Dinner With Valarie!

I had dinner with Valarie - my friend and the former Operations Manager of the DU Bookstore - last night at a recently opened brewpub in Wheat Ridge, a suburb just to the northwest of Denver.  We had a very pleasant evening, but when I went to take her photograph for this Blog, she struck the above pose.  It is almost as if she doesn't like the photographs I take of her, and wants to cover herself up as much as possible.  That can't possibly be true, can it?  I mean can it?  Really?

Working In The (Not So) Great Outdoors

As regular Blog Readers are aware, I am currently working at a part-time job that requires being outside even in the snow and cold, often for 12 or 14 hours at a time.  Not only does this make you stronger and get you into shape, you actually get paid to do it.  Is that a great deal, or what?  Many people stay fit and trim by running out in the frigid Denver temperatures, and they don't get paid a dime for it.  I have often been told that I am crazy to be working at this part-time job, but who's crazy now?  Don't answer that!

Living The Good Life In Mozambique

As the days grow colder here in Denver, I am beginning to envy Cheyanne - the daughter of Valarie, my friend and the former Operations Manager of the DU Bookstore - more and more.  Cheyanne is a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique,  and teaches students there to become teachers.  After working all week, she and her fellow Peace Corps volunteers spend weekends at the beach.  What could be more perfect?  Of course, it's not all fun and games.  Cheyanne is doing a lot of good work there, and is very much appreciated at her school, as the above photograph - showing her students presenting her with an award - clearly shows. Be sure to check out Cheyanne's Blog at www.timeinmozambique.blogspot.com.

It's Arun!

I worked a 14 hour day (without any breaks, I might add, although I'm not complaining) at my part-time job Saturday and decided to stop at Jordan's on the way home for a libation or two.  And who should I run into but Arun, who worked at the DU Bookstore around 10 years ago or so.  He was surprised to hear the store was outsourced, and that so many of the staff were no longer there.  Arun worked in the stockroom and also at the Heckman Pioneer Shop, which the Bookstore operated in the University of Denver's Ritchie Center. The store did a great business during hockey games,  but was usually dead the rest of the time.  However, the Chancellor insisted that the store remain open on a daily basis.  It was a deathly boring job to work there during the daytime - you can only stock and vacuum and straighten so much, after all.  Wally, my friend and former colleague, tells the story of how he would go over there to close the store and Arun would often be standing there behind the counter,  in an almost trance-like state.  Wally would shout "Arun, Arun, snap out of it" to bring him back.  Working at the Heckman Pioneer Shop was indeed a tough gig.  Glad you survived it, Arun!

Do Orangutans Make Great Pets?

I took the above photograph of this very friendly orangutan a week or so ago.  He was very curious about the zoo visitors and sat right in front the glass looking back at us.  He appears to be a gentle creature and in my opinion would make a great house pet.  However, would you believe that most Homeowners Associations (mine included) won't allow people to keep them in their apartments?  Talk about impinging on our basic freedoms.   Why doesn't the Tea Party do something about this?

Happy All Souls' Day And Dia de Muertos!

Today is both All Souls' Day and Dia de Muertos (also known as the Day of the Dead - an important Hispanic holiday). It is the day to remember friends and family members who are no longer with us.  This is a truly important holiday, especially for those of us who are getting older and who no longer have parents and grandparents still living. It is a sad time, but also a very positive experience, since we remember all the happy times we had together as a family. None of us can live forever, but while we are still here we can certainly be grateful for all the good times.

Ole' Chipmunk Cheeks

We end Halloween Week with a photograph of my friend and former DU Bookstore colleague Wally, taken one Halloween several years ago at the DU Bookstore.  Back then many of the employees used to dress up in costume every Halloween, and there was a kind of party atmosphere there the entire day.  The last Halloween I worked at the store before it was outsourced, we had our quarterly meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance scheduled for that day.  I suggested to the other members of the management team that we go in costume.  As Finance Manager, I would of course have gone as the Court Jester.  I am convinced I would have been very effective reporting on status of the Bookstore's finances in that costume. However, everyone refused.  Just like that.  Those party poopers.