questions and let me work on getting it back.  How can I fix something if I have a dozen people asking me when I'm going to fix it.  "Are you doing anything about it?"  Ah, yeah, I'm avoiding you in order to go to the server room so that I can start the computers up again and get us rolling.  Fucking idiots.  I really wanted to just tell these idiots off today.  The only positive is that the librarian in charge let us all go a little earlier than usual, 4:30pm rather than 5:15pm.  Not much, but certainly something.  I was hoping he would have let us go home at 3pm, but that turned out to be wishful thinking.

After work I had plans to go to Disneyland.  But the heat of the day made me rethink that thought.  Little did I know that the night would actually cool down.  Still, it wasn't a total loss.  My coworkers and I went to Dog Haus for some dogs.  After sweltering in the library we needed something to fill our bellies.  I had what is now my favorite dog, The Fonz.  We finished up and went home.  On the drive home I talked to my buddy about the week to come.  This coming week is the week we switch over to the new schedule.  As a matter of fact, tomorrow I'll only be working at San Marino.  I'll work all day, which is good.

Mon, Aug 31, Today was the first day working under my new schedule.  It was kinda strange to work the entire day at San Marino.  I started at 9, and finished up at 6pm.  Not a long day, considering tomorrow I'll be working from 9am to 10pm.  Still, I was busy today.  I have some project deadlines that I have race to finish.  Then there's my aunt calling me to say that she couldn't get a hold of the Medicare lady that takes care of my Godmother's insurance.  Fucking shit.  I have my hands full, I can't hand hold my aunt in this process.  She's a fucking adult.  She needs to take care of this, not me.  I didn't have a quiet moment today.  I was go, go, go the entire day.

Meanwhile at Glendale more stupidity.  I didn't work there today, but I was able to get some of the story of today from other sources.  I texted one of the supervisors and he told me that they were good, but then added that they were going to have the tables outside again tomorrow.  These fools open the doors at 10am, but only for the kid's room.  So patrons come around and rightfully ask, what the fuck is going on?  Whatever, more on that in tomorrow's entry when I get to see the fiasco for myself first hand.

Well, my aunt just told me that she did call, and that we have three days to send the paperwork.  You know what?  I don't have the time this week.  Here's the rest of my work week: Tuesday, 9am to 10pm.  Wednesday, sexual harassment training from 9am to noon, then 2pm to 6pm on the desk.  Then Thursday, 10am to 10pm.  Friday, 9:30 to 6pm.  There's zero space in there to fucking do this.  ARGH!

Anyway, after work I was able to get some dinner before going to TheGirl's for the traditional Monday night visit.  As I sit here it feels so good to have fool in my belly at 7pm instead of 10pm.  After getting off work at 6pm I drove to Burbank, to a fast food joint close to TheGirl's place.  I talked to my buddy on the way there.  I then ate dinner, and drove to TheGirl's.  I drove up as she was arriving from walking her dog.  Perfect timing.

Tomorrow is going to be interesting, to say the least.  I'm going to go to San Marino in the morning, and the follow that up by going to Snow's branch, and then to Central.  Fucking crazy full day.