Issue #272 - April 2024
 
One Gut Punch after Another

Afterthoughts: This Past Month

This year has been one gut punch after another.  Will March be any better?  Time will tell.  On to the update.

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


text message from Mala

Friday, March, 1, I got a text from Mala last night asking me to cover at Grandview in the afternoon.  That meant I had to do an abbreviated route.  I figured I would skip going to Chevy Chase and Adams Square today.  I mean, it's not a big loss.  Perhaps I might go to Chevy on Monday to make up for it being skipped today.  They usually don't have a lot of items coming or going.


new children's room so far

I got a chance to check out the progress of the new children's room, because the doors were open.  There has been some progress.  You can already see the structure of the new walls in the back and the side.  I thought that the librarian's office to the right of the entrance was supposed to have a huge window that wrapped around the office to the other side.  I'm not seeing that in this structure.  Oh well, things change.


bye, bye, Casa sink

Because I had to rush today I ended up at Casa in the morning.  I ran into Scott, one of the guys that work for the city.  He was here the other day to talk about the demolition of the sink in the office.  No one uses it, and it's in the way.  So he was going to demolish it and then close off the water supply, and then make it look like the sink was never there.  Stage one, demolition is going on today.  Scott said he was going to do it in three stages, so I'm thinking today will just be demo.


chill day at Grandview today

I went to Grandview a little early in order to eat my lunch there.  On a regular day the kids get out from school and it's a clusterfuck in the library.  It's always been that way.  I used to work there on Fridays and it was rough.  These days it's not as bad at that, but it can be pretty awful with all the kids running around.  I got lucky today though, the school had a minimum day so all the kids were gone by the time I got over to Grandview.  Oh lucky day.  The first half of my day was hectic, because I was in a time crunch to finish the route in time to arrive at Grandview at 1pm.  The second half of my shift today was chill, because there were hardly any kids in the library.


late bookmarks

The bookmark contest officially closed yesterday, the 29th.  I asked Mary how many people would walk in and give us bookmarks that may or may not qualify for the deadline.  I mean it's only one day, right?  We had fifteen entries today.  Too bad they may not qualify.  It's up to the children's librarian.  There was a kid that handed me his sister's work.  Not only did it not have a completed entry form, it wasn't very good.  I didn't say a word to the kid.  It just had his sister's first name, that's it.  Yeah, this one ain't winning.  I looked at the other late entries... they should have just kept them.  They're pretty awful.  Actually, there was one that looked pretty good.  It's simple, but it wasn't bad.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


pain relief cream

Saturday, March, 2, I woke up and a little after getting out of bed my molar started to hurt.  As I write this it's 10:25pm and it still hurts.  I took Advil earlier and it helped.  But then that wore off and then I went to buy some topical.  That initially worked, but right now it's not doing much.  It does help with the pain, but the pain isn't completely going away.  I so don't want this to be a thing.  I really can't afford any more dental issues.  One of the reasons why I owe money, and had to get a second mortgage, was because I had dental issues few years ago, and I had to pay out of pocket.

I've waited all day to drink some whiskey.  I had a shot and I'm feeling a little closer to normal.  I can still feel my right cheek pulsing with every heartbeat.  ARGH!  This year is nothing but one gut punch after another.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Sunday, March, 3, I'm happy to report that my toothache is mostly gone.  The little pain I have left is not even a one on the pain index.  It's like that area is sore.  The booze I had last night helped.  When I was starting to get drunk the pain was already feeling better.  When I woke up almost all the pain was gone.

I woke up early, but I didn't want to get out of bed.  I did get out of bed when my alarm went off, but then I just sat in my chair for a bit before returning to bed.  I passed out and didn't wake up until 11am.  I wasn't hungry either, so there wasn't much motivation to get up.  I eventually did get up.  I showered, then ate breakfast.  Right after that I went to the market, and none of the cute girls were there today.  No self-checkout girl, or the girl with the striped yoga pants, and not even the flower girl.

On my way to the gas station I had a want to drive out to Malibu.  The weather was so beautiful today.  I didn't end up going because I just wanted to take a nap.

The other day I went up to the roof and used some of that liquid waterproofer spray on an area where the tar had become brittle.  It was no longer doing its job.  I must have hit the right spot, because when it rained yesterday there was no leak.  There were actually three leaks, one that went to the kitchen window, one that was going to the door and one in between.  All of them are now gone, because I think that the area I fixed was the root of all three of those leaks.  Good job.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


my ballot

Monday, March, 4, I dropped my ballot in the ballot box this morning.  Hope I picked the right candidates.  These days I don't watch as much of the news as I used to, which means I'm less informed.  I have a feeling that even if I was much more informed I would still not be able to pick correctly who is not going to screw us over.  I have zero idea which person should be judges.  When those names come up on the ballot I used to just leave them blank.  Now I blindly pick a person to be judge based on nothing.  I wonder if everyone does this like I do.


