Afterthoughts : This Past Month

We're nearing the middle of 2021, and we keep on racing to the new normal.  A new post Covid normal.  On to the update.

Saturday, May, 1, I was chilling out on one of my backyard benches.  Since I stayed up late last night jerking off I was sleepy after breakfast this morning.  I grabbed a pillow and was laid out on the bench.  It was nice.  When I became hungry, and was on my way to get some sandwiches for my aunt and myself, I thought about how nice it was to just chill outside. 

I finally get why people like to go on vacation and lay out in the sun.  I'll have to explore this idea a little more.

Sunday, May, 2, I bought tickets for the Disney Archive exhibit at the Bowers last year, right before everything was shut down.  If I had set the date for a week earlier I wouldn't have had to wait a year to see the exhibit.  But, here it is a year later and I was finally able to check out the exhibit.  First thing to greet you is a "full size" model of Dumbo hanging from the ceiling.

There used to be a display of Walt Disney's office from the Burbank studios at Disneyland.  I'm pretty sure this is the same desk.

Here I am with Uncle Walt.  I'm pretty sure he was much taller.

There was a menu from the Burbank studios commissary.  I love the items on the menu, especially the Thursday special: Enchiladas... served with "Mexican sauce."

I have a list of restaurants that I want to try out.  These restaurants are everywhere, or practically everywhere.  When I checked for a place to eat for today after we left the museum I found that I had a few places close-by.  I picked a place named Sabroso Mexican grill.  The food was really good.  My aunt ordered a chile relleno and I had a torta (shown above).  Both were really good, as I said.  My torta was huge, and I only was able to finish half of it.  I had the second half for dinner though.

Monday, May, 3, I went to the 99 cent store this morning to pick up some Q-tips, but I totally forgot what I was going there for once I was there.  So, I wandered around and while traveling the aisles I noticed that they had some Summer items out on display.  That included the tiny barbecue grill that I didn't buy last year.  It was selling for the same price as I was last year, $10.  I want to buy it, since it is so cheap.  But what happens if it turns out to be not only cheap but cheaply made?  And just how much BBQing will I be doing?  I talked out of buying it last year, and I definitely talked myself out of buying it this year.  But, since I forgot my items today I might come by on Wednesday and buy it then.

I honestly lost count as to how many people have now held the job of library director since I started at San Marino some thirteen years ago.  I know the lady that hired me, that's one.  After that it was the lady from the city.  Following her it was a lady from the recreation department.  Following that it gets more complicated.  By my dead reckoning I figure that we've had at least half a dozen to make eight directors in that time.  The last one was just a temporary one.  She was supposed to only stay a few months, but she ended up staying about two years.  Now this guy quits after not even six months.

Quite frankly the idea of combining the job of recreation director and library director is a total failure.  It just doesn't work.  It's too much work for one person.  That's one thing.  And except for the city librarian that's there now, and the director that hired me, the other people have been non-library people.  They have had zero experience working in a library.  They don't know what we actually do at the library.  So they come in ignorant, and having to learn on the fly.  Learning on the fly if you're a library page is one thing, but when you're in charge of the entire endeavor that's something else.  You can't just start flying a plane because it "looks easy."  Libraries don't do what recreation departments do, and vice versa.  So of course the recreation department gets more attention than the library.  It's bullshit.  It is time for the city to realize that these two jobs should not be held by one person.  But, the city is more interested in saving money than to actually be serving the community.

I was really busy at work today.  Once again, another fundraiser means I have to put in long hours in this project.  I don't mind, since the time goes fast when I'm working hard on something.  It's like if I lay down and chill in my backyard there's never enough time to just enjoy laying around.  The same goes for working hard.  You never seem to have enough time to get everything done.  Come this Saturday we will see just how successful this fundraiser is.  Pseudo supervisor said that she doesn't have the want or the energy to do this any more.  Come Wednesday this will all be done for me.  I'll have done my part to create graphics and after that it's up to Pseudo supervisor.

Tuesday, May, 4, Cerberus was turned on again this week, and it didn't take long for it to fail.  Just two days into operation after over a year of being dormant and this useless thing is throwing books on the floor (see above).  When I saw this I just took the picture above and then walked away.  They don't pay me enough to care about this shit.  This stupid machine can't even perform the most rudimentary functions of its existence.

