joethezombie
Well-known member
So the other day I was working in a town about 4 hours away from home. It’s far enough away that items on craigslist or letgo wouldn't normally show up in my feed, so I thought I’d quickly check for old Mac treasures before leaving the area. Well, listed in yet another town even further away was a lowly Macintosh SE. It was about another 2.5 hour drive, on top of the 4 I had already driven, so I really wasn’t going to drive all that for an SE. But looking at the picture, I notice this incredible aluminum carry case with it. Knowing that I would never see another one in my lifetime, the lure of the prize kept eating at me throughout the work day. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I normally don't obsess about such things. But the idea of that case finally broke me down, and I made arrangements to pick up the lot the next morning for $100.
I left my hotel at 5:00AM, and had the most amazing drive up around Yellowstone. The Tetons were peaking their interests through the haze as the sun rose, all while the mighty Madison continued its never ending carve through the valley. It was absolutely stunning, and I was happy I took the trip, even if the Mac and its trophy case turned out to be a bust.
Expecting a quick trade of cash to goods, I instead was welcomed at the driveway by a very nice and somewhat elderly gentleman, “You must be Joe, come in for some coffee!”. I am so happy I accepted, as the conversation with him and his lovely wife over that cup of coffee is one of the most enjoyable conversations of my life. He was amazed I’d had driven so far for an old Mac, but I was soon to be amazed about his history with that Mac. The man was the original owner of the machine, purchased while working at Lockheed Missiles and Space. The device was instrumental in developing sensors and imaging techniques in solar studies.
We talked a bit about how the Mac had been quite the world traveler, with that aluminum case protecting it and the important scientific data it had accrued during many voyages to Japan and other far away places. Asking where he’d been was answered with a huge range of world destinations, but one stunning answer that was literally out of this world. Space. You see, this very nice gentleman turned out to be an astronaut and had flown aboard the space shuttle. Indeed, the aluminum case is marked with his mission patch prominently displayed on top.
I’d say the conquest here is complete, even if it had ended without collecting the Mac and the case I had so sought after: a cup of coffee with an astronaut, talking about old Macs, family, and adventure. Life cant get much better than that.
I left my hotel at 5:00AM, and had the most amazing drive up around Yellowstone. The Tetons were peaking their interests through the haze as the sun rose, all while the mighty Madison continued its never ending carve through the valley. It was absolutely stunning, and I was happy I took the trip, even if the Mac and its trophy case turned out to be a bust.
Expecting a quick trade of cash to goods, I instead was welcomed at the driveway by a very nice and somewhat elderly gentleman, “You must be Joe, come in for some coffee!”. I am so happy I accepted, as the conversation with him and his lovely wife over that cup of coffee is one of the most enjoyable conversations of my life. He was amazed I’d had driven so far for an old Mac, but I was soon to be amazed about his history with that Mac. The man was the original owner of the machine, purchased while working at Lockheed Missiles and Space. The device was instrumental in developing sensors and imaging techniques in solar studies.
We talked a bit about how the Mac had been quite the world traveler, with that aluminum case protecting it and the important scientific data it had accrued during many voyages to Japan and other far away places. Asking where he’d been was answered with a huge range of world destinations, but one stunning answer that was literally out of this world. Space. You see, this very nice gentleman turned out to be an astronaut and had flown aboard the space shuttle. Indeed, the aluminum case is marked with his mission patch prominently displayed on top.
I’d say the conquest here is complete, even if it had ended without collecting the Mac and the case I had so sought after: a cup of coffee with an astronaut, talking about old Macs, family, and adventure. Life cant get much better than that.
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