San Fernando road improvements

For the last couple of weeks there has been a slowdown on San Fernando road, because they are improving it.  There has been construction on San Fernando road, but I couldn't tell what they were doing other than making a big trench.  I checked online and the plans call for adding a bike lane to the southbound lanes.  That side doesn't have parking along the path where these improvements are happening.  The other addition will be plants in the middle of the street.  I like this because so many dopes use the left turn lane as a regular lane all the time along that part of San Fernando road.  Fuck those idiots for being impatient.  Now they'll have to wait to make a turn.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


March 5th, 2021 / getting the first Covid vaccine

Tuesday, March, 5, Hard to believe that it's been three years since I got my first dose of the Covid vaccine.  Since then I've had the second shot that was given three weeks later, and two boosters.  It's funny, I didn't have a reaction to the two first shots, but I did have a little reaction to my first booster.  The last booster I got was combined with the flu vaccine, and I had no reaction at all.  That, I like.  I never want to get Covid again, if I can help it.  I didn't suffer a bad bout of Covid, but I do remember having a lump of phlegm in my throat for about three weeks after tested negative.  I wondered if I was ever going to be normal.

I checked online today to see if my new salary was posted, and sure enough it was posted.  My new salary is going to be $29.91.  That's up 5% from my previous salary of $27.53 per hour.  Not bad.  I should be making $30 per hour, but this is close enough.  I want to use the extra money I'm making now to pay off some bills faster.  But I also want to invest more.

I was up at Montrose when I saw a lady trying to put her ballot into the ballot box out in front of the library.  I told her, "The election was yesterday."  She looked at me with a puzzled look.  I told her that it was too late.  Again, puzzlement.  Then when I was at Grandview the same thing happened.  You know, they lock those boxes for a reason.  You can cast your ballot early, but not late.  Maybe it's best that their vote doesn't count.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


Chuck

Wednesday, March, 6, This morning was funny.  I ran into or saw several people from the past.  On Honolulu I spotted Carlos, who used to go to the Central library more often.  He's apparently still a crossing guard.  Then I ran into Chuck, who used to do the marketing for the library.  Retirement looks good on him.  And then Norma texted me out of the blue.


this is proof that float doesn't work

Vagabundo and I often talk about how the whole floating thing doesn't work at Glendale, because they never implemented it correctly.  From the start it was a free for all.  The only part of the collection that was protected was the stuff that belongs at Brand and the children's books at Pacific.  I would rather go back to the old ways, but maybe a proper implementation would do good as well.  I hope to get the ear of the new director and tell them how stupid floating is.  I also want to talk to them about a new delivery van.  There are other things, but they are minor in comparison to the van and floating.


Cheyenne and her new raincoat

The forecast called for rain in the evening, and sure enough it was pouring when I got to TheGirl's place.  When we got to the restaurant it was still coming down pretty steady.  Despite the fact that Cheyenne had a new raincoat we still wanted to be inside for dinner.  We went to Isabella's in Burbank, which we've been to one other time.  They have decent Italian food.  I ordered up the chicken parmesan.  It hit the spot on a cold Burbank night.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


my winnings

Thursday, March, 7, My friend Sunnye owed me money.  She paid me the other day with a pair of checks.  Instead of going on my phone and using the bank app to make the deposit, I stupidly went to the ATM to make the deposit.  When I got to the bank there was a lady ahead of me that arrived a moment before I did.  When I finally got to the ATM I put in the check of my Santa Anita winnings.  The machine was asking me to verify the amount of $6.40.  I couldn't see the screen well, and then I noticed a couple behind me.  I finally got to the part where I could verify the amount.  I then tried to deposit the other two checks, but for some reason the machine said that it was rejecting them.  But I couldn't see that.  All I could feel was the stares of the people in line behind me.  I rushed it, and next thing I know the machine is spitting out my checks.  I just took them after I noticed that the total deposit was $6.40.  And here the two checks I had in my hand were $299 and $62.  Those are the checks I really wanted to deposit so I can make a payment to my credit card.  ARGH!  Stupid ATM, but also stupid me.  Never again, ATM.


storm warning

My aunt will often call me about the most random things.  She will hear something on the news and she immediately turns the volume up to eleven.  Every little thing turns into a crisis.  While I was at work I noticed that the sky was looking really dark.  The storm that they predicted was coming.  I heard something on the news about it being a quick storm that would impact areas that had previously had landslides.  OK, that's not me, thank goodness.  About half an hour after I first noticed the clouds I could see that it rained a little.  A few minutes after that I hear my phone go off.  My aunt is FaceTiming me.  She tells me that there was a weather warning.  I come to find out that the cell phone I use to track her received a weather warning about possible flooding in my area.  During the last two rain storms there were landslides in the Sherman Oaks area.  But I'm on the flat part, not in the hills.  Well, that put my aunt into a tizzy, because she was telling me, "When you get off work the flooding might be really bad.  If it is, you should just find a hotel room and stay in Glendale."  I'm like, what the hell.  The amount of rain in Glendale was barely enough to get the ground wet.  There was zero chance of flooding.  I told her OK, but I had no intention of staying in a hotel.  Now if things were bad then yeah, but the ground barely got wet.


how was it?

