We got the tourguide spiel; between the two of us, we cover all but about 4 years of the last 27 of Madison downtown history. Poor toxicfur was overwhelmed with information about what used to be where and when.
Got up late, wandered down to breakfast (yummy, but hotel food), then around the Square to take in a pharmacy and sight-see. Then down the street for a haircut, some caffeine, and some nostalgia. I'll tell you, nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Popped into the physics department. The department has been remodeled, moved all into the one building where I worked. The elevators, never particularly reliable, were down. Well, up, actually, according to the indicators. And not moving. Freight elevator, as slow as ever, still works.
Found the moved, but not improved, physics museum. Basically a collection of toys to demonstrate physics principles in a hands-on kind of a way. There was a moment of cognitive dissonance, as toxicfur was holding this one gyro toy while I spun up its foot-diameter metal wheels with my hands. The clank of my wedding ring on the rims reminds me that I'm not the same person who used to do this stuff.
Back along the lake-front. Was fun.
Tonight's agenda is a party at the house of the one professor in the group who was there when I was a student and is still active. I saw him briefly in a meeting through a doorway during our little visit to the group's offices and labs.
Should be fun, tonight. About 10 of my advisor's ex-students are in town someplace, for a party in honor of his retirement (actually a year ago, but it takes a while for the Mexicans to get visas). And then tomorrow brunch and then afternoon beer on the Terrace, and dinner somewhere on State Street.
Sunday, who knows. Plans have a way of hanging fire.
I'm out.
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