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Voice of the Sixties (Vol. 3, No. 1) - Jan. 2000
by Michelle (Fearey LaGue) Mock - ASM '69
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Here we are, the first day of the Y2K . Is this the first day of the new millennium or the first day of the last year of the old millennium? If the year 1900 belonged to the 19th century, doesn't the year 2000 belong to the 20th ? If the year 2000 belongs to the 20th century, and the 20th century belongs to the 1K millennium, then how can the year 2000 belong to the new millennium? What ever happened to the year ZERO? And who put two Ls and two Ns in millennium (must have been the same person who named Mississippi)? Mr. Clarke, I thought you said that 1900 belonged to the 19th century. Now everyone says 2000 belongs to the new millennium. Tell me it isn't so!!! I pulled out my trusty Grolier's New Book of Knowledge. It is an ANCIENT edition (published in 1992, before the calendar was reinvented) and it says: "[The word 'century'] most often refers to the 100-year periods ENDING in years numbered 100, 200, 300, and so on. For example the 1st century A.D. is A.D. 1 to A.D. 100; the 15 century A.D. is A.D. 1401 to 1500; the 20th century A.D. is 1901 to 2000. " So how can millenniums end in years numbered 999? Who goofed, I've got to know!?!?!? I am a firm believer that the new millennium begins January 1, 2001. Just do the math: 01-01-01. In binary this is 010101. Now convert this to decimal (2*2*2*2 + 2*2 + 1 = 16+4+1 = 21). Voilà ... the 21st century! May
the Force of Y2K Be With You and Not Against You: If this newsletter reaches you via email it will prove many things. First, the electric grids did not reach gridlock - we still have power. Second, the Y2K bug did not affect your computer or mine. Third, AOL (and your email system) survived Y2K. If I send this via snail mail, you may see it before 2001 ... or not! In any case, 1999 was a terrific year. We found so many former alumni that I have totally lost count. From the 60s decade alone, we found more than 60 of you, more than doubling the number found since January 1999. We have had a big reunion of people from the Sixties Decade at Ricardo (Ritchie) Daugherty's home in Miami, FL. Smaller groups of ASMers have met at mini-reunions in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, New York, Scottsdale, Las Vegas and all over Southern California (and those are just the ones I know about)! Who have we found and where are they? Class
of 1963 Aurelio Cancio - Florida Bill Caram - Florida Lynne (Leitman) Benckendorff - England Mario Perez* - Florida Class
of 1964 Mario Coehlo*- Arizona Sergio (Dennis) Cerda - California Polly Danos* Robert de la Cal*- Portugal Mark Johnson* - California Barry Miller - Arizona Omer Pirinccioglu - Pennsylvania Xochitl Tuck*- England Class of 1965 Rosalía González - California David Johnson - New York Arne Mortensen - California Vikki (Mortensen) Regier - California Daniel Parker*- Florida David Robinson - California Class
of 1966 Kris Anderson - Alaska John Berard - New Jersey Frank Castelli - Illinois John Coehlo* - New Mexico Emmy de la Cal - Spain Ellen (Desnoyers) Shaffer - California Jill (Echols) McMahon - California Mimi (Johnson) Brown - California John Karna Jr. - Alabama Maria Eugenia Kreisler* - Madrid Ronald Miller - Michigan Talena Presley - Indiana Erica (Schmidt Courvoisier) Dodge* Steven Seed - Michigan(?) Robyn Ziebert - Burundi Class
of 1967 Mary (Coke) Caram - Florida Peg (Danos) Castelli - Illinois Ana (Ferrer) Illsen - Florida Sarita Gomez-Mola - Texas Conchita Gonzalez - California Madeleine Goudi - Florida Bettina (Guidotti) Whitley - Texas Bruce Leitman - Brazil Carmen Marin - Michigan/England Brad Philbrook* - Colorado Tina Presley - California Connie Rodriguez - Connecticut Carlos Solís - Florida Doug Weldon - New York Robert Zimmerman* - Illinois Class
