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!!!!!!!!!!!!!