Another case in point, these transit slips.  This one routed this book to Grandview.  When I got there I checked it in and it automatically created another transit slip routing it to Central, where it JUST CAME FROM.  Last week one of the dopes sent out a couple of emails continually reminding dopes to restart their computer to make sure something, something, something.  I ignored the email and then just deleted it.  Come to find out that they didn't start Cerberus' computer, so it still has old information.  Like how Grandview doesn't have anyone working there, and it is not open for curbside services.  So it's stupid for the machine to generate a slip for delivery to any of the closes branches.  Sure enough I figured I should check it in just in case.  But of course when I scanned it it generated another transit slip, this time routing it BACK to Central.  I think a "Slow sarcastic clap" is in order.

The BIG news today is that the Pasadena central library will be closed indefinitely.  To cut to the chase, the building is seismically unsound.  It is a nearly hundred year old building that is unreinforced masonry.  An earthquake could fell the building if it's close enough and strong enough.  Makes you wonder how it survived the earthquakes it existed through since 1927.  This means that they are going to have to do a large scale retrofit of the entire building.  For sure this is going to take a long time, but how long.

Wednesday, May, 5, Things are moving at the library, meaning people are moving.  The code enforcement guys that have been sitting by the magazine area were being moved to the study area in the back today.  Pseudo supervisor and I went back there to check things out.  While there one of the code enforcement officers mentioned that they were going to be there indefinitely.  This was a shock to Pseudo supervisor.  After she was emailing I don't know who about this thing.  I don't blame her.  I'm not sure what this means as far as us returning to the office in the life long learning center.  It does look like we will be able to return, but we shall see.

The virtual fundraiser is coming up fast.  It's on Saturday, which means it's only a few days away.  I worked on videos for this event all day today.  I may have to also up until Saturday.  Pseudo supervisor is going to provide me with a link to the game, but I can't play.  I know too much inside information to be allowed to play.  It's OK, we'll just see how it goes.

TheGirl won't be in town next week, so I won't see her on a Wednesday for a couple of weeks.  She's going up to Big Bear in the middle of the week since it's cheaper and that's the day her daughter can go.  I guess Chan and I will have to find our own entertainment that night.  But tonight it was good times at the Counter.  I ordered a new burger and had some lovely wine.  It really all hit the spot.

TheGirl mentioned that she has already made reservations for my birthday in September.  She plans on taking me to Tam O'Shanter in Los Feliz.  You may ask why she wanted to go there, of all places.  Well, it's because there's a connection to Disney and that place.  Disney and many of his animators/workers would go there to eat.  Supposedly Disney loved to sit at the same booth all the time, and there's a plaque that denotes that as Disney's favorite spot.  The only thing is that TheGirl mentioned that despite her making the reservation they can't guarantee that we can sit in Disney's booth.  What's up with that?  She made the reservation four fucking months before the event, and these dopes can't put a fucking reservation sign on the table?  Idiots.  I hope we actually get to sit at his table.  Sigh.  Time will tell.

Thursday, May, 6, I checked on the wait times on the Disneyland app and as you can see above, the wait times are really short.  I checked later in the day and it was the same.  Nothing over twenty-five minutes.  That makes me think we're really doing to be able to see everything when we go at the end of the month.

I don't have much to report from work.  The library has now been open nearly three full weeks, and things seem to be chugging along.  I think the one thing these dopes got right was to not overly advertise that the library was reopening.  I do see that there are more people each day.

I've been able to time my lunches so that I can have them with Emma at Montrose.  After a year of having solo lunches it's nice to have Emma's company for lunch.  But only Emma's company.  Oh, TheNewCute's company would be nice as well.  I still wonder about my friendship with Emma.  I would certainly like it to become a romantic relationship, but at the same time I'm obviously OK with it being what it is now.  Otherwise I would have already made a move.

Friday, May, 7, Over a year ago I posted a picture of a coworker that was working at the Casa branch who I thought was pretty cute.  As I just said, she WORKED at Casa and left for another job pre-pandemic.  She has easily been gone for over a year, and probably more like eighteen months.  So it's funny that I noticed her name on a card sent out to the grunts to say thank you for being dopes.  These fools can't get anything right.  They don't even know who is working under them.  It's only natural that someone wrote "Who dis?" on the envelope.

Fridays are way chill these days, and actually even in the past.  I had a special delivery to the YWCA, but aside from that and filling the gas tanks for the cars we drive, it was super chill today.  I didn't have a lot of outgoing books, and not too many incoming as well.  But, we are certainly getting busier each day.  What with Central being open now, I'm sure that the number of visitors will increase, and circulation will increase as well.

