Puntabulous

Me and My iPad, So Happy Together

SoHappyHeader
So if you haven’t already heard, I got an iPad. I realize the “if you haven’t already heard” makes it sound like I think my life is worthy of water cooler conversation, but I’m talking more about facebook and twitter. Anyway, last Thursday me and my parents decided to go to the Jewish deli for dinner one night. They make awesome pastrami sandwiches, but it’s a good half hour drive to get there, so we generally don’t go very often. But this time, the pastrami hankering was just too much to ignore, so we went.

But you know what else is in the vicinity of that superb Jewish deli? The closest Apple store, which I also don’t go to much considering the trek. And yes, a half an hour is a trek. Maybe I need to reevaluate my definition of trek, especially in terms of finding a suitable mate? Anyway, so I figured if we were going to make the long journey all the way to the Jewish deli, I might as well just call the Apple store and see if they had any iPads in stock. You know, just to see. Not that I was gonna get myself one or anything, I just wanted to check.

Alas when I called, the clerk told me that they only had the 16GB in stock. I suddenly became torn. They had them in stock, but only the 16GB, which is the smallest. I mean, not that I was getting one or anything, so what did I care, but whatever. I quickly went to facebook and twitter, consulting my friend Michael who has one to see if he thought a 16GB was big enough. Naturally he has the biggest one (that’s what she said) and thought maybe the 16GB might be too small, especially if I want to put a videos on it.

So after our delicious pastrami sandwiches (and potato knish for me, along with considerable amounts of hemming and hawing), we decide to stop by the Apple store, just to check them out. I was leaning towards getting the 16GB, telling myself if I keep careful track of my usage, size shouldn’t matter (that’s not what she said). But I couldn’t relax about it. What if it was too small? What if I spent that kind of money only to regret it? I realize this problem could have been resolved if I just ordered whichever one I wanted online, but I hate making big expenditures like that online. If I pay for something, I want to leave a store with it in hand, and not have to wait anxiously for it to be delivered. But again, what did I care because I just wanted to check it out.

So we get to the Apple store and I find a clerk and I ask again, just like I did over the phone “Do you guys have any iPads in stock?” to which they reply, “Yes, we have the 16GB and 32GB.” To which I thought “Yes, yes, sweet Jesus hallelujah!” while on the outside I played it cool, because I was just there to check them out. So I play around with the display models, falling more and more in love with every touch and swipe. I think back to the new TV and blu-ray player I had already bought myself. Did I really need another thing to congratulate myself for my new job with? No. And what would that delightful Vanston think? But I already paid off my credit card, so really, it’s as if that purchase never even happened. Riiiiiight. Plus as my Mom puts it, if I was dating someone, I’d probably have to spend that money on holidays and presents and such, which actually does help in its own sad little way.

“Oh sir! I’ll take the 32GB please.” And the rest is history. It hasn’t been out of my sight since. It’s really quite amazing. I got the Pages app so I can work on my writing on the go, and the Scrabble and Pinball apps so I can procrastinate working on my writing as well. The WordPress app leaves a lot to be desired, so I need to figure out a way to make that work, or try blogging through Safari. It’s amazing how easy it is to type on the iPad, especially when held in landscape, the keyboard seems fullsize. I love that my iPhone app games work on it as well, especially when you can blow up DoodleJump and Rat on a Scooter to fit the whole screen. It’s magical!

I know it’s only been a few days, but so far I don’t have any regrets about my purchase. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s the purchase of my netbook about two years ago. I only brought it on a few trips, and stopped carrying it around for my commutes only a few months after getting it. I bought it when my lone laptop was slowly dying. I thought I would use it more, but after I bought it, my regular laptop went kaput and I had to replace that anyway, and the netbook never got much usage (except for my novel writing month, so I guess that alone makes it worth it). So I’ve given the netbook to my parents as a hand me up as long as they take me out to dinner.

So there we have it. I’m now the proud owner of an iPad, which means the 2nd generation iPad with a million and one additional features will be out any day now. I know Steve Jobs keeps a close eye on my Apple purchases, just waiting for the right moment to strike! Any of you people out in cyberworld have one? Any app recommendations or nuggets of wisdom you wish to pass along to a new user? If you don’t have one, what was the latest thing you splurged on and treated yourself to?

RANDOM | Craig | June 14, 2010 7:11 am

33 Comments

By john, June 14, 2010 @ 7:39 am

Knew this was coming, from a mile away. Congratulations on your new toy! I hope you are very happy with your purchase.

I haven’t gotten any treats lately. Right now, I’m trying to stock pile money as my job security is decreasing. If I get a new job in the next couple of months (fingers crossed) I may look to buy myself a present in the form of either a blue ray player or a new lap top. I’m not sure which yet.
By Nicole, June 14, 2010 @ 7:43 am

Congrats!!! I really want an iPad too.
By GoKitty, June 14, 2010 @ 8:55 am

Okay, so my iPad is just sitting on my dresser right now. I do still love it but it really does need a white damier louis vuitton carrying case… you know, something with handles.

