An Update No One Has Asked For

Hello Possums! I'm just popping in to bring you all some news about Paul. You might remember Paul as he's been with me from the beginning, and was also the subject of a 2019 update, but you haven't heard about him in 2020 (probably because I've barely written anything here this year!).

This may be a short post, because I'm here to tell you no news is good news when it comes to a bunion. Paul has been in remarkably good temper these days, barely ever causing me to whimper in pain. At first I thought it was because my body clearly has remarkable healing abilities, but then I realized my lack of foot discomfort is all due to the pandemic.

On March 16 my office got sent home to continue our work there for the foreseeable future, and so March 16 marks the last day that I spent any kind of significant time in shoes. Paul (and I assume all bunions) doesn't like the confines of footwear, and without that constant pressure on him, turns out he's not as much of an asshole (there's likely deeper symbolism there...).

Now I'm not working in my pjs (although no judgement if you are), I'm changing into "work clothes" (a loose criteria, admittedly) every morning, but putting shoes on never occurred to me. Then I read an article on social media (okay, I read the headline, who am I trying to impress?) that recommended wearing shoes during your work day, even at home, to, I don't know, boost productivity?  It could have been an article like this one, or maybe like this one, but whatever it was, it featured a photo like this:

BAHAHAHAHA!!! (The sound of Paul and me laughing)

Now I don't wear shoes like that under any circumstances, but the idea of anyone putting those on to GO NOWHERE is, scientifically speaking, bananas.

When the weather was cold, Paul and I mostly hung out in these through the day.

Basically foot sleeping bags

Now that it's quite a bit warmer, Paul is free range, and I spend most days barefoot. Even when I leave my house for a walk or an errand, it's usually in sandals that afford Paul maximum comfort. 

There may end up being a lot of difficult adjustments when work-from-home ends and we have to go back into our offices, but for me, forcing Paul back into shoes might just prove too much. I may be a foot nudist from here on out, or at least a year-round sandal wearer (I can rock a winter socks and sandals look like you wouldn't believe). There's a lot of chaos and anxiety swirling around right now, mixed in with rather a lot of uncertainty and fear, but Paul has never been better. Small victories, wherever we can find them.

Return to the Library

On Friday March 13th I sat with my colleagues sorting out how we would move our work online and home as it seemed inevitable that we would soon be called to do so. Rumours began trickling in about other businesses and services that might also close.

"I need to get to the liquor store," my colleague said, just as I said, in the same panicked tone, "I need to get to the library." He gave me a look that made me understand our quarantine experiences would be very different.

The next day I had planned to take my kids to our library branch, but I came down with a brief and ferocious cold. Given that we were entering a pandemic state, I didn't think it wise to take my dribbly face out of the house, so my husband took our daughters to the library. They came back with two very full bags, beaming. "We took out 40 books!" my eldest told me proudly. "Excellent," I replied, although I wondered how long those would last.

True to form, a week later all the library books had been read. Thankfully we were able to set the girls up with Overdrive from the library, and their school provided them with Epic accounts, so the reading could continue. I also ordered online from a spectacular used book store in Elora that offered porch pick up.

The delightful Twice Loved Books, photo taken from their Facebook page

Flash forward to mid-June when I was chatting with my good friend and work-wife Lauren, and she casually mentioned that she'd heard the library would begin offering curb side pick up. All other discussions immediately stalled as I confirmed on the library website that my friend was not cruelly pranking me; library books were returning! I began putting titles on hold as Lauren tried desperately to return the conversation to its original intention. I wasn't much of a conversationalist after hearing the news I'm afraid (to be fair, she should have known. I believe she is one of my 7 blog readers).

Finally, the day arrived when I received my first (in a long time) email notification that a book I'd put on hold was ready for pick up. I arrived at the library and was greeted by a friendly librarian who walked me through the safety procedures before I entered. I gushed about how exciting the day was, overful with joy.

