2/2/2001

In other news, yesterday was my birthday. I'm 36. At last, I can stop waiting and have a mid-life crisis!
posted by Mason Kramer 2/2/2001 10:51:14 AM

It's funny, the things you think about.

I got him _The Sixth Sense_ for Christmas. I'm not reading anything into that, and I suggest you don't either.

When we were little, we were pretty close -- running, laughing, playing, seeing each other several times a year, usually at our grandfather's house, that being a halfway point, more or less, between our houses. Playing pool or playing darts, both priviledges for the "older children," going out and climbing trees, that sort of thing.

Our interests differed as we aged, and we drifted a bit -- not much, but in little ways. Never to the point of being strangers, but seeing each other more rarely, maybe twice a year, once in the summer, once either Christmas or Thanksgiving -- he'd spend the other holiday with other family. But still friends as much as family, always taking time to catch up when we were together.

He was a policeman. We joked a lot about whether he'd ticket me if I sped by him. I think, ultimately, he would have given me a warning, unless I was being actively dangerous. He enjoyed hunting, which I don't, but there are things I enjoy that he didn't, and that's okay. He was still my cousin.

You've already noted the past tense in much of the last, so the next shouldn't be terribly surprising. He was in an auto accident earlier this week. He was driving home early in the morning -- he worked the swing shift -- heading down the highway at sane speeds, seatbelt securely fastened. A dumptruck pulled onto the highway from a cross-street, and from the reports, there was pretty much no time for him to react. The force of the impact was great enough that it didn't matter that he was wearing his seatbelt.

Wear it anyway, kids. It saves lives.

I first learned about it some twelve hours after it happened, via e-mail. Mom let me know that he'd been in an accident, and had massive head trauma, some broken bones and many lacerations. They hadn't been sure about operating, but they finally managed to get the swelling down enough to try. It wasn't until much later that I learned that there was little to no brain activity at this point, and any tests were pretty much there to confirm this. They ran more the next day, and he was declared dead at 1:55 on January 31st, but from what they've said, it may as well have been at the time of impact -- it was fast enough that he didn't suffer.

I'm told the police have been very supportive -- they always are in times like this -- and that my aunt had an unnoficial honor guard pretty much every minute she was at the hospital. My mother's been there much of the time as well, and another aunt arrived yesterday, so I know she's well taken care of. His wife and daughters also have much family hovering around. His brothers have been pillars of strength.

I've been up here in New Hampshire, but between friends here and on the net, phone conversations and e-mail, I'm not feeling particularly alone or disconnected. I've been taking a lot of comfort from the fact that he didn't suffer, and from the knowledge that even in death, there is life -- six people recieved much-needed organs because of this tragedy, six families given new hope. It helps.

The funeral is tomorrow. I won't be there -- the weather's been very icy the last couple days, and even if I could get a flight on this short a notice, I'd be a nervous wreck the whole way -- but my heart and prayers will. Some probably think it's sad that I won't be able to say goodbye to him, and there's a grain of truth to that... but he's not there to say goodbye to, just his shell, which he's no longer using. I can say it other ways, and it's just as valid.

So goodbye, David. As the saying goes, may you be in Heaven an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

posted by Mason Kramer 2/2/2001 10:38:07 AM

1/30/2001

Twice in the same week, can you stand it? Okay, so the last one was fairly contentless. This one's not going to be much better, come to think of it. I'm trying to prepare physically and emotionally for being all alone on my birthday (There's an Apple Tech Update, so all the office will be there while I'm here to cover the desk). It should be a light day, since it's just a half-day for the kids before they bus out for the long weekend, but still. Who wants to be the only person supporting 350+ people one the anniversary of their birth?

Ah, well. On the bright side, it's icy out. How this is a bright side I'm not sure, save that everyone gets to laugh at me for not being able to handle the ice, and it's always good to be able to bring joy to people's hearts, right?

Eh. I shouldn't journal when I'm down. I need some serious kitten time.
posted by Mason Kramer 1/30/2001 11:16:30 AM

1/28/2001

I suck as a journaller. I'll try to do better.
posted by Mason Kramer 1/28/2001 02:28:32 PM

9/2/2000

Quick update today to let people know I'm alive, just busy! But for your viewing pleasure, here's a picture of my pet.

posted by Mason Kramer 9/2/2000 10:32:14 PM

6/27/2000

Yeah yeah yeah. So it's been a month. What do you want, consistancy?

