Birthday

Every time I go to borrow a camera from the U, they give me the exact same one, which is fine because I really like using it. I used to be able to borrow it for two weeks, but the guy doing the loaning these days has been very stingy indeed; he will barely let me get away with a few days. Here was our conversation:

Me: I'd like to borrow a camera.
Him: What kind?
Me: Just a point and shoot digital camera.
Him: A video camera or a still camera?
Me: (Thinking, yet again, that I have to use a more descriptive term for camera next time so I can skip this part of the conversation because it's annoying. My stance is, camera is camera. If I want a video camera, I say video camera. Like milk. Milk is milk and if I want chocolate milk I say chocolate milk.) Still.
Him: How long do you want it for?
Me: Can I bring it back on Tuesday?
Him: In five days? No, that's too long.
Me: Well, I live downtown, I'm not on campus very often, but I will be here on Tuesday.
Him: Tuesday morning?
Me: Yes.
Him: 9am?
Me: Sure.
Him: Ummmm, okay, but this goes against our policy.
Me: Thanks!
Him: And just so you know, there are lots of other students who live downtown.
Me: There are? I thought I was the only one.
Him: No, you're not, actually.

I wouldn't normally be so sarcastic towards a stranger, but this guy was being ridiculous. They don't have a policy of any kind - he has a policy. It was Thursday afternoon at this stage. When does he want me to return it - in one day? On Monday? What difference does it make? And since I get the same camera every time and it's there every time I go to get it, cameras aren't exactly in high demand, are they? I pay my tech fees every semester and I return the camera when I say I will and if someone else needed it in the meantime, I'd bring it back sooner, like a library book.

I know it's not fair of me to expect a longer loan based on a precedent established by other tech labbies. I really just want to complain about him because this isn't the first time he's been snarky. I think it's important to him that we both know he is the one holding the position of power.

Moving along, I can now show you pictures! (And yes, I will be using the damn camera for my thesis too, but leisure is a permitted reason to borrow one.)

A brown paper parcel has been sitting on the table for over a week, waiting for today to be opened, because today is my birthday. Let the fun begin!

This is what was inside the box, from B's mom:


On my 17th birthday, I woke up to a similar scene - Mom had laid out seventeen pairs of socks on the table for me. There are only (only!) seven pairs here, but this was just as exciting. And they're knee socks!

Even though the interaction with that guy brought me down, this is a great birthday so far.