by jon » Tue May 06, 2008 6:49 pm
A lot of us were hell to work for in the 1970s and 1980s, if you didn't want to work hard and give your best. But we'd back you to the hilt if you did, even when it meant getting into a lot of trouble ourselves.
I remember when the first hints of the Oil Boom going bust began to be felt here in the summer of 1981. A peer (i.e. - also a first level hands-on Manager) was considered by many my mortal enemy, or perhaps more vice versa, but when his Manager told me that my peer was going to be laid off as soon as he returned from his 2-3 weeks of vacation, I ignored the fact that I was told not to tell him. It was his last day before vacation, and he had tears in his eyes after I told him. Not because he was losing his job, but because I cared enough to take the huge risk that he'd leak the fact I told him. Me, his enemy. He'd been saving his shekles, so he now had more time to plan a long dreamed of half year trip to Australia.
And had the chance to plan what he would say when he got back. He had a chance to tell me before he left. His Manager came into his office a few minutes after he arrived on his first day back from vacation. And just as his Manager opened his mouth, but before he could get his first word out, he said "Don't say it. I quit." and walked out of his office to go get a cup of coffee.
It wasn't Radio, but it sure sounds like great Show Prep. to me.