One of the best things about my job is the diversity of tasks. Sure, there are boring days when everything seems same old, same old. And then there are days like last Thursday, when we celebrated the second installment of Popcorn Thursday. Nowhere in my job description does it say that I must know how to run a commercial popcorn machine — just one of the many, many skills I’ve acquired along the way! (I’m also quite handy with the broom and vacuum afterward…especially last week when the teens decided to have a food fight with the buttery weapon of choice…sigh.)
And then there’s the library mascot. It was my idea to have a mascot, and I spent two years (at least!) wearing down the boss who didn’t want one, didn’t see the point, and sure as heck was NOT going to be commandeered into wearing it! Since I am a firm believer in not asking anyone to do something I won’t do myself, I have happily (and sweatily) become…ELLA THE ELEPHANT!
Ella’s really quite a nice costume. She’s a natural grey (there were pink, blue, and other assorted wildly-colored elephants in the catalog) with a trunk that can be made to move up and down. There are mitts and spats for her four paws. (Wait…do elephants have paws?) She is made out of fake fur plush, so it’s definitely warm inside. Then the costume designer thought it would be good to round her out, so to speak. So she also has foam padding and quilting throughout the torso — perfect for those long winter nights. For parades in June? Not so much…
Yes, I did wear Ella and ride on the bookmobile in the annual Blue Tip Parade. She was a real hit with the kids who called and waved. She flirted with the dour-looking old guys slumped in lawn chairs. And she was propositioned by a group of young guys who dared their buddy to… well, you figure it out!
It’s really a blast to wear a costume. Ella doesn’t speak, so everything is pantomime. I can be as silly as I want (or can manage in the suit!). People can’t help but smile when they see a human-sized elephant gallumping around the library. Must say, though…I think the Santa parade in November will be more comfortable!
Here’s Ella…
The Light From Within 