world we live in

My co-worker's daughter is in graduate school at Hopkins for public health. She commutes each day to Hopkins-no easy feat when you live in Anne Arundel county. It simply amazes me how inept we are in public transportation between 3 cities-2 of which are quite large.
In any case, she decides to visit the market on Broadway. As she is going into the building, there is a homeless gentleman outside the market and asks her for money. She says she doesn't have any. he then says he is starving and even some food would be a big help. She also doesn't have anything. She goes into the market to get her lunch and as a public health advocate, feels she should try and help this poor man. She has enough money for her sandwich, a drink, and chips. She also buys a 3.00 ham sandwich to give to him, as well as her chips.
here is their conversation:

Caitlyn: "Sir, I know how hungry you are and I bought you a sandwich. Would you like to have lunch together?"
Homeless Man: "Well. What kind of sandwich is it?" (seriously???)
Caitlyn: "Its a ham sandwich."
Homeless Man: Well, I am really a pizza kinda of guy".
Caitlyn: "oh i see. How bout taking my chips then?"
Homeless man: "No, no chips for me."

I shake my head....

Meanwhile, in the library, things got a bit heated thanks to government conspiracies:



Heather was on her way to the circulation desk when she heard Curt speak loudly to the woman next to him. She appeared startled so she asked me to investigate.

When I looked over to the customer on computer 5 (next to Curt), she raised her hand; I walked over. When I asked her how I could help her today, she demanded that I "keep him under control" referring to Curt. He made offhand comments about her being a nurse, and how she was trying to control what he was doing. The screen was turned off, which concerned me. I requested that he turn the screen back on, and told me that he didn't know how to. "I'm not in control of the machines. The government has control. I don't have any power over them." I asked him if he would mind if I turned the computer on, and he consented. I turned the screen on, and found that he was watching one of our rated R films-- nothing on the screen was against policy. I explained to him that he needed to act appropriately in the library, including to other customers and that if he did not do so, I would have to ask him to leave for the day. He finally nodded, although he muttered a few other phrases about not being able to control "the nurse" and "the machine". He seemed significantly calmer, and I looked at him while I told the female customer that if she had any other issues, or needed any additional assistance, to please let me know. She assured me that she would do so.

She printed a few minutes later and left the library. After the incident, Curt used the computers calmly for another hour or so. He approached the desk later, and said to Heather and I "I don't have a car." in a very apologetic tone. I took this as an apology for his behavior.

I'll update this with references to other incidents with Curt.

fall

So, its been a while...
Fall is nuts. With activity and people. We are in the throws of massive numbers of college applications. Well, Maddie is-I am simply a by-stander with a check book. I am sort of in denial about all this. Like if I don't acknowledge, it won't happen. We hired a college consultant with much hesitation, but in the long run, if it took pressure off of Maddie (and me), it was worth her hefty price.
Orioles are also in the playoffs, so sports are up front as well.
Library world has been busy and today someone has dumped a deer into the dumpster. Oh boy. And of note, I will mention the followning incident at another location:

At about 8PM on 9/4/14 our security guard, Marcus, told me about something he encountered while on his outside rounds. He noticed some odd rhythmic movement in a recent model Toyota Corrola (champaign color). Approaching the vehicle he observed that the occupants were engaging in fellatio. When they noticed him they quickly composed themselves and left.

Yes, fellatio is an every day, any where kind of activity.


And a final note, Andrew has gotten his loom up and running. it was quite an undertaking, considering how much effort it took to get it into his room. But this is all good-hope to see some rugs in the near future as he grows accustomed to using it. Any requests?