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June 29, 2007

My Search for the Holy Grail (aka iPhone)

Right after work, I headed over to AT&T to wait in what I figured would be a small or non-existent line. This is Hilo, after all. With slight surprise, I marched apprehensively past 40-50 people to claim my place at the tail of the snake, preparing myself for both the very long wait and the possibility for going home empty-handed.

Time marched on to the beat of a drummer missing both drum sticks and the drum set itself, and 6pm came with a brief excitement which quickly waned as the queue tightened and halted. Entertained by the evening traffic and a few pedestrians--most looking at the throng of gadget geeks with a mixture of puzzlement, awe and calls of "what are you waiting for?"--I plodded along with the hope of returning home triumphant from the minor achievement of patience.

Night fell as I neared the final steps to the closely guarded and locked portal to an otaku's delight. Fatigue from standing for hours wore on all our faces and the jokes that supplies had depleted became more frequent and rang more of prophecy than mirth.

I fought back the anticipation and anxiousness with inane banter with my fellow enthusiasts, much in the way seat mates on a flight prepare for hours of close quarters with strangers. Talk turned to hypotheticals; "are you going to settle for a 4g model if the 8g are gone?" "Maybe I should have just ordered online."

Few were surprised when the first call rang out, "all of the 8g models are gone." Groans of disappointment and undoubted inaudible curses emanated from stragglers now numbering fewer than 30. Several immediately made for their cars, having exhausted their patience. Most, however, remained; hoping.

Scant minutes later, one of the badged sentries could be seen making a visible head count, only to confer with a counterpart on the inside and report to the faithful that two devices remained. He offered condolences in the form of a glimpse of what remained for us: we could order either device at the store and have it shipped priority, but with no insight as to when such a feat would be executed.

A step or two later, I entered the bright, nearly empty vault. Quicktime videos played at the entrance, taunting me with features, screenshots and near promises that life could be no better were I simply to grasp an iPhone in my tired hands. I was met at the counter by a surprisingly (and refreshingly) cheerful keeper of the gadget gold.

"I only have one left and it's a 4g model."

Should I? Would I? Will I compromise my daydreams and go for less than I wanted? What would I be missing, were I to settle for less?

Then, a brief moment of clarity washed over me. I'll live. The device is not a life saver, nor is it even a necessity. In the grand scheme of "it all," I have so many things to be thankful for that this setback is nothing more than a failed attempt at being one of the few to own something that millions will eventually.

I didn't lose. There is no race.

I placed my order for an 8g iPhone and will certainly eagerly await it. But, more importantly, I'll continue with joy and excitement for my wedding in a week. I've waited 30 some-odd years for that and look forward to how great it will be!

Posted at June 29, 2007 11:13 PM | Life and Work

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