In the evening I received an email from my bank asking about my ATM experience.  Yeah, I haven't responded to it yet, but when I do I'll sure tell them that it sucked.  Like I said, I'm never going to use the ATM to deposit checks again.  The mobile app was great, and it only took like a minute.  And, I didn't have someone behind me wondering what's taking me so long.  I fucking hate that.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


waffles, eaten and not shown

Friday, March, 8, I'm THAT guy now.  Years ago I marveled at people that could just have toast for breakfast.  I used to think, how can you just eat toast and get through your morning.  It wasn't toast, but this morning I only had a pair of Eggo waffles for breakfast, and that's it.  So now I'm one of those guys.  I know I've been trying to eat smaller portions of things, but this morning I was just not that hungry.  Ilsa always marveled me when she would say that he only had one meal a day.  Now I don't think I could just go on one meal a day, but on the weekends I only have two meals.  The waffles hit the spot.  I never liked that feeling of being stuffed.  If I continue the way I'm eating now I'll probably never have that stuffed feeling again.  Good.


this fucking door is almost always open

The stupid construction guys always leave the door open at Central.  The side door is all fucked up, to stay the least.  Sometimes it doesn't lock, sometimes you can't open it.  It makes no sense.  What also doesn't make sense is that it doesn't close completely when it is opened from the right side.  The left sided door will sometimes not close, but the right sided door almost never closes.  And of course that's the door all these jokers use when exiting the building.  Fuck these guys.


the delivery van's front seat

For the last week and a half I've been trying to coordinate the reupholstering of the van's driver's seat with the garage guys.  I finally got to talk to guys there to coordinate getting a loaner van for the week or two that they might need to keep the delivery van.  We're all set now. 


"library experience and operations," huh?

I have new supervisor at circulation.  Her name is Nancy, and she's been my supervisor before when Kvon was out because of injury from a bad fall.  She'll do fine.  I emailed her about the van and because she was out I got her automatic reply.  What's funny is her official title, "Senior Library Supervisor - Library Experience & Operations."  Library experience?  OK.  I don't even know what to say.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


Holly

Saturday, March, 9, This week was really nice for eye candy on TV.  The lady above is one that I really didn't find super attractive in the past, but her body has become a real pleasure to watch.  She's curvier than in the past, which I like.


Belen

And then there's my other favorite, Belen.  About a year ago she said she was training for the marathon, and boy did she start getting thin, but in a curvy way.  I know, that doesn't quite make sense.  Her waist has gotten thinner but that just focuses my eyes on her hips.  And she seems to have a really nice chest as well.  Thank you TV gods for this.


did anyone say apothecary?

Ilsa and I have been trying to go to iconic Los Angeles restaurants to have a meal and booze, and to check off things on our bucket lists.  Today it was Tam O'Shanter.  TheGirl took me there two years ago for my birthday, so it's not my first ride.  Ilsa had never been, so we decided to check it out.  She was running a little late, so I ponied up to the bar and got a Manhattan.


Table 31

While I was sitting at the bar a couple ordered a drink called the Table 31.  What was that, I asked them.  They told me that is Walt Disney's favorite drink, and it's named after the table where he conducted business... table 31.  I think I might have seen something about it on the menu last time, but it didn't register.  I gave it a shot, and it was pretty good.  It consists of high west double rye, laird's apple brandy, elderflower liqueur, bitters, lemon.


Scotch rarebit and French onion soup

For our appetizers we ordered the Scotch Rarebit, and I ordered the French onion soup.  The rarebit is cheddar cheese, Scottish ale, cayenne pepper, served with toasted sourdough.  The sourdough was super good, and better than the table bread.  The soup was good, but I would have liked more onions.  But the taste was really good.


corned beef plate

For my main I ordered the corned beef plate, which had creamed corn and mash potatoes with gravy.  Ilsa ordered the fish and chips.  She let me taste the fish, it was super good.  One of the best I've had.  Next time I'm getting that.  My corned beef was good, but the star of my plate was the creamed corn.  I could have eaten an entire plate of just that.


hot fudge sundae

Lastly I had the hot fudge sundae.  It was served in the way that the original hot fudge sundae tradition, which is with roasted almonds, and whipped cream above vanilla ice cream.  Then the waiter pours the hot fudge on top.  It's really good.


no on left in the joint

These days many places don't stay open very late.  It's probably a product of the pandemic in some way.  Staffing is most likely the big reason.  Well, either way, the bartender told us a little bit before 10pm that they were closing the place up.  Yeah, that was our cue to get going.  A good time was definitely had.  The next thing on our bucket list is the Huntington tea.  That will be in June, and maybe Disneyland in October.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


Natasha Nice

Sunday, March, 10, For some reason, I couldn't sleep last night. I kept on tossing and turning, until I finally just gave up and got out of bed at around 3am.  I decided the only way I was going to be able to sleep was if I jerked off.  That did the trick, for sure.


the girl with the yoga pants

Last week I came up empty at the market. I didn't see the self checkout girl, nor the girl with the striped yoga pants.  Today I not only did I see the girl with the yoga pants, but I even got a picture of her body.  I want to dive head first into that big ass of hers.  It's so quality.