All you have to do is follow a few very reasonable safety precautions, and they will give you books! BOOKS!!!

I entered that wonderful building and waited for my turn to present my card and receive my book. I had expected to feel elated to be back in the library after 3 months, and I was, but an unexpected feeling began to creep in. As I looked around the space, usually bustling with people, I became melancholy in its stillness. There were only a handful of librarians hard at work, maintaining distance and wearing their protective gear. The beautiful atrium area, normally a place to sit down with a coffee and reading material, was of course empty. Don't get me wrong, I was (and am) thrilled to be able to get books again, but standing there I felt how much more the library is than just books. Even the books, as a collection, were unavailable, as when I'm feeling overwhelmed I like to just be among the books in the stacks, possibly the nerdiest thing about me. (That's not true, the nerdiest thing about me is the fact that I have my 14-digit library card number memorized for efficient hold management. Or maybe it's the fact that I have this blog.)

Not a gathering place for a while still.

The shelves of books that I cannot run my hands across.

It's going to be a very different summer for us with the library only available for brief pop-ins to pick up our material. There won't be any stops in after a hot summer walk to cool down, maybe join in an activity, or just sit together and read. And, of course, it'll be much harder for people who depend on that space as a cooling centre in the stifling heat of July and August. I'm so thankful for all the librarians working hard to bring us back books. And I can't wait until we can return to the space for more than just books, for the community it provides.

I'm Finally Writing About My China Trip!!!

Hello patient possums!

It's been four months since I was in China on a professional development trip, so I've owed you a post about it for about 3 months and 3 weeks (giving myself a little jet-lag recovery). What I'm saying is, this is very late in coming, and my apologies.

I visited Beijing and Xi'an with two of my lovely colleagues from work to get a better understanding of the Chinese student experience. We spent most of the trip touring university campuses and talking to colleagues there. The campuses were lovely, and many included a water element.

Beautiful pagoda

Series of bridges

I snapped a picture of the library at Beijing Jiatong University, but sadly our schedule didn't allow for a visit.

University library that I didn't go into

Our schedule was pretty packed, but we did manage to visit some incredible sights.

Yup, that's me on the Great Wall of China. You better believe I rocked that fanny pack the WHOLE trip!

The Forbidden City

Breathtaking Buddha in the Lama Temple

Having a sit at the Summer Palace

Either the drum temple or the flower temple in Xi'an

But what, I hear you ask, about the libraries? I'm slightly ashamed to admit that, even though our hotel in Beijing was quite close to the National Library of China, I didn't make it inside. This omission was partly because we did have a very busy schedule, but I also found the entrance requirements to the library a little intimidating. Our lovely tour guide Jack (Tao) told me that I would need to bring my passport and exchange it for a temporary card before I could enter the building. I was a little concerned about navigating that process in a non-tourist destination where, in all likelihood, my lack of Chinese language skills would be a problem. So the closest I got was this shot of me in front of the building.

Fun fact, that umbrella was pretty flimsy, but made for very lovely pops of colour in photographs

I don't feel too badly, though, because it turns out that I found little libraries everywhere! In the lobby of our first hotel in Beijing, I found this.

Mystery library?

To be clear, I don't know what the sign says, so maybe this isn't a library at all, but I suspect it's a "need a book, take a book, leave a book" kind of arrangement for travelers. Because I wasn't sure I didn't take anything, although there were a few English books that were tempting.

We popped into a convenience store/bubble tea emporium close to our hotel, and bam! Another library.

Surprise library

People were working, parents reading with their kids, it was great! No English titles that I could find though, so I just soaked up the atmosphere.

Another library snuck up on me when we were getting some coffee and tea for the bullet train ride back to Beijing (and yes, the bullet train was very cool).

A few customers were reading while they sipped their coffee

We also visited an INCREDIBLE bookstore in Xi'an. 

So many books!

Look at all the books!

They had a small section of English books, mostly classics, so I picked up a copy of Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence as a souvenir.

