In light of the Sundays special occasion of Fathers Day, I've decided to write an article about my dad. There are things my father did that have had a profound impact on my life and I want to share it with you, the reader and with my dad. Now I'm pretty sure that the story will fit the "standards" of this sites writing because my father fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, created the monster that is typing this. There are certain events from a long time ago that defines the relationship a father has with his son. These events not only defines us, but unites a common theme within us. That theme is the basis for the web site you see here in which we define ourselves not a "geek", but an "Epic Geek". My dad might take exception to that term but anyone who has seen his "hobbies" won't disagree. Also, all images in this article are from games my father played and enjoyed. Its kind of like a memory lane of the "geek" in all of us.
Memories of My Father
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my childhood is The Hobbit. My father was always reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. While other kids were getting told stories like The Cat in the Hat at bedtime my dad was telling me the tale of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf. So right there we all know that I was off to a good start in the world.
The next memory that comes to mind is a biggie. It is when our family got our first computer. An IBM PS/2 model 25. Like the lightsaber it was an elegant weapon from a more civilized age. Christmas 1988, this was the last gift to be unwrapped. At that time I didn't know what a computer was. I was happy with my He-Man toys. My brother got some Dungeon & Dragons gold box software and my dad was tasked to install it. 1 hour went by then another and another. My brother waited patiently then not so patiently, finally my brother gave up. My father on the other hand was like a man possessed. Every time an error came up he would bust out that 300 page Dos manual and search the error codes. I went to bed that night around midnight, clutching my He-Man figure. My dad was still working to get that game to run. I woke up a couple of hours later to the words "Well I'll be a suck ass mule!" This was a phrase I've heard many times as it is a sign of setback or defeat. I sat next to him and he looked at me and smiled and said he will get it, but not tonight. Then he booted up another game and played till 4 in the morning. That game was a clone of Load Runner called Freddy's Rescue Roundup. His patience is what he passed on to me when I started working with computers.
Memories of My Father
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my childhood is The Hobbit. My father was always reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. While other kids were getting told stories like The Cat in the Hat at bedtime my dad was telling me the tale of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf. So right there we all know that I was off to a good start in the world.
The next memory that comes to mind is a biggie. It is when our family got our first computer. An IBM PS/2 model 25. Like the lightsaber it was an elegant weapon from a more civilized age. Christmas 1988, this was the last gift to be unwrapped. At that time I didn't know what a computer was. I was happy with my He-Man toys. My brother got some Dungeon & Dragons gold box software and my dad was tasked to install it. 1 hour went by then another and another. My brother waited patiently then not so patiently, finally my brother gave up. My father on the other hand was like a man possessed. Every time an error came up he would bust out that 300 page Dos manual and search the error codes. I went to bed that night around midnight, clutching my He-Man figure. My dad was still working to get that game to run. I woke up a couple of hours later to the words "Well I'll be a suck ass mule!" This was a phrase I've heard many times as it is a sign of setback or defeat. I sat next to him and he looked at me and smiled and said he will get it, but not tonight. Then he booted up another game and played till 4 in the morning. That game was a clone of Load Runner called Freddy's Rescue Roundup. His patience is what he passed on to me when I started working with computers.
As I get older I look back at my childhood and see that my parents were my closest friends. My mother always said the that fathers are a special treat and mothers are always taken for granted. I tend to agree with that assumption. My father worked long hours and while I was in junior high and high school I hardly ever saw him. That made the little time we did spend together very special. Watching my dad playing Desert Strike (pictured at top of article) and Doom was so cool mainly because he was so good at them. The smile on his face while he played these was priceless. Our trips to American Civil War battlegrounds, walking down streams in the Smokey Mountains, playing rounds of golf with each other are all amazing experiences that always put a smile on my face.
But times change, I don't see or talk to my dad now like I use to. I really can't put my finger on it but I think it has to my fault for not doing so. I feel that I've let him down as a son and as a friend. Leaving my education to pursue stupid ideals. Not taking seriously the situations I was in. I came to realize that I am not 1/10 the man my father is and I haven't come to terms with that yet.
So dad, this Sunday I want to let you know that you are never far from my mind. I can only hope that in time I can be as good of a dad to my children as you are to me. Mom was always the anchor holding the family together while you were working, and you were "The Man" providing, laboring, killing yourself to make our lives easier to live. No words can convey the sacrifice you made for your family. I love you and have a happy fathers day.
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