August 28, 1991

I spend all morning and the very early part of the afternoon at a Dynix vendor demonstration.  Susan, the presenter, "appreciates" all questions, but I do not appreciate her rambling, out-of-focus style.  When I leave the Madison Public Library, I feel as though I have wasted four hours of my time.

I'm able to get some work done during the afternoon.  The board report and budget proposal draft have to be ready for mailing tomorrow.

While Barb and JoAnna and Eddie attend a Chuck Chvala fundraiser in Monona, I stay at home with a recalcitrant Andy -- although he's fine when I get home -- and start to pack for the Warren trip.

August 26, 1991

I manage to finish the budget draft even though I have to off-desk time. With Chris off and Sheila training 2 new pages, I end up spending a fair amount of time at the circ desk.

Monday evening continues to be uneventful.  I clean the kitchen and watch TV, actually staying in the bedroom to watch Northern Exposure.

The heat wave continues, so we let the boys sleep in our room.

August 8, 1991

With Sharon on vacation, the next three Thursday will all probably be long days for me.  The comp time king is returning to his throne.

The first half of the day is spent finalizing the board packet for mailing, i.e., more long-range plan and budget emphasis.  I take a three-hour break during the afternoon, taping some tunes, running some errands, then return to the library at 5.  I scan the browsing and reference areas at 8 and am amazed at the number of people inside the building on a summer evening.  Granted, it does feel like fall outside.

August 7, 1991

The day passes quickly.  I continue to work on the long range plan and budget proposal  After work, I attend a fundraiser for Chuck Chvala at Larry and Martha's.  Great turnout, although the congestion of people in the kitchen and dining room makes that side of the house a little steamy.  While I'm chatting with Doug and Karen, Coral congratulates me on my Librarian of the Year award.  I think she wrote one of my letters of support.  JoAnna and Andy attend, but they leave before I do.  Andy doesn't act up too much.  I gotta admit I'm proud of that little guy.

The others have already eaten by the time I get home.  

August 5, 1991

I go to bed about 9 on Sunday but experience a very restless night.  I keep imagining a prowler lurking on the patio.  All this news about the Dahmer case has me thinking about the Hillside Strangler's modus operandi.  Even after I close and lock the sliding-glass door -- and check to make sure the garage door is closed -- I still can't sleep peacefully.  And what bizarre dreams.  A small parking garage turns into an auto demolition factory.  Andy screams out to me for help and shrinks to Tiny-Time size proportions in the process.

I am able to achieve a sustained level of energy during the workday.  I even stay past six to complete the first phase of my 1992 budget deliberations.  The highlight of the day is having the boys greet me when I return home for lunch.

That evening Andy and I do the weekly grocery shopping.  JoAnna's in bed and asleep when we return home, so husband and wife, after a 5-day separation, have no chance to talk.