what a mess

I've said it many times, the baggers at my local market are trash.  They always bad my groceries the wrong way.  I literally place the items on the conveyor belt in the order they should be bagged, but no one gets that.  Today the lady bagging my groceries got it all wrong.  She put one Coke in a bag, but left the other one loose in the cart.  She overpacked one bag with three bottles, and she just looked like she was rushed.  I wasn't rushing her, but perhaps the market told her to hurry.  It's a shame because I then have to fix everything.  I did buy booze, so I had to go through the regular line, not the self-checkout.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


arriving / leaving

Monday, March, 11, My cousin's daughter comes by the house in the morning to chill before going to school.  I don't have a problem with that, but it seems silly, because she is only at the house for like ten minutes.  The security cameras allows me to have proof of when she arrives and when she leaves.  I don't mind her coming over, but I do wonder why is it such a short time.  Like why can't she just go straight to school?  I used to go to school early when I was her age and younger.  It's a puzzle I don't care to solve.


oh jeez, I brought the wrong screwdrivers

I took a couple of screwdrivers with me to work in order to switch out the busted visor on the driver's side with the good one from the passenger side.  When I got in the van I noticed that the screws were neither Philips nor standard.  They were a bolt kind, and I don't have the tool for those.  Although now that I think about it I may have it in a different tool box.  I'll have to try again on Wednesday.  So frustrating.


new fancy Brand elevator

I was told last week that the new elevator at Brand was functional, but I didn't get to ride it until today.  It's quite fancy, but also smelly.  And it talks.  That's a whole lot of fancy for a freight elevator.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


dummy firemen parking in library spot

Tuesday, March, 12, The Casa branch library is pretty small, with limited parking space in the back.  We share a parking lot with the fire department next door, so the library gets to have 3 spaces for employees, and the fire department gets two.  Plus they have another section of the pavement behind the fire station as parking for their cars.  Despite having so many spaces for themselves they often park in one of the library employees' spots.  Like today, for instance.  I drive up and these jokers have their hook and ladder parked in front of the employee parking for the library, so I can't park there.  And this bozo took up the other library employee spot.  Fucking idiot!  It wasn't until after 10:45am that I was able to move my car to the proper spot, because I was taking up a patron spot.


knocked up

I was posting a commute song on Facebook this morning when I saw on my feed that a former coworker had posted that she was having twins.  She's such a beauty.  I'll have to wish her luck.


time to turn on the fan

I haven't had to use the portable fan I have at Casa for a long time, until today.  I have no idea how I'm going to survive the summer if I'm already running warm when it's 62 degrees outside today.  That was the high today.  What happens when it's 92?

The gate at Casa automatically opens at 9:40am on weekdays.  Because of the time change the gate didn't open until 10:40am today.  OK, that happened.  But what also happened is that at around mid day the gate just closed.  Not only that, but it wouldn't open for those who were exiting the parking lot.  This happened for no reason, but it happened.  It kinda fixed itself, or the firefighters did something to fix it.  Who knows.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


outreach van

Wednesday, March, 13, I got a look at the outreach van design a few weeks ago and I thought it needed a lot of work done before they finalize anything.  Today I got another look (above) and it still needs some tweaks to make it look as good as it can.  My main problem with the graphics is the style of the people.  They look, for lack of a better word, wonky.  Too bad they can't hire someone that draws well and is a good designer for these things.  I feel they are just using some online program that uses generic graphics.


Perkin's basement

I was walking in the basement of the Perkin's building when I wondered to myself, "How many times have I walked down this hallway?"  Just them I thought about the redhead that works in the building, and how I hadn't seen her in a while.  As I got up to the first floor there she was, the tall red head, standing in front of me.  I said how do you do and she looked at me as if I had horns.  I wonder why some women look at me like that, like I'm an alien.  Oh well, I find her attractive.  Clearly she doesn't think that of me.


Brand hummingbird

I needed to check on the hummingbird at Brand, because I haven't in about two weeks.  Well, sure enough the chicks are active.  I went to get my camera to try and get a picture of the chicks.  Just as I was trying to get a shot of the chicks the momma hummingbird came by to feed them.  It was sooo cute.  They are so tiny.


Buckeye burger

TheGirl and I went to Wood Ranch tonight.  There used to be a chicken sandwich that reminds me of the Santa Fe chicken sandwich from Carl's Jr.  I have not seen it on the menu in a long time.  Maybe I'm not looking correctly.  My other favorite item is the Buckeye burger.  I didn't want the same old fries.  The waitress told me about the loaded mash potatoes, which means bacon and cheese on top.  Nice!  I drank way too much tonight, hence me getting home at nearly 11pm.  I'm usually sober by the time I go home.  But tonight I clearly overdid it.  I was a little tipsy, but not to the point that I couldn't drive.  I know I say that and it's like, what a dope I am, right?  I am.  I'll take it easy next week.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Thursday, March, 14, I drank like a fish last night, so you would think I would sleep in this morning.  My body had another plan.  I woke up at around 4:30am.  I thought about going back to sleep, but when it got closer to 5am I decided to just get up from bed.  As I write this sentence it's 3:51pm and I'm super sleepy.  Several times over the couple of hours I've nodded off while on the desk.  Not good.


