Walking to the Library

If you know me at all, you can probably guess I have a ton of memories and crazy adventures at the library.  The library is 50 min away by foot according to google maps. Now being an adult and able to drive, it would take 5 min to get there by car. But as a middle or high schooler, I couldn’t drive, so 50 min would have been the barrier I saw.  This is how I did the math.  In those days I would come home at 3pm and my parents would come home at 5pm.  If the walk is 50 min, I could walk there, spend 20 min finding a book, and come back in time.  I never actually did this, but it seemed plausible.  Today, I decided to take that adventure to go there and come back in a 2 hour span.

I took all the tools necessary: my expired library card, my driver’s license to prove I exist so I can renew my library card, my MVGS backpack that I know can hold all the books I want, and my cell phone because every story needs a deus ex machina.  Since the library opens at 10am, I left at 9:10 predicting I would make it in time.  It was a cool 70 degrees…if you ignore the 80% humidity.  Keeping my backpack on made me sweaty.  Not wanting to get sweaty so early in the journey because of an empty backpack, I took it off and held it in my hand, switching off as my arm got tired holding its emptiness.  On the way, I got bored with just walking, cursing the fact I didn’t leave my headphones in the backpack.  Luckily, Krystal was online to discuss sophisticated topics like James, makeup, and if North Korea is actually a Chinese conspiracy.  By distracting myself, I past my normal running zone into uncharted territory. 

You thought I wasn't serious didn't you?

I continued in the direction to the library, keeping parallel to the main road.  Zigzagging through the suburban jungle, I realize that sometimes you need to go deeper in order to escape…aka I hit a cul de sac and needed to find another road.  I went deeper until I hit a road called Lakeside.  Knowing I needed a road with an L, but not realizing it was named for the lake at its side, I took the road until I ended up at another fork.  I proceeded deeper until I ended up at another cul de sac.  I had 20 min until 10am, so I didn’t want to admit defeat.  I took the path any adventurer would take: I sat down behind a bush to hide and opened google maps on my phone.  I was going the right direction…if I wanted to climb through a swamp and swim a lake.  I found which way I needed to go and retraced my steps.

I proceeded to the road that led to the main road.  I repeatedly glanced at the swamp at my side, knowing that if I crossed it I would get to the library quickly.  I calculated the risk of getting wet in the swamp vs. taking this path to the main road.  As I contemplated, a girl with a pick bicycle whizzed past me. With her backpack and water bottle, I assumed she was also going to the same destination, so I tried to follow her.  Alas, wheels are the king of the road while feet are just peasants.  I quickened my stride until the road ended; there was only a few feet to the library.  I saw the girl rolling her bike up the grassy hill.  As a mature person, I internally laughed at how the situation changes, as grass is super effective against bikes while feet have dominion.  I finally got to the library at 9:56, so I chilled by the lake, happy about my accomplishment. 

Good thing I didn't actually swim this

Finally entering the cool library, I found all the books I wanted and went to check them out.  Showing them my card, they ask me my age.  Naïve as I was, I told them the truth, not realizing the implications.  The woman broke the news to me: I am an adult, and as such I need a totally new library card. I was sent to fill out an online form for a new card.  The form was simple enough, with the exception that it required a middle name, which I do not possess.  I tricked the computer with a space and printed out the form.  Afterwards I gave it to the lady and she took my old card and cut it in front of my eyes! I don’t remember things well, I sometimes don’t remember my home telephone number, but one number I have never forgotten was my library number.  It was the key to 2 hours of internet at the library as a child and it allowed me to check out books at handley without actually bringing my card.  In one fell swoop that number was destroyed in front of my eyes and I was handed a new one.  For all time, let 29925000705223 live on in our hearts. 

I finally got my books and left the library at 10:25.  I got back home at 11:00 exactly.  Overall the trip took 1 hour and 50 min, so as a kid I may have made it back home in time, though I’m probably more fit/have longer legs now.  Though just a minor event, I’ll add all the symbolism I want to it because I can! Fulfillment of childhood by going? Check. Rejection of adulthood by not driving? Check. Rejection of childhood by society symbolized by the cutting of the old card? Check.  I can spin it however I want.  This is why life is sometimes cooler than books I brought home

.