My aunt went to the store today.  I didn't like that, but she has been feeling much better lately, and she's an adult.  She can do what she wants.  She bought some ground beef and cooked it up with some taco spices.  Well, I can say that she at least seasoned it, but the meat was super dry.  Shame.  And then to top things off, the refried beans in the fridge have spoiled.  So my idea of making tostadas was thwarted.  I still made the tostadas, but they were missing something.  Sigh.

Sunday, May, 9, I did a lot of day sleeping today.  I was in my backyard for the majority of the day, kinda just chillin.  But after my meals today I would get sleepy an hour after eating.  Each time I just chilled and passed out on the bench.  I bought a thing that repels mosquitos.  I was getting attacked by mosquitos earlier this week.  It was so bad that I had to go inside the house earlier than I wanted to.  The candle I bought apparently doesn't do anything.  I went online and found out that the candle I bought really doesn't repel anything.  It just smells nice.  But, supposedly this thing I bought will do the trick.  We shall see.  I didn't get a chance to try it out this weekend, but we shall see next time.

Monday, May, 10, The day just flew by today.  I turned around and my alarm reminding me that it was lunch time went off and I felt like I had just arrived.  The second half of my shift also went by fast.  I like it when my shifts go fast like today.  I wish all my shifts at San Marino would go just as fast as today.

LaFlor was outside today drawing some chalk art outside for the kids to hop around in, or should I say on?  Anyway, she was outside looking really nice today.  Yeah, she wasn't wearing anything special, just sweats, but she looked super nice in them.  Sigh.

As usual on a Monday I went to visit TheGirl and Cheyenne after work.  It's going to be my only visit this week, because TheGirl is going camping this Wednesday and Thursday.  Which means no Wednesday night dinner for us.  I figure I will try eating somewhere I can't usually go with the ladies.  There's a burger joint in Highland Park that I'd like to try out.  And it's right next door to Galco's, so I can hit them up for some yummy sodas.  I want to buy more of that blood orange soda I bought last time.  It is SO good.  We shall see if the burger joint there is good.  Looks good online.

I have this one co-worker, now former co-worker, from San Marino that invited me to lunch next Monday.  I think she' hasn't worked there in like three years, perhaps four years.  We've had lunch a few times when she was still working at San Marino, and since.  Obviously nothing during Covid, but now she wants to have lunch on Monday.  You know, I do wish that lunch meant fooling around once in a while.  Yes, I know she's married, but of all the ladies that want to have lunch it was really only TheGirl that wanted more than lunch.  I liked that.  I mean, it's certainly not a horrible thing to have lunch with a friend.  But when that friend is someone you're attracted to you wish that lunch would lead to a, "Hey, I like you," moment.  Alas, I'm not some hot guy that elicits that kind of reaction.  Oh well.  So, we're meeting in Lacy park, which is a few blocks from the library on Monday.  No, not for a rendezvous, but for lunch.  She's bringing it.  I wonder what it might be.

Tuesday, May, 11, I don't have much news to report about today.  The route was pretty standard.  Nothing too complex.  My buddy and I mentioned that this whole repeating of days is WAY worse than that movie Groundhog Day.  Each day just flies by and it feels like nothing has been accomplished other than just making a living.

Wednesday, May, 12, The last few days I've tossed some of my old underwear out for various reasons.  I had a couple of pairs that were just worn out, like they had tears and little holes that would soon become bigger holes.  The pair I threw away last night were pinching my balls.  I know I've gained some weight, but at the same time when I bought these underwear I noticed that some seemed bigger in size than others.  But anyway, come Friday I'll have at least six pair of new underwear.  If they wear well and I like them I plan on buying about two each month until I have about a couple of dozen in reserve.

TheGirl went up to Solvang today with her daughter, so I was on my own for dinner tonight.  On nights like this I've taken the advantage to go to places I can't go with TheGirl on our Wednesday night dinners.  Tonight I went to a place in Highland Park named Goldburger.  It's take-out, so I ate it in my car.  I liked the burger, it's really yummy.  It's not the best I've had, but it has its merits.  My buddy mentioned he wants to go there, so I'm definitely down to going again.  I would have liked to have tried the pastrami topped burger, but they ran out of pastrami.  I would give the burger a solid grade, ten being best, of a seven.

