May 5, 1992

#5 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week

Ordinarily, I'd be at the SCLS Public Library Advisory Committee meeting.  This is the second one in a row that I've missed, and both times I've been slated to be the recorder.  My reason this month for not going:  a visit from a group from Neenah for a tour of the library.  Steve Proces claims to be 5'9" and can't be much more than 140 pounds.  He reminds me of an educated Dave Bush with a haircut and gray hair.  I take a couple of hours off during the afternoon.  The council meeting provides none of the expected fireworks.  Everyone is surprisingly civil before going home.  Before going home, I photocopy some L.A. riot news articles.

April 2, 1992

In its next to last season.

Once again my plans to work the evening with Eve go awry.  JoAnna needs to do a campaign mailing, which means I'm tabbed to watch the boys.

During the early afternoon, I conduct a tour of the library for a mixed group from Waterloo.  Unexpectedly, a puffy Mark Morse greets me in the lobby.  He seemed like such a cipher in library school.  How did he ever manage to get offered the job at Eau Claire?  What a strange group, too.  A large minority seem more intent on conducting a self-guided tour.  One of the architects is creaming his jeans at Infotrak.  I'm ready to pack it in until one of the board members says, "Can we see your staff work room?"

April 12, 1991

JoAnna has an 8 am job interview, so I volunteer to take Andy to daycare.  Shortly after we open, I give a tour of the reference area to a group of high school students, all girls.  I take an hour off in the afternoon to run some errands.  I expect to find CDs of Raw Sienna and Looking In at Rose Records but can't even find the Savoy Brown section.  Bummer!  After work I have time for a martini before we go out.  We eat supper at the West Towne Mall food court, then Andy and I go to Cub Foods and JoAnna and Eddie shop for dresses.

March 9, 1991

JoAnna makes pancakes for breakfast and continues to lobby for a furniture rearrangement.  Sometimes I think she just wants to limit the traffic flow in the house so as to avoid prolonged contact with Barb.  Not a bad idea, if I may say so myself.

After a visit to Techline, where we decide that $578 is within our budget, JoAnna drops me off at the library where I await a group tour from Waupaca.  A former student of mine at Oshkosh is among the group.  Naturally, I can't remember his name.

Back home, JoAnna suggests we paint the bedroom, but all I can do is growl at her.  Later on, I agree it's the perfect Sunday project.  A slow night, TV-style, follows.

February 28, 1991

Middleton hosts the South Central Library System's Summer Library Program workshop.  Approximately 120 attendees are squeezed into the basement meeting room.  Despite my fears, the day seems to go well.  Shortly before noon, I serve as a tour guide for a group of 25.  What do I hear when I ask for questions?  Do you have any job openings?  The library makes a strong, very positive impression.

Since Sharon is not feeling well, I volunteer to work the evening shift at the reference desk, which results in a 12-hour workday.  At first, I continue the gratifying progress  I made on the long-range plan revision during the afternoon.  Before leaving the library, I transcribe calendar notes, mostly from a few days before the wedding to July 1986.  What dramatic changes:  new lifestyle, new job, new home, new realizations.