The Morgan in San Simeon

Today I was thinking about taking a trip to San Simeon and Cambria while staying at The Morgan.  I took a trip up there a decade ago.  Can't believe it's been that long.  I feel a need to take a trip, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a trip all the way up to Cambria.  It can be Solvang, but it should be somewhere.  Anywhere where I can just have a little time alone, and do a little day drinking.  I'll have to think about it after Saturday's Delicious Destinations.  After that I only have my taxes to do next week.


new AirPods

I got some back pay from Glendale for my raise, so I decided to get myself something for my efforts.  I bought the latest AirPods.  They are super slick, and sound great.  The previous pair I bought were really good despite being used, refurbished.  That is not to say they didn't have some issues.  Thee left pod had a funky sound at times, due to them going into a bottle of whiskey.  I still wonder how that happens.  Unless I did it on purpose.  Was I THAT drunk?  I guess I'll never know.  They still work, but I'll use the old pods at home when I jerk off.  I use them so the sounds from the video can't be heard by my aunt.  She can see the light from the TV along the cracks of the door to my room, but she won't be able to hear a thing.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


what was this idiot thinking?

Friday, March, 15, On this day back in 2011 I didn't have a car, so I had to use my bike to get to work.  One day I got a little hungry on the way to work, since it would take me three hours to get to work from home. I stopped off at the In n Out by San Marino.  I went inside, ate, and when I came outside I found some idiot had locked his bike to my bike.  Like how is that OK in anyway?  There were other poles he could have used to lock his bike to, but no, he locks it to my back wheel.  He came out and I asked him what was he thinking.  Clearly he wasn't, because he didn't have an answer.  Thankfully I wasn't late to work.


my old name badge

I was looking for something on my old desk and I found my old name badge.  I must have left it at work.  I never wore that thing anyway.


Daisy and Patricia

Today was all about getting ready for tomorrow's fundraiser.  I got to see some of the old folks from the library, like Daisy and Patricia (shown above).  I had a bit of a crush on Daisy.  She's gained some weight, but I think she's so cute.  The day went by like a blur.  There was a bunch of stuff I did like graphics, but honestly I can't remember much from today.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


Christ

Saturday, March, 16, Tonight was another Delicious Destinations.  It might be my last, but it also could just be one of many to come.  I don't even want to write about it much, because it was just another one of many.

I guess I can write about going back to Crowell after being away for so long, because that's the real story.  Karla was happy to see me, as was pretty much everyone.  I don't think Linda cared, but I certainly didn't treat her with any disrespect.  There is a liberating feeling that I don't have to work with her.


Jacky

I met some of the new people at the library.  A couple of the new girls are cute.  Cynthia was my favorite.  She's a nice Latina, with a big behind and a pretty face.  I also met Jacky, who is cute as a button.  I can't help but just want to stare at her face.  And there was Clara.  Clara is thin but really nice looking.  Oh it would have been nice working with these people, but it wasn't meant to be.  You know what I liked the best out of this bunch?  They all hate Linda.  They showed almost no respect for her tonight.  I'm old school, so I'll still show some respect to everyone.  But this generation, rightfully so, don't respect Linda.  Probably because they see that she's just bad at her job.


photo-op

And then there is my working with Dameon.  I was running around from place to place to get things done and even tonight we had a mini crisis where the wifi went down and I had to use my hotspot in order to keep the sales going.  Yesterday he turned to me and asked how the library could let me go, because he saw how I was dynamic and hard working.  I told him how I wanted to continue working on Wednesdays, but they gave me some cock and bull story about having to work weekends.  No way.  They could have had me at a discount.  I'm making $28.91 at Glendale now.  San Marino was paying me just under $20 an hour when I left.  That's nearly $10 LESS that I was willing to take at San Marino, because I wanted to stay.  But we don't always get what we want, right?


the party

Still, it was good to hear someone say that they didn't understand why they let me go.  I was cheap and I was doing the job.  Oh well, all things must pass.

The party itself was good.  I got to eat a lot of Korean beef, because Dameon got the cooks to serve me a whole plate of beef.  It was so yummy, but I couldn't eat much more.  I also had some Korean fried chicken, which was amazing.  I would love that beef in a sandwich.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Sunday, March, 17, I went to the market and got my stuff.  As I stood at the checkout aisle I turned around and there was a girl by the fruit that had super tight yoga pants on.  She was looking at the fruit, and in one movement she turned her ass right to where I was and bent over at the waist.  I got the full moon view, for sure.  I didn't want to linger, but I did want to continue looking.  Her behind was so nice.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


loaner

Monday, March, 18, The delivery van needs to have its seats reupholstered.  Because they need to take out the seats we can't drive the van.  This means we needed a loaner, and we got the little Pontiac Vibe.  It's better in the sense that at least it drives like a car.  It is a small car though, so it was hard to get all the stuff into the back of the car.  Yes, it's a hatchback, so that lets me stuff it, but it does not have enough room to carry the entirety of the delivery.


empty nest

I checked the hummingbird nest at Brand today, and it was empty.  Yeah, it was time.  The chicks were still so tiny the last time I saw them last week.  I would have liked to have seen them fly.