of 1968 Donna Daniels - New York Alberto Darna* - Madrid Jane Desnoyers - Alaska Nancy Desnoyers - New York Rafael Diaz-Balart - Florida Doyen Ten Eyck* - Colorado María Teresa Goudie - New York Steven Hayes - California Michael Irrgang - Chile Gary Johnson - Colorado Jim Karna - Texas Janet Kevlin - Florida Enriqueta Muñoz Fred Santos Nikki Szulc* George Shaw - Florida Robert Seed - Missouri Leslie (Smith) Deely - California Lise (Temple) Greenberg* Philip Zimmerman - New York Class
of 1969 Frannie (Aguinaldo) Jacinto - Philippines Pedro Arbona - Virginia John Cabrera - England Ricardo (Ritchie) Daugherty - Florida Robert Desnoyers - New York Sheila Donovan - New York Nanette Espinosa - California Carol Farron - California Michelle (Fearey LaGue) Mock - California Inday (Gamboa) Bautista - Philippines Connie (Guzman) Coleman - Germany Jennifer (Haer) Diaz-Balart* - Pennsylvania Joanne Hattrick - Panama Lida Hooghuis - Vancouver Shari James - Washington Debbie Jeanes - Virginia James (Jamie) Kevlin - Pennsylvania Carlos Lara - California Marcie Meierkord - Montana/Arizona Bill Mock - Florida Inge Moller-Rizo - New York Christina (Cookie) Montenegro* - Philippines Dennis Oulahan* - Wisconsin Rebecca (Philbrook) Mitchell - Texas Carmen Pickett - Florida Joseph (Pepe) Presley - Tennessee Henry Sanz - Florida Al Schlundt - Alabama Nancy Stanick* - North Carolina Jose (Joe) Sueiro - Washington D.C. Xamara Villar - Florida Paula Voytko - Texas Class
of 1970 Alex de la Cal - Florida Don Daniels - Florida Michael Dunev* - Barcelona Tica Echols Rojo - Madrid Carolyn (Gorla) Weiler - Vancouver Stewart Hayes - California John James - Washington Jim Lipton* Cindy Marquart - Illinois Nelson Moldlin* - Madrid Ana Moreno-Lago - Madrid Linda Nelson Davis - California Thomas O'Callaghan* - Washington, D.C. Monika Schlick Clibourn - Massachusetts Jane Thompson Everhart - Texas Ken Smith - Florida Dale Ziebert Hollinger - Colorado *
I do not have these people on my mailing list.
I depend upon siblings and friends to keep them in the loop. Please have them contact me if they have email.
I
hope I have not missed anybody. If I did, please tell me ASAP. If you
are in contact with any other Sixties ASMers who are not on this list,
please let me know and ask them to contact me.
Please note that I am officially including 1970 as part of the
60s decade! I do this for two reasons.
The first being my intro to this newsletter (if the millennium
begins in 2001, the class of 1970 belongs to the Sixties Decade).
The second reason: I was a member of the class of 1970 for the first two months
of the school year, so it seems appropriate to include them. Gone
But Not Forgotten The sadder thing about reuniting old friends is finding out about others who are no longer with us and sharing the loss of a family member of someone who has become dear to us. On December 28th, I received this news from Bill Mock '69. Many of you knew Charmian Mock from ASM: My
mom passed away this evening (morning in the Philippines) peacefully.
She is with her beloved husband Charlie once again, and we will miss
her dearly. She was
surrounded by family and took a grand exit, in style, like everything
else she did. Thanks again for all your prayers and good will.
Give her a thought and a smile.
She's on her way to the promised land! On August 21, I received this from Monika Schlick Clibourn: My
father died ...... It's all very sad but also for the best.
I have said that so many times to other people knowing in my
heart that it is the truth and now I find myself being grateful that
there is, ultimately, relief.
