Plane Food: Round 1

All of you who voted for Amazing Grace can now give your allegiance to another book. It was the perfect plane book. Started it when I got on the plane, finished it that night at the hotel, despite really, really wanting to close my eyes after being up for 21 hours of travel and interviewing. It is chick lit for teens, and as with most chick lit, there were tiny holes in the plot, but I really didn't care. It was fun and I wanted to find out the resolution, although the author cheated us out of some of the ending revelations that I was hoping for. I really enjoyed it, and will look into other books by Shull. Basic synopsis: Teen Tennis Sensation suddenly wants out of her life and flees to Alaska to find out what normal life is. Easy sell to girls 12+.

A Crazy Person Told Me I Was Pretty Today...G.I.A, vol. 1

Well, actually yesterday, but today sounded better... It was one of those 'whatever you do don't make eye contact' moments. He was a big guy and it was a close space; I knocked over luggage in my haste to move out of the range of his admiration. This is one of the many reasons why I think that super-urban libraries aren't for me. I've been spoiled in suburbia. Even the poor rural areas I've worked in are better than what I encountered on Thursday. This sounds harsh, and it is probably too harsh.

A couple weeks ago here at home I was subbing at a big, busy library at the adult info desk, where, for the first time ever, I was actually scared of a patron. She was diminutive, but possessing such a vibrating intensity that I feared that if I made the wrong random movement she would freak out and attack, and there's no easy way to defend against the crazy. Especially at work, if you want to keep your job. What I'm saying is that, while there are crazies (and not just the mental ones) everywhere, when coupled with the depressing nature that seems to be the urban library (or at least the one that I interviewed at), I just don't want to deal with it.

That, and they seemed to want to stick me in a isolation booth they call the [children's room] where I wouldn't have contact with anyone over grade six and their parents. That's just not me. To be fair, I don't know exactly what my situation would be there, but that's the impression I got. I visited a branch with the nicest, most enthusiastic children's librarian, but she was like a teacher. I know that there isn't a huge gap between teacher and librarian, but, the thing is, I would have gotten a teaching degree if I wanted to be in the environment she was working in. I like variety. I don't think that I want to be in a position where I help only one demographic. That would be boring. Oh, and the pay sucked. And the books weren't shiny. The HR person who was in on the interview said that she would probably offer me a position next week when all the paperwork was done. I don't want to flat out say right now that I won't accept it, because maybe she'll have a working scenario for me that would be more appealing, but I doubt it.

I know that it is the urban libraries that are needed the most. I feel bad, but I'm just not sure I could bring it. Not when my personal life will be depressing enough on its own. I can't gamble that the reward of being truly effective will balance out both a dreary job environment and a lonely existence. I have to admit that this time, for this big of a step, I'm going to be selfish. Sorry, if you thought better of me. (and on that depressing note):

Also:
Library 4: Interview Jan. 10, 2pm. Roughly 150 miles from home.
Phone Interview (doesn't get a number until face-to-face): Interview Jan. 17, 10am. Roughly 850 miles from home.

I've read a lot, so that's next.

Announcing the Adventure

On December 19th I hinted, ok, basically said, that I had been looking for a professional job and that there had been a few hits. Starting tomorrow the Great Interview Adventure (henceforth known as GIA) begins. Three public libraries are, at their expense, flying me out for a final interview (this fact was entirely shocking to me, I mean, come on, these are non-profits!). I am going to attempt to remain entirely neutral until all libraries have been visited. I will not tell you where I am going, or with whom I am interviewing with. I will, however, reveal their distance from home and basic generalities, such as: large metropolis, or suburbia, or rural. I am very helpful like that. Besides, it's not like anyone who doesn't know me actually reads this. But just for anyone who might comment on the upcoming entries who does actually know where I am, please don't give any leading indication of the locals. Vote, if you wish, but I shall come up with some sort of pseudonym. Or something. At the moment, none of the libraries have personalities to me as I've never visited any of them; their current noms de plume will be uninspired.

Library 1: Interview Jan. 5, Noon. Roughly 800 miles from home.
Library 2: Interview Jan. 9, 9am. Roughly 1,200 miles from home.
Library 3: Interview Jan. 12, 9am. Roughly 2,000 miles from home.

I realize that I am very fortunate to have even a fraction of the opportunities that I have here. I truly do. I'm still petrified. Hopefully, I'll be able to post on the road, but if not, I'll do my best to give you a honest account as soon as possible. Thanks for your support!