From: JBrandt@AAA.UOregon.EDU (Jay Brandt (Jason))
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Jason rambles from home
Followup-To: alt.callahans
Date: 18 Nov 1992 05:51:26 GMT
Organization: University of Oregon, Architecture
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: aaa.uoregon.edu

Jason sits at his table, reflecting on the last couple of days. The scene
dissolves to find him in a crowded corner of a small apartment, at a table
literally heaping with computer gear. He seems to be preparing a post.
Everything on the screen is moving painfully slow. He has to pause every
two or three words for the computer to catch up. His TCP/IP link from home
is still not working right, so he has to do this by remotely controlling
his office computer. It's very slow and tedious. Just some random thoughts
and updates.

"A funny sight with our two cats just as I started this. Harry Blackstone
was in his basket on top of the cat tower, laying down. George The  Curious
jumped in on top of him and just stood there. Front legs on one side of
Harry, back legs on the other side. Standing there like a bridge with the
other cat filling the middle. I just laughed and said to Pegasus 'Ah! Hot
crossed cats! (Anything like hot crossed buns?)' "

"Pegasus is getting ready to get a fruitcake drunk again. She's pouring
brandy onto one she's been working patiently on for 7 years or so. This
year we get to try it for Chtristmas. Maybe it gets to try us? :-) My
mormon sister will be mortified. But if it comes out good the rest of us
will scarf it down. Pegasus says 'it will either be marvelous or taste like
hell'. You never know with an aged cake until you get brave enough to serve
it."

"Sitting here planning visits from friends over the next few weeks. Later
this week we seem to be heading towards a hosting mini-Callahans Realspace
(TM) at our pidgeon-hole of an apartment in Eugene, Oregon. Thursday and
Friday Randolph Fritz will be in town, visiting the University of Oregon
and Callahanners here as he heads North towards Orycon. Weve invited him
over for dinner Thursday night, and also invited the only other Callahans
patron that we are aware of in town, Albert, to join us. I guess four
patrons from three different locations qualifies as a Realspace gathering.
Unfortunately this place is too small for us to have been able to invite
the Portland Callahanners, but we hope to meet them at the New Years party
that Caithelins been talking about hosting up there. Thats still on,
isnt it Caithelin? Have another friend from the SCA visiting next week,
plus still havent sorted out plans for Turkey-Day. Both my family and my
wifes sister and her side of the tribe plan dinners. We may do both and
just not eat for the next week. :-) Busy time of year, more so as we get
into December."

The computer chirps a few times, and a message appears on screen. Incoming
e-mail from Randolph Fritz. Good timing. Confirming dinner plans and giving
his ETA. Another announces he's now on vacation. "Have a safe drive,
Randolph!"

"Should have an update from Phoenix to post on the weekend. Things may be
improving, with a chance of at least getting her daughter, Devon, back in a
few weeks. Her son may need residential care. Only time will tell. At least
the reports from the doctors and psychiatrists that have examined her and
the kids seem to be placing reports that favor her side of the matter. More
on that later. Thanks again to those who have donated to the Phoenix Fund.
She would not have made it this far without your help. With luck, I may be
able to take the donations can off the end of the bar sometime soon. Since
I mentioned it . . ."

The apartment fades out, and we return to the bar.

Jason points out a coffee can on the end of the bar. On it is painted
a half-silver, half-black Phoenix on a field of red and gold flames. Around
the rim are the words "THE PHOENIX FUND" in gold lettering. 

"The details are on the top of the can. I'll act as clearing house for any
funds, and will get the money to Phoenix. If you can't help financially,
but just want to give Phoenix your support, her e-mail address is
<I3JW@PSUORVM.CC.PDX.EDU>. If you already donated, and for some reason I
missed e-mailing a personal thank-you and confirmation that your donation
arrived, e-mail me at <JBrandt@AAA.UOregon.edu>. Thanks."

A few interested patrons look at the can on the bar. There is a label
affixed to the top, which reads :

[-----------------------------------------------]
[               THE PHOENIX FUND                ]
[                                               ]
[  Send contributions to :                      ]
[                                               ]
[        PHOENIX c/o Jay B. Brandt              ]
[        795 W 5th, Apt #7                      ]
[        Eugene, Oregon, USA   97402            ]
[                                               ]
[  Checks should be payable to "Jay Brandt"     ]
[                                               ]
[  Many thanks for your help, more than words   ]
[  can express. With your help the light at the ]
[  end of the tunnel won't be another train.    ]
[-----------------------------------------------]

Just a rambling decker, on line with time on his hands, for a change.

Jason