The universe is definitely trying to tell me something.
Last fall my wife moved back. This spring I had a hernia operation that was miraculously paid for. In similar fashion I subsequently acquired a Guild 12-string guitar. Not by being operated on, I mean the miraculous part. A surprise gift.
And today a UPS truck pulled up outside and honked. I hadn’t ordered anything, but the large package was addressed to me, all right, and “Compliments of _______” was on the label as well. I knew the party but had no reason to expect anything. Maybe I was just hoplessly dense: there had been a benign cryptic remark expressed in an email a few days ago. Was this related? The package, you see, was from Small Dog Electronics in Vermont. If you’re a Mac fan, you’ve probably heard the name. Opening the box from Small Dog revealed another one, this one from Ingram Micro (another flag). Inside this was a large, flat white box covered in bubble wrap. Underneath the plastic was one simple word: “MacBook.” My God! Yes, someone I know had apparently just made me a gift of a new laptop. But considering the immediate circumstances, it might be a one-year loaner, I realized. I emailed. The party called. It wasn’t. The new Apple MacBook, first in the new line of Intel-powered Macs, was mine to keep, no strings attached. Wow. Really? Yes, really.
I daresay this hasn’t happened to very many of us, that someone would out of the blue give you a new computer out of friendship, history, and pure comradely generosity, but that’s exactly what’s gone down here. I’ve been a Mac guy forever, but the last time I had cutting edge technology to work with was maybe eight years ago. I’m always two operating systems behind, and Macs last forever, so … but I have a history with the world of Macintosh. I used to be a senior editor and Mac columnist at Applelinks.com. For a time I wrote online columns for MacAddict along with the late Rodney O. Lain. Even now I blog occasionally and write the odd review every now and then at MyMac.com. I’ve been to Macworlds in New York and San Francisco. In other words, it’s a crying shame that I haven’t had the latest operating system or hardware to play with, and now I, um, do… The MacBook may be the entry level laptop, but it’s way faster than what I’m used to, and the new software is a kick and a half. I’m going to have a lot of serious fun with this.
A green light, that’s what it is. This boy is not going to forget.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations John! How very exciting. I’ve never had a laptop, but am now shopping for one. But for the big brown truck to pull up outside your door, honk and then leave you one? Well, that’s pretty damn near a miracle I say. Can we expect a picture of the new baby anytime soon? “It’s a MAC!”
Hot damn! You’ve worked SO hard these last few years and have SO generously shared the struggle with us all. Thank you, John. And thank you wise benefactor for inspiring me to now pass on my old B&W G3 to a friend struggling with inadequate technology. It ain’t much but it’ll help. Let the good times roll.
John
Congrats, John.
Pay it forward.
John, those of us with the Mac itch know just how much fun you will have on that new Macbook.
I discovered your writing in Applelinks and have heard your pied pipe ever since.
Thanks to the soul who made you a gift of that Mac.
Big Green Light!
Murr
I like the sound of “pay it forward.” That’s exactly how I feel, and that’s the #1 lesson here.
The, ah, struggle continues, of course. But I’m beginning to understand more and more how much of it is in my hands.
As for laptops, I’ve almost always had one, in addition to a desktop machine. I had a couple of ancient PowerBooks in the past, so I could do my Internet editor job while visiting the in-laws in Des Moines when they were still alive. For my money, the best thing about a portable is the ability to sit on the sofa or in a comfy chair and do my emailing & Web surfing from there (via AirPort). That is such a kick in the head.
The current lineup includes:
1. A tangerine clamshell iBook G3, original model, 300 MHz. Currently running OS X 10.3, which it does slowly but plenty fast for communicating via email, etc. My wife’s computer at the moment, and AirPort-equipped.
2. A 500 MHz TiBook G4, beat-up and beloved. This one has an added wireless card by Buffalo Technologies that works very well. I’ve also installed a super-duper hotshot battery that lasts a full 4.5 hours, I kid you not. (It looks like the MacBook I’m typing on now will go for about 3.5 hours.) Also running OS X 10.3.
3. And of course the new MacBook, with 1.83 GHz and OS X 10.4.6. I think it could use more memory, which I’ll look into. Otherwise, the Finder is really snappy compared to the older machines. And it has all kinds of new toys built into it, like an iSight camera in the lid.
My desktop computer is one of those B&W G3s, 400 MHz with OS X 10.3. It works just fine, thank you, though I sometimes have to wait a second for things to happen. Dang thing has THREE hard drives. It’s also hooked up to a 160 GB external hard drive.
Everything will have to be reorganized now. I suppose I could hook this MacBook up to the monitor and keyboard and use this for the main computer, except that I don’t want to be de-cabling all the time when I want to walk around with it. And I’ll have to see what’s to be given away.
Many lessons here, and more to come.
That’s COOL John….must be all the Clean Living and Constant prayer….or just living in the New Frontier….whichever….and have you seen the movie where the “Pay it Forward” concept is the theme? pretty awesome in itself! Spect we won’t be hearing much from you for a while with the new toy and all….hehehe Steve
I can’t think of many better ways for a new MAC to be put to good use! Very cool…
I heard the ram on the intel laptops are to be of the same size chip. so when you add, get the same size and I don’t remember why.
and there’s an update 10.4.7……hope you’re on broadband it’s a biggie. now all you need is that satellite broadband hookup! the installation is still free until august 31st.
what a wonderful happening! I know I would feel on top of the world. actually like I felt when I won the $10,000.00 out of the blue just from using iwon.com!
enjoy!
karen
Yes, it is extraordinarily cool. And without revealing much more of the donor’s identity, I can say that this event has its origins in my early writing days on the Mac Web (as we called it). My good fortune, however, is personal: there’s no business payback here or even a direct relationship.
I do think one motivation was that certain people miss my Macintosh commentary and wanted to hear what I had to say about the new gear. At least that may be in the back of certain minds, though what is mainly involved here is simple generosity. Simple HUGE generosity. And if there’s a better way to ensure my positioning myself positively toward the general flow of life, I’d be stumped to tell you what it is.
The person who did this for me is one solid individual, I can say that…
A lot of us are ,indeed, very happy for you man. Good things…….
John + New Guild 12-string + MacBook + GarageBand = “Look out, mutha!”
Seriously, though, congrats and a special blessing to your benefactor who has shown a rare grace and generosity in providing you with this new tool. They deserve all the oblique support you (and we) can show them.
Interesting. I too just got a new machine given to me. Ok, it’s not a MAC. But then again, I haven’t worked with an APPLE computer since the Apple II. And the new thing is SO fast. 3 GHz Pentium 4. I am happy as a clam (but have to paint a painting for it). The spirits are looking over us…
Greetings from Switzerland. Read your book twice in a row now…
paz
Marvelous! See-now go forward.