"smashed" burger

A couple of weeks ago the big get was the "smashed" burger from Jack in the Box.  It wasn't an actual smashed burger though, but there was a bunch of reviews online that said it tasted pretty good.  Naturally I wanted to try it for myself.  Today was the day.  Instead of going to McDonald's, like I normally do on a Monday, I went to Jack in the Box.  After eating the burger I can say that I liked it.  I wasn't wowed by it, but it was good.  The burger looked good.  The grilled onions were a nice touch.  Will I have it again?  If I do I do, but if I don't.  At least the meat tasted pretty good.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


Desiree

Wednesday, March, 20, I got an eyeful this morning at Montrose, let me tell you.  I was bringing in the books and when I got to the desk I turned around and right in front of my eyes was Desiree's cleavage, in all its glory.  She has a big chest, but I don't get to see her cleavage very often.  Today it was in full display.  The funny thing is that my brain saw it in slow motion, where I was already turning around.  As my brain processed the view of her cleavage I was turning my head around for another view, but Desiree was also fast.  By the time I turned back around she had already covered up.  Damn!  Nice view, for sure.


giant desk

I was upstairs when I turned the corner as my eyes caught a look at a giant desk in the office that belongs to the new financial analyst.  Apparently this is her personal desk.  It's so big for a small office.  Oh well, someone thinks very highly of themselves, I guess.  I was told that she is tiny, and that's TheNewCute saying that.  TheNewCute is tiny.


fish and chips for dinner tonight

TheGirl and I had planned on going to Don Cuco's in Toluca Lake, but when we drove by I noticed that the table were we usually sit was taken.  That table is the one in the corner.  TheGirl likes it because she can see any dogs approaching.  That meant we couldn't go to Don's.  Maybe next week.  Our plan B was the Smokehouse.  Good choice.  I wanted cheese enchiladas tonight, but instead I got fish and chips.  That's OK, the fish and chips really hit the spot.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Thursday, March, 21, There isn't much to report on today.  I was at work from 9am to 7pm.  We didn't have storytime, but we did have a 4pm event.  That brought a lot of people into the library in the afternoon.  It has been busy at the Casa branch lately, but this morning was slow.  So it was good to have an event where the kids could come in.  That brought the cute MILF that I thought may be an au pair.  I'm not sure, but the name has stuck.  She didn't wear a mask for the first time in a long time.  I couldn't stop wanting to look in her direction.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


nailed it!

Friday, March, 22, I dropped off the van at the city garage on Monday.  The guys there said that the van would likely be done by the end of the week.  But it was done yesterday, but Tony decided to not pick it up.  I'm not sure why he couldn't pick it up, but he left me to do it.  I went to the garage first thing.  Tony mentioned he saw the new cushion, and that I would be surprised with the repair.  Sure enough, he was right.  The upholster just fixed the section that was ripped (see above).  I guess that's good enough.  But it certainly doesn't make up for not getting a new van any time soon.  Talk about Mickey Mouse.


super nice little free library

I was driving to the fire station on Oak street when I noticed a new little free library on the south side of the street.  I parked the van up the street and walked to the little free library.  It's one of the nicest LFL I've ever encountered.  I talked to a guy that lives at the apartment where it's in front of and he told me that the man who made it is a woodworker.  Of course.  There are little cool details, such as the dog hook.  That makes it easier to get books while walking the dog.  There is a light inside, and magnets that help keep the door closed.  The side has a nice design.  It has a really good roof as well.  Overall, a ten out of ten.


fucking donations!

The manager at Montrose asked me on Wednesday to take at least two of the stupid boxes filled with donations.  Donations that should just be thrown away in the trash.  But, because the previous director said he didn't want to deal with the embarrassment of dealing with patrons complaining about us throwing away books, we have to do this shit.  We have to collect all the books and take them to Central, where Tony can throw them away.  So fine, I took a couple of boxes.  I really wish I could just burn these things.  This is another thing I have to bring up to the new director.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


I owe $763

Saturday, March, 23, I went to get my taxes done at the Panorama City library today, by way of the CSUN VITA.  The students from the business school will do your taxes for free for people that are low income.  That's me.  The good news is that I don't owe as much as I did last year.  Grand total owed the Federal government is $763.  That's about $150 less than I owed the government last year.  The added bonus is that the State is giving me a refund of $253.  The grand total I owe this year is $510.  That's a lot more manageable than the $1,400 I owed last year.  I'm thankful.


green book exhibit... gone

When I made the appointment for the VITA about a month back I figure that since I was already out that I would try to combine things.  I figured I best go to the Petersen Automotive museum to check out the Green Book exhibit.  I took off from Panorama City to the 170 freeway.  Maps had me going through Hollywood to get to the Fairfax district.  That's fine.  What wasn't fine is all the idiots on the road.  I can't even begin to talk about all the slow pokes that just needed to get out of my way.  One dope sat on a red light on a right turn for no reason.  That's the one thing we in Los Angeles have contributed to culture.  The right turn on red.  Fucking shit.  Well, I finally made it to the Petersen, where parking was a nightmare.

