Marty Shows Off His Thinking Cap

Marty, the Textbook Manager of the DU Bookstore, shows off his "thinking cap" in the photograph above, which was taken recently by Tony, the Bookstore's Copy Center Manager.  Marty wears this cap when he needs to be especially creative, such as when he is working on his new web site, martynearymusic.com.  Marty promises to have his web site - promoting his guitar/mandolin/zither lessons and  the services of the bands he plays for - up and running by the end of the year, which, as I write this, is exactly 10 hours away.  Good luck with that Marty!

Speaking of Van Gogh...

Speaking of Van Gogh, one of my favorite Van Gogh paintings is "The Drinkers," which is part of the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.  I took the above photograph of my sister Susan expounding on the merits of the painting years ago, when we both lived back in that toddling town.  I think I like the painting so much because it reminds me so much of my formative years back in Chicago.  Nostalgia still lives!

Saturday Afternoon With Vincent

My friend Valarie, sister Susan, and brother-in-law George (from left to right in the photograph above) and I went to see "Becoming Van Gogh" this afternoon at the Denver Art Museum (affectionately known as The DAM).  We agreed to meet at the entrance to the museum, but Valarie, Susan, and George arrived at the north entrance while I waited at the south (correct) entrance. After a quick cell phone call, the three of them headed to the south entrance.  While I waited for them to arrive, I watched none other than Toulouse lautrec greeting visitors to the museum.  He looked pretty good, too, considering he can't be a day under 140.  Naturally, by the time Valarie, Susan, and George arrived, he had disappeared.  I told them who they had missed, but they just rolled their eyes and ignored me.   I am NOT seeing things, guys.  At least not this time.

Bill Pays A Visit

Bill, the DU Bookstore's former Operations Coordinator, paid a visit to the Bookstore this afternoon to say hello and to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  Bill is enjoying his retirement immensely, taking bicycle rides in the Napa Valley, skiing in Aspen, playing the roulette tables in Monte Carlo, cruising the Mediterranean in his yacht, or at least pursuing leisure activities similar to these.  In any case, it was great to see you, Bill!  Keep having fun, and don't worry about us wage slaves here in the trenches.  

Victoria Returns!

Victoria has returned to the DU Bookstore to help us out during the Winter Quarter "Rush" period.  Since she last worked at the Bookstore, Victoria has earned a degree in Geographic Information Systems from Metropolitan State University, and did an internship in Oregon with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  After working for 6 months in the Oregonian wilderness, she was offered a full time position with the agency.  Next month, after working "rush" at the DU Bookstore, she will start her new job with Fish and Wildlife, but has decided to commute to her job from trendy Portland.  As Victoria puts it, you can only look at all those deer for so long. A little bit of wildlife can go a long way.  

Boxing Day!

Today is Boxing Day, the day traditionally set aside for giving gifts to servants and the less fortunate.  The question is, in giving gifts to your servants, do you also give them the day off, or not?  Noah, the DU Bookstore's Stockroom Manager (pictured above), as well as the rest of the stockroom crew, feel this is not a relevant issue for them.  I strongly disagree.  What if  you win the Power Ball Lottery and buy a huge house on the French Rivera, overlooking the Mediterranean,  and need a staff to run it?  Noah responded that he doesn't need servants, he has a wife.  That settles the issue as far as he is concerned, at least until his wife reads this.

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas everyone!  I celebrated the holiday today by cooking a turkey dinner for my sister Susan, brother-in-law George, and friend Stuart.  I intended to take a photograph of the three of them for this Blog, but between cooking and acting as host, I just forgot.  And can you believe no one reminded me to take one?  Which is why today's Blog photo is one of my famous self-portraits.  Deal with it, Blog readers!