On books and blood

*Legal disclaimer* The following entry discusses my work. The opinions mentioned herein do not represent the views of my employer. However, given the nature of said opinions, I doubt there will be trouble over it.

I was given the responsibility for ordering French books for adults yesterday. I must confess that the task seems a bit daunting. However, I think I will get used to it and certain aspects of the new assignment look fascinating.

As luck would have it, this week is the Salon du Livre de Montréal. So this morning, I went to scope out some new books for the Library at the Palais de Congrés. At the ticket counter, I was asked if I had a City of Montreal library card which would qualify me for free entry. I replied that I didn't but that I was a librarian working for a public library. The clerk then gave me a free ticket. (I don't know if this qualifies as a conflict of interest, so I will report this when I return to work tomorrow.)

I had thought that today (Thursday) would be quieter than on the weekend. Unfortunately, it was "Matinée scolaire" day so there were a large number of school kids, some of whom were running past me, which caused me to flinch for worry that they would step on my bad foot, as it was relatively unprotected owing to the fact that I had disassembled my left crutch in order to stow in my backpack so I might have a hand free to wield my iPhone and its barcode reader app.

There were a lot of books to consider. I mean a lot. Thanks to the aforementioned iPhone app, I was able to record seventy-odd barcodes which is far more than I would have written down without it. I am certain that some of the books will prove to be ones the Library has already purchased, while others will prove to unsuitable or simply unnecessary. However, the exercise gave me a mental picture of what is out there and gave me some ideas about how the collection might be developed in new directions within the strictures of the Library's acquisition policy. 

One interesting direction was suggested by the presence of a Korean book zone. The Library serves a growing Korean population and interest in Korean literature (in translation) might be spurred on by Han Kang being awarded this year's Nobel Prize for Literature. Another direction the collection might expand into would be the new "romantasy" genre (romance fantasy) that one vendor had a large table dedicated to. Unfortunately, the titles appeared to be mostly translations from English rather than original French works.

There was blood donor clinic set up on the ground floor of the Palais de Congrés. As I was leaving, I stopped by the front desk to thank the volunteers and employees of Héma-Québec, as well as a younger man who was about to give blood. I am alive today because of blood transfusions.

On winterizing the crutches

About a month ago, I was crossing a relatively busy street near my home after dark. The corner wasn't signal controlled but I felt reasonably secure crossing it, keeping my gaze looking towards on-coming traffic. Afterwards, I reasoned that given my relatively slow pace, I should improve my visibility to drivers by digging out my bag of reflective tape and using it on my crutches.

I didn't do so right away for the usual reasons of sloth and the lack of a pressing need. However, a few days later, Louise or Thomas posted a picture of their daughter Tessa going out trick-or-treating dressed in a largely black witch outfit. She was carrying a very traditional looking broomstick with a non-traditional lit-up, high visibility reflective strap attached to it. I commented favourably about that. Thomas, in his wonderful way, replied "It's a government requirement when flying in restricted airspace." I had very good chuckle over that. 

The picture also spurred me to actually find the bag of reflective tape and get to work on my crutches. I probably overdid it, but I have done worse things in my life.

Cut to this Monday, when the forecast for Tuesday included freezing rain in the morning. As I had an appointment with my GP to discuss and renew various prescriptions on Tuesday morning, I decided I would take steps to reduce my chances of a fall. On the way home, I went to a pharmacy where I bought flip down spikes for for my crutches. I like to think that my crutches are now ready for winter.

On the beginning of the end

Words fail me, so just watch this video taken on Thursday during my physio session.

 If I look serious, it is because I am trying not to cry.