This week started on the wrong foot when Steve Jobs died. I
was expecting it- like all of us, but it was a jolt felt around the world
anyway.
Steve Jobs actually did affect my life in a profound way. Around 1994 A good friend of Nick’s dad worked
at Apple and gave Nick a prototype model computer with a color display. I
remember sitting at Nick’s desk at his dad’s house and trying to figure out how
things worked when my then 9 -year old son told me I was using the mouse wrong.
It was then that I decided to master the Apple computer.
Soon after that incident, I enrolled in Computer Graphic
Design school, while still working full time. I would get up at 5AM and not get
back home until 10PM Monday through Thursday. I had no computer at home to
practice on so I lagged behind most of my class. When finally I couldn’t stand
my job any more, I quit and spent all my days and nights at the school. My work
improved, and while I would never call myself a great artist, I mastered page
layout and some complex Illustrator and Photoshop pieces. It was the beginning of a new life for me.
After graduation, I found work as a production artist. I
freelanced for an advertising agency and then created Nika Design, my own
company. When business faltered, I sent my resume to one agency and was immediately
hired by Ernst & Young to lead the Creative Services Team in San Francisco. That job
grew to leading five Bay Area offices and training other managers across the
country.
That day I sat at my son’s Apple Computer was a pivotal day
for me. Thank you Steve Jobs.
Then, later this week we lost another Giant- or Raider, I
should say. Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders died this week too. I met Al
in 1978 or 79 when the Oakland Raiders trained at the El Rancho Tropicana in Santa Rosa. I managed the restaurant that year and John
Madden, Tom Flores and Al Davis would sit in the same booth every morning at 6AM
and discuss their business while their players were shaking off their hangovers
from the night before.
Al was a strange guy. He seldom looked at my staff or me, I
think because he was preoccupied, not rude. His hotel suite was filled with exercise
equipment (I learned from room service) and he only wore jogging suits all
training season. I don’t recall him
being particularly kind or generous like John Madden and Tom Flores but I do
recall his presence. He was impossible to ignore. He led a bunch of wild men into the super bowl
and they all, coaches included, wore their rings with pride.
My life was not changed by Al Davis, but the lives of many
football players and the game of football itself were changed forever by this
freethinking, rebel of a man.
So, here’s to two giants. Two
men who followed their passion and their dreams and who both demanded
excellence from themselves and the people around them. May they rest in peace.
Finally, I want to say thank God Amanda Knox has been found
not guilty and is home in the US
today. More than anything I’m appalled
by the people here in the US
that were so ready to believe every stupid rumor, lie and exaggeration written
by the press regarding this case. People
without any knowledge of the facts decided Amanda was guilty because some rag of
a newspaper said so.
Anyone that had done a modicum of research would have been
able to see that this case was a mess from the beginning. It was the kiss with
her boyfriend that made her the devil. Did anyone see that kiss? It was three
quick pecks, the kind people who care about each other give each other when one
or both are upset. It was not a tongue swallowing, passionate, I can’t wait to
get you in the sack kiss.
Fortunately, justice prevailed. Unfortunately, some people
will stick to their ridiculous convictions and not let the facts get in the way
of their messed up thinking. Amanda Knox
is going to have to live with stupid people forever- I hope she stays strong.
