Colleague asked me to step into his faculty's library committee this afternoon as he was away. There was a part of me that didn't mind, but the more I 'uncovered' the more I found the whole thing a bit frustrating.

First I found out his daughter's wedding (the excuse) wasn't until the weekend; second he hadn't been to his last library committee meeting either; third, these are rather crucial times finance wise. He didn't brief me at all save to say that there were no 'issues' to worry about but the head of our acquisitions, J, was wiser than that and came the day before to tell me all sorts of things I had to understand and convey to them.

I know that numbers aren't really my thing - give me words anyday! - and the meeting seemed to go well enough. But I was frustrated to find afterwards that some of what J picked up on afterwards from the meeting just wasn't adequate to our needs. Well... several obvious responses leapt to mind. Ah well.

Melancholic moment this afternoon as we dedicated a bench in the memorial garden (i.e. the patch of grass just outside the Library's back door where we can sit when it's sunny). It was dedicated to the member of staff who died in post and who sat with me doing cryptic crosswords. His widow did the honors; photos were taken; memories were shared.

I know, I know, I know... it's been dreadfully quiet here of late.

I've not given up but have found that Twitter has perhaps taken some of energy/news/psychological space that might otherwise have found its way here.

I'm reviewing whether I continue, whether I change the subject of the blog entirely, or whether I decide to move all such commentary just to Twitter. I think the latter would be a shame as 140 characters isn't always enough for the required catharsis, the middle option is probably too scary - but I don't want to "just" carry on out of habit.

Will keep you posted. One way or the other.