I sent the following email message to the SI Edit staff yesterday:
To: SI Edit staff
Subject: Happy Holidays
Around a year ago the technology departments at Time Inc. started reorganizing and my responsibilities changed to include working on projects for all of Time Inc.’s publications in addition to Sports Illustrated. While this change happened a while ago, I didn’t get a chance to send all of you a note sooner. Of course, the holiday season is a perfect time to reminisce and say thanks.
I started at SI in 1995, when we were still on the 18th and 19th floors. The week after I started the last pages of SI were produced on Atex, and I still remember one of my first, and favorite, tech support calls from an AME:
SG: “SI Operations, Sam speaking”AME: “Yes, I’m having some trouble with QPS, can you come down and take a look?”
[I scampered down the spiral staircase from my cube on 19 to the AME’s office on 18.]
SG: “Hi, you called for some help?”
AME: “WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH THIS F*CK*NG SYSTEM? WHY THE F*CK ISN’T IT WORKING RIGHT? I JUST CRASHED AND LOST ALL OF MY F*CKING WORK? I WANT YOU TO GET THIS F*CK*NG THING WORKING RIGHT F*CK*NG NOW.”
SG: “Ummm… Can I take a look at your computer?”
AME: “NO, YOU CAN’T LOOK AT MY F*CK*NG COMPUTER. JUST GET THIS F*CK*NG SYSTEM WORKING NOW. WHAT THE F*CK IS WRONG WITH IT?”
SG: “Ummm… How about I come back after you leave?” [Near tears]
AME: “YEAH, WHY DON’T YOU DO THAT?”
Most of the challenges I have encountered over the years have been a bit less traumatic.
All joking aside, it has been my privilege and pleasure to work with some of the most talented people in the country on the best sports magazine. I’ve learned a lot, and I hope you have enjoyed working with me as much as I have enjoyed working with you. I look forward to continuing to work with you in the future.
Warmest regards,
Sam Greenfield