12 of 12 v4 – Tribute
Hi everyone and welcome to the 12 of 12 for October. As always we give props to the Big Daddy of 12 of 12, Chad Darnell. Be sure to check out the 12s from the other guys and girls this (and every) month.
This months 12 is rather bittersweet. In recent times I have kept these going primarily for my Mum and Dad. My Dad battled lung cancer for eighteen months (double his most generous life expectancy) and passed away two weeks ago. This one’s for you Dad, enjoy it wherever you are 
Starting off this month with a little poignant photo. The card was a present from my Mum. The little hand-made plasticine pot was made for my by my cousin Lauren, and the ring is my Dad’s wedding ring. My Mum gave it to me after he passed, and I will shortly be getting it sized to fit me.
It’s my first day back in the office today (I’ve been away for two weeks) and it’s good to see that we have the most important essentials in abundance. These 200 coffee pods should last a good…well three weeks if we are lucky.
Heading towards lunchtime and I popped out to the car to get something and took this snap of the building on the way back in. I’ve just started parking in the back today after two flat tyres from screws in the last two months. They’re probably not from here but you never know.
You may be wondering why it is that outside the back of an IT office there is a shed full of tyres. So am I, and I’ve been here for nearly 20 months.
We have a new server in the office today to be built for a customer. Don’t try balancing new servers on top of two other computers at home kids, we’re trained professionals. (Note: This is not for one of my customers, so if it explodes or whatever it’s not my fault).
The cliche is true, IT departments are pretty much held together by caffeine. And yes it is a Monday, I’m at work and desperate for anything to take a photo of. Sorry. Oh and no, the pasta isn’t my lunch.
After finishing up at the office I had to take care of some personal matters which involved a trip to go and visit my uncle. I haven’t been to their house for several years and it has recently had a complete overhaul. I didn’t say “Can I take photos for my internet chums to see?” for fear of a Roger Moore-esque eyebrow raise before being turfed off his property So this is the view from their driveway heading back to civilisation.
Back at the homestead and The Master was pleased to see his underling had returned from work. But nothing was going to stop him from pawing his favourite dressing gown blanket.
I wanted to include a photo of this. We bought this for Dad several years ago and he never took it out of the packaging. You know the deal, press a button and it plays a particular saying. I love it because the last button says “SHUT UP FOOOOL!” and when Mum used to play and wind Dad up he would press that. So whenever I feel sad or fed up I press that button to remind me of the fun times.
Just getting a few things ready to put onto eBay, my 32Gb iPod touch and HTC Touch HD phone (I’ve now migrated to the iPhone).
Dinner! Chicken pie from our local farm shop (homemade in-house and utterly delicious).
And finally this is what I have written on the whiteboard in my home office. It stands for What Would Dad Do? It’s my new mantra and it helps me out in tricky situations. Oh and don’t worry, I’m not broadcasting my mobile phone number to the world here. That’s my old, disconnected number!
That’s my 12 of 12 for this month, as I have already said be sure to check out the other folks efforts and be sure to leave a comment. Until next time…
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Pete, Sorry to hear of your loss, not an easy 12 for this month, hope you continue with 12 in the months to come
,Lisa
… and sorry the ‘smile’ is not intended to look like a grin
Hi Pete,
First, my deepest sympathies for your loss. I too lost my dad albeit a few years ago and can sort of understand what you must be feeling. Secondly, thank you for your kind words in reference to the recent loss in our family. I truly appreciate it. Loss in general for a lack of better words, just plain sucks. It will get better. It surely can’t get any worse and if it can I don’t want to know about it. And thirdly last but not least, thanks for sharing your 12 of 12 for this month. I really like the one of your cat. Cats will always be the Masters and we the servants I heard it was preordained long ago. Take care and be kind to yourself
Hi Pete – so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
- – Dave & Linda
Pete,
Thanks for sharing your 12-of-12. Is your cat’s name really “The Master”? What a wonderful name. Growing up with cats, myself, they should all be named this.
Tho we have never met and we are many miles apart, my thoughts are with you and your family.
- Jill
Pete, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. That’s one that takes a bit to get over – but it sounds as if you already have some great memories. Glad that you have his ring.
And the chicken pie looks tasty.
My thoughts are with you, buddy.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s death. It’s hard to lose a parent. I enjoyed your photos today….the pasta looks like it’s floating in nasty water, but your chicken pie looks yummy.
hi pete, sorry to read about your grieve. with parents over 80 years old i fear those sad events… thank you anyhow for sharing your day. eliane
Pete, so sorry to hear of your loss. It’s not easy to lose a parent, but your memories will sustain you. Thanks for sharing your day and we look forward to many 12 of 12s from you.
My condolences to you.
Cute cat & yummy-looking pie!
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad, Pete. It seems a bad start to the 12 of 12s this month, but I hope you and your Mum still enjoy your monthly photo posts. And I have to say, the first photo brought a tear to my eye.
Maybe the pile of tires is from all the other people who ran afoul of the mysterious nails?
Hugs,
Helen
I do love the sunglasses Teddy is wearing – so cool
) And I might pinch your idea of the WWDD.
Sorry to hear about your dad. I’ve been missig mine for a few years now, but I’m grateful to still have have my mom around. I think I’m going to have to ask you for advise when I finaly decide to pull the trigger on a new tower. I’m looking at an i7 processor and maybe a solid state drive for working with CS4, but I’m not sure about which graphics card I’ll need. Being a greenskeeper I pretty much live on caffine, so I understand how important it is to have the office properly stocked. That pie looks soooo good, but I’m sure it would send my sugar through the roof.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father, Pete. He’s in a better place now.
But really, I’m distracted by the food!!! the chicken pie looks awesome.
and i saw the iPhone. I’m extremely jealous if you must know.
Hey Pete
Sorry to here about your Dad and my condolence to you and your Family. I remember when I lost my mother a few years back, and all I can say is that the pain get better but the fond memorys grow. Heres to you buddy. keep 12ing.
Merlin Paul
It’s a lovely idea for this to be in tribute for your dad. My parents read my 12 every month too, so I understand what it means to put it out there for them, and I see how still doing it this month is a bit of a bittersweet thing.
It’s a great Will pic this month too. Masterful indeed.
And you buy coffee like I buy tea – in great bulk.
Jenepel
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I still miss my dad even though he died when I was just a teen. I talk to him still and I know he watches out for me. I’ll bet your dad will do the same for you. Be well.
Beautiful pictures!!! Very colorful. Love the frog! Thanks for sharing your day with us!
Ooops, never mind the last post (the one with the frog). Having technical issues today…and meant to post that to another 12 of 12. My bad. Carry on.