Today was the last day of the job I have held for eight years. I am thrilled to be starting a new adventure but sad too. My coworkers gave me a party today and they brought vegan treats. Only the second time I’ve ever had “communal” food that I haven’t brought there myself. They were delighted that I had to stand there trying to figure out what I wanted to eat. I had to laugh at how solicitous they all were about whether I was going to be able to ride my bike to my new job. When I told them that I would be able to they were relieved and happy.
And then they gave me cards with lovely messages in them and a gift card to Half Price Books that they had all pitched in for–$100! That almost made me cry.
Tomorrow begins my library adventure.
***
I finished reading Harold Bloom over the weekend but I am in no state at the moment to write about it. I also finished The Journal of Jules Renard. When I posted about it before I had said that I didn’t like it at first but that then I liked it. Well, now that I’m done my final assessment is “meh”.
There are lots of lovely little gems in it like, “A beautiful line of verse has twelve feet, and two wings.” But when I read journals I like to read them to get an intimate sense of the person who wrote them and that was lacking here. Most of the entries consisted of only a sentence or two. I don’t think Renard wrote just that sentence for that day, I think the editors pulled it out of longer entries. There is also no sense of time passing, no sense of a progression of thought or artistic development. If it weren’t for the frequency of the lovely sentences, I would have given up on the book long ago.
This is the first English translation of anything from Renard’s journals. It is too bad too because it will not make people interested in reading more, nor will it make people interested in Renard and his other work. I think the book would only be of note for people who are already familiar with Renard. So if you already know and love Renard, chances are you will enjoy this book. If you like aphoristic sentences, you will probably enjoy this book too. If you want to get to know Renard and his social set, read something else.
Congratulation to your starting a new “chapter” at the library. I’m sure you will be remembered at the old job.
What nice coworkers. I am sure they will miss you, but how exciting to start on a new endeavor–and one that will give you invaluable experience! Good luck on your first day at a new job–it almost feels like starting a new school, doesn’t it!
(And generous coworkers, too!).
What nice coworkers you had. As a vegetarian, not to mention a germaphobe, I always try hard and avoid potlucks.
Good luck at your new job!
That sounds like a wonderful goodbye party! I didn’t know you were vegan-I’ve committed to eating vegan for the next three months (I’m already a vegetarian), and I’m so excited going through all of the cookbooks.
I have a feeling I’ll probably end up staying this way, as long as it doesn’t affect my fibro (which is weird, and responds weirdly to anything, so who knows). Anyway, if you have a favourite recipe, you should share. 
It’s always so bittersweet leaving jobs, but they did a good sendoff for you! How wonderful and it seems they know you well. I can’t wait to hear about your library adventures!
Aww, what a nice send-off! You must have done something right there.
Does old Harold say anything about War and Peace?
My God, I almost had tears in my own eyes at the thought of a $100 gift card!!! I’m so very glad you had a wonderful send off from your old company. Such a good way to close that particular chapter and give you a chance to make the transition to something completely different. What a great start to the new year!
How very nice of your coworkers to throw that party for you and to give such a generous gift! And I’m hoping the library job is great — have a wonderful first day!
They did indeed send you off nicely – I’m happy for you.
Now, as to administrative work in libraries — My experience isn’t the same as what you’ve heard. People fight to the death for administrative positions, and administrators often are the targets of rumours and vendettas that cause them to leave their jobs in one way or another.
I’ve always believed that library administration should be split between (at least) two people: a librarian, who is in charge of collection, programs, outreach, and all of the actual Librarian things, and a business manager, who manipulates the budget to make things happen. Otherwise, the librarian loses touch with why she became a librarian to begin with!
Some advice: don’t let anyone tell you that getting an administrative position is a necessary career move. You might be told that your career is stagnant unless you go into administration. Not true – it depends on where your ambitions lie.
(sorry to rant…)
Hope your first day at the new job was thrilling and fun, Stefanie! A library job…sigh, what a dream!
Congratulations Stefanie on this, your new Library Adventure.
It sounds very exciting.
Some things are just now finally getting back to normal and my family has spent the first half of this day trying to convince me that I should utilize the money left in my mother’s legacy in going back to school to further my education and change my own career path.
Their arguments are sounding very very good about now!
I cannot possibly envision myself working where I currently work, five years from now… much less the rest of my life.
And so your blog-posting is very timely for me. Sometimes “change” is just the thing one needs!
Beginnings and endings. Great way to start a new year! and a party and a gift card to Half Price books? Awesome.
Too bad about the Renard book! Micromanaging the man’s journals like that is a shame.
Matthew, thank you!
Danielle, thank you. You are right, it does almost feel like starting at a new school. I should get myself some new notebooks and pens!
Fern, for all the stress and headaches they caused me, they were nice coworkers.
Eva, I’ve been vegan for about 15 years. My husband does all the cooking but we do have some great recipes most from cookbooks. Our favorite cookbooks are Veganomicon, Vegan with a Vengeance, and How it All Vegan. VegWeb also has loads of great recipes. Good luck!
Daphne, well since they saw me carrying a book around for eight years, at least someone was paying attention!
It was a marvelous send off and completely unlooked for.
Sylvia, you’re right, I must have done something right! Harold does not analyze War and Peace though he does have praise for Tolstoy.
Litlove, it was a nice way to end that chapter of my life and launch off into something new. In spite of everything, they were a good group of people to work with.
Dorothy, I was shocked by the gift. I knew they were up to something but I thought I’d just get cards and maybe a new coffee mug or something. It was a nice surprise.
melanie, no apologies needed! It is good information to know and keep in mind as I move forward in my career.
Peg, thanks! So far things are fantastic. I am beginning to see why librarians report such high job satisfaction.
Cip, thank you. Good luck with making changes of your own!
Carrie, it has been a great way to start the new year. I am feeling very lucky.
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