Category: Sad

I’ve been a customer with Ventures Online for several years. While they may not be the cheapest host out there, their support and expertise is top notch.

Upon my “every couple of days” rounds to their forums, I came across this post. Chad Keep, one of their Tier-III (meaning *nix and Web hosting stud) tech died last week. He was suffering from serious migraines that were hampering his ability to function.

His death is sad, and he’ll be missed, but what’s even more interesting was his “suicide note,” (or goodbye post, or whatever) of sorts. He had posted a hidden entry on his LiveJournal blog that came to light after his death. Update: Chad’s blog is here, along with his last post.

Karin, a friend of mine at VO who has worked with Chad, has a category about her experiences with him over the last couple weeks. She’s also trying to deal with all of this, as well as document as much of the knowledge that Chad has shared with him.

I didn’t know him as well as some, beyond my dealings with him on my host’s HelpDesk, but I knew his skills, and he will be sorely missed.

In a large PR coup for Mattel, the AP reports that Ken and Barbie are splitting up after 43 years.

Celebrity-wannabe Jon Blake Cusack has named his son Jon Blake Cusack 2.0. Your 15 minutes are up now, pal.

If you don’t feel like reading about why I feel sorry for my wife and why her life probably sucks worse than mine right now, stop here. Otherwise, read on…

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Minnesota 31, Oregon: 30. The game was won with a late field goal that barely made it through the uprights. Clemens had an incredible game with 362 yards, 31 for 43, 3 TDs, and the only interception he threw was in the last 10 seconds of the game.

Oh well…looking forward to next year (as always).

The police officer remembers Melissa carrying around a rag doll. He remembers her trying to roller-skate down the sidewalk. He can still see her swinging in her back yard, ponytails flying. Years later, he arrested Melissa for selling herself for $8 and a Baby Ruth bar. But he worked to get her help, and the story is actually really sad but well written and touching. It, honestly, brought a tear to my eye like good journalism and good writing does. Link via Obscure.

You know, I get really annoyed and saddened to see good friends of mine get screwed, get pay cuts, etc… . I won’t mention company names here, because I don’t want to see my good friends get screwed. Recently, some former co-workers and some good friends of mine (from a few companies) confided in me the situations they’re going through at their respective companies. In one instance, the CEO of the company owes several employees thousands of dollars, won’t pay up, but keeps promising the money is coming. To those people (and you know who are): file a wage claim or take a class-action lawsuit. The CEO you’re dealing with is a man who will do everything in his power to screw you. Those who are still left with the company, get out while you still can. Those who managed to get out and find other work, consider yourself blessed.

The other instance, the once large, energetic staff that was trying to compete with a large, stable, organization, is laying off folks, running a skeleton staff, and the staff that’s left is taking pay cuts just to see the company survive. It’s sad when this has to happen, especially when you have mouths to feed.

To all of you, I wish you good luck, and I’m just really glad I’m not jobless — it sucks, I’ve been there.

Today is a sad day in history for obvious reasons. While I won’t get into what I was doing on this day two years ago (I know I was glued to CNN and worrying about some clients I worked with in the New York and DC areas), my heart is still heavy today, two years later.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to participate with Rob in the Sept. 11th Photoblog (his photos will be posted online, as will others), but I do encourage you to participate, as many folks are already.