I appreciate your prayers and would welcome more. Fondly, Monika The following information has been provided to me from reliable sources who are certain that the information is factual. I apologize for any errors. On behalf of the greater ASM Community and the Sixties Decade in particular, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Bill and Monika on their recent losses, and to the family and friends of the following alumni who have passed away through the years. 1964 Willie MacLean 1965 Paul Castellón Dan Dailey Gabriel Jose Fernandez Alonso, Jr. 1969 Barry Boucher Marina Hooghuis 1971 Vivianne Jeanes (sister of Debbie '69) And now, more voices from the Sixties. From
Arne Mortensen '65: I graduated from ASM in 1965, Harvey Mudd College - BS Physics 1969, UCSD - Scripps Institution of Oceanography - PhD 1976. I am married to Jonalee Boyd; four children, ages 26, 24, 18, 14 and am currently living in San Diego and working at Qualcomm, Inc. Recently I visited Madrid ... such tremendous growth since the "old" days is astounding; taking my youngest Son (Mikael, 18) to Segovia and Toledo as well as showing him around Madrid was a thrill. I couldn't recognize the old Dr. Fleming neighborhood - dull memory and the changes, no doubt. Madrid seemed not to be same safe and peaceful place I remember. Favorite teachers - Robert L. Stocker, and Peter B. Gustafson. ASM was a wonderful experience; two years made great by the students and the faculty and the administration. I wish them all the very best. Arne
can be reached at: arne@qualcomm.com From
David Johnson '65: I live in New York City. I'm married with two daughters, the oldest a freshman at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, the youngest a freshman at Fieldston High School in the Bronx. My wife Jill is English ( I seem to like Euro-babes) and works as an art director in advertising. I'm an ad writer myself for BBDO. Those of you living outside of the US should soon see a Pepsi spot I wrote starring Bond girl Denise Richards. In the US, you've seen my TV spots over the years for Pepsi, Stainmaster carpets, GE, AT&T and other things. I generally try to write things that make you laugh. I've done a little standup comedy, am very close to getting my pilot's license, and plan to buy a Piper Warrior or Archer (four-seater, single prop plane) this spring assuming the NASDAQ stocks keep doing so well. Also, I'm pretty bald and look like an old fart. David
can be reached at: DERJ490@aol.com From
Michelle (Fearey LaGue) Mock '69: In September 1968, I arrived at ASM after spending one year in a Spanish school and two years at Marymount International School in Barcelona. After graduation in 1969, I stayed in Spain for an additional three years working for the CTNE (the Spanish telephone company as an interpreter) and returned to California in 1972. I have been a secretary, computer programmer, tech writer, teacher, vision therapist and a perpetual student. I am continually taking classes and someday will complete enough classes at a single institution to get my BS/MS. I haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up! Too many choices, I want to try everything! I am married to Jerry Mock, and we have a son and daughter, both in high school. My two biggest hobbies are currently ASM and NASA. Between the two, I am on my computer every spare moment I get! The only thing that gets me off the computer is going to ASM mini-reunions! I lost my mind some time ago, if you find a spare one, let me know! Michelle
can be reached at MFeareyASM@aol.com
From
Carmen Pickett '69 Carmen was born in Carlisle, PA and attended ASM from 1966-1969. She is married to Rick Catalá and they have three children (two girls ages 20 and 18 and a boy, 11). She completed her MBA last year and you can imagine how glad she is to have finished it. She works for Barclays Bank (Treasury Marketing & Sales) in Miami. Carmen
can be reached at carmen_catala@hotmail.com
From
Ana (Ferrer) Illsen '67: I wrote the letter asking the Sixties alumni to send in their updates for the January issue... and it just occurred to me that that includes me! DUH!! So, here it goes: I am currently living in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, working for CCH Incorporated (Chicago-based legal publisher), in charge of sales for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Without a doubt, the highlight of 1999 for me was the August reunion in Miami, seeing Peggy Danos and Conchita Gonzalez and Larry Hawkins and so many other long-lost friends, and finding the Presleys again! I also love the fact that Sarita Gomez has moved to the States, which has translated into more frequent telephone calls so that continuity has returned to our friendship. Professionally, 1999 was a very productive year for me. A couple of trips to Puerto Rico impacted my sales remarkably, and I love relating to my customers there! My husband came on one of the trips and we had a great time exploring the island and discovering the beauty of its countryside. So now I am looking forward to 2000 and to a reunion on March 3-5 (location TBA), so that we can continue to reacquaint ourselves as we began to do last August and have another opportunity to get together with some of the old friends who did not make it to Miami. Later in March, I am going to Madrid to a friend's son's wedding, and I am looking forward to the few days I'll spend there. As for right now, I am leaving Dec 26 on a Millennium Cruise through the Panama Canal, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Aruba, with my husband and my youngest daughter. Y2K glitches notwithstanding, we will be back on Jan. 7th!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! Ana Ana
can be reached at Ana_Illsen@cch.com
[Very
special thanks to Ana for her part in the creation of
this issue by writing to virtually everyone from the decade and
asking them to send in their mini-bios, and for requesting class agents to send lists of their classmates.
