Posted this little poem a few years back. Thought I'd dust it off, add a
bit, and send it along. It's a toast to Jack Crawford, IPC Director,
Assembly Standards and Technology. Jack is a Santa-like character if there
ever was one. If you don't know Jack he's a big backer of this free forum
hosted by our friends at IPC.

I'll be at APEX next month in San Diego. If you can make I hope we cross
paths.

Best wishes and hope you all have a great 2002.

Your friend,

Jeff Ferry
Circuit Technology Center
[log in to unmask]

====================================================

'Twas the night before Christmas and out in the shop,
the lines were shut down, I had just stowed the mop.
The tweezers and cutters were stored with great care,
in hopes that St. Crawford soon would be there.

The boards were all shielded in boxes and bags,
numbers were marked on their little white tags.
My ESD coat and wrist strap put away,
I was ready to leave on this cold winter day.

When back in the shop I heard such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Out onto the floor I flew with a flair,
tore open the ovens and shut off the air.

The benches, and boxes, and carts on the floor,
got me to thinking how to give our next tour.
Peering over a bench and a stack of old specs,
I saw a big fellow with 8 super Techs.

Arms full of old documents, lap top on his back,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Jack.
As sharp as can be these TechNetters came,
and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, INGEMAR! now, RAMSEY! now, KUHLOW and HILLMAN!
On, MOON MAN! on, SELDAK! on, GREGORY and CHRISTIAN!
To the top of the rack! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

He was dressed in a lab coat, from neck to his waste.
It was covered with super glue and old solder paste.
Had a pocket protector full of sharp things with points,
he was mumbling and mumbling about solder joints.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His smile was sure wide, it was broad as a bow,
and the hair on his head, turning white just like snow.

The stump of a pencil was perched on his ear,
a tool of some kind to help him to hear.
He had a great face and a little round belly,
that shook, when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
he tested the benches; then turned with a jerk,
and laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, through the air duct he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, a quick pick and place,
and away they all flew like a Derby horse race.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!"

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