After eating my burger for dinner I drove up to Galco's, since it was just a block away.  I wanted to get that blood orange soda that I bought a few months ago.  I thought about getting more soda, but I figured it was best not to get too many, so I only also got two bottles of New York seltzer water.  Yummy.  But, while going to get my soda I realized that Galco's not only sells obscure sodas, they also sell old candy.  And then I remembered the candy I loved so much when I was younger called Bar None.  A few weeks ago I was talking to someone at the library and I mentioned Bar None, and how I had searched for it on the internet years ago.  They mentioned that I should try it again.  Sure enough, I found that some nostalgic candy company had just started to remake Bar None.  Because of that search Amazon actually sent me an email this week saying that they had it in stock again.  When I checked they had it in stock, but it was like $24 for a box of a dozen.  Not bad, but I wasn't sure that I wanted THAT many.  What if they didn't taste as good?  What if I grow tired of them sooner than later?  Anyway, I went to the candy section at Galco's and sure enough there they were!  Bar None!  I took three home and ate one shortly after arriving.  It was OK.  It wasn't as I remembered it, exactly.  Not that it was bad, but nostalgia is tastier than reality sometimes.

Thursday, May, 13, I start work at 8am and I'm supposed to finish up by 4:30pm.  But in the last couple of weeks I've been leaving closer to 5pm, if not later.  Like today I left just after 5pm.  I'm not putting that extra time on my time card though.  Because the reason why I'm taking longer is that I'm doing too much socializing while on the route.  Too much socializing before I even start my route.  Too much socializing, period.  I need to really cut down on that, except with TheNewCute and TheLooker, of course.  Ha ha!

I put a hummingbird feeder out yesterday after I got home from work.  My aunt tells me that the hummingbirds have been visiting pretty steady.  I'm glad to hear that, because I love hummingbirds.  They're so tiny, but so wonderful.  Just the fact that they can fly backwards is amazing to me.  And they have such beautiful iridescent feathers.

Friday, May, 14, I woke up and the weather was wonderfully gloomy.  When I went outside it wasn't just gloomy, it was drizzly.  The weather liars said that we might get some rain this weekend.  I hope they're right.

Saying that these days are all the same is an understatement.  Perhaps things will change once things open up in the coming weeks, but for now it's pretty much the same grind every day.

I was just about to start the route when Krishna called me to see if I could help TheNewCute move some furniture.  Sure I can, I said.  I got some nice "quality" time with TheNewCute.  There was a moment where I really made her laugh, and she gave me that cute look she has.  Boy, she's nice.  Emma and I were talking about trying to set up a gathering of coworkers, and of course I want TheNewCute to be invited and to actually show up.  I hope we can make it happen.  I hope she comes.

I finished work on time today.  Just as I said the other day.  It was easy because it was Friday.  The real test will be when I come back next week.  I have to keep the socializing down.  I mean, I like talking to TheLooker as well as TheNewCute.  But I have to focus.  I can text them.  But texting is just not the same.  If only I was able to hang out with them outside of work.

Saturday, May, 15, I spent my day out in my backyard, just chillin.  I took the opportunity to also complete my harassment and cyber security training for Glendale.  The harassment training was pretty dry and boring.  I was falling asleep, but nothing as bad as when I was doing the cyber security portion of the "training."  I should have finished in forty-five minutes, but I took nearly an hour and fifteen minutes to finish it.  I passed out at least twice during the "training."  ARGH, it was terrible.  Because I was falling asleep the entire time I missed two out of the ten questions.  I still passed, but I should have gotten all the answers correct.

My aunt has told me and I've witnessed it myself, the hummingbirds are definitely coming to the feeder to feed.  I'm so glad.  I need to buy more of that feeder solution.

I saw a commercial for some "new" chili-cheese fries at Der Wienerschnitzel (shown above).  I may have to try one or more of these different fries.  They kinda look good.  What makes me laugh is that the so-called "Aussie" fries have jalapenos.  I guess I'll see if I'll get any of these any time soon.  There isn't a Wienerschnitzel close to me.  There is one up in La Cresenta by Emma's house, which is by the Montrose library.  Maybe I'll go up there some day for lunch.

Sunday, May, 16, I've said it before, I spend my weekends just chillin.  These days the weather is nice enough that I spend my weekends seated outside just watching videos online and then falling asleep on my bench.  I get really sleepy since I stay up on the weekends jerking off.  Talia says she wants to sleep with me, which would be nice.  It's funny, my history with Talia goes back over twenty years now.  The first time we were sleeping with each other was when I was in Santa Monica College.  The second sleeping together period was when I was finishing up CSUN.  She would come over on Thursdays and we had a good time.  Could this talk of sleeping together be the preamble to a third time around?  Looks like it.  I guess we'll see.

