Saying Goodbye: “Nothing Improves Without Change.”
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Posted: 24 March 2007 03:48 PM   [ Ignore ]  
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There are few axioms in life to which most of us agree. For one, the inevitability of death and taxes. Of course, there’s ”Macs are better than Windows”. My favorite axiom is, ”Nothing improves without change,” which came from friend, mentor, and Mac360 founder, Tera Jean Patricks.

Allow me to bid a fond farewell to Mac360. It’s time to expand my life by exercising a little change on the road to tomorrow’s improvements. I’m getting married. Many would argue that marriage is not a little change, and perhaps not even an improvement.

So be it. Any change in relationships carries with it a risk, and the potential reward. That’s what we work toward in life; with planning, effort, persistence, and some luck, we achieve a measure of improvement.

Regardless, that’s the goal, the objective, perhaps even the reason for the journey, which, in the end, may be of more value than the destination.

This is an event and a change I’ve looked forward to for a few years, though I always managed a way to keep it in the distant future, and not bring it close to my heart, never to take the step.

There’s risk, you know. Some of us are averse to risk, especially where major changes in life are concerned.

If there is only one thing I remember from my years as Tera’s friend, it is that ”nothing improves without change.” Her courage in life is now my courage in life.

Her courage in death, will be… well, never mind. Marriage is not death. Mostly. That’s what I hear. We’ll see. I’ll report back to you.

Seriously, so begins another chapter in my life with a special person, one whom I’ve known for many years, one who shares life well, and wears life well.

Through the years he has shared special moments with me, some sad, some pleasant, yet he has learned to give me moments of my own to savor and cherish. I’ve made a good choice and look forward to what life brings tomorrow.

Our closest family and friends, Tera’s family, my family, and a few of our Mac360 friends, Alex, Ron, Jack and Carol, and Kate, will share a special moment with us, a launching of the first day of the rest of our lives.

If it’s true that nothing improves without change, then we trust Mac360’s changes through the years have been beneficial for you as a Mac or PC user, willing to share your perspectives and opinions with others in our Comments and Forums sections.

We appreciate greatly your consideration of our reviews and commentary, and appreciate especially your involvement in our boutique community. Carry forward the faith.

Will this be the last you’ll hear of the soon-not-to-be a Ms. Hambi at Mac360? No, while Mac360’s co-founder Ron McElfresh will step in to a more proactive role with content development, I promise to return from time to time, perhaps as the Queen Guest Writer on issues and events of special interest.

I need to thank you, our thousands of Mac360 readers, for your comments, perspectives, and experience-- all you’ve shared with us and other readers, about all things Apple and Mac and life.

Too, all of us at Mac360 appreciate the hundreds and hundreds of email messages we received following Tera’s death in 2006. It meant a great deal to us that so many readaers were touched by her spirit, and that part of her legacy remains in the Mac360 community.

Saying goodbye is never easy, so let me simply say, ”see you again, soon.” I promise.

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Posted: 25 March 2007 03:03 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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Congratulations, Bambi!

Nevermind all the negative things you hear about marriage. This is your personal journey. Some say it’s a roller coaster, but if nothing else, roller coasters are fun!!

Best of luck to you. I look forward to seeing your new life intertwined in your future articles/reviews/updates.

Since you threw up a few nice quotes from Tera, I thought I’d toss one in too. Since this is Mac360, I thought this one from Steve Jobs was appropriate. At a Stanford commencement:

“Remembering that your are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

A strangely empowering thought from one of the primary different thinkers of our time.

Again, congratulations to you both. He’s a lucky guy.

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Posted: 25 March 2007 04:09 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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Wow, congratulations Bambi! I wish you the best on all of your future endeavors.

You and Tera have done a wonderful job of bringing Mac users together.

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Posted: 25 March 2007 07:06 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
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I’m totally crushed. I was so counting on Bambi being there when I became a widower at age 80 or something. Anyway, I couldn’t be happier for her and Chevalier. Hey, who else would be worthy of the reigning queen of Mac360 than the Reigning king? Anyway, I will never lose faith that I’ll someday find happiness with a Mac goddess a full 3 1/2 feet taller than me and at least that much smarter.

