My love hate relationship with libraries

Growing up I spent a lot of time in our local library. When my parents would go and read, my brother and I would pick out books to read. Listening to story time or other events as a kid was pretty fun. It wasn’t until I became an adult, in my twenties that I started to have issues with libraries. I have no problem admitting they have a purpose and its great lending system and could be beneficial to the community. Especially for those who simply do not have the budget to purchase several books on a regular basis. What I didn’t appreciate was bringing back a book only to find that I was charged a late fee. 

I’ve always been responsible at bringing a book back. The first time I had a fee I wanted to check out the same book since I hadn’t finished it and had a day left. Someone else was waiting for the book which was fine; I had planned on checking it out again later. When I did come in to see if they had returned it, I had a late fee for it waiting for me. As an idiot I paid for it. I was given the speech how the library operates on fees to pay for costs. I looked at it as an unofficial donation even though I hadn’t appreciated being treated as though I had done something wrong since I didn’t want to pay the fee and returned it on time. This happened three more times so I stopped going to the library for several years.

I had married at 19 and only stayed here for 2 years, moved to another state (WI) and had the same issues. All I could assume had been libraries much be taught the same tactics. Some twenty years later when I moved back home (MI) and thought I would give our library a chance; it was relocated in a new building and looked very nice. I had a book ready to check out only to find that there was a book checked out under my name that had been returned later. I wasn’t even in this state during that time and I know I never loaned my card to anyone to use. That’s the excuse they gave me, was that I must have lent my card to someone to borrow. Definitely not something I would ever do. I don’t loan things I’m responsible for that are not mine, I would loan a few books I owned myself but definitely not ones from the library. They refused to take the fee off so I refused to pay the fine. I haven’t been into that library since.

Now living in a smaller town my husband convinced me he has never had that problem so I gave it a try. We checked out a few audio books to a long drive. We returned these late, this fee we actually earned. We also paid for it. Second time I go in to check out an audio book to find a late fee still, for a physical book. I have yet to check out a physical book at this library so now I have decided I am done with them. No more chances, for my own children I choose to purchase their books. If there is going to be a late fee I would rather purchase a book and own it then borrow one and get charged either for a book I didn’t borrow or for something I know wasn’t late.

I’m thankful this didn’t turn me off to reading. The simple fact I love reading and I love reading has kept me inspired

A few fun things about me

I grew up reading my brothers Marvel & DC comics always making sure to put them back hoping he wouldn’t figure out I was touching them. Later in my late twenties he bought me a comic with She-Ra. When we were little and watched the cartoon I never noticed that I would whisper the name as they announced her until my brother pointed it out. I loved Mickey Mouse’s Fantasia and of course my most current and still obsession is with Sorcerer’s apprentice which was made in  2010  with Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel, they could not have picked better actors for this film.

I watched cartoons on Saturdays, Smurfs, Fraggle Rock, Flintstones, Scooby-Do and movies like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Jumangji, Fried Green Tomatoes, Inception, Harry Potter series and I love romantic comedies like while you were sleeping, no matter how many times I see the kid slide on the bike I still laugh at that part. I’ve left out so many but the list would be endless.

When I was older I spent two weeks watching everything I wasn’t allowed to when I was younger. I loved watching the show Friends, That 70’s Show, How I met your mother,

Music from Phil Collins, Sting, Tiffany, Britney Spears, Madonna and Cindy Lauper, I still listen to them but I also enjoy Selena Gomez, Carly Rae Jepsen, One Republic, Nine Inch Nails, Taylor Swift,  Christian Perri, I could write a ten page list quite easily of the music I listen to now. I listen to a little of everything except I don’t listen to country very much anymore and very little rap.

I have a few places I would love to visit still. I want to visit Scotland, Ireland. I’ve been to Cairns Australia, Toronto and Ontario Canada, Cancun Mexico, England. Probably visit part of Canada since it’s closer and I can drive there. There are several states that I would love to visit again, I’ve been to Florida twice now but either was stuck in a hotel room the first time and the second time at a book expo for a book signing, so I would love to go back to look around more.

I make mistakes and I hope I learn from them and don’t repeat them. I’m pretty open minded and accepting of almost anything. I’ve never had a problem with gays and lesbians but just like heterosexuals I don’t want to see them making out, get a room. It seems like every generation wants to separate themselves from the previous so they come up with their own slang words for things that already exist. I am not politically correct and I don’t plan on keeping up with all of it. Simply put I will treat people with respect, even those who disrespect me since I do not believe in repeating a horrible act. The only thing I won’t put up with is someone who threatens myself or my family, it’s the only time I won’t allow it. Most in this situation wouldn’t, its basic common sense.

I might be a little strange, I like to close the fridge door slowly just to watch the light switch off, carry identification on me even if it’s not needed because you never know when you might get in an accident and die, this way they have something to identify my body with. I have thought about getting a tattoo but felt strange having my own name on me. I don’t like anything touching me when I sleep or I have nightmares, love drinking tea but enjoy flavored coffee more. I collect coke points and love games where I can collect things. I admit I have a hoarder’s personality but I control it by doing it with online games. I don’t like to get rid of anything; I keep thinking I might want it later even though it has been collecting dust packed away for the last five years.

I consider myself to be a sentimental hopeless romantic with a voice in the back of my mind always telling me not to be surprised if it doesn’t happen. I underestimate myself all the time.

I love animals, at one time I had 40 hamsters and it all started out with two horny hamsters that I could not get to stay in their cages. Probably our mistake for calling them big momma and papa, they probably thought they had to live up to the name. I love all animals even snakes not that I want one as a pet. I have had many cats in the past like Spunky who died of cancer at 5, Piper died from an infected bowl at 2, Ahrwin at 4 from cancer and Astro at age 23 from old age. I gave one cat away which was Cosmo, at the time I couldn’t afford to get surgery every time he needed it. His intestines would twist casing a lot of medical problems. I found a vet who adopted him and he’s very happy visiting at a nursing home. Currently I have 6 cats and 2 dogs. Plenty of space for everyone to get along. I always tell myself as they pass on I won’t get anymore but I could not imagine living without animals around.

I'm not into sports but I have gone to a few baseball games and a couple indoor soccer games. I'll try anything once. Hockey looks sort of interesting. I don't camp, maybe some day preferably with an experienced guide. My idea of camping is bad room service or a room without a hot tub.

I love my kids and consider myself fortunate to have them. I was told I would never get pregnant on my own and to date I have three. My first two were inseminated at the doctor’s office and the third was a complete surprise. My oldest I introduced to Everquest when he was 7. He loves gaming and hoping to work in that part of the industry, he has time to figure it out. I’m proud of him and he’s very intelligent, quick to figure things out. My daughter is amazing when she draws, has a book published and wants to be a vet. It doesn’t take her long to figure out what she wants. My youngest is three and when he’s always building something with his blocks or tearing apart all the pens in the house I wonder if he’ll end up like his dad or something else. Either way it will be fun watching him grow like his older brother and sister. With my kids drawing on the walls after I freshly painted them, having chats with my kids at 3am, life is never dull. I’m very proud of my all children, I don’t have a favorite since each is different and I relate to each for many different reasons.