And the excitement continues

Here I sit at Job #2. I just got back from lunch at my mom's house who is watching the baby (Burger King for all, I had a coupon). The baby is doing fine over there, was just a little fussy this a.m. but apparently got over it soon after I left, although she still wanted me to take her with me just now. She'll be fine! Kids are resilient! But that's not the excitement of the day--I had to call the cops yet again over here. I was surprised to see when I got here that the teen computers were all shut off, and they all had notes taped to them saying to the effect that due to the bad language, rough housing, and disrespect for other library patrons the teen computers would be shut down until further notice. Whoa! The teen librarian finally had enough? I can't say I blame him, I had had enough several weeks ago (see previous post about me crackin' skulls). Also, there were lots of pretty doughnuts here today, so I was looking forward to a nice, sedate, "routine" day, and I actually said that out loud to someone. I knew I shouldn't have done that!

Right before noon I got a complaint about some loud fighting in front. I saw one of our infamous trouble-making teens arguing with an older man wearing a black leather jacket. So I called the cops and right when I did they came into the damn library and the man began stalking the teen through the stacks all around the entire floor. Fortunately, the police dept. has cameras installed in the library (we also share a parking lot with the cops) and the dispatcher could see what was going on. Cool! My coworker got the teen to stand with us behind the ref. desk and I tried to get the man to come over near me (it was apparent this was some kind of domestic disturbance and the 1st thing you do is separate everyone), but he refused. Meanwhile everyone in the entire library was also watching. Another man had offered us his assistance and was standing by. I got off the phone with dispatch and stood a little ways behind the man so I could watch him and also watch for the cops. They showed up in about 90 seconds and 4 of 'em came in and took over. Apparently it was the stepdad arguing with the unruly teen about something. The fuzz took them outside and off the premises and now I get to write an incident report. The end!

I think tomorrow me and the baby are going to the zoo, but I'm really thinking I want to go to church, too. The Methodist church is right down the street and I could use a little churchin' up. Last night found me crying like a baby at 20/20's report on children in poverty in Camden, NJ. I couldn't help it! They profiled The Cutest Little Boy in the World, 4-yr old Ivan who absolutely broke my heart. I never saw such a precious little soul! (I'm sure it's also no coincidence I was so touched by him b/c the baby is 4 too.) I totally wanted to adopt him. Poor little thing, homeless but wanting to go to school, wanting to be Superman when he grows up, and wanting a house with a bathroom for Christmas!!!

I never paid attention to children, except for annoyance, until I had the baby. Amazing how that works out. I mean sure, I had a couple of "favorites" when I used to be a children's librarian, but basically I was just fine not having kids in my life. In fact, when I first met S and he told me about the baby's existence, I seriously would have dumped him right then and there if he had been ANYBODY ELSE. And even still, it took me a few months to get used to the idea b/c I was fighting it so hard. And this is yet another reason why I hate S's mother so much, b/c she had tried to convince me to help her in making S think that a custody battle would be futile, and that he should just "walk away" from the baby! What kind of fucked-up so-called "grandmother" would want us all to just walk away?!?? Heartless bitch! See why we (and the baby) have nothing to do with her, and will never have anything to do with her?

So when I met the baby it took us some time to really, really bond. I felt uncomfortable and awkward around her so many times. I read parenting websites, books, and online forums in order to learn how to be an incredible parent. It became my mission. And now look at us, a year and a half later! It's so cute the way she's almost become addicted to me. Why just last night she kept wanting me to come and "watch her", and when S and I retired to the "marital bed" she came wandering in later to announce that she wanted me to come and sleep with her. Not S, but me!

But anyway, so now I notice children and babies. And now I have compassion for them, and understand them a whole lot better. And instead of feeling annoyance at them, I feel mostly delight in being around them. Before, I couldn't stand 95% of kids. Now, I love 95% of them! And I do feel that I'm a much better person because of it.