I tried the new underwear I bought today and it is good.  It fits just right, and so far hasn't pinched me or anything.  I plan on buying more pairs in the coming months.  Hopefully by the end of the year I'll have replaced all the old underwear I had with this new underwear.  I love it.

Tuesday, May, 18, I went to bed at just past 10pm last night, but when I woke up this morning I felt like I had been dragged on the floor.  I felt like I got zero rest last night.  I REALLY hate feeling like that.  And I seem to always wake up feeling that way.  And it's not just because of I have a nightcap.  Because I didn't have a nightcap tonight or last night.  So yeah, makes no sense.  All I know is that I'm tired.  Oh, and my stupid TV didn't wake me up on time either.

The picture above is of the moment when I heard my aunt brining me my breakfast.  As you can see, I wasn't quite ready.  I don't know what her hurry is, but I've said how I have to rush to get ready after I get out of the shadow.  If I don't have Snoopy and Chan ready, and my shoes on, I'll be eating with one shoe on, or no shoes on.  I just don't get why my aunt has to race me to me getting my shoes on.  I've mentioned it to her, but like everything these days, there is no changing what is already set.  Oh well.

I was asked a few weeks ago to participate in a "fruit tasting challenge."  The librarians were going to film it and post it online.  The photo above links to the entire one hour video.  But suffice to say, it was a good time where we were given a bunch of fruit to try.  Almost all the fruit was really yummy.  Some was just OK.  It was all in all very much fun.  Better than working, for sure.  There's talk that they might do it again at some future point.  I'm game. 

After the fruit tasting challenge I had to have my lunch.  Instead of going to Montrose I stayed at Central and went up to the auditorium for lunch.  When I got there I found that TheNewCute was having lunch there as well.  So I got to take my lunch with TheNewCute.  It was nice.  I got to talk to her for an extended time.  And not just extended, but alone.  I really think this is the longest I've talked to her.  She's nice.  I wanted to mention that Emma wants to arrange a coworkers night out.  But, I didn't get a chance.  There's still time for that.

Wednesday, May, 19, Just like yesterday my aunt brought me my breakfast just s I was in the middle of putting my shoes on.  I don't know why she treats this as some sort of race.  I've done so many things to try to have both my shoes on before she brings my food, but she is always faster than me.

I usually arrive at San Marino for work at around 9am.  Today I was there at 8:56am, and as I drove up I noticed some dummies walking up to the library.  They had the tell-tale signs of dopes that are here to get a passport.  I thought they might have thought the library was open now, but no.  It was that they actually had an appointment at 9am.  Insert rolling eyes emoji here.  This is some bullshit.

TheGirl had a hard week/day and wanted to get a margarita with dinner tonight.  So she suggested going to a place in Burbank named Don Cuco's.  We've been there once before, and it was just meh.  I figured tonight I would not have enchiladas.  I went on the website and checked out that they had fish tacos on the menu.  That's what I ordered.

Cheyenne liked the fish from the tacos.  TheGirl also gave her some rice from her plate.  Naturally Cheyenne wanted more.  From my angle all I could see is her eyes peeking from under the table (see above).  So cute.

I don't have much to say about the pretty girl that sat near us tonight.  Of course she was Armenian.  I must really like that aesthetic.

Friday, May, 21, The girl that runs the social media feed for the library was here on Wednesday to post the new hours that are going to be in effect next week.  She posted the hours on Wednesday, but didn't add that the hours started next week.  Naturally patrons assumed that the new hours with in full effect.  She couldn't wait to post them today, because she wasn't going to be coming into work today (Friday).  Whatever!  So naturally patrons were lining up at 9am today.  Someone had to go outside and cover up the hours so that they reflected our current schedule (as shown in the photo above).  I tell you, these dopes can't get anything straight.

Before leaving work I was talking to TheLooker about how she and the other people working upstairs in children's had to ready a bunch of "kits" for some stupid library program.  There have to be a couple of thousand bags filled with tchotchkes such as coloring books, crayons, erasers and such.  TheLooker was telling me how they had to climb on furniture, the furniture that's currently being stored in the auditorium, in order to place these objects into the bags.  Why they couldn't just take the bags on a cart, create an assembly line of people and place them in, and then return the bags where they were, I don't know.  But the Glendale way is to do things the stupidest way possible, and the most time consuming way as well.  The reason why they had to climb the furniture is because they were not allowed to move the bags, for some reason.  The reason given is so stupid, actually.  They couldn't move them in order to not lose count of the number of bags.  Ah, what?  How could they lose count of the numbers, seeing as they're just moving them, they're not giving them away yet.  Just another illogical statement from those in charge.

