hey, Mace

I can't tell you how many times I've uttered that phrase over the years. Sadly, not for a while-- Mason no longer sits across the partition from me at work ("Mr. Milligan, TEAR DOWN that wall!"). He left the firm a few years ago and the place hasn't been as good since. However, we've kept in touch and he recently started a new blog-- imagine my sheer delight when he added a link to my blog. It made me think of him and I decided to write a tribute to yet another dear friend.

What can I say about Mason? Well, first of all (and this is huge praise because you know how much I admire an artistic sensibility), he's one of the most creative people I know. He has a true talent for design which is equalled only by his outlandish sense of humor. He's also a great athlete, an amazing photographer and an honest and genuine friend.

There are so many stories I can recount. One time when I came back to work after a day off, I found our department mascot and Chief Marketing Chicken, Bock Bock, hung up by a noose. I've had my image Photoshopped in many strange and twisted ways (in a thought bubble of a cicada, being eaten by a Komodo dragon, on and on and on...). He willingly let me talk him into "running" the Chase Corporate Challenge (I won that year!! Ha ha). He always supported my artistic endeavors and even came to see my graduate show for the Certificate in Painting at SAIC. We've had "Chinese Fridays" and sing-alongs together in the marketing playroom. He taught me how to throw a baseball. At times he was the only one at work who kept me from walking out and never coming back when I had an especially bad day.

Mason's now in graduate school in Michigan studying sports marketing. He'll most likely own a baseball team someday. Or appear on Comedy Central. No matter what he does, he'll be successful because he's truly a wonderful person. If I had a little brother, I'd want him to be exactly like Mace. I miss seeing him every day, but I'm going to read his blog faithfully. You should, too.