And more Tech memoriams
There are about a half-dozen full-size LCD billboards scattered along Hampton Roads highways. Distracting things, let me tell you.
Today, they are flashing luminous messages of support for the Tech victims.
Throat, meet lump.
Thunderous quiet
NASA Langley is actually rather pretty in many spots… away from the streets of the base, you get tree-lined walks punctuated with sculpture, providing lotsa good places to sit and eat lunch when the weather’s good.
One of those areas was colored purple and orange for an hour today as the base held a small ceremony for the Tech victims. I’m no good at counting crowds, but easily a hundred of the people here came out for the memorial. I exchanged small talk with Lloyd Eldred, and saw many of my Desktop Support co-workers as well. Some disturbance floated over from the Air Force base, where Joint Strike Fighters were practicing for next week’s air show, but we forged ahead.
Forging ahead – that was my epiphany during the ceremony. To hell with Cho Seung-hui. If the best legacy he can leave the world is the death of some innocent bystanders – if all he ever wanted was to remembered as a homicidal cretin – then he’s got it. The rest of us will mourn, and hurt, and then get on with our lives despite him.
There are folks out there who are already turning his sickness into works of art; turning his ugliness into beauty, and togetherness, and hope. We can always defeat these random acts of destructiveness as long as we’re willing to take a deep breath, straighten our shoulders, and forge ahead.
Blacksburg ugliness
Everyone here at the office is hanging on what I can tell them about the Tech situation from my LJ friends’ page – seems like all my officemates have been there recently or know someone there.
Keeping my fingers crossed that you’re all safe.
Edit: They’ve just routed CNN into one of the internal office TV system channels, in an attempt to keep everyone informed.
Clearly, it’s a Western
I just figured out why I’m the only fan on the East Coast who doesn’t watch Galactica. According to Wired magazine:
Even Battlestar Galactica, the flagship show of (hello!) the Sci Fi Channel, keeps a distance [from being identified as SF]. “It’s fleshed-out reality,” explains executive producer Ronald D. Moore in the sci-fi mag SFX. “It’s not in the science-fiction genre.”
Ahh, I get it. I was expecting Galactica to be science-fiction. Silly me.
And now, a multiple-choice question: You are behind another vehicle in a 55-mile-per-hour zone. For the last 5 minutes, the driver has moved no faster than 30 MPH. You’re running a little late, and you’d like to drive the speed limit. Do you:
A) Flash your headlights at the driver ahead;
B) Tailgate the other vehicle closely, hoping the driver will get the hint;
C) Attempt to pass the other vehicle, which will result in their sudden discovery of their gas pedal and acceleration to 70 or 80 MPH rather than allowing you to pass.
The answer in Hampton Roads is, of course, C.
Activating Foot Transport System
Another thing I like about the new job: I get more exercise as I cross the base back and forth to take a look at client’s machines.
(I could drive, but if it’s nice out, why not burn a few calories?)
Not quite on Time
The 2007 season of Doctor Who started on Technicon Saturday, and no one on my flist posted word one? Not even rubinpdf?
I need to follow these things more closely. I also need to buckle down and finish the 2006 season… and Torchwood maybe…
Technicon 24 Sunday
April 1st, 2007
I woke up marveling at the fact that, after the lengthy whirlwind of a day I’d jumped into yesterday, I felt clear-headed and painless. It took me only about 15 minutes to repack my laptop and overnight bag – I hadn’t had the time to pack anything more than that on the way out from Norfolk. I went to kathleenroberts and jameshroberts‘ room to recover my corkscrew I’d left last night… then back 20 minutes later to recover the laptop bag I’d forgotten after retrieving the previous item. (Clear-headed, yes. Fully cognizant of my surroundings, no.)
I got to talk to vileone for a while about the LARP I didn’t manage to attend, then turned in my White Elephant contributions (someone set up us the bomb!) a little late. I hope they sold – I didn’t have time to stay and see. Then I spent at least half an hour chatting with rattrap – he gave me some keen Xmas presents! jsciv dropped in for the tail end of that conversation – at this point, I was wishing I’d had another day of con to spend, as I had *not* had the time I wanted to catch up and chat with everyone!
12:30 arrived, and I gave shrewlet a hug and reluctantly hit the road – I was planning a Roanoke stop that would add 2 more hours to my driving time. But I remained buzzed for the next whole day – heck, it still hasn’t worn off completely. To repeat myself: Technicon was awesome, my friends rock, and I absolutely cannot wait for next year!
Sparks and steam
Elfie’s mailserver appears to be non-functional at the moment.
Phooey on the timing of mischevious gods – I’m not in the mailserver at work yet, so I’ve been using Elfie for work correspondence.
Edit: 0900 Friday, yay, it’s working.
Edit: 0947 Friday, ooops, no it tisn’t.
Edit: 1427 Friday, yes, yes it is.
