Anxiously Awaiting

Owning a 4GB iPhone with a basic 450 minute AT&T plan and unlimited text messages will cost consumers around $2000 over the course of two years.

The hysterical bids on craigslist where people pay other people to stand in line for them to procure an iPhone confirms something that I have observed over the years since Apple has made a rise to market: Apple fans do not possess common sense. I don’t care if my phone has wifi, surfs the net, plays flash in the browser, or even calls down meteorites from the sky in the event I’m being mugged; it’s not worth 2 grand + “bum shipping and handling.”

Okay so maybe if it called meteorites.

My foot is normal size and I can walk around on it as long as I’m very careful. This is exciting. I’m slower while walking than I am on crutches–which annoys me to no end–but I can at least walk.

I almost bought a new cell phone today. I picked up a Samsung A717 at a local Cingular store, but after an hour of playing with it I decided that I didn’t like it and took it back. I am so used to my Cingular 2125 I’m afraid I’ll need something simliar in it’s calling interface in order to be happy. Especially since that is my primary use for a cell phone. On my 2125 if I want to call someone, I simply start typing their name on my keypad and it automagically shows me matches against my contacts list. On the Sammy, I was forced to enter the contacts application (an additional 2 keystrokes) and then do my search. To most people two additional keystrokes isn’t a big deal. But, to someone who did undergraduate research in HCI, an additional two keystrokes is unacceptable; a waste of approximately 200 milliseconds of my time. Well, until I got used to the Samsung’s interface had I chose to keep it.

Overall I suppose the A717 is a pretty cool phone, but it seems a bit thin to me–like butter spread over too much toast. I’m thinking about picking up a Cingular 3125. It’s the flip version of my current phone. Hopefully it has better hardware though, because my 2125 is in it’s death throes after two or so years.

Two full weeks of being on crutches has invigorated my hatred of these devices. My foot still hurts, and it’s still swollen. I am unable to walk on it, but I can put a slight bit of weight on it. It seems to be gradually regaining full range of motion, but definately not at a rate that suits me. Through this experience I have gained an appreciation of those who are striken with problems that render them unable to walk (with or without crutches).

I haven’t much else to report; other than a small gig at First Baptist Atlanta this upcoming Sunday morning. Come and watch the gimp play guitar if you haven’t anything else to do.

Thanks to all my friends who have expressed sympathy, laughed at, or other wise applauded me for my keen ability to hurt myself at the worst possible time. Yesterday I bought some Advil. That was a Good Thing ™. This morning, I got a cramp in my left calf. That was a Bad Thing ™. Especially since my left ankle was the one I sprained. I nearly cried, but my manliness was preserved due to some deft thinking. I latched on to the offending muscle with both hands and throttled it until the spasms subdued. Sometimes, I hate my body.

On the other hand, sometimes I love my body; or at least its resiliance and wolverine like healing ability–you see, this is needed when you hurt yourself as much as I do. I have already begun gingerly walking on my sprain; and it appears to be responding pretty well. The nurses at the hospital said I wouldn’t be able to do anything close to walking for another week or so. Aha! Take that modern medicine! I do hate crutches so.

My resolve shall not be shaken. I have friends to own at raquetball.

I almost broke my ankle today. I went out and played basketball with my department manager and some of the other folks here at Danger’s headquarters. It was all fun and good until I went up for a rebound and came down on some poor souls foot. I rolled my ankle hard to the inside, and I heard it crack as I landed. I wasn’t going to go to the hospital, but it eventually started hurting so bad that I couldn’t walk on it; so I knew that I at least needed crutches. One of my co workers drove me to Palo Alto general for an X-Ray. Luckily, the X-Ray came back negative on a fracture, and they gave me some crutches and an air cast.

Even more so, one of the engineering managers had wanted to introduce me in a department wide meeting today. Instead, he had to report that I was at the hospital getting an X-Ray. What a way to be introduced to the Engineering Department! I still blush every time I hobble by some sympathetic soul asking me what happened. I knew that I should have invested in some more supportive basketball shoes and worn them instead of my running shoes. Point noted, and quoted on my blog for future reference.

Not a terribly good week so far in the bodily injury category, but the weathers amazing =). Unfortunately this also puts a damper on my plans to hit the town this week. =(.