Greg

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Posted: 26 March 2007 12:23 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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OhMyGawd!! Say it ain’t so!!

It’s hard to believe you won’t be around slicing and dicing through the Mac world. Where will you go, what will you do? Inquiring minds need to know. It is our right as Mac users, no?

tongue wink

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Posted: 26 March 2007 02:29 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
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WOW what a news. Congratulation Bambi ! I wish you the BEST red face

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Posted: 26 March 2007 03:44 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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First off, Congrats Bambi and I’m sure you will enjoy married life. It’s an interesting experiment I’ve not made yet. Which brings me to Greg there. I’ve not so much as met Bambi, to my knowledge, let alone established some sort of relationship there…

Yeah, Greg, no.

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Posted: 26 March 2007 07:13 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]  
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Chevalier - 26 March 2007 03:44 PM

I’ve not so much as met Bambi, to my knowledge, let alone established some sort of relationship there…

Yeah, Greg, no.

Oh, so tell me you haven’t had dreams of life with the reigning queen of Mac360. I’m not ashamed to admit I have. I’m just bummed that you haven’t had some kind of clandestine online relationship for the last gajillion years that has just become known to the rest of the world. My god, man, you’re cute and smart and you pose with large phallic objects (or at least you used to!). I was SO rooting for you.

Anyway, if it can’t be you, I wish Bambi a lifetime of joy with whoever she chooses

greg

PS - My middle name is “nothing if not provocative”

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Posted: 26 March 2007 07:53 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 8 ]  
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Who wouldn’t think fondly of a tall, attractive Mac aficionado? But alas, it is not to be, and probably best in the long run for Bambi…

As for your unique interpretation of the symbology of camera lenses, I now carefully crop my avatar images so the camera is not visible.

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Posted: 26 March 2007 08:16 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 9 ]  
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Congratulations and good luck Bambi.

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Posted: 26 March 2007 09:19 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 10 ]  
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I am late to comment on this one, but I’ll get mine in there.

Congratulations, Bambi. It will be odd seeing this site undergo yet another shift in banner faces, but spirit and purpose trump persona in the world of Macs and Apple news, at least outside of Cupertino itself.

I’m with Bugsnw on this: forget what people say (both the good and the bad) and just live it.

Now, how to make an online groom’s cake for the Mac 360 faithful . . .

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Posted: 27 March 2007 02:36 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 11 ]  
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I think I am truly stricken, after having lost one Mac goddess, Tera, we now lose Bambi, our other Mac goddess, albeit in another, more happily-ever-after direction.

Bambi, my heartiest congratulations to both you and your new husband. Best wishes on a most harmonious and loving life together.

And we’ll certainly see you again in this forum, a bit of drama here or there in the Mac world, and you’d have to be held back by a team of Clydesdales to keep from expressing your opinion here!

Now . . . any nominations for the next Mac goddess? Okay, okay! (head ducking low.) I agree! All the remaining ladies qualify for Mac goddess-hood . . . goddess-ship . . . er, whatever.

Sorry this is so late, I haven’t checked into the Hotel Mac360 for quite some time now. (You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.)

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Posted: 27 March 2007 03:01 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 12 ]  
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Tom Coppinger - 27 March 2007 02:36 PM

Now . . . any nominations for the next Mac goddess? Okay, okay! (head ducking low.) I agree! All the remaining ladies qualify for Mac goddess-hood . . . goddess-ship . . . er, whatever.

My vote goes to Alexis. She’s hot. Oh, wait. She’s married, too. And a kid, right? Damn. OK, how about Kate? I like a little chili pepper with my Mac.

smile

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Posted: 27 March 2007 06:49 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 13 ]  
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I don’t post much, but I always visit.  Congratulations to the both of you. I’m sure I and many others are glad that you will still be dropping by from time to time.  Congratulations again!

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Posted: 29 March 2007 02:44 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 14 ]  
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I can’t say this is a shocker. How often do you find a babe that’s beautiful and brainy about Macs? I’m just surprised you were not picked off the market years ago.

Congratulations and may all your tomorrows be wonderful. You know, Mac-like.

cheese

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