Did you grab Scrabble or Words with Friends?
By Tam, June 14, 2010 @ 9:01 am

Not sure it’s a spluge but I washed my phone – so was forced to get a new one (not fancy schmancy – the kid got the new Experia for her birthday – Mom takes one for the team again), then my netbook crapped out. Upgrated to a slightly larger one because we can no longer exist with one computer in a house of two people. Oh wait, 3 days later my TV died, so had to get a new TV. Within a week 3 things. Arrgghhhh.

Okay, not dating doesn’t seem to be cutting down on the vacation or gift thing (see mention of $175 Experia above) but I suppose having a kid is more money sucking than a date anyway. Well, it should be. I’m the girl here, I should be GETTING gifts, diamonds perferably, or cars. Either works for me.

The kidlet would have been happy with an ipad as well, but she’d dreaming on that one. Enjoy your new baby.
By Craig, June 14, 2010 @ 9:07 am

GoKitty: I got both. I have so many games going its unbelievable. My screename on Words is Puntabulous if you want to play, or you can start a game of Scrabble with me on Facebook.
By Craig, June 14, 2010 @ 9:08 am

Oh, and here’s the case I got.
By Michelle, June 14, 2010 @ 9:14 am

Congrats again-that’s awesome! I can’t wait to see it. I’m so addicted to the iTouch that Mom gave me for getting my Masters Degree, I can totally see the appeal.

My fave apps are the ones you recommeded: IMDB/amazon/flickster/fandango etc. My fave games are How to Train Your Dragon(love flying Toothless!) ; Choice of the Dragon (cool choose your own adventure you showed me); Dogs Playing Poker (the dogs are so cute and the game is addictive) and Angry Birds (the funniest one especially love the angry faces on the birds and the sounds they make).
By GoKitty, June 14, 2010 @ 9:16 am

When I go home for lunch, I’ll grab my ipad and send you a game invite for Words.

I bought the standard Apple ipad cover and its okay for now. I really do need something with handles though because I end up carrying against my chest like a high school girl carries her SLAMbook. I also need a screen covering because seeing all my fingerprints is driving me crazy.

Oh, and if you haven’t yet, you need to start watching True Blood. Last night’s season premier had me screaming “OMG, are Sam and Bill about to make out??”
By S., June 14, 2010 @ 10:20 am

That’s why I never buy any tech stuff; there’s always a newer edition out every five seconds.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 14, 2010 @ 11:06 am

Congratulations! Although, your story makes you sound a bit like an addict.

I won’t be getting an iPad. Now that I paid off my car last week (YAY!!), I’m saving up for my move in December and a netbook to replace my six year old desktop replacement laptop that is not fun to lug around.

GoKitty: I second you command that Craig watch True Blood.
By Craig, June 14, 2010 @ 11:10 am

I have the first two season of True Blood courtesy of john. I just need to hunker down and watch them.
By Polt, June 14, 2010 @ 11:34 am

iPad? Pffft, I don’t even have an iPhone yet, dude. I’m still using the Samsung fliptop (cause it reminds me of a Star Trek communicator. Shut up.). But congrats to you.

And I LOVE how it took your mom’s statement to push you over the edge, which may not be actually how it happened, but in my mind it always will be, just cause I love Patricia nearly as much as my own mom!

HUGS…
By GoKitty, June 14, 2010 @ 11:42 am

“They say the water in Arkansas is very hard.”
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 14, 2010 @ 11:44 am

Craig: Here is some motivation.
By Tam, June 14, 2010 @ 12:10 pm

Oh wow. Seems like I need to start watching that show. Congrats on the car loan Ryan.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 14, 2010 @ 12:19 pm

Tam: Thanks. All I have to do is replace some brake pads and my major maintenance will be done for a while, too.

It seems like most people prefer this actor. I don’t know why.
By Craig, June 14, 2010 @ 12:27 pm

Oh I’m all about Ryan Kwanten.
By Tam, June 14, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

Hmm. It’s hard to tell. I’d have to see them both tied up and shirtless to make a viable comparison. On the same bed. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
By Andrew J., June 14, 2010 @ 3:49 pm

I love Robot Unicorn Attack. It’s not all gay. Really. Because it’s a robot–that ATTACKS! With bonus Erasure soundtrack!
By Andrew J., June 14, 2010 @ 3:55 pm

Craig, does the Pages app for iPad allow you to work on multiple documents? I’m so confused because the iPad OS, as Mr. Jobs explains it, is the bridge between iPhone and laptop. Yet, *if* I got an iPad, and *if* I spent $10 on a Pages app when I already have iWork 09, would I get the same usage for writing on the iPad that I would on my laptop? I’m confused…
By john, June 14, 2010 @ 4:38 pm

Don’t forget Doctor Who Craig.
By Craig, June 14, 2010 @ 4:41 pm

Sigh, so many shows, so little time…

Andrew: I believe it does. I only have one document saved on there now, but when my friend showed me his, he had several on his that he scrolled through.
By M. Nicodemus, June 14, 2010 @ 5:34 pm

Yay! I am no longer the only ~~pretentious douche~~ iPad owner I know. I have had mine for almost a month and I still totally love it, it goes everywhere with me. I have the 16GB version and I have not had any issues with storage, even with at least six movies downloaded at any given time.