That's some good reading right there

The bookstore featured, obviously, lots of books for purchase, but also had some library qualities, such as the children's area where staff members were reading books to the assembled little ones. (There was also, inexplicably, a substantial bulk popcorn area.)

Children being read to, not popcorn

And so I managed to find libraries throughout my travels, and got to spend some time among my beloved books.

Also, the food was pretty spectacular.

Everything in this meal was NOM NOM NOM!!!

Update

Hello dear readers!

I owe you a post because 1) it's been a while, and 2) I went to freakin' CHINA(!) and managed to visit a few libraries and bookstores, but I'm not here today to talk about that. Today I need to update you all on a situation. And that situation is named Paul Bunion.

Avid readers will remember  Paul from my very first post. At that point Paul was just an obtrucance (obtrusion nuisance) that contributed to the Hobbit-like appearance of my feet, but wasn't a source of discomfort. Well, Paul's getting uncomfortable.

I went to the doctor and was told that, if things got significantly worse, the treatment is a horrific-sounding surgery where the bone (AKA Paul) is shaved down, which is terrible enough, but then you have to stay off of your feet for quite a while to recover. Turns out, I use my feet pretty much daily. So the doctor recommended I wear shoes that are spacious at the top, which was easy in the summer (hello sandals at work!), but is more difficult now that the weather is cold. So basically, I've done nothing to improve the bunion situation.

So I really shouldn't be surprised that Paul is now letting me know, in tiny little spurts of stabbing pain, that all is not well. Right now I'm able to push through and (mostly) ignore Paul, but I have a feeling he isn't going to like that. He had settled down a bit, enough that I had pretty much forgotten his recent displeasure, until I went ice skating today in very structured, toe-constrained figure skates. Less than one lap around the rink and Paul reminded me he would prefer I NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!!!

I wonder if they make wide-toed iced skates...

Paul June 2018 - the early days

Paul Nov 2019 - have things gotten worse?!?!?

 

Actual Pilgrimage!

Possums! I'm here to tell you that I went on an actual library pilgrimage! Well, a pilgrimage in the sense that I traveled a great distance, but in truth, only one library was visited. But it was lovely!

In June we went on a family vacation to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, a wee, picturesque island in the Atlantic.

The Azores are part of Portugal

Although our intention with this trip wasn't solely to visit a new (and European!) library, I will let you know that I confirmed there was a library in Ponta Delgada before I booked our Airbnb. I'm no fool.

Now I could go on and on about the views in the Azores,

or the natural wonders,

the interesting sights,

or the local flora,

but you're not here for all that (yawn!). You're here for the sweet, sweet library talk.

Conveniently, the library was about a fifteen minute walk  from our apartment, which we discovered our first night on the island when we went on a gelato mission. From our favourite gelato shop (we tried many) we could see the library. As it was after dinner, a plan was made to return the next day.

And return we did. The unassuming entrance to the library did not betray the beautiful design housed inside.

There was colour to be found in the library as well.

Tile art on the stairs

Since we had been out walking in the sun, the first stop was the library cafe which had a courtyard (how civilized!) where we enjoyed some cool beverages.

Then we were off to explore the children's area. My older daughter quickly found a book on her favourite topic - didn't matter that it was in Portuguese.

All cats, all the time

My younger daughter was interested in the board games and puzzles that they had, so we grabbed Guess Who and took it to our table.

As we were getting the game set up I noticed how many teenagers there were in the children's area (turned out the library was crawling with teens; I think they were preparing for end-of-the-year exams). "They probably find it so babyish in this section," I thought, hoping the sound of our playing wouldn't disturb them.

After we finished our game, as we were putting it away, one of the teens came over to us, and in broken English asked if she could have the game. She took it back to her table and set it up to begin playing with her friend. Not so babyish after all.

We made our way up to the second floor once the games were done and all the cat pictures had been observed. Here we found more teens, but also some beautiful natural light and wood flooring.

