The End of Photokina...and my laptop
Hello, my friends! Well, Photokina 2008 was indeed an incredible adventure. From the day of launch all the way until the end, it was everything we'd hoped it would be: a packed booth, all day; over-crowding in the aisles; tons of great feedback and simultaneous applause during presentations...and a little theft to top it all off.
YES. So, with the good sometimes comes the bad, and on Day 5 of the show, my laptop (along with my laptop bag; you know, that big, massive albatross that I *wheel* around) was stolen...right from the Adobe Booth, in the back staff room!! Unbelievable? Yes. Did it happen? Yes. Did I remain cool, zen, and collected? Amazingly, yes. Read on for details...
Feeling like tartar? This is what I felt like, when I realized (the laptop) was gone-minus the parmesan...lol
The scene on Day 5: Packed with people...STILL!
Another view from the front: people everywhere!
Ok...so here's the REALLY incredible (and perhaps, karma-rich) part of the story: my laptop bag was FOUND!! YES.
Now, the laptop itself (naturally) was NOT in the bag; but my harddrives (yes...4 of them, 2 G-Raids in fact) along with all of my USB keys, papers, Rosetta Stone German Language lesson DVDs and other assorted stuff was all there! So, despite it being an utter downer not having my machine...it *could* be replaced. And, in fact, it was (as of yesterday).
And...being the OCD, backup-crazed freak that I am, I had everything backed up (very recently) so I lost virtually zero data. The main concern, of course, was photos and music...and all of that has been wonderfully restored. Time Machine fricken' ROCKS. Damn...sometimes I really *do* love Apple. ;)
In any event, there were other details that need not be re-hashed...but in short, it didn't in any way diminish nor sour the wonderful event that was Photokina. Many, many thanks to all of our friends (new and old) who came to visit us at the Adobe booth. And, a very special thanks to our German colleagues (too many to name; but you know who you are!) for once again, putting together a fab event. It's a team effort indeed, and a rocking one at that. (oh...and a thanks to our friend @ Kodak as well, for finding the laptop bag!)
So...here's just some additional photos, taken on that Saturday (Day 5). You'll notice a series of images taken that evening, at dinner, with the 3 Evangelists...Ahh...Früh Kölsch. Where would we be without you?? Much love...
The Köln Dom...So majestic, so picturesque; stitched in PSCS4 from 3 images, nearing sundown
Another shot of the Photokina crowd, Day 5
@ Früh, Rufus tells Jase, "That's the way it goes sometimes, buddy."
Greg does his best Tim Cole impersonation
Despite the stolen laptop, we press on...and drink and eat Brauhauswurst
So my friends, until next time...
Blog on.
Comments
Quite an incredible story you got there Jason... you should sell it as a movie. Oh, I can just see it now... opening scene -- Rufus, Greg, Jason, all sitting outside a small cafe...
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Hey Mordy! Haha...yeah, I definitely envision a similar start to the piece, complete with dolly-cam and dramatic underscore ;) Hope all is well with you and yours, my friend. Take care. --Jason
Posted by: Mordy Golding | October 2, 2008 1:59 PM
Still can't believe this story, although I was there in Köln. The most incredible thing really is *how calm* you remained. Respect.
So, congratulations that you've got a new laptop - I bet it was just about time for you to get a new one. ;)
Take care in South Africa!
Best, Babsi
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Hey Babsi! Indeed, it was quite the experience...but yes, meditation and breathing are what it's all about for me ;) Oh, and the *new* laptop *is* smokin! Noticeable difference in speed (thanks to faster proc and 4GB ram). Indeed, my older MBP was from Apr '07...what's that, like a decade in laptop years? lol. All the best. --JL
Posted by: Babsi | October 3, 2008 1:55 AM
Hey Jason this is Kati, not ssure if you remember me. We met at the D-Land convention I was attending Abilene Christian.
Well you seem to be having fun on the evangelism trail! It seems it's been forever. How are you? Well I've moved back home and I'm going to Scottsdale Community.
Are you planning on being at the convention this March- in NYC!!?
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Hey Kati. It's great to hear from you; and of course, I remember you (you, your fellow colleague and I shared lunch that day!) In any event, the evangelizing has indeed carried on at warp speed; but it continues to inspire me (and others alike) from all corners of the world. Hope you've been having a good summer, and glad to hear that you're back in Scotts. ;) As for the event in March, I *do* plan on being there...I always try to be present at the major NBS events, so stay tuned. All the best and please do stay in touch. ---JL
Posted by: Kati Lambert | October 3, 2008 1:20 PM
Hey Jason,
this is Mark from 'Kodak lost & found' :-)
As you now have your new MBP where should I ship your old one I took out of the bag before giving it back to you?
Just kidding :-)
Thanks for the invitation for the evening and the personal insight from all three of you.
Take care and keep in touch ...
Cheers,
Mark
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Hi Mark. Ouch...fresh wound; still hurts. But yes; you can ship it to Adobe Munich ;) It was good meeting you, thanks again, and stay well. --JL
Posted by: Mark | October 3, 2008 2:08 PM
Wow. One really has to watch out on the road. A fellow demo dude lost a day old HP (not comparable to your loss, of course) just turning his eyes to his plate. And that was before the actual demo.
Poor guy had to cancel the session completely.
Rock on and hope to see you soon, sensei.
-Tommi
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Hey Tommi! Wonderful to hear from you, my friend. Indeed, this whole 'event' has made me, Greg, Rufus, et als a bit more 'hyper aware' of these kinds of things. Nightmarish, but thank goodness for backups and having good people around you! In any event, I'll be coming to Helsinki in Mid-November (you may already know the dates). We should definitely plan on meeting up, and if there's time, perhaps a visit to that groovy record store you told me about? ;) All the best to you and yours, and we'll chat soon. And oh yes...Rock on, always. ---JL
Posted by: Tommi Luhtanen | October 4, 2008 9:50 AM