As far as apps go I have the Kindle and B&N readers, NetFlix (’cause some of us don’t have a TV in the bedroom), Crunchyroll for all the anime I can handle, Epicurious for my experimental cooking exploits, and BBC News, News Pro, and NPR for keeping up with the outside world. I don’t have many games, and most of those are for the kids, although I may have to get scrabble now

I am still trying to decide if I want to get a Dodo Case for the looks, or the FastMac Impact Sleeve for the protection. Either way I am going to have to wait to see if I still have a job at the end of July before I buy anything
By Chris D., June 14, 2010 @ 6:27 pm

Um, so like, you are dating your iPad now? LOL!

I like the idea of the iPad. First my iPod touch, and now my iPhone has really changed my level of internet connectedness. I check my twitter, e-mail, and a few news sites before I go to bed, and as soon as I wake up. I think the iPad would be cool to keep near my bed, as a better browsing tool. However, I shan’t be splurging on that anytime soon because….

What did I splurge on? Well, I “splurged” on a new roof, tree removal, hot water heater, central air, and a new water pump for my car. I spent a lot! So all of that has kind of put a dent in my disposable savings for a little bit. I shouldn’t be considering getting an iPad for a little while.

I previously got the Bluetooth keyboard for my Mac so that I could also use it with my iPhone, and eventually an iPad. If you are going to do a lot of typing on the iPad you may want to consider getting one.

Enjoy your new tool!
By Mel, June 14, 2010 @ 8:39 pm

*sigh* I’m just sitting over here in quiet envy.
By Michelle M., June 14, 2010 @ 8:49 pm

Well, you almost had to get an iPad. If only to cheese off the delightful Vanston . So does this mean you’ll be posting more….?

My last splurge was a pair of flip flops with sparkles on them . $10.00. Whoopee!
By M. Nicodemus, June 14, 2010 @ 9:27 pm

GoKitty: you can always get a ~~purse~~ ~~man bag~~ handsome sachel like Indiana Jones would carry. (actually, I really, really, want one, but there is no way I could justify the purchase)
By Chris D., June 14, 2010 @ 10:24 pm

M. Nicodemus: Gizmodo wrote about using a map case for the iPad (
http://gizmodo.com/5524845/ipad-cases-even-a-nazi-communist-cartophile-could-love ). It looks like an interesting idea, and some are not that expensive (~$30).
By M. Nicodemus, June 14, 2010 @ 10:41 pm

Chris: I read that article and I spent *hours* looking at various map cases on the Internet, but I never found one that I really wanted (I am very picky, seriously, it’s bad). Actually, it was a Wired article that lead me to the website of that sachel.
By Mel, June 15, 2010 @ 6:30 pm

Michelle M.: Sparkles? Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I hope you’ve got glitter toe nail polish to go with them.
By Justin, June 16, 2010 @ 9:17 pm

Um, why has nobody else commented on the image Craig posted of himself as a chimp and his iPad as a stunningly-beautiful blue-eyed Siberian Tiger cub?

As for True Blood, that show is ***FULL*** of gorgeous guys. Ryan, where have you heard that most people prefer Alexander Skarsgård? I find him pretty utterly unattractive with his Vampire makeup on, but there’s a great YouTube video of him doing an interview; he’s quite hot in his “normal human” state.

In addition to Ryan, I’m a *huge* fan of the actor that plays Hoyt, Jim Parrack, the actor that plays Sam Merlotte, Sam Trammell, and the actor that played Godric, Allan Hyde (on the right), who they somehow managed to make look a HELL of a lot older than 19, and who posted some incredibly dorky pictures of himself on his twitter stream last year.

I go back and forth on the Bill Compton actor, Stephen Moyer — sometimes he’s hot, sometimes not.

And Anna Paquin is one of those rare women that could almost turn me straight (Alex Kingston in those high heels at the beginning of “The Time of Angels” in the latest Doctor Who season is another).

Ryan — congratulations on the car, too — where are you moving to?

I’ve only ever had one hands-on test-drive of an iPad, courtesy of @coverthomo. When we met for lunch down by MIT a few months ago he brought his along and let me play with it. The iPad. He let me play with the iPad. *ahem* Anyway, I got pretty good with the keyboard in landscape mode pretty fast, so I can see that with practice it really would start to feel like a real keyboard.

I’m glad you thumbed your nose at the delightful Vanston, Craig. All us flying monkeys know you’re staying with your parents to be all responsible and save money, and not in a sad little way at all.
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, June 17, 2010 @ 3:04 am

Justin: At AfterElton.com, at the very least, the Eric fans are more vocal.

I’ll be moving to somewhere else in San Diego. Our lease is up in December, and the new grad housing policy doesn’t allow us to renew.
By josh, June 18, 2010 @ 11:26 pm

I don’t have any $$$ so I can’t buy any fun schtuff (except for “SMG2″ which was less an extravagance and more of an ESSENTIAL for me)! Yay!