Thank you for Castles and Pancakes

Well, happy Thankgiving everyone. My apoglogies for all calls I have not returned. It's been a busy week.

Last Wednesday my former boss called me up and asked me to develop recipes for his new ad agency to show off to their potential client IHOP. I said I was at work and probably couldn't just leave. But, money is persuasive -- I left immediately. I spent the next two days inventing pancake recipes and presented them to IHOP on Friday with my other former two bosses working in the kitchen as my assistants (he he). We got a standing ovation.

Friday I get a voicemail with a job offer from Los Angeles Public Library. They don't mention what the job is, where the job is, or how much they are offering me. They do mention, however, that unless I call back before 4:30, they will be out of the office until Tuesday.

Meanwhile...Palos Verdes Public Library calls me for a second interview--to get a tour of the library and to meet the staff. Good sign. They schedule this interview for Wednesday morning at 8:30am.

First thing Tuesday morning, I get a hold of LAPL. They tell me the what (children's librarian, yeah!), they tell me how much (well, I won't post that, but yeah!) and they tell me where (Hollywood, yeah commute-wise, not so yeah neighborhood-wise.). Oh, and they need an answer...tomorrow.

So, I haul myself to PV on Wednesday morning, have a great second interview. Love the staff, love the job. Hate the drive. Then, I rush over to the Hollywood library (since I had never been there) and on my way get offer from Palos Verdes. They upped the salary to just beat LA.

The library in Hollywood is next to a strip joint, accross the street from a liquor store, around the corner from my favorite ice cream shop, a place I've seen many an exchange of money for invisible products held in a tight fist. All legal, I'm sure. Oh, and where once I had a quick getaway when some boys were fighting and one appeared to be pulling out a gun. I enter the library and wade through a sea of mentally ill and homeless patrons to find the librarian. She's incredibly nice. And looks tough.

In the course of the 30 minutes I was chatting with the librarian at least four people waved hello and she knew them by name. One claimed that the library was the best thing in the world. Another, in a thick Russian accent, said it was like a castle. I looked around wondering if we could possibly be in the same building, and realized there was something wrong with the way I was seeing things, not the way he was.

Perhaps I could use a job that gives me a new perspective.

On my drive to the Santa Monica library where I was working yesterday afternoon, I got a call from LAPL demanding an answer. I had to go up several rungs of bureaucracy to get a hold of the city manager who finally agreed to give me more than 24 hours to decide. So, Monday morning is the decision day for both jobs.

I'll keep you posted.