People are funny

Today sure was a wild day. It started like a normal day and played out as such until the middle of the afternoon. I was working in the library and we kept hearing rumors of a couple of guys in Ereman's pod getting sick. Since the big stomach flu outbreak, every time more than one person in a dorm shows signs of sickness, that dorm is put on quarantine lockdown for at least three days. Even then, the guys whose sickness initiates the lockdown are confined to their cells for an additional four days - a week total.

During our lunch break in the afternoon we heard over the officer's radios that Ereman's dorm was locked down. Then the guards came looking for anyone out of that pod. Ereman had to report back to his dorm, which meant he wouldn't be able to work this weekend and I would do the book cart on my own. I am fully capable of doing the cart on my own, but it just means that I won't have a day off. I hope the quarantine only last the usual three days so I will have help next week in the library.

Also, during our break I went over to the education department to create and print out some inventory sheets and labels for our one-week books. After I finished the inventory, I went to ask the principal if I could print it out. She brought the finished product and I explained that I also needed to print some labels, showing her the sheets in my hand. The principal directed me to the library secretary to help me.

Now, I figured I would make the document and get help loading the sheets of labels into the printer, but the library secretary had a different idea. She began to create a document and format everything strangely. I suggested that I could use the Excel to make a document in a flash, thinking I would save her from taking time away from whatever she needed to do. She initially said no, then, with some annoyance, told me to use the computer lab to make the labels.

I whipped up the labels in about five minutes and wondered why she was annoyed and thought I should apologize for my assertiveness. As I handed off the file to the secretary, the principal stopped me in the hallway. Apparently, I was not allowed access to her computer and, when I did the inventories, the secretary thought I was trying to take over her computer and tell her how to do her job. I don't know how she got that impression, but I told the principal I would apologize.

When I entered the secretary's office, she had an "I told you so" look and a sheet of misaligned labels. She hadn't done a test sheet on regular paper like she had done for herself. She had wanted to prove me wrong.

I apologized and told her that I was never trying to use her computer. I knew the computer lab was available and planned to do my work there. I also was not trying to tell her how to work, but trying to take initiative on my project ans save her time.

In response, she hammered me in calm but stern tones, saying she would never take instructions from an inmate. She is there to help us, she said, and refuses to be taken advantage of.

Wow, she still doesn't get it. I understand where she is coming from but I don't know how she came to her conclusion about my intentions. I hope that the situation improves over time because I am forced to have a lot of interaction with her through my job. Even if it does get better, I will just maintain a courteous attitude.

The day ended on a good note as we closed the library on account of heavy snowfall. From my cell I could see large flakes floating down to the white blanket beneath my second-floor window. This is the biggest snowfall I've ever seen. I wish I could go outside to play in it and cast aside my cares.

“Nonsense is so good only because common sense is so limited" ~ George Satayana