Once inside I saw the place was packed.  ARGH!  It turned out it was free entry today, so every cheapskate went to the museum today.  No wonder Fairfax was a cluster fuck of cars.  Everyone was trying to get to the museums.  LACMA and the Academy were also free.  ARGH!  The line did die down after I took some pictures.  The guy at the desk tried to upsell me on buying the ticket to see the basement, where they store about two hundred and fifty cars.  I told him that I was really just interested in the Green Book exhibit.  He tells me that the exhibit closed about two weeks ago.  Fuck me!  I told him thanks and said I would come back another day.  He gave me a ticket to leave without paying for the parking.  That was nice of him.  I should really check these things.  And double check them.  Oh well, all that driving for nothing.


that sandwich looks good to me

I was cleaning out my emails after getting home from my little adventure.  One of the emails was from Disneyland, and it had a picture of a yummy looking fish sandwich from the Black Tap burger joint at Downtown Disney.  I want to go today, but my backyard beckons me.  I'll have to ask TheGirl if she wants to go down there for a bit.  It's strange, because I went online to check out the menu of this place, and nowhere does it have this sandwich.  Nor does it have onion rings, even though the picture above the fries section has onion rings.  Hmm, what is going on here?  Maybe I should go through the Disney website for the menu, because it appears that Black Tap isn't updating their site.

OK, I went on the Disney website and found out why the fish sandwich wasn't on the Black Tap website.  It's a temporary item for March and April.  The more you know.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


what is a turnaround?

Sunday, March, 24, I watch a lot of videos on YouTube.  The algorithm found me a really good video.  Click above to see it.  I think it's about factories having to close for maintenance.


a full fridge is a happy fridge

I've said it before, but I'm blessed.  Just look at how full the fridge was today.  My hard work is paying off.


buckets for a phantom leak

My aunt's life is an exercise in stupidity.  I say that because it rained today, but the weather cleared up in the afternoon.  But that's when my aunt went and put a punch of buckets in the living room to catch a leak that doesn't exist.  We had have a little leak two storms ago, but nothing this weekend.  I fixed the leak in the back, but my aunt still put plastic on the door.  And really, I don't know what this plastic is supposed to do anyway.  She misses the point of everything.  Shake my head.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


I'm late!

Monday, March, 25, I was late to work this morning due to me oversleeping.  And that's due to me drinking last night.  My aunt says a lot of silly things, but she is right about letting my drinking affect my job.  That is a line I should not ever cross. So no more drinking on a Sunday night.  I have so much wrapped up in this job, that I should not do anything to jeopardize it.  I know almost everyone is late to work, but I'm not like that.  I best step up.

I didn't get out of the house until 7:35am, and I was ten minutes late.  I'm never late.  I didn't eat breakfast, because I wanted to shower.  It was one or the other.  Even then I was still late.


first picnic of the year

I decided to have a picnic at Brand today, since the weather was so perfect.  And, since TheNewCute wasn't there today I decided to have my lunch outside.


buns of idiocy

There was an obnoxious guy doing his exercise routine about twenty five feet away from where I was eating my lunch.  He was blasting his bluetooth speaker.  Thank the maker for noise canceling earbuds.  They really worked on his music.  I was free to watch my videos on YouTube.  Nice!  I like how he was using the rails on the stairs to do his workout.  I also like how he would do, like, four push ups and then rested for ten minutes.  Ha, good job.  At least he's moving.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


wet napkins

Tuesday, March, 26, I like to take a drink from work with me to work from home.  Today I poured some Arizona tea into the Thermos that Krishna gave me for Christmas a couple of years back.  I added some ice so that the tea would be nice and cold when I got to work.  But when I got to work all I had was a wet truck.  The damn Thermos tipped over and spilled the entire contents.  Everything was soaked, including my murse.  I took a ton of napkins that I have in my car to help soak up the tea.  I left my murse in the back of my car in order to have the warm sun dry my bag.  ARGH!  I felt like such an idiot.  From now on I'm not going to take any liquid in my Thermos.  I don't want a repeat of today.  I'll take the Thermos, but it will be empty.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


oh that doesn't look right

Wednesday, March, 27, I was using the delivery truck to take the book bins to the van when I noticed that the weld on one side was broken.  Just great.  The black delivery truck is my favorite, because I'm able to carry many more bins on one trip to and from the van.  It also rides smoother than the other book trucks.  Tony said that he could get one of the city guys to repair the weld.  I hope so, because I really like this truck.


everything is broken

As I walked by the front desk I noticed that the copier/printer was broken.  No one could tell me how the lid to the scanner was broken, but broken it is.  I know these things are made pretty flimsy, but I wonder who twisted the lid.  Maybe it's time to not let the public use this thing.

