Late Training

Whoever invented the saying 'better late than never' was obviously not required to come back to work after a full day to do a training session for students. Not that I mind training students. Of course, it should have been the job of my circulation supervisor. She isn't up to it and is still struggling to keep things at the desk working - a real uptick in activity for her in the new building, one she is none too happy to find herself dealing with.

So I am in charge of the students who have upper level responsibilities and can sub for staff when needed. They are all good students, very responsible, interested in doing a good job, willing to go the extra mile despite the measly pay increase. So back I drag myself for the 9pm session. I have promised munchies, and I stop at Tim Horton's to grab some Tidbits and Dove chocolates.

I realize how different their lives are from mine. They are at the high point of their day, transitioning from 'student' to 'social life' - they are alive, bright-eyed, animated, laughing, looking forward to spending time with friends. I am yawning, slightly fuzzy, bleary-eyed, looking forward to spending time sitting down alone.

Its that way except on nights when I get to do music. Nights when I am directing choir practice, selecting songs for PrayerSong, attending Compline, singing. Then I am awake, energetic, focused - even if I have been up for hours and pummeling out work at the library and home. Ah, me. So often I wish I lived in a world that was all music. Maybe that's what heaven will be.

Meantime, we step through the agenda, they seem happy to learn how to supervise students, how to close the building, how to do the advanced circulation pieces. The hour flies by before I realize, and soon I am heading off for my snug little bed and they to their various activities. It wasn't bad at all, intersecting with a different world. Even if it wasn't a music one.