Me and My iPhone, My iPhone and Me

I got my new iPhone Friday.

This morning I took it out to the AT&T Store to get a case and screen cover for it (I eventually ruined all the screen covers and had to run to Fred Meyer to get more; I liked the ones from Freddies more). While there, they told me that no way could I have a 3GS. They said it couldn't be ordered from AT&T and it didn't have an S on the back of it. (Somehow they didn't know that for the first time, AT&T was allowing people to both preorder iPhones online in addition to reserving them for in-store pick up.) Anyway, it came in a 3GS box and it registers with iTunes and my account as a 3GS, so as far as I am concerned, it is a 3GS. But if it weren't, honestly, I doubt I would notice the difference.

I have been playing with it nonstop since last night. I completely understand when people say it becomes an extension of their hands. I activated it as soon as I got home and then had to run to the post office to pick up a package. While waiting in line I was scrolling through my iPhone's various functions, checking my email, looking at Facebook, reading the news... I was completely absorbed.

Then the woman behind me nudged me. The guy at the counter had been trying to get my attention. He saw I had a pick-up slip and said he could run to the back and grab my package for me saving me from waiting in line with people mailing items. When the woman nudged me, I actually jumped. The iPhone had me in a trance.

I have taken a few pictures. If the subject moves in the slightest, the image is blurry. But the video option works pretty well. Before leaving for the post office, I was helping a friend load up her stuff--and her cat--for a cross-country flight and move. I took video of her and her semi-drugged cat wandering around her mostly-empty apartment.

So far I have downloaded apps for Quicken, Google, PacMan, Twitter, the NY Times, Pandora, and so many others. The one that got me excited more than any other? A public radio app. I can listen to any public radio station that broadcasts online. I know, I know... I could do that with my computer. But with the iPhone it's mobile. I can plug it into my stereo and listen. I can plug it into my car stereo. I can plug it into my speaker system in my office. This morning I laid in bed listening to "Whad'ya Know" (broadcasting from Memphis) on Wisconsin Public Radio. I almost, the keyword being "almost," listened to Mississippi Public Broadcasting, but decided I didn't need the aggravation. I am a public radio geek.

There was some general weirdness that followed the arrival of my iPhone, but I'm not going to get into it. Let's just say that the chaos revolving around the release of a new iPhone can sometimes be a good thing.

I debated between the iPhone and the Palm Pre. I was very close to going with the Pre, but ultimately went with the iPhone for many reasons. But there was really just one thing that pushed me to the iPhone side: when talking about their iPhones, three friends from three different parts of my life said, "It has made me a better person." I know it sounds weird, but after 24 hours with my iPhone, I understand. I drank the iPhone kool aid.

On a completely different note: Nature still hates me. And looking at the pollen forecast, it's going to really hate me next week.

iMoron goes to iMemphis

You know, spending a day in Memphis by myself as kind of nice. I always seemed to have a problem navigating that city, but by myself--piece of cake. I guess when there isn't anyone to talk to/distract me, Memphis isn't so bad. Plus, little by little, I am finally figuring that city out.

It was a long day with an even longer story (believe it or not, this is the condensed version), this is what happened: failed to find basic, white button-up shirt. Got frustrated with store personnel because their petite pants seem to grow three inches in length from one size to the next. Went to old lady clothing store to find basic white button-up shirt. Found several, but none of them fit right. Salesperson found some at another store in the same cluster of stores where the Apple Store is (didn't buy one because I decided they were too transparent--why do people think white shirts should be transparent?). Get my hair cut but not by the person I made the appointment with. On the way to Memphis the salon called to tell me that the stylist I had chosen was ill. I explained that I was not local, I was on my way, the only day I could do this was a Saturday so they better goddamn find me an appointment next Saturday, and hung up. They called right back with an appointment set an hour later with a different stylist. Sure, whatever. My hair? Awe-some. Worth every over-priced cent. Leave, happy.

Drive to suburbs to go to Apple Store. I had spoken to them on Friday to discuss the fact that I am an iMoron and that I broke my iPod. Approach the Genius Bar (*roll eyes*), tell the computer dude that I am an idiot. He says, "You are not an idiot. First of all you are not an idiot because you knew enough to buy an Apple product, and you knew to come here for help." At that moment I know I will never buy a Mac because I refuse to drink the iKool-Aid. I spend at least thirty minutes sick to my stomach because I know I will either have to buy a refurbished 60g iPod or a new 80g iPod to replace the one that I fucked up in a nano-second. The little piece of headphone plug was jammed in there so tight that the dental pick they used to try and get it out broke. Then he says, "I'm surprised this happened since this type of thing rarely ever happens to an Apple." See? iKool-Aid. Drink it. Love it. Live it. Join the Jobs is God iCult. At the end of the thirty minutes I recycle my beloved 60g iPod (that was half full) with a shiny new 80g iPod (the 60g is no longer being made). I feet sick about it. Why? Because my own stupidity made this happen. One simple little slip of the hand and *poof*. The Apple Dude offered a couple of other solutions: Buy a shuffle until I could afford a new iPod. 'Cause the iPod still worked, the headphone jack was just busted. There are no headphones that connect though the docking jack thingee. I don't use it with speakers--it is a totally mobile device. I am fickle enough that the 250 songs on a Shuffle just won't cut it. He congratulated me for knowing myself and knowing what I wanted. I wanted to throw up because I'm an idiot and he was annoying. But I didn't. I just left, drove home, called ME to vent (it was okay since she was lying down).

My mom called. I was positive something was wrong since she never calls. Her computer is in the shop. She told the "computer lady" that her ex-husband's ghost (my dad, she has two ex-husbands) was haunting it since it started acting up on his birthday. They pretty much thought she was crazy. Her computer had been in the shop for a week and she was going into Internet and email withdrawal. I told her about my day and how I felt terrible and had a terrible case of buyer's remorse. She said, "You feel bad because you feel stupid. It's not the money. You'll earn more money. Once you realize you're not stupid, you'll feel better." I love my mom.

I'm an iMoron

I broke the tip of the pair of crappy ass headphones I wear to the gym off in the headphone jack of my iPod. It happened in an instant--so fast I am not really sure how I did it. Much swearing ensued.

I made an appointment at the Apple Store in Memphis. Looks like my quick trip to Memphis will turn into an all day thing. Dammit.

Old People Are Funny

Scene: Dentist's office.
Me: On my back, upside down in dental chair, with my iPod, large needle stuck in my gums
Dentist: hovering over me, holding large needle in my gums
Dental Hygienist: on other side, shoving some other dental thing in my mouth

Dental Hygienist: Look, she has a video iPod
Dentist: A what?
DH: A video iPod. We just bought one for my daughter
D: It plays videos? Like movies? How do you get movies on that thing?
DH: You buy them. On little disks. Then you put the disks in there and watch it on that little screen.
D: So if you're on a flight you can watch a movie?
DH: Exactly!
D: That's amazing.
Me: .... [I can't talk with a large needle stuck in my mouth.]
[dentist leaves]
Me: [to hygienist] You download movies from iTunes, you don't buy disks. [But I think it came out more like, "thou buy mothies fwom ithunes, thou donth buy diths" since half my face was frozen.]