The Fix Is In!

Robyn (not Robin) and Donovan spent today fixing problems with the annual inventory, investigating discrepancies and making adjustments. After everyone was done, we posted the inventory (at around 6:30 P.M.) and then started to party: dancing on the fixtures, guzzling champagne straight from the bottle, celebrating New Fiscal Year Eve in grand style. Happy New Fiscal Year Everyone!

Inventory Time!

Today is the day we take inventory at the DU Bookstore. Marty - pictured above - is the "Inventory Czar." He runs the whole operation. Although we did inventory today, there is still a lot of work to be done. Tomorrow the staff will have to investigate 87 pages of variances before inventory can be posted. However, despite the hard work, it is also a happy time. Friday is the start of the new fiscal year, which puts everyone in a lighthearted mood. Everybody seems to feel much closer to their fellow employees this time of year (or at least hate each other less). After we close the doors at 5:00 tomorrow night - it is after all New Fiscal Year Eve - we will all exchange little gifts, drink champagne, and toast each other's health. As we leave the store, Marty will shout out the traditional "Happy New Fiscal Year To All, And To All a Good Night." Just a magical time.

A Portrait of Stuart

Stuart and I had dinner on the patio of the Wynkoop Brewery tonight before going to the White Sox - Rockies game at Coors Field. Stuart is a Chicago Cubs fan. The Cubs play on the North side of Chicago, and the White Sox play on the South side of the city. The teams have a major rivalry going. Stuart was hoping that the Rockies would crush the White Sox tonight. That's a Northsider for you. In point of fact, both teams looked like neither wanted to win the game. Tonight was a portrait of two teams going nowhere fast. Kind of like my life as of late.

Quick Copy Center Update!

The Quick Copy Center, which was unceremoniously thrown out of the University of Denver's Penrose Library, is being relocated to the DU Bookstore. The prospect of working in the Bookstore was such a stunningly wonderful prospect that Gina, Quick Copy's long time Manager, had to retire. The alternative would have been the use of powerful prescription drugs. In any case, the project is behind schedule - surprise! - and will not be completed until July 8th. Keep those photocopy projects on hold until then.

Sunday in Washington Park

Today was the first Sunday of summer. Everyone was out and about in Washington Park today, enjoying the hot and sunny weather. There were all kinds of baby geese in the park today, closely following their parents around. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago I witnessed a woman stopping traffic in both directions of University Boulevard to let a large family of geese cross the road, on their way back to the park. Everyone dutifully stopped as the geese slowly made their way across the 4 lane highway. Maybe they should put up warning lights.

Great News on the Nightclub Front!

Chloe, a trendy new LoDo nightclub, will be opening at the corner of 15th and Blake Street in Denver very soon. It is named after a fictional socialite that has made this discotheque her hangout. The press releases say this is the type of place where patrons might spontaneously jump up on their tables and dance the night away. We used to have places like this on the south side of Chicago, too. My only advice, gained from personal experience, is to hold on to your drinks very tightly at all times.

Inventory Time!

Yes, once again, it is inventory time at the DU Bookstore. Our fiscal year ends on June 30th, and we need to take an inventory in order to balance our books. Marty - pictured above - is the DU Bookstore's "Inventory Czar." He is in charge of making sure that everything goes off without a hitch. And if things go wrong, it will all be his fault. Works for me!

Gina's Retirement Party!

The Bookstore Division had a retirement party for Gina, the Manager of both the University of Denver's Quick Copy Center and Mail Services Department, this afternoon. Gina is 55 years old, three years younger than me, and yet SHE now gets to retire. Not that I am jealous or anything, and that I have to wait at least 3 1/2 more years until I can retire. But no matter - it was a very nice party. In the photograph above, Tristy, the Bookstore Director (on the left), and Gina (on the right) clown around in front of the giant wine cask at the HRTM Building. I highly suspect that wine was involved.

Another 6:30 A.M. Opening!

Darrel and I got to the DU Bookstore at 6:30 A.M. today to let the workers in. They are building a new location for the Quick Copy Center in the corner of the Bookstore, after the Penrose Library unceremoniously threw Quick Copy out. I only have to open the store that early in the morning once a week, while Darrel does it every day. I don't see how he does it. It is dark out, long before the sun has risen, and on my way to work this early in the morning I have seen vampires and ghouls wandering around the campus. Of course, Darrel drives to work every day, while I have to walk. I guess that makes a difference.

