Why Not To Sign Release Papers.

Um...Yeah.

So about two months ago I was running errands on my day off. I really love running errands and I wish I was being sarcastic. But I'm not. I love grocery shopping, trips to the library, browsing stores...you get the picture. I like having nothing to do, except the small things that keep me going.

Which is why the library is my favorite place in the whole entire world. Free Books. Free Dvd's. Free Cd's. Sure you can only have them for a limited amount of time but still....Freebies. And this library is amazing. Three floors, a stellar computer area (sans the porn watching fellows) and their dvd rental is like being in a video store. You can find new releases if you look hard enough, and some days you can find movies that I didn't even know where on DVD.

I spend a huge chunk of my time at the library. I love their collection and I love coming home with a handful of stuff. So on that day, two months ago, when I stopped at the library after buying some clothes from the mall and food, I was eager to pick out a few books and dvd's for myself.

But in an attempt to draw more patrons to the library, they were doing this campaign of sort to take pictures of normal people taking advantage of the services provided by the library. Their pictures would appear in the bi-monthly newsletter. I did not know this then. I was simply picking out a crapload of book when I noticed a professional photographer snapping pictures of people. I didn't really think he would take a pic of me. But then as I was standing in some aisle contemplating what books, out of the ten that I had pulled, I would bring home I saw Mr. Camera Man from the corner of my eye. I knew that he wanted to take a picture of me, but because I spotted him I started to smile because I knew the picture was ruined. He snapped at me anyway and then asked if I wouldn't mind taking some pictures in front of the Teen area because I look like I am in high school.

What was I suppose to say? No. I don't feel comfortable having my picture taken. Sorry, but I 'd rather not. Hey, I don't look like a teenager. But I just said yes, because I love the library. I mean love the place, and hey a few pictures here and there can't hurt. They probably wont even use it. So he snapped some pics of me looking very pensive and annoyed. awkward and strained in front of the teen books. I don't even think I smiled, it was more of a 'is this over yet' smirk. He thanked me for my patience and then the librarian who was escorting him around asked if I would sign some release papers, so that they could use the pictures if necessary. I did, because honestly I didn't think they would use them.

But two days ago, I was making the rounds at my favorite day off places and I stopped at the library to pick up some books. As I was walking to the entrance I noticed that the windows of the library now featured various poster like promos from that photo op day. Posters featuring people in the library doing patron like things. One guy was reading the newspaper, another lady was standing at the circulation desk talking to the librarian, and then another young lady with a striking resemblance to me, is standing in front of the teen aisle smirking...wait a minute...is that my motherfucking face!

Yes. It. Is. I'm not only featured in some newsletter like I was told. Instead my face, along with others, is plastered on the ground floor, wall length windows! And of course, for some reason, my photo is placed near the entrance of the library.... for everyone to see. I am holding ten books, listening to my ipod, carrying a Charlotte Rouse bag and looking like a teenager. What the hell?!?!?

I had to do a double take. Then a triple take. Then I called my mom, but she didn't answer. Then I called Marie but she didn't answer. Then I tried to cover the picture with my hand but it's pasted on the inside of the window.

Mortified is the only word I have.

So yeah, don't sign release papers unless you want to be on some poster for the library. I don't know how long that crap picture is going to be up, but I hope they take it down soon. Because last night I was stopped by a customer who saw my picture and who wanted to give me the thumbs up 'for my 15 minutes of fame'. I'm good, I don't want any 15 minutes of anything. I prefer fading in the background most days.