Powerbook TurnIn 2000 went remarkably smoothly, all but ten machines turned in by the time the dust settled. This is astoundingly better than previous years, or so I'm led to believe.

Clone2K is going similarly well, though I await some equipment so I can actually finish setting up the machines to do the cloning. Soon... soon....

The iBooks are in and sitting in storage, awaiting afformentioned equipment. They're pretty and functional, which is a nice change from most pretty things. I think the students will enjoy them.

Also sitting in storage, mostly, are the new PowerBook G3s. "Mostly" because the Tech Office machines have been assigned, meaning I have a spiffy new computer that gets to go home with me at the end of the day. It'll be even better when it has a memory upgrade and I can effectively *use* it, but even now it's clearly faster, and has a DVD-ROM drive.

Yes, the Matrix *is* clearly better viewed in DVD than on VCR.

And that's pretty much it for work. Busy but not bad. On the personal end, spent much of the weekend helping Eric pack and move across the street. He's got a bigger place now, with washer and dryer, so I'll be over even more....
posted by Mason Kramer 6/27/2000 11:16:42 AM

5/29/2000

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention. The downside of spring--allergies--has struck again. Red eyes, sniffly, the works.But hey, at least I'm not actually sick, right?

Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to blow up the sarcasm meter....
posted by Mason Kramer 5/29/2000 09:10:36 AM

Gina tells me that white is the new orange. I think this means that I should stick to white for the background, because Gina is the 50-foot tall robotgirl. She could squash me.

(I'm kidding, of course. Met her at the in-these-pages infamous Lunacon that I never quite talk about. So those of you who wonder, yes, she exists.)

It's been quite the week since last time I updated. Of course. It's always quite the week when I don't update, hmm? I was a bit ill for part of it, which threw off my work schedule and my life schedule, then spent a day covering the desk while everyone else was either at an Apple Tech Update (no, I didn't get to go, and didn't particularly want to, as this is generally a boring thing) or in San Fransisco for a convention (Baycon, and no, I didn't get to go, because I am poor). So update time has been minimal.

And we're gearing up for Summer here at the ol' tech office, what with ordering machines and waiting for them to come in, getting old machines out of storage and out of the school, preparing other machines for sale, and... dare I say... preparing for PowerBook TurnIn 2000! The exciting point in the school year when the kids learn that we weren't kidding and they really do have to turn in "their" computers, not to see them again until Fall.... When Eric has to decide if someone has a special case that means they should have their computers... When Mason works late to check in computers because they made a crazy schedule up for us....

Summer is generally busier for the Tech Office than the rest of the year. We have the old machines to go over with a fine tooth comb, estimates to make, parts to order--That's Fran's June. We have updates, hardware and software, for the server bay--that's Eileen. We have 200 new computers coming in that have to be cloned, as well as all the old machines--that's me. And we have Chai to drink--that's Eric.

You know, looking back on that, I'm wondering if maybe I want Eric's job after all.... ;-)
posted by Mason Kramer 5/29/2000 08:50:24 AM

5/20/2000

Feedback! You see, that's all I needed...

John has written me a couple times this week, first to tell me that he likes the new look (though he's unsure about the woodgrain background being gone... (what do you think?)), second to let me know that someone from Microsoft bounced to his journal from my links (to the left, in case you missed them).

That's kind of strange and heartening all at once. I don't keep track of my statistics here. I just generally assume that I know who's reading, generally friends and family. But I don't know anyone who works at Microsoft, so clearly that isn't true. Kind of a nice feeling, that.

In other news, there's not that much other news. I did some appliance-buying this week, getting hold of an indoor grill thingie that's supposed to reduce fat intake and stuff. Not that I'm on a diet, but I am trying to eat a bit smarter, what with hanging around with Eric making me more aware of what goes into my body. It hasn't had much effect, as Eric can attest, especially where salt is concerned, but it's had some. And this thing makes some tasty meat.
posted by Mason Kramer 5/20/2000 10:34:39 AM

5/9/2000

The IRS check has come; at last, I can eat *cake*!