The First Day of Summer!

It is the first day of summer - another year has passed, and once again we all get to enjoy this wonderful season. Life is such a miracle - we are given this short time on earth, and then it is over, and we are gone forever. Some people make a tremendous impact on history, but for the rest of the human race the memories of us will fade away quickly. After a couple of generations, none of us will be remembered. Is it all worth it? What is the point? Is it worth all the pain and suffering all of us experience in this life? I have absolutely no answers. Do you? Please let me know.

Chris and Noah Keep On Going!

Another Monday morning - rainy and gloomy. Still, Chris and Noah keep on working, doing their best to keep the Bookstore going. Me, not so much. But, in my defense, I am getting old, and beginning to feel it. What city do I live in again? Denver? You're crazy! Way to go, Chris and Noah!!!

Fort Collins, Pizza, Cold Beer - And Yes - Dogs!

I spent Sunday afternoon visiting with my sister Susan, brother-in-law George, their cat (named Mighty Aphrodite), and their two dogs, although I must say it sounded like at least 5 or 6 dogs. The pizza and cold beer were nice, but the constant barking, on a long term basis, would make anyone crazy. That explains a lot.

Back To (What Passes For) Normal

For the first time since December, my apartment is back to normal. First there was a kitchen repair that took 3 months, forcing me to wash dishes in the bathroom and have the entire contents of my kitchen spread all over the apartment. Then, while my sink was finally being reinstalled, came a deluge that flooded most of the apartment. It took another 3 months to get the carpet replaced, during which time furniture was placed helter skelter about the apartment, and most of my possessions were stacked to the rafters in boxes in my den. Not that I'm complaining, of course. I know these things take time and must be carefully thought out. It's just that the planning for this seemed to take longer than planning for D-Day.

Lauren and Trish are Prepared

Today was the first day of the summer quarter at DU's Women's College, and Lauren and Trish were ready for the onslaught. The onslaught never showed up, but Lauren and Trish were ready anyway. I wonder if we need to start worrying about internet competition? Maybe the net isn't just a fad after all?

Congratulations Graduates!

No fewer than four work study students at the DU Bookstore graduated last week. Today we had a celebration for them in the Bookstore's breakroom. Ashley, Jamie, Robyn, and Lauren all graduated this year. All of them seem to have the same life goal - not working at the DU Bookstore for the rest of their lives. What's up with that?

A Win Win Situation!

Not only will construction on the new Quick Copy Center at the DU Bookstore continue through next month, but it also has an added side benefit. The construction workers need to get into the store at 6:30 A.M. and therefore at least two Bookstore employees need to get there at 6:30 A.M. too. As a result, the Bookstore is now opening at 7:30 each weekday. I haven't seen a customer before 8:30 yet, so we are able to get a lot of work done. You can imagine how happy that makes us all feel. A win win situation, as the business consultants say.

Quick Copy Relocates!

The University of Denver's Quick Copy Center is relocating to a corner of the DU Bookstore, and work on the site is progressing at a fast pace. The Penrose Library is going through a major remodeling, and the Quick Copy Center needed to relocate. Gina, the Manager of the Quick Copy Center, was so excited about relocating to the DU Bookstore that she needed to retire for health reasons. Some people can't stand such happy news without the aid of major prescription drugs. Good Luck Gina!

A Visit From Dee!

Dee visited the DU Bookstore today on the first day of summer classes. Dee says nothing is new with her - she is just hanging out around campus being colorful. Colorful in both clothing and personality, I might add. Way to go, Dee!

Stuart Tinkles (On The Ivories)

My friend Stuart (pictured above) plays a few numbers on one of the pianos on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. Afterwards, we had dinner at the Tilted Kilt. This restaurant is most famous for the traditional Scottish costumes it's waitresses wear, which are replicas of serving wench costumes from 16th century Edinburgh. It is so admirable that these ancient traditions are maintained even to this day. I just love tradition!

Money From Uncle Sam!

For the second year in a row, the IRS says that I failed to take the "Make Working Count" credit, and that I overpaid my taxes by $400. This is great news, but I still have a hard time believing that you can get a $400 tax credit just for having a job. It sounds very suspicious to me. In any case, if 100 million taxpayers who work for a living get back $400 each, that totals to 4 billion dollars. That is a drop in the bucket compared to a trillion dollar yearly deficit, but still, you have to wonder - are these guys stupid, or what?