Meanwhile, TheNewCute mentioned that two of her Grandview coworkers would be leaving soon.  Both have graduated their respective disciplines and are moving on to those careers.  Good for them.  It also means that the library will be even more shorthanded.  Many people returned, but some people have retired or left.  And because these morons keep claiming there's a hiring freeze, there is little luck that they will be hiring anyone to replace those who left in the last year.  And all this while we are going to be open twelve hours a day at Central starting on May 24th.  Vagabundo is on the desk for hours and hours, because they can't find coverage.  He says he is going to say something to them, but then again he let himself get pushed around and treated like this.  Others speak up, sometimes, and they don't have to be on the desk for five hours straight.  But, because he's good and reliable they put him on the desk for that much time during the day.  It's ridiculous.  And now two more people are leaving?  It's amazing how top heavy we are at the library.

Speaking of hiring and not hiring, they did hire two part time librarians.  That's good in terms of people that can be thrown on the desk.  I was returning some books my friend checked out and gave to me yesterday to return.  That's when I noticed one of the new part time librarians standing outside with someone I didn't know, but I recognized as the other new part time librarian.  You know, her picture doesn't do her justice.  Initial thoughts, she seems nice.  I think she might, MIGHT, be OK.  Time will tell, but my initial meeting with her today didn't give me any red flags.  Nice.  I will add that we were told that she should be addressed by the pronoun "They."  I looked her up when they announced they hired her and she is gay.  Nothing wrong with that, for sure.  I'm still trying to get used to the new use of pronouns, but I'll get it eventually.  Like I said, I think she's OK.  She and I had a good laugh making fun of the library logo having a drop shadow.  Like, why?  That made me think, "See, you get it."

I'm thinking that I need to switch from the current camera I use to record my vlogs to just using my iPhone for such things.  I made a test video.

When I got home from work my aunt told me that she made more enchiladas for me.  ARGH!  I survived the last batch of flavorless enchiladas, only to now have to deal with a whole new batch.  I tried them, hoping that they actually tasted better, but they tasted exactly the same.  I joked to Ilsa that the way my aunt cooks I was thinking I had Covid and had lost my sense of taste.  No dice.  I didn't lose my sense of taste, because I taste everything else.  I'm not even sure why she made more enchiladas now.  It's already Friday.  Tomorrow we almost always eat something from take-out.  I guess you can say she made it for me to eat next week, but boy I sure don't look forward to having these things for lunch.  I think the next time I go to the market I'll go and get some enchilada sauce, because I know that will definitely taste like something.

Saturday, May, 22, Since the pandemic started my weekends consist of me just laying around the house until it get late enough on a Friday and Saturday night for my aunt to fall asleep.  That's when I turn off the lights and turn on my computer to find some porn.  It's good for what it is, but I really need to get a girlfriend.

A week ago my aunt and I watched a video online showing this guy that has been trying different food joints.  We've watched him going to various places that I've been to, and many that I haven't.  Last video he went to Jollibee, which is something I've heard about but really didn't know anything about.  He mentioned it was good chicken, and that it also had some unusual side dishes, like spaghetti with hot dogs.  I remember my grandmother making me that.  Anyway, I wanted to try it out, so I told my aunt that we should try it this week.  It's not super close to me.  It took me about twenty minutes to get there, and the total round trip was just under an hour.  Part of that was because of the dopes at the location taking so long to get me my food.  They had two lines, one for ordering and one for pick-up.  But, would there be a sign outside showing said distinction?  Nope.  Even when I figured out that the other line I queued up in was the pick-up line the girl at the door didn't really help me.  She helped the girl that was there before me, which is fine. But then some other dummy showed up five minutes after I did and yet he got his food before I did.  Dumb.  Once I got the food I hurried home.  I can say that the chicken was OK.  The gravy that they added is yummy, and so was the BBQ sauce, which had a hint of pineapple.  Nice.  I'm not sure I'll go back.  It's not close by, and it didn't overwhelm me.  Not to say it wasn't good, it was good.  But I'll stick to KFC since it's closer.  I did love the pineapple drink I ordered.  It was SUPER yummy.  Also, I still want to try the spaghetti with hot dogs.

Monday, May, 24, They were moving the furniture back into the library today.  We're definitely getting closer to reopening.  Part of me doesn't want us to open just yet, because of how stupid patrons are.  Someone at work said that clearly one of the symptoms of Covid is stupidity.

