Reader Feedback: Just for Fun

Most of the time here at RCPU, we try to run reader e-mails pertinent to industry and partner issues because, well, that's what we cover. But with Independence Day weekend coming up, we thought it might be fun to...well, have some fun. So here are a couple of e-mails from a couple of our best serial e-mailers that have nothing to do with Microsoft, technology or even business.

First, our old friend, Peter, is back with a random shot that doesn't even relate to an RCPU entry:

"I've been noticing lately that you have a resemblance to that French actor Gerard Depardieu (when he was younger and not when he's in costume as Obelisk in his 'Asterix' series). It's kind of interesting because the bottom third of what is now the United States, through as far as Denver, was all French territory until Napoleon got into trouble and sold it off in a fire sale. Of course, there never would have been any United States if it hadn't been for the French intervening on behalf of the rebel colonists."

Peter, you and I could easily turn this into a history discussion, but let's deal with the Depardieu thing first. Those of you who might be reading this on Redmondmag.com might be wondering what on earth Peter is talking about. Due to a site update, there's a 3-year-old picture of me up on that site, a photo so bad that even my mother said she didn't like it.

There's a newer photo of me, though, in the e-mail version of this newsletter, and there's another one floating around online, as well. Now, let's see. Here's young Gerard, and here's a more mature, well-rounded Gerard.

I'm really hoping that I look more like the first than the second, but that's for the reader to decide. In any case, this e-mail really struck me because 1) I actually lived in France for about five years and loved it, and 2) my first real employer was Six Flags Over Texas (now sadly facing bankruptcy). What's that second bit about, you ask? Well, the original Six Flags in Arlington was named for the six flags that have flown over the state of Texas: the flags of (not in order) the U.S., the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, Mexico, Spain and, of course, France. And that (kind of) closes our loop on Franco-American history.

Our next e-mail comes from the legendary Mike, who reads so faithfully that he almost immediately responded to yesterday's post about the tech industry's (possible) second-half comeback in 2009, a post that included a dropping of the name Frank Reich (which, incidentally, when mashed into one word means "France" in German...hmm).

Anyway, Mike remembers fondly Frank Reich's 1984 performance for Maryland against Miami:   

"I'm a U of Maryland alum -- great reference regarding Reich, although you don't detail the amazing game in which the Terps were down to the mighty Jimmy Johnson-coached Miami Hurricanes 31-0 at halftime. This was in the fall of 1984, if I'm not mistaken. Sweet, sweet victory and memory. Thanks for sparking that."

Mike, you are not mistaken, and just for you, here's a little trip down memory lane. (And for you college football buffs, yes, 1984 was the same year this happened. Sorry, Miami fans.)

Mike went on in an e-mail exchange to tell us this:

"The biggest comeback is now 35 points in Division 1 set a few years ago."

Right you are, Mike, but we prefer to remember Frank Reich as the guy who was, for a little more than a decade, the author of the greatest comebacks in the history of both college and pro football. (And if you're really into good ol' American football, check out what must be the greatest comeback ever -- with a tragic twist at the end -- from no place else but Texas and the great sport of high school football. Enjoy.)

Does your editor look like Gerard Depardieu? Send your verdict or anything else you can think of to [email protected].

Posted by Lee Pender on July 02, 2009