You've probably noticed a slacking off of entries here--that's perfectly normal and not at all to be unexpected. The new has worn off of the blog, so I'm not thinking about it as constantly. I'm also not getting any doggone feedback, and that makes it harder to think "hey, there's people out there hanging on to my every word, so I should post something for them." Its gone back to being a place for me to put random notes up for myself and a few other folks, which is cool.

Of course, if I *do* get more feedback, I'm likely to post more often, which those few other folks would do well to keep in mind. ;-)
posted by Mason Kramer 5/9/2000 08:30:51 PM

5/7/2000

Mmmm... The windows are wide open, the fan is on, and it's pleasantly cool. I can live with this.

A quiet end to the day; Eric, Jon and I went down to the Poor People's Pub for dinner--appropriate, considering my current finances--where we managed to have full meals and huge desserts for less than ten bucks each. Was a nice drive, nice food, nice night in general.

I started this entry three hours ago. Windows are closed now, but it's still nice in here. Goodnight!
posted by Mason Kramer 5/7/2000 02:17:54 AM

5/6/2000

Ah, Saturday. After wasting my morning at work (though not as badly as on a B week, it was quiet today), I did my laundry. Pretty typical Saturday.

But I did it without a jacket on, for the first time in months.By next month, I'll probably be idly thinking about an air conditioner again. But only idly.
posted by Mason Kramer 5/6/2000 03:27:27 PM

5/5/2000

I mentioned giving updates about Lunacon from a couple months ago, and I've completely failed to do so, therefore continuing an unbroken streak. But here's some pictures.

It's officially spring now, I can tell by the weather reports. First, we're having temperatures in the seventies, but that's not the important indicator.

We no longer have a wind chill factor; we have a heat index.
posted by Mason Kramer 5/5/2000 02:44:05 PM

5/4/2000

Gorgeous day today. So much so that I walked to work this morning. No big deal, it's about a half mile, though much of it is uphil. Which means I get to walk downhill on the way home, so that's all right then.

I did a lot of walking to and from work in early April, thanks to the car dying, but this is the first time since last summer that I did so voluntarily. I think... it's time to break out the bicycle.
posted by Mason Kramer 5/4/2000 09:49:09 AM

5/2/2000

Hasn't been much to say, so I haven't said it. No one's commented on the format, save Eric, who I had to ask in person. Sob, sob. Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms.

Well, not really. On the bright side, it's a nice day out there today. Looking forward to lunch soon, when I will procede to live dangerously--and go to lunch without a coat.
posted by Mason Kramer 5/2/2000 12:04:59 PM

4/29/2000

Bleh. No nap yesterday because it was Bank Run Day. Didn't go to bed at a reasonable hour because, well, I'm an idjit. Got up for work this morning 'cause I hafta. And it's a B Week Saturday, which means there's essentially no reason whatsoever to be here. The kids are all sleeping in, and when they get up, they'll be thinking about brunch, not computers, so even if they have problems, they won't bring them in. And my parent volunteer is out today because of work.

The Academic Building is awfully quiet, right about now... If it weren't for CDs, I'd probably snooze.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/29/2000 09:15:39 AM

4/28/2000

Mmm, Fluxx. Feels good to have Fluxx back in my life.

Fluxx, for the uninitiated, is the best darn non-trading card game out there right now. It's deceptively simple, having only one rule--draw one card, play one card. That's it. Of course, there are cards to be played that change the rules...

Fun stuff. Eric and I have been looking for it since Arisia, and he found it last night, so naturally I didn't get to bed until 3.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/28/2000 08:50:59 AM

4/27/2000

Why am I still here? It's well past quitting time, and I'm still at my desk, playing around with stupid templates that keep getting screwed up and changing them back and forth and back and forth and back... Ah, well. I think it's finally debugged, so if this posts properly, I'm going home.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/27/2000 04:07:09 PM

And the new look is back. Like? Dislike? Let me know!
posted by Mason Kramer 4/27/2000 03:34:40 PM

Bleary today. Caffiene not helping. Need something stronger. A kiss from a pretty girl, perhaps.Sadly, all the pretty girls around here are underage or married, so I'll just have to settle for dozing at my desk.

