Libraries, Africa and Porn

I met a librarian yesterday who asked me about my trip with Eric. When I was done telling a few stories she told me the year had clearly changed my world view and because of that I should write a book.

I laughed and tried to play it off but in truth I love hearing those words. It strokes my ego—fat and thick, plump and wide. I know I shouldn’t let it. But I love having strangers tell me my life is novel worthy.

…

I spoke with a girl the other night who told me she loved to travel.

I asked her where she had been and her voice got quiet. Almost ashamed, she said she hadn’t traveled very far or long.

“Nonsense,” I declared feeling like the morale authority. “We all have stories to tell. Where have you gone?”

“Well I just finished an eight month trip in Africa and Eastern Europe,” She whispered sweetly, humbly.

“Oh, wow!” I mouthed shocked. What do you mean you haven’t traveled very long or far? That is amazing.”

“Well it felt like a short time. There was just so much to learn.”

“So what did you learn?”

“Well I am still working on it… but it taught me to listen. It showed me how to love people.”

…

Trying to act grounded with the librarian I changed the subject. “So what in your life has changed your world view?”

“Oh, defiantly my job,” she declared. “The library is so diverse. Everyday between our walls and stacks we have lawyers demanding legal cases, plumbers researching how to open a business and homeless individuals surfing the net to looking at porn.”

“Really?” I said, surprised by the latter.

“Oh yeah! The other day we had to kick a man out for 90 days because he was masturbating at the computer.”

…

I am learning for every story I have there is always someone with one better.

-Kent-