Churchill & Gandhi - And Wally?

Wally, my friend and colleague at the University of Denver Bookstore (see photograph above), is a member of the Churchill Society, an organization devoted to the life and writings of Winston Churchill.  Wally also belongs to the  local  chapter's book club, which is currently reading the book "Churchill and Gandhi."   As far as I can tell, Churchill and Gandhi met in South Africa many years ago, when they were both young hotheads, and evidently got into a big fistfight - something about the "Gem of the British Empire" versus the "throwing off of the English yoke." They were never on very good terms after that, and the rest, as they say, is history.  In any case, the next item on the book club's list is "Churchill Cooks Italian," or something like that. Can't wait to see those recipes!

Beware The Mermaid Barbie Virus!

I got an e-mail from my ex-wife Lisa yesterday.  It simply said "For David" and was a link to a web site.  I don't hear that much from my ex-wife these days, so I clicked on it to see what Lisa had sent.  I instantly recognized (I'm smart that way) that the site was all in Polish.  This is pretty strange, I thought, but clicked on the tab to enter the site anyway.  In the center of the screen was an image of Barbie as a Polish Mermaid (with a tail that lights up, I might add).  Although I clicked on the image, nothing happened, so I backed out of the site, and only then noticed that in parenthesis, next to my ex-wife's name, was a different e-mail address.  She had not sent the link.  Oh Oh!  A trick!  How do people do this?  I later learned that the image was a video, and I was supposed to hit the play button to view it.  Thank goodness I am often so inept with computers.  Would I have gotten a  virus if I had viewed the video?  I don't know, but today I updated my virus software to make sure I am protected in the future from the Barbie, Ken, GI Joe and dreaded Betsy Wetsy viruses.  Stay Vigilant Blog Readers!

A Big Thank You To Colorado Rockies Management!

The Colorado Rockies Baseball Organization is doing their very best to stop drinking and driving.  I bought a beer last night at the Rockies game for the first time in several years and it cost me $7.25.  If I had decided to have a second, it would have cost more for my beers than for my ticket.  If the average couple goes to the game and has two beers each, it will cost them almost $30.  If they decide to have a third, they will most likely have to raid Juniors college fund.  Talk about a good way to discourage drinking!  Thanks again, Colorado Rockies Management, for doing your part so unselfishly!

Wait Until Next Year!

I took the "Light Rail" train down to Coors Field this afternoon to see the Colorado Rockies play the Miami Marlins.  The train was packed.  Evidently the Denver Broncos were playing an exhibition game at Mile High Stadium, and most of the passengers were on their way to see football, not baseball.  At the Mile High Stadium stop, everyone got out.  The only person left in the car besides me was an old wino, drinking wine from a bottle inside a brown paper bag.  Upon closer inspection, the wino appeared to look a lot like Jim Tracy, Manager of the Colorado Rockies.  If so, he was late for the game, too.  Don't worry, Jim!  Losing 100 games for the first time in Colorado Rockies history is nothing to be ashamed of.  Besides, it's not even your fault. Let's Play Two!  

Beer, Beasts, And The Beagle Boys

Marty (pictured above) is the Text Buyer for the University of Denver Bookstore, and is also the bass guitar player for the band "Flock of Beagles," also known (at least to me) as the "Beagle Boys."  The band is playing tonight at the Art and Ale Brew Festival (light on the arts, heavy on the suds) at the Wildlife Experience, located in a no man's land southeast of Denver on the road to Parker, Colorado.  The band will be playing from 6:00 until 10:00 tonight.  Mention this blog to Marty and he will be happy to buy you a beer!  Or three!  Let the good times roll!

California Bound!

A group of DU Bookstore employees, friends, and family members got together tonight at the Great Northern Tavern in God Knows Where, Colorado to say goodbye and good luck to Tristy, the former University of Denver Bookstore Director.  Tristy (on the left in the photo above, next to former Bookstore employee Chris) is off to California to become the Bookstore Director at Cal State Long Beach.  She has rented a condo three blocks from the beach and two blocks from the university, and is all ready for fun in the sun.  Don't be surprised the first time the surf is up and half the store calls in sick, Tristy.  Best just to close the store and join them.  Be sure to pack your surfboard!  Enjoy!

Back To France - What A Bummer!

I rang up a sale today here at the DU Bookstore for a student who will be graduating from the University of Denver this Saturday.  He was pretty bummed out about having to leave Denver and return to his home in the South of France.  This reminded me of another student I knew several years ago who was transferring to a university in Paris, and who was also pretty disappointed about having to leave Denver.  These are only two examples, but it is obvious that Denver has something that appeals to Europeans:  is it the many parks, the trendy neighborhoods, the miles of bike paths, the lively nightlife, the nearby mountains?  Perhaps it is the art scene here.  Even our alleys and gutters are covered in artwork.  Eat your heart out, Paris.