Rental Madness!

Marty - the DU Bookstore's Textbook and General Merchandise Manager (pictured above) - is closing the books on the spring quarter's textbook rental program. He has had to deal with books not returned, phone calls from people claiming they already returned the books, and various death threats. Marty, the "father of the DU Bookstore's textbook rental program," is taking it all in stride. He is in control. Way to go Marty!

DU Summer Camp!

There are something like 1,000 junior Lacrosse players on the DU campus this week. They range in age from around 1 to approximately 14. All of these kids are carrying a Lacrosse stick, which as far as I can tell can be used as a lethal weapon. If these little maniacs decide to storm the DU Bookstore, we are all doomed. I'm just saying...

Owen Stays Positive!

The University of Denver Bookstore started a rental program this quarter, and will need to return one to two thousand books this quarter to it's wholesaler. A great success! Now that the rental period is over, Owen - pictured above - will need to verify and return these rentals in the next week or so. Owen is really gung-ho about this. The Bookstore Director is thinking over 8,000 rentals this fall. Owen says go for it. What a Team Player! Way to Go Owen!

Still On Speaking Terms!

Jamie, one of the two Account's Payable Assistants at the DU Bookstore, was working in the textbook office today, instead of at her desk in the accounting office. I asked her if she had a falling out with her office mate, Chris, and she said no. It was just that her computer had been attacked by terrorists, and she couldn't use it. And yes, working at the DU Bookstore is a very exotic experience.

The Official Retirement Photograph!

I have been commissioned to take the official retirement photograph of Gina, the Manager of the University of Denver's Quick Copy Center and DU's Mail Services. Gina was more than happy to let me take her photograph, after approximately half an hour in the Penrose Library's powder room. What the hell do you do in there, Gina?

A Day of Festivals

Today was a day of festivals in Denver. At one end of downtown was the People's Fair and at the other end was the Chalk Art Festival in Larimer Square. The People's Fair (around Memorial Day) and the Taste of Colorado (on Labor Day Weekend) are virtually interchangeable, and are also known affectionately as "A Taste of Tattoos." I biked down to visit both festivals - my first bike ride of the year. I started biking a little late this year - one reason being it has been too cold up until now, and the other reason being that I am getting old. They don't call me "Crazy Old Man Hoyt" at the DU Bookstore for nothing.

Graduation Day!

Today was graduation day at the University of Denver. The Bookstore has five student employees who graduated this year: Matthew, Robyn, Jamie, Lauren, and Ashley (pictured above with a friend). Ashley wants to go to medical school, but is hesitant about attending school in Guadalajara, Mexico. No problem! Take a few Spanish lessons and always carry an AK-47.

Noah Goes the Extra Mile!

Noah, the DU Bookstore's Stockroom Coordinator, is going the extra mile in getting the summer quarter textbooks on the shelf. In the photo above, he is putting not one, but two book carts on the sales floor. I have even seen him put four book carts on the sales floor at the same time, although he was much younger at the time. Way to go, Noah!

The Competition!

The "Book Buy Mobile" is still parked on Wesley Boulevard, buying books back from students in direct competition with the DU Bookstore. I have noticed that when they are not busy, they have lounge chairs set out on the sidewalk, so they can enjoy the day. Not a bad idea at all. Perhaps when Doug and I are criss-crossing the country next year in the DU Bookstore's Bookmobile, we'll do the same thing. I hear Arizona in the summertime is wonderful.

The DU Bookstore Book Buy Heats Up!

The end of quarter book buy at the DU Bookstore is beginning to heat up. Lines are beginning to form. Our only competition this quarter is a "Book Buy Mobile" parked out on Wesley Avenue, next to the Sturm Classroom Building. I have been making fun of the Buy Back Mobile lately, but maybe I shouldn't. If the DU Bookstore gets leased, and if the winning bidder has to retain the store's employees for a year, I might very well be driving a Book Buy Mobile all over the country. In fact, I could very well be teamed up with Doug, the DU Bookstore's resident curmudgeon, driving across the country buying books, sleeping in the back of the van at night listening to his snoring, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at McDonald's, listening to Doug's endless complaints. It would be like something out of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road." In other words, let the good times roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!