She also edited the rough draft and double checked my list of
alumni and provided additional input.
Thank you, Ana, I could not have done it without you!] From
Jim Karna '68: Thank you for the wonderful work in putting together this newsletter. I left Madrid in 1967, when my Dad was transferred stateside by his company. Like most of us, I went through reverse culture shock upon my return. I spent a few years here really missing Spain and all my good friends there. My family first moved to New Jersey and then to Houston, Texas, where I live today. I spent my first two years of college at St. Lawrence University, in upper state New York. Desperate to get back to Europe, I spent my junior year abroad, studying French literature and history in France, at the University of Rouen. During that period, I managed to travel back to Madrid twice and was really pleased to renew old acquaintances. I finished up my Bachelor's Degree at University of Houston in 1975. After graduation, I did some wandering around but eventually decided to go to law school and become a lawyer. I graduated from the Univ. of Houston Law School in 1980. I first worked for a small Houston law firm with an international commercial practice. Since 1986, I have worked as in-house counsel for Aramco Services Company, an oil services company. I specialize in international business matters but my work is quite varied and includes immigration and environmental law matters. In 1992, I received an LLM in International Law from the Univ. of Houston. I am currently blessed with a lovely wife, two children of my own and two stepchildren. My wife Carol is a programmer who stays busy at home, chasing kids and our new dog, Cappy. Our son, age 7 and my stepdaughter, age 13 live with us. From my first marriage, I have a 21 year old son who is in college and hopes to be a musician and a 24 year old stepson who teaches art at an elementary school, here and does sculpture in his spare time. I remain an avid swimmer, probably because of the great times I had swimming in the pools in Madrid with fellow ASM'ers. I also practice martial arts, jog and go biking when weather permits. I would love to hear from any faculty, staff, and students from who attended ASM in the Sixties. Jim
can be reached at jkarna@aramco.com
or owlntex@aol.com From
Omer Pirinccioglu '64: I graduated from ASM in 1964. During my senior year I was the Student Council President, Editor in Chief of the yearbook, played in the soccer and basketball varsity team, so I was very active at my beloved High school. After Madrid, I went to Istanbul, got my BA in Economics and started to work in a major Holding Co. for 9 years. I moved to the States in 1980. I lived in New Jersey till 1988 and ran my own businesses, mainly import and export and a few retail stores.Presently I am living in a quaint little town on the Delaware river called New Hope. It's between New York and Philadelphia. I am the President of a Company called Capacity Inc. We have about 94 ladies clothing stores in Outlet Centers scattered in 25 states. I am married. Sebnem, my wife is the VP. of the Company in charge of erchandising and Operations. Older son, Aydin,( 28) works for Digital in Istanbul, younger son, Ali,( 24 ) works for Vanguard, a mutual Fund Co. outside Philly, daughter Zeynep, (17) is a senior in High school. I wish you a healthy and happy new year. Omer
can be reached at: oprince@capcty.com
From
Tica Echols Rojo '70: My son Mikel Rojo graduated last year [from ASM] and was the first alumni grandson to graduate! TOMA YA! We had a big party and Mom came to graduation. Mr. Bellanger, Mrs. Curbera and Mrs. Fernandez have retired but are still in the Madrid area. Mme. Asúnsolo is still teaching at the school. I can't wait for the 2001 reunion! It will be such fun. I will be going to the states this summer., South Carolina, possibly New Hampshire or Sarasota Florida for sure S.C. Let me know if there are any mini reunions around. I will also look on the GoLancers website. You might let everyone know that STONES no longer exists! We will find something equally as good when everyone comes. Madrid is still a wonderful city, as far as I am concerned the best. Well I wish you a wonderful new year, again thanks for all your wonderful work, it's wonderful hearing from everyone. Much love Tica Tica