What a stunner!

All libraries should have a sky light

And as we were wrapping up our visit, I looked down to the floor below me and saw a man reading possibly the biggest and oldest book I had ever seen.

I don't know what he was looking for, but it was clear that the history that was being housed in the library was put to good use.

It was a beautiful trip, and a lovely library. I hope to return one day. If you're ever there, stop in and have a peek.

Next-Level Library Accessories

Hellllloooooooooooo (that's the sound of me greeting you from far away because it has been SO LONG SINCE I'VE POSTED!)!!!

All my writing for the past few months has been for the course that I've been taking at work/school (spoiler - they're the same place for me!), but with my final assignment submitted, I'm DOOOOOONNNNNNNEEEEE!!! (sorry for yelling at you so much)

The smaller the bird, the bigger the yell
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

With my final essay submitted, it was time for me to return my research books to the library on campus (shout out to university libraries and their tremendously generous loan times - we're talking months at a time!).

Not my actual books - think what I could have written with these beauties!
Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash

While dropping my books off I remembered one of my favourite new features of my at-work library which I am so excited to be able to share with you...

WHHHAAAAAAAA?!?!?!?

IT'S A DING DANG SLEEPING POD!!!!

The front pulls around for maximum serenity, and you can program the length of your nap and the soothing sounds you would like pumped into your ears while you rest. NEXT LEVEL!!!

So modern

It's like the dentist's chair, except soothing and relaxing, not jaw-clenching and anxiety producing. Now the real question is, would I feel too self-conscious to sleep in the library, in front of people who may judge me?

No. I would not. Sweet dreams!

Wine Shopping

Happy New Year readers!

My classy cat, celebrating in style.

New Year's Day seems like a good time to share my wine purchasing story. It doesn't really have anything to do with libraries, unless you consider a wine store to be like a library, except there aren't books only bottles, and you don't borrow the wine, so...nope, this story has nothing to do with libraries.

A while back my boss was leaving our office, so we decided to send him off with some booze (as all good employees do). I was tasked with procuring said booze, so I went to my colleague who knows about these things, and he looked up the LCBO's wine list, found a few good choices which were apparently in stock at the closest outlet, and jotted them down for me.

Off I went, and spent a good twenty minutes searching for the wine on my list. I double checked that I was looking in the right country and not trying to find a red in amongst the whites. All was good on my end, yet I couldn't find the bottle.

This was not, apparently, my wine country.

Finally, probably after longer than it should have been (I'm a bit stubborn), I asked one of the staff at the LCBO if he knew where I could find the wine on my list. He took my little scrap of paper, read the wine, and said "of course, follow me", and then took me over to the section of the wine store that I had always assumed was only for the revoltingly rich and from which I would be swiftly asked to leave should I enter - the Vintages.

So fancy, so classy.

He quickly found the wine on my list while I marveled that there were wines here that didn't have enough value to put my children through university, that I, with my $30 in coins and small bills collected from my colleagues, could indeed purchase a fancy bottle of wine. I'm sure there were also wines in that area that cost a pretty penny, but they were probably behind locks or up high where my grubby paws can't reach.

I thanked my new friend and took my bottle over to the cashier when it dawned on me; I had never in my life, until that moment, bought a nice bottle of wine. All of my wine selections had come from the equivalent of the dollar store offerings, purchased "off the rack" as it were. 

Armed with this new knowledge about the relative affordability of the Vintages section, I realize I could purchase more wine from there, but I haven't been back since. Partly it's because I don't actually buy a lot of wine, but I suspect that if I were to return to Vintages and peruse on my own, I would find my hands wrapped around a bottle whose price tag comes close to my pay cheque, and it would inevitably be at this moment that my clumsiness would stumble by, and I would be left with a very expensive pile of broken glass. I'll stick to dropping a $10 bottle of wine from the bargain section.

My inevitable future.