But the shine has worn off and I am met with a few regrets and maybe some future ideas?

First Bitch - The Cable that comes with the iPad works with all my iPods – so it is ‘backwards compatible’ – However, the same cannot be said for the other cables (of which I have a shoebox full of them).  This pisses me off to no end, because here I have spent a lot of money in support of great products and I have definitely gotten my money’s worth (in terms of my iPods and iPhones), but the fact that I now only have 1 cable that will work with the iPad – is just stupid!  Apple’s plan?  Buy a sync cable compatible with the iPad – $19.00

I don’t think so – I have found (from a friend at work – thanks Tejas!) that a company called GTMAX makes a cable (Part Number IPODDAT002) that works perfectly well! And all for a whopping $3.95:

Second Bitch – My second bitch point is I foolishly bought two accessories (this, of course, is my own consumerist failings):

• The Dock (MSRP $29.00) – What a waste of money – $29.00 for a weighted dock that fits the iPad – I thought it was a wise investment and I could prop up the iPad and have it charge when not in use… So what is the problem?  Two things: First problem is that it is just the DOCK – no cable.  For $29.00, I want the damn $4.00 cable too!  That is just a no brainer, Apple!  Second problem – that with the purchase of the ‘official’ Apple Neoprene cover heavily promoted and advertised – IT DOESN’T FIT THE DOCK!
• The Apple iPad Case (MSRP $39.00) – In the beginning, this was a no brainer – what a great idea – new $500.00 device and a case for $40.00 to help protect my investment.  It doesn’t quite ‘stand-up’ like the commercials show and more than that, it feels cheap in my hand.  What really ticks me off is the incidental costs of nickel and diming us to death with accessories we really don’t need.  Now, in order to get the $39.00 Case to work with the $29.00 Dock, I had to cut the backside of the case so it would fit into the Dock – Not revolutionary, but functional

Third Bitch - This has nothing to do with Apple, but with the development community in general.  Since I have received the device, I have purchased about $40.00 worth of applications and none of them I regret – well thought out applications and I appreciate the effort it takes to create these applications.  

Then what pisses me off about the developers? 

The fact that a developer creates a separate iPad application and charges the same amount for it as it did for the iPhone version.  This may sound confusing, but let me give you a clear example.  I follow Major League Baseball with a passion.  I love to listen to the games during my lunch hour or catch a score while I am working.  So, I have purchased a MLB.TV audio subscription so I can listen at work on my computer ($15.00/season).  No big deal.  I have also purchased the MLB 2010 application for my iPhone so when I am on the go, I can also catch the scores, the play-by-play and the audio (also $15.00/for the 2010 application).  Now that the iPad has been release, the MLB folks could have created a universal application for the same $15.00 that works on the iPhone and the iPad – but no.  They created a separate version for the iPad – which means I have to fork over another $15.00 for the iPad version.

Sounds all fine and dandy, but I am here to tell you that many developers are creating ‘UNIVERSAL’ apps from their iPhone apps to work on the iPad with a ‘new’ interface for the iPad – POINT IN FACT – LOGMEIN for the iPhone and iPad.

Great company – great product.  I purchased for the iPhone about 6 months ago – and thankfully they created a UNIVERSAL app so when I got my iPad it ‘upgraded’ to an iPad version and it didn’t cost me a dime.

That is supporting the community as the community supports them.

Now – MLB makes major money off of us all year round – you think they could afford to roll their app into a UNIVERSAL version for the fans.

Anyway  – I love my iPad and it is a great device – Just heed some of the warnings above and you will love your iPad too.

I watched last night as the news reports highlighted the Apple Fanatics camped outside the retail outlets waiting for their forthcoming chance to obtain the new device.   I was worried.  Why?  Would I get there at 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM to find my reservation was for naught, like the infamous Jerry Seinfeld episode where Seinfeld reserves a car, but they don’t have it and he starts to lecture the counter person on the meaning of a reservation.

I thought to myself – should I go down and sit with these people and commune?  Then I figured – what will be, will be.  Apple said they would have my reservation and I believed them.  I would show up when I could the next morning.

I did make it out at 10:30 and found that there were two lines – a very long one and a very short one – I prayed I was in the short one and as luck would have it, my reservation did pay off!  I was in the short line and after a brief 10 minute wait (unlike some of the people who would have to wait hours to get in), I was face to face with my prize.  I knew exactly what I wanted:

• 32 GB iPad WiFi (3G isn’t out for another 3-4 weeks and I didn’t want another AT&T charge)
• Apple Dock/Keyboard combo unit
• Cover for my iPad

I was greeted by the Apple Representative and he (to be nameless) was very courteous and welcoming and we talked for a bit about the iPad.  He didn’t try to push extra’s or accessories.  I was direct and laid out what I wanted (in terms of the accessories) and he gathered them all up.  While he gathered, Andrew (my son) and I went to go play on the iPad’s – my first