The thing I really hate, and I know all of us except one person hate, is the passport situation.  We all fear that we'll have to deal with so many more people than would normally come to the library, because they're coming in to get their passports.  ARGH!

My supervisor emailed me telling me what my tentative schedule for next week, since we'll be opening next week.  I'll be on the desk on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm and Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm.

Tuesday, May, 25, The TheNewCute texted me today about having something for me as thanks for doing her a favor.  When she got to work she handed me a Mexican Coke.  She said that it was for a "favor" I did for her WAY back in February.  Nice.  TheNewCute is super cute, hence the name.  I didn't get to see her much today though.

These days are SUPER boring.  I honestly don't have anything to write about here.  I mean, I've said this here before.  So many I can spend a little time with some thoughts.

One: TheNewCute.  I don't have this illusion that I'm winning her over to the point where she's going to leave her boyfriend.  I think I've become someone that she enjoys spending time at work talking to, and that's it.  I would like to hang out with her.  I thought of maybe asking her if she wanted to go do a photo mission or something some weekend.  I think I should invite someone else so that it's not just a group of two.  I mean, I'm OK with that, but I don't want her to think I'm a masher.  I would just like to get to know her better.

Two: TheLooker.  Same thing, but I know I have even less of a chance with her.  It's the whole ethnicity thing.  At least TheNewCute MIGHT get into a fight with her boyfriend, or find out he's been cheating on her, and she would leave him.  Aside from that horrible thought, she's not likely to leave this guy.  He seems like a good fella, why would she?  But TheLooker is nice in her own way, and maybe there's a tiny sliver of a chance.  But not really.

Three: Emma.  Probably my best chance at not just having a fuck buddy, but rather a true girlfriend.  It might be possible if I just make a move.  But I'm chicken.

These are all pipe dreams though.  I'm sure none of them want to be with me, and only see me as a nice guy.  Done.

The other night I sat outside and after the sun went down I was besieged by many mosquitos.  I hated it.  I bought candles to help, but they really didn't help.  But, a couple of weeks ago I bought this new device that supposedly works better than the candles.  Well, I didn't get to try it out on Sunday, but I did try it out tonight.  On Sunday I wanted to use it, but it takes about ten minutes for it to really take effect.  The scent in the cartridge needs that amount of time to propagate into the air.  Tonight I turned it on before sundown, and it worked like a charm.  Woo hoo!

Wednesday, May, 26, Today I had my lunch at the window at San Marino.  Next week the library reopens and patrons will be allowed to re-enter.  What was just my domain is now going back to the public.  For over a year I was able to have lunch in the study area.  Today was the last time.  But, next week it is questionable where I can have lunch now that I can't have lunch in the study area.  Perhaps the powers that be will return more of the tables into the employee lounge.  I joked that I would probably end up having lunch on the lawn.  Then again, maybe I need to take my own table and grab my chair from the back of my car and eat in the back patio area.  Only problem is dopes walk back there all the time.  Then again, they also walk by the lawn area.  Fuck, this sucks.

TheGirl and I went to our favorite place for dinner, the Counter.  TheGirl asked if I wanted to eat Italian, but all the places we go that serve Italian have really bad food.  Not only bad, but expensive.  There was a little something different about our dinner experience tonight.  About a week and a half ago I noticed on the Counter's social media feed that they needed servers.

These days when we arrive at the Counter we sit ourselves in the patio and either TheGirl or I go to the front to say that we're here to eat.  When I went up to the front tonight I noticed that there was only one person taking orders, the owner of the place.  Eventually one of the servers, a woman that I think may be the owner's wife or daughter, came out and recognized me.  She said that they didn't have any wait staff, and that we could order anything we wanted, but that it had to be wrapped up "to go."  I was OK with that, and when I returned to the back patio TheGirl said it was fine by her as well.  Especially since we were assured that we would get Fess Parker wine with our meal.

Thursday, May, 27, Today my coworker and I were tasked with taking some summer reading club trinket bags to the two open branches.  I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of the full load, but it was a lot of random sized boxes willed with bags.  Some of the boxes had a couple of dozen bags, but the one I did get a picture of only had three bags.  Why, just why? They sent so many bags to Brand, which of course doesn't get THAT many children visiting.  But, you might say that the amount they sent out was more wishful thinking than based on any reality.  Good job, dopes.