can be reached at: TEC_SPAN@santandersupernet.com
From
Robyn Ziebert '66: I'm still Burundi based but just through mid January. Burundi was a relatively short stint - seven months - and although I will miss the to die for view of Lake Tanganyika and the mountains of the Congo from my house, and some great people, can't say I'm too sorry. The Burundi conflict defies comprehension...it's particularly vicious, and after losing two UN colleagues in October, and almost losing one of my own staff in the same ambush, my stress level was at an all time high. I'll be moving on to Kosovo about the 18th, to run a large medical program with about 60 expats (that's always the hardest part, as each one marches to his/her own drum). At the moment, however, I'm at my Mom's in Aspen; Dale and her family live here also. Unfortunately, Dale has a mean case of the flu, but the rest of us will celebrate the arrival of the new millennium at my Aunt's...with a great view of Aspen Mountain and the firework display. Unfortunately, I won't be able to get you Erica's and Lise's telephone numbers until Monday, but I promise that I will send them. I have to call both of them, anyway, for my annual check-in...I think I told you I saw Nicole Szulc (Nikki) earlier this year in Bosnia. We ran into each other in the airport in Sarajevo and then spoke a few times. She was on her way, in April, to London to marry an Englishman she met while working for the OSCE. Does anyone know where Val Crosby is, by any chance? I "lost" her years ago, somewhere in the wilds of northern California. Someone told me that Cindy Crosby was an artist living somewhere in the south, but I'm not sure. And I wonder if Sergio (Dennis) knows whatever happened to Johnny Coelho? He lived in the Pasadena area in the early seventies (when I last saw Sergio). It's tremendous fun to be reliving my years in Spain, and ASM, and ...like most people, I have pretty much only good memories of that time. My senior year at ASM was one of the best times of my life - it just wasn't like your normal high school. I remember so much about ASM and Madrid, but now all sorts of "lost" memories are coming up. Silly things like ten of us piling into Johnny Coelho's Volkswagen after the Senior Prom and trying to drive to Valencia (we didn't get very far); a picnic somewhere on the way to El Escorial, when a dozen of us piled into Rafa's (D-B) father's Citroen; all those late nights at Las Cuevas and the mesones...drinking wine, playing guitars, eating; the time Jill Echols, Erica and I got picked up by Lise's father's chauffeur (the only car to come along in about two hours) when we were hitchiking outside of Granada just after we'd graduated, and Lise's mother called my mother, and God, did the three of us get an earful. Dale was in Madrid earlier this year and tried to see Mari Kreisler, who I saw in 1991 or 1992 on my last trip to Spain. In 2000 I'll be there for sure since it's not so far from Kosovo in the scheme of things. Okay, enough...I'll get back to you Monday with the info on Erica and Lise. And, many thanks for doing what you're doing, Michelle. Have a wonderful millennium celebration! Robyn
can be reached at: rziebert@iname.com
From
A Former American Student from Munich '54: I was browsing the web and ran across your American School in Madrid, Class of 69. I, too, was a student, not of Madrid, but of Munich, Germany, Class of '54. Those days have some fond, fond memories that I will never forget. I am sure you must have some memories that will last of your Madrid, Spain stay. Just wanted to say Hello and wish you a festive holiday season. Bob Mumma Munich American High School Class of 1954 [I
wrote back to Bob and received a long reply.
He said I could share it with you, so I have included a
shortened version below. As
you can see, there is something about being a "Global Nomad"
that gives us a common link to others, no matter where they lived,
where they attended school, what age they are.
