Today I sought out contact information for Captain Nichola Goddard'sfamily. She was the first Canadian soldier to be killed in action since World War II. She was the same age as myself.

A library patron wanted to send a card expressing condolences. As it is a fairly common last name in the area, we ended up finding the contact information for St. Barnabas Anglican Church, the location of the memorial service. Sending a card to express condolences is hard enough for me when dealing with loved ones, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, so the idea of writing to a complete stranger seems rather radical. On the other hand, it is truly touching they way people are compelled to reach out to complete strangers.

In other less sober contemplations, how do you politely ask a co-worker to stop talking to you? You know, the type of co-worker that provides a continual stream of conversation framed as advice for the new professional but constantly side-tracking into the personal, the bizarre and the deep depths of workplace gossip. It was a very entertaining afternoon, time passed quickly, however, I am assuaged with guilt, undone tasks, and just more guilt. I'll have to go home and clean out a closet or something.... But I must say that I've observed that the chattiest libraries are the happiest libraries when it comes to staff job satisfaction. I myself am guilty of quite a lot of chit-chat, particularly when I'm am happily working alongside any of my favorite co-workers that I may not have seen in a week or two.

I'm off to a librarian party and it's supposed to be a rager. My brother smirked and said, "Oh really? You've been waiting two years for this!" My friend and partner in crime is unable to make it out with me due to illness, (feel better soon!) and now I'm dragging my feet a bit not knowing who will show. Truth be told, it's an archivist party and that's a whole 'nother thing.