Just before I went off to work this morning I checked in with my aunt in her room.  As she always does she asked she should make for food.  I told her I didn't want her to make any food since there was a lot of food in the fridge.  Which I believe is true.  There are still about four to six of those terrible enchiladas that she made.  There are still beans.  There is still a little bit of lentil soup.  There is only today and tomorrow in our "eat week."  I won't be around on Monday, so the earliest I'll need lunch for work is Tuesday.  There is no reason to warm up any food today.  But of course my aunt is bored and needs something to do.  Naturally she decided to make some horrible frozen raviolis.

When I saw those damn raviolis I became livid.  The sight of those fucking raviolis made me instantly angry.  I was in a bad mood until I drank some whiskey.  It took about five shots of whiskey to FINALLY help me forget this bullshit.  Wait, what was I talking about?

I don't happen to like the singer Andrea Bocelli.  I don't hate him, but I do see him as a gimmick.  He is a decent enough singer that is popular because he is accessible to the masses.  TheGirl likes him.  I should say loves his music.  Last year I wanted to buy her tickets, but then again of course Covid shut everything down.  This year we're going.  I bought her a ticket and one for me.  I'll just love going to the Hollywood Bowl.  He doesn't sing badly, so I'll probably have a good time.  I'm just glad I was able to finally get TheGirl tickets to see Bocelli.  Now, if only Sarah Mclachlan ticket were available for me.

Friday, May, 28, When I got home today I almost had a repeat of yesterday when I noticed that my aunt cooked a small mountain of spaghetti.  This, despite the fact that I told her not to book anything.  There are still the raviolis from yesterday, as well as the enchiladas from last week.  Not to mention frijoles and lentil soup.  I don't know why she ignores what I say.  I know she's bored and wants to find something to do during the day.  But she could at least season the water before she cooks up the mountain of spaghetti.  This... is bullshit.  I don't know why my aunt doesn't understand that there is no need for all this food.

Before leaving work today I got to talking with TheLooker.  She was basically telling me that she was "Done" with the library.  She really looked miserable yesterday and today.  She's been putting applications for jobs.  No luck yet.  I don't want her to go, but that's selfish.  She should be happy.

As I was bringing in the stuff from the route I was talking to TheNewCute as she was about to go to work.  I talked to her about Huell Howser and how he used to go all over the place.  TheNewCute says to me, "Next holiday we should go have lunch somewhere."  Ah, YES!  Woo hoo!  I think the next holiday is not until Veterans day.  I kinda tried to lay the foundation of going to do a photo mission.  We'll see where that goes.

Sunday, May, 30, Most of my day today was spent in my backyard just chillin.  However, I did go ahead and charge all my devices for tomorrow's trip to Disneyland.  I have two spare batteries, and my camera's two batteries are now charged as well.  Only thing I need to get done tomorrow is get some gasoline.  Emma says I should pick her up around 7:30am.  I'm good with that.  Means that I'll wake up as if it was a regular work day, so I won't need to adjust my alarms for tomorrow.  The only thing is I'll have to leave at around 7am rather than when I go to work, which is usually 7:30am.

I had a thought about TheBetter, who I haven't checked on in a long time.  I'm not sure what's going on now that Pasadena is closed, but I wanted to see anything that she posted.  It turns out that she got vaccinated.  I'm glad.  I haven't seen her in nearly two years, but I still think about how nice she appeared to me.  Alas, I will never know her in real life.

Monday, May, 31, It's been four hundred and fifty days since I last went to Disneyland WAY back in March of 2020.  Today is the day I returned!

I was surprised to see how many people were here today.  The picture above was taken from the parking structure.  The way they had us go in to security was the opposite as before.  After security we went on the tram pathway and walked to the park.

And we made it!  After being away for so long I finally got back to Disneyland.  I wasn't thinking about when I might come back, I was just going to enjoy this day.

The first attraction we got on was the Haunted Mansion.  I wanted to go on that first thing, since the line wasn't too long, and since it was kinda close.  Success.

Next stop was Smuggler's Run.  Oh yes, we are so doing this!

It's the Castle, and it has never looked so good.

Carthay Circle for some food and booze... oh, and booze.

After supper we went to Car's land to ride Radiator Springs Racers.  We won our race, by the way.

Back to Disneyland proper for a couple of last rides before the parks closed.

We went on Star Tours at the end of the night and bid Disneyland good-bye after a full day of fun.  I'm not sure when I'll be back.  Ilsa wants to come to Disneyland with me in October, but no definite plans have been made.  But, I do want to check it out again before the end of the year.