If you haven't read Steve( ASM '72) Shepard's book,
"Managing Cross-Cultural Transitions", I highly recommend
it. ] Coming from a military family my Dad decided to stay Army after WWII. In August 51 he was posted to the Quartermaster School in Lenggries, Germany. Right at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. We joined him in December 51. My Mother and us four boys made the trip from Ft. Wayne, IN to New York City, boarded the SS Washington along with other dependants heading to Europe. Only true fame came in the last game of my football career against the American High School Linz, Austria. I scored my one and only touchdown. We also formed a bowling league at the school and I was part of the championship team in 1953. We were called the W.H.A. there are very few people who know the meaning of W.H.A. I will let you know only if you MUST know. As 1954 came on, the small group of friends at Bad Tolz, were we were staying in Germany, had formed a basketball team, coached by a GI at Flint Kaserne, who took the time to help mold us kids in to something. We played hard and ended up winning an invitational tournament at Bad Tolz, where we played other American kids at Army or Air Force posts through out the Bavarian area. During this time we had formed several hard and fast relationships. I found out later that one cannot go home as being a military brat where did I really call home! I didn't have one. Anyhow here we are. We have almost 5 grandkids now who take up a lot of our time and all our love. We get out to Virginia to visit them as many times as we can during the year. I had been back to Bad Tolz once in 1957 and again 1987. Upon our arrival the last time, the man, Othmar Fussell, brought out a bottle of cognac which my Dad had given him back in 1954 in hope that some day my parents would return. My Mother had gone back once but my Dad never. Anyhow, we opened that bottle, toasted my parents, and polished off the bottle. This was one of the most memorable trips of my life. That was five years ago and the scenes, the town and the surrounding area remains as fresh in my mind as if I were still there. I guess that is because it was the last place that we were all together as a family. My parents have since passed away, Dad in 1986 and Mom in 1989. Both are buried at the National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Dad went first and was buried deeper to accommodate Mom when she passed a few years later. Mike, the second brother, stated, "WHO EVER GOES FIRST GETS THE BOTTOM BUNK". Needless to say every trip to Virginia I end up at the cemetery. My wife, Iris asked me one day if I ever spoke to them. I replied Yes. They have missed so much not being able to see their great grand kids. A website for the Munich Alumni is at http://members.aol.com/munichalum/munich.htm . Also http://www.highschoolalumni.com lists high schools in the US. So anyhow, it was been a pleasure to make your acquaintance. By the way, I have been writing my memoirs and am about to print chapter 20, volume 3. It has been a load of fun in remembering and putting all these experiences down on paper. One point in question, I had to do the 8th and 10th years over again. Had I not done this I would not have had the pleasure to have seen places, meet people and especially make and have the friends I do now. I still keep in touch with my FIRST LOVE from Germany. She lives in NC. Keep in Touch. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Bob Mumma Munich Class of '54 Bob
can be reached at rjmumma@ccrtc.com
From
Joe Condrill (President OverseasBrats): Hi! Here's hoping that you are enjoying your holidays with family and friends! Periodically over the past several months up until August, I have tried to keep you posted about the all-schools reunion event called Homecoming'99. (Some of you I've missed updating, and I apologize.) These updates would not be complete unless you received an after-the-event report. So briefly, here's what happened:
And yes -- plans are already underway for Homecoming 2001 which will happen in Wichita, KS, during the summer of 2001. You'll be emailed an update about it next month. A question I've been asked frequently is, "Is there some kind of event for all Military Brats and Overseas Brats happening in 2000?" Yes. This will be the annual OVERSEAS BRATS "gathering" held in Wichita, KS, in October 2000. Email me for particulars. A special 8 page booklet with photo highlights of our last "gathering" held in New Orleans is being prepared. This is FREE for the asking. I just need a name and a mailing address to sent this to no later than January 9, 2000 In
the meanwhile, thank you again for your interest in Homecoming'99!
Look what we can accomplish when we all come together!
