A DAY OF GESTURES AND IMPROVISATION

An exuberant, unpredictable George Bush yesterday raised the official curtain on three whirlwind days of celebration leading to his inauguration as the 41st president Friday with wisecracks about his wife, Barbara, and a changing schedule that made his Secret Service agents almost weep.

There were scattered reports of unofficial Bush sightings across town all day, but the official opening of the inaugural festivities was a carefully planned extravaganza that had the president-elect, with the Lincoln Memorial in the twilight behind him, calling on Americans to help improve their nation.

Bush's day began with a pledge to thousands of teachers that he would fulfill his campaign promise to be "the education president." To Republican faithful gathered for a noon luncheon, Bush offered his thanks and an endorsement of their efforts to reach out to women and minorities. He reminisced with surviving crew members of the World War II submarine that rescued him when his plane was shot down by Japanese fire. And he ended the day with three black-tie, $1,500-a-plate dinners with GOP contributors.

In between the official events, Bush, as one of his aides put it, "winged it."

If anything symbolized the difference between the man entering the Oval Office on Friday and the one leaving, it was a Secret Service agent, slumped against the wall at a midday event, shaking his head as word reached him that Bush had added another event to the day's schedule. "This guy is like a Mexican jumping bean," the agent said. "You think you got your hands around him and he's out."

The good-natured grousing underscored the point that President Reagan has kept almost exclusively to a carefully orchestrated schedule, almost never leaving the White House without long-in-advance warning, and rarely making a spontaneous appearance anywhere.

In Bush's case, the evidence is growing that all bets should be off in predicting where he might go and when. The Secret Service agent likened Washington this week to "Plains, Georgia, all over again," a reference to Jimmy Carter's habit of wandering around his home town.

Bush devoted yesterday to gestures -- to Reagan, to educators, to his party and, finally, to the nation. He told 230 top-rated public school teachers, "This is my very first event on the inaugural schedule . . . . I know you've heard me say during this campaign that I intended to be the education president. Two days before I begin trying, I wanted you to know that I meant it."

At a meeting of the Republican National Committee, which earlier yesterday elected Bush's campaign manager, Lee Atwater, as its chairman, Bush offered thanks to Reagan.

"I don't believe I would be standing here as president-elect of the United States if it hadn't been for the way President Reagan treated me as vice president," he said, "and then the way he rolled up his sleeves and went to work" to help Bush win the election. "When I go to say farewell to him tomorrow, it won't be too easy," he added.

Bush brought chuckles of approval from the GOP group when he joked he was relieved to be away from Barbara Bush, who is moving the family out of the vice presidential residence and into the White House. "I don't care if I see her for another 48 hours," he said, "because I know there'll be another crate that she'll say, 'Move this one over here.' "

Deadpanning, he added: "I'm getting tired of that. After all, I've got big responsibilities."

Earlier, Bush moved from the vice presidential residence on the Naval Observatory grounds to be closer to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Until Friday, the extended Bush family, including spouses and grandchildren, will stay at Blair House, across the street from the White House.

It was unclear at day's end how many of the alleged Bush sightings for off-the-schedule events actually occurred. Two were confirmed. He dropped in on a reception honoring the disabled, and at one point headed from his waiting limousine to chat casually with a reporter.

Asked about possible other Bush activities yesterday not on his public or private schedule, a spokesman said: "You tell me. We're always the last to know over here."

Articles appear as they were originally printed in The Washington Post and may not include subsequent corrections.