Just Me and My Library

The kids started summer school yesterday, I think I told you they were going to. Since I want to save gas money and have to drive them to and from school I spent yesterday sitting in the library with my laptop using the free Wi-Fi to get a few things done. Guess what. I’m back here today. I’m only a few minutes from their school and I get some time to myself. I’m sitting downstairs in the library set up at a table with three other chairs, all empty, just doing what I have to do. I chose a table close to the wall so I can have a plug and I’ll be out of everyone’s way, and so I can watch the few passersby that happen to come downstairs. It's nice but I do wish the chairs were more comfortable than they are.

These are the typical wooden chairs, four to a table, with a small cushion at the top of the back of the chair. I guess my upper back is supposed to be comfy but my butt is allowed to ache. There are a couple of sofas upstairs in the library but I didn’t notice any plugs near them and I kind of like sitting alone and don’t want someone else there, possibly spying on me. Not that anyone would spy on me because I’m not all that interesting and don’t really do anything spy-worthy on my computer but still…I don’t want to get stuck sitting next to someone who may smell bad or might have an annoying cough or tic. You know what I’m talking about.

So down here I sit…alone; or semi-alone, today anyway. I’m being joined by a gentleman who, I presume, wanted to be alone to do what he needs to do on his laptop. He actually sat at the table in front of me and set up his own little space. He’s very quiet and polite – actually said “thank you” when I ‘blessed’ him after sneezing, and he’s just hanging out like I am. I don’t think he has kids in summer school, though; he looks like his kids may all be grown. Doesn’t matter, I don’t really care. I’m just sitting here talking to you and wondering why the library is supposed to be quiet but isn’t.

All around me I can hear people talking, beeps coming from some sort of electronic device where the talking is coming from, keys jingling as someone walks, pages turning as someone looks through a book (but I guess that’s supposed to happen – this is a library.) It’s amazing how much you can hear in the quiet of the library if you really listen. There was a baby crying earlier but I guess the mom left or the baby fell asleep because it stopped and I haven’t heard it since.

I was listening to the clack of a woman’s shoes a few minutes ago and wondering why there are small sections of the library that don’t have carpeting. Wouldn’t you think they’d put carpet all over the floor to keep the noise level down? I would. Just imagine what it would sound like if there was no carpeting at all!! Yikes!! It was bad enough when I walked in the front door and my sneakers were squeaking on the tiled section from the rain outside. Yes, I said the rain is outside. Why? Because if any of you are anything like me and I’d stopped the sentence at the word ‘rain’ you’d have given a sarcastic comeback – like I would have – about it raining in the library.

So, my sneakers were squeaking as I walked in and there is no way to stop it from happening unless I was able to hover above the floor until I reached the carpeted area, which of course we all know I can’t do so stop trying to imagine it. Yes, it would be cool; no, it’s never going to happen. But it was noisy while it was happening and the squeaks seemed really loud with the open space and echo capability. Thank goodness I didn’t have to walk very far; I’d have taken off my shoes just to avoid the noise if that was the case. At least my feet don’t stink.

Anyway, I’m going to get back to doing what I need to do right now; just wanted to check in with you all and give you a glimpse into my day. The library isn’t such a bad place and I get to use my laptop. I just wish they had some sort of snacks or something here. I guess it would get pretty messy if they did, though, with people not picking up after themselves and all. A separate snack room would work but then they’d have to stock it and get someone to keep it clean and what if they had donuts that I don’t like? That would suck. I guess it’s better this way then, less disappointment for me. Leaving now, back soon. Enjoy whatever it is that you do.

Until next time…peace to all.