A few weeks ago Brand got a new cleaning woman, Mauren.  She's a nice lady, and a good worker.  But now TheNewCute was telling me that Mauren is thinking she's chums with TheNewCute.  Oh oh.  It's gotten to the point that TheNewCute is eating at a different time than normal.  That means that our lunch, TheNewCute and me will be interrupted.  I like Mauren, but I know how TheNewCute is thinking.  The thing is Mauren only speaks Spanish, so she can't talk to anyone else at Brand.  TheNewCute, and all of us, like our lunch time to be alone time.  Except for the days I eat with TheNewCute, on Wednesdays and Fridays, she and I eat alone the rest of the week.  Supposedly Mauren will be moved to a new location in the next month, but time will tell if that really happens.  The messed up thing is that Mauren also wants to hang out with TheNewCute outside of work.  Not good.


Chan at the Warner Bros. studio tour

TheGirl and I finally got to go to Don Cuco's for dinner tonight.  I ordered a cheese enchilada and a taco.  They both hit the spot.  The booze also hit the spot.  It was a good night for dinner, because the weather was just right.  We took Chan with us on our after dinner walk with Cheyenne.  The above photo of Chan at the Warner Bros. studio tour building.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


reenactment

Thursday, March, 28, There is a girl that works a few doors down from the library.  She has such a nice body.  From time to time I get to check her out.  Her butt is super nice.  It has a little bubble, a little perky, and a little wide.  It's a nice mix of all those qualities.  Today I got a really nice view while I went on my after lunch walk.  I was across the street crossing Brand when I saw that she was laying on the car seat with her butt presenting.  I mean wow!


noteworthy puppets

Tonight we had a puppet show at Casa.  It was pretty good.  The show was put on by this one guy that did all the voices and of course the puppeteering.  The songs were pretty catchy, as well.  I wondered if they were original songs, and they were.  The performer mentioned you could hear the songs online.  I like the main song well enough that I will search it out.  It was a good show.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


cute girl from the A.R.C.

Friday, March, 29, I have told you that I'm a hideous monster, right?  I think it's the only explanation for how many women see me and give me the big ignore.  There is a girl at works next door to the library at the Adult Recreational Center.  I've tried to say good morning to her over the last few years, but she just gives me the brush.  OK, hideous face confirmed.  The other day she was showing off her chest, but it was too chilly today for such an outfit.  At least now I can show you how she looks.

I was up at Brand and TheNewCute was having her lunch at her desk.  The other day she mentioned how she was avoiding Mauren.  Too bad Mauren caught her eating at her desk.  But, TheNewCute had an excuse today.  There was a tour of the gallery by some kids from the high school up the street.  This meant that the kitchen was engaged.  Before I left for lunch myself Mauren was asking TheNewCute if she was going to be able to hang out on Monday.  TheNewCute responded by saying that she was going to take guitar lessons on Mondays.  Ah huh.  She also told Mauren that on her Saturdays off she was going to take a woodworking class.  Ah huh.  TheNewCute better get really good at the guitar really quick, and build a chair really quick too, because I'm thinking she's not taking either class.  Ha ha!  Good luck dodging Mauren, TheNewCute.


lunch at Brand carport

In lieu of TheNewCute having lunch with me, and the high school kids taking up the patio, I decided to have my lunch in the Brand carport.  It was fine, but it was a little cold, since the wind funneled there.  Brrr.  And, I didn't have my hoodie.  I ate lunch fast and got out of there.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *


TheGirl at Pink's, 2010

Saturday, March, 30, It was on this day back in 2010 that TheGirl and I went to lunch at Pink's.  This was when we were first getting to know each other.

I forgot to mention this when I heard it the other day, so I'll mention it here.  During DrDeath's going away party he apparently forgot to zip up his pants, and no one noticed or said anything.  Not sure how they found out, but he was furious that no one told him.  He told Meryl to edit the photos to crop out his crotch.  Good move, DrDeath.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Sunday, March, 31, There isn't much to report on today.  I saw the girl with the striped yoga pants today.  She was headed to her car, which was two spots away from me.  She looked good, but she also looked like she gained a little weight.  I tried to ignore her while still trying to check her out.  The rest of the day I just chilled out.  I tried sitting outside, but it's just too cold out.

I bought some booze at the market, but I told myself that I have to stop drinking a lot on Sunday nights, because I was late for work last week.  I can't be habitually late, like my coworkers are nowadays.  That might be good enough for them, but I hold myself to a higher standard.  Being late due to drinking the night before is unacceptable.  So, I'll still jerk off tonight, but I can't drink like a fish anymore.  Not until the weekends.

 

* * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Wrap-up: March was an interesting month.  The highlights of the month were going to Tam O'Shanter again, as well as Delicious Destinations.  It was really great to witness the hummingbirds nesting and growing up.  Overall it was a good month, but a bit slow.  I can't believe the speed of life.  On to April!
 

iPhone Project 52: March 2024


03.00.24 - 10/52 - Glendale

 


03.10.24 - 11/52 - Glendale

 


03.17.24 - 12/52 - Glendale

 


03.24.24 - 13/52 - Glendale

 
 


03.31.24 - 14/52 - Glendale

 
 

Vox: Voice Entry

 

Etcetera: I'll just leave this here

 
  * * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

 

  * * * * * *  * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Read previous installments in the Elsewhere archive