Yes, Mom, I'm kidding.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/27/2000 09:59:56 AM

4/26/2000

And changed it back, because I broke something in the doing. ;) I'll play with it some more later.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/26/2000 04:41:34 PM

I've made some changes to the template here, and I'll likely make some more before the week is through. But for now, what do you think?

I like it, but I'm biased. ;-)
posted by Mason Kramer 4/26/2000 04:05:00 PM

Fatigue.. It strikes at the best of us. It strikes at me now. 45 minutes... then nap... yay!

In the meantime, look at this.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/26/2000 02:53:30 PM

I am not, as a rule, a drinker of hot drinks. I will have the occasional cup of hot chocolate, with whipped cream or marshmallows, when the weather calls for it, and the *very* occasional apple cider when tradition calls for it. I don't like coffee, whether hot or cold, no matter how doctored it is (Don't bother writing me extolling the virtues of coffee; your comments will go straight to the bit bucket). I like iced tea, but hot tea has to get iced before I really enjoy it.

Eastern Chai, however, rocks. I'm getting in the habit of having a cup of it a day, generally in the morning after my first can of Diet Dr. Pepper. It's a mix of tea, vanilla, honey and "sensuous spices," according to the back of the can. It is also, according to the back, "designed to be sipped in the luxury of the Grand Palace," so I'm sure I'm insulting it by sipping it in the tech office.

All I know is it tastes good enough to get me past my usual avoidance of hot drinks.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/26/2000 09:07:25 AM

4/25/2000

Over in the main journal (which might be replaced by this thing since, after all, this is plumb easy to use), I've mentioned time and again that I work in the best darn office on the best darn campus on the face of the earth. This is always brought home to me when I go to lunch.

Lunch in the Estabrook is like no other school lunch I'm aware of. There's always 2 choices of entrees, same with veggies, a sandwich counter, pizza, salad bar, soup du jour of the day, more drink choices than you can shake a stick at (no sodas, but you can't have everything), and usually some pasta and sauce for those who don't like any of the other choices. And the dessert bar. The food is generally on the very side of "good."

The students complain, but that's their job. They don't know what it's like on any other campus, not really. They've never had mystery meat.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/25/2000 12:19:28 PM

*Man* it's a beautiful day today. After several days of clouds and rain and bleck, we've got honest-to-goodness sunshine, calm winds and temperatures in the 40s. It's actively pleasant.

*pause*

When did temperatures in the 40s become "actively pleasant?"
posted by Mason Kramer 4/25/2000 09:38:29 AM

Gary Olson has given up journaling for the forseeable future, which is kinda sad, as he's an eloquent writer, and someone I like to keep track of. But he's given it up to concentrate on writing fiction, which is a worthy goal, so I can't really complain.

I remember when I used to write fiction....
posted by Mason Kramer 4/25/2000 08:53:20 AM

Two-thirty. Why am I still up? Need sleep. Must sleep. Argh! [starts tearing eyes out] Ow. That won't help...

Goodnight everybody!
posted by Mason Kramer 4/25/2000 02:27:29 AM

4/24/2000

My friend Eric has one of these blog things too. In his last one, he mentions that he's craving a Sausage McMuffin with Egg so badly that he'd shove his best friend into traffic to steal his.

I'm staying home tonight and locking the door.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/24/2000 05:40:07 PM

Hokay. This thing seems to work just fine. So hi, everyone that thinks I'm dead, I'm not quite. It's just a flesh wound. I'm feeling better...

Lots of stuff since last journal entry, which I'll get to eventually. In brief:

* Mom, Aunt Virginia and Aunt Arlene were in town for a week during their spring break, which was fun for all involved, and it snowed, which made them happy.
* My car died and was resurrected.
* Arisa, sci-fi convention in Rye Brook, NY. Great fun. Jesse and Gina covered the event in great detail, so I don't feel the need to.
* Eastern Chai has entered my life. Mmm, Chai...
* Easter, which I spend slug-a-bed, Sundays being my only day of rest thanks to Saturday work. Naughty, naughty.

And that's it for now. More events as news warrants.
posted by Mason Kramer 4/24/2000 05:33:58 PM

This is a test of the emergency blogger system. This is only a test. If this were an actual entry, there would be information.

Mason
posted by Mason Kramer 4/24/2000 03:37:00 PM