Have a safe and happy New Year! Very Sincerely Yours, Joe Condrill, President OVERSEAS BRATS Attended: Boeblingen Elementary School, (Stuttgart), Germany, 3rd & 4th Grade, 1963-65. Orleans Elementary School, Orleans, France, 5th Grade, 1965-66. Kaimuki Intermediate School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 8th Grade, 1968-69. Maryknoll High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, Freshman year, 1969-70. International School of Bangkok, Thailand, Sophomore and Junior years, 1970-72. Tehran American School, Tehran,
Iran, Senior year and graduation, 1972-73. President, Tehran American School Assn., the alumni assn. of all who attended the Tehran American School, Iran. Co-founder, the ISB Network, the alumni assn. of the International School of Bangkok, Thailand. Honorary member of the Athens, Bitburg, Lakenheath, Heidelberg, Kaiserslautern, Kubasaki and Stuttgart alumni organizations. Joe
can be reached at: OSBPres@aol.com Happy
Y2K to All: [Thanks
Aurelio, for sending this. Some
of you may have seen it, but for those who haven't, here is some humor
for Y2K. ] 'TWAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS' By Mark J. Bishop TWAS THE WEEK AFTER CHRISTMAS AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE NOT ONE PC WAS WORKING NOT EVEN A MOUSE. I TURNED ON THE POWER BUT NOTHING WAS WORKING I GRAB THE COMPUTER AND START BANGING AND JERKING. I LAID OUT THREE GRAND FOR THIS BIG PIECE OF JUNK ON JANUARY 1ST THE DAMN THING WENT "KERPLUNK"! WHEN I THREW IT OUT THE WINDOW IT MADE SUCH A CLATTER MY NEIGHBOR JUST CALLED TO SEE WHAT'S THE MATTER. I TURNED ON THE TV THE CABLE IS DOWN MY MICROWAVE OVEN IS MAKING WEIRD SOUNDS. MY NEW VCR IS AS DEAD AS A ROCK NOT ONE LIGHT IS BLINKING NOT EVEN THE CLOCK. IT'S TWENTY BELOW THE PEAK OF SNOW SEASON THE FURNACE WON'T WORK THE PIPES ARE ALL FREEZING THIS COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AT A WORSE TIME I THINK I HAVE FROSTBITE ON MY BEHIND. I LAUGHED FOR A SECOND AND THOUGHT IT ALL FUNNY THEN A CALL FROM MY BANK IN REGARDS TO MY MONEY. "WE MANAGED YOUR PENSION AND SAVINGS WITH CARE BUT FOR SOME ODD REASON YOUR MONEY'S NOT THERE WE WERE Y2K READY WE'D THOUGHT WE'D BE HEROES BUT REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR BALANCE IS..ZERO"! I DROP THE RECEIVER TO THE BATHROOM I RUSH I PUSH DOWN THE HANDLE THE TOILET WON'T FLUSH. I TURNED ON THE FAUCET NOT ONE DROP HITS THE SINK I HEAD OUT THE DOOR TO THE PUB FOR A DRINK. I JUMP IN THE CAR TURN THE KEY IN THE SWITCH IT ONLY GOES "CLICK" I SCREAM,"SON OF A *****!" A COMPUTERIZED IGNITION HAS JUST SEALED MY FATE NOT SET UP FOR THE "2000" DATE. I TWITCH LIKE A MADMAN THIS CANNOT BE TRUE NO CAR, HEAT, OR MONEY WHAT THE HELL CAN I DO. SHOUTING OBSCENITIES AS I RAN OUT OF SIGHT HAPPY Y2K TO ALL IT'S BEEN ONE HELL OF A NIGHT! And
In All Fairness to Computer Programmers Everywhere --
PROGRAMMERS NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS --- [Author Unknown] Twas the night before
implementation and all through the house not a program was
working, not even a browse. The programmers hung
round their cubes in despair with hopes that a miracle
soon would be there. The users were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of
inquiries danced in their heads. When out of the cope
there arose such a clatter I sprang from my desk to
see what was the matter. And what to my wandering eyes should appear but a super contractor with a six pack
of beer. His resume glowed with
experience so rare he turned out great code
with a bit-pushers flair. More rapid than eagles, his programs they came - he whistled and shouted and called them
by name; "on update, on add,
on enquire, on delete, on batch jobs, on closing, on function
complete." His eyes were glazed over, fingers nimble and lean from weekends and nights spent in front
of the screen. A wink of his eye and a
twist of his head soon gave me to know I
had nothing dread. He spoke not a word but
went straight to his work turning specs into code; then he turned
with a jerk and laying his finger upon the enter
key, the system came up and worked perfectly.
The updates updated, the deletes they deleted, the inquiries inquired, the closing
completed. He tested each whistle, he tested each
bell, and with nary abend, all had gone well.
They system was finished, the tests were concluded, the client's last changes were even
included. And the user exclaimed
with a snarl and a taunt, "IT'S JUST WHAT I ASKED FOR, BUT NOT WHAT I WANT." [Voice of the Sixties can be found at: http://www.gutech.com/asm/asmart.htm
. This newsletter is dependent upon input from ASM 60s alumni. Please
send your stories, mini-bios and any news you would like to share to MFeareyASM@aol.com.
Comments and suggestions are encouraged as well. This is a copyrighted document. It is not to be duplicated without the express written consent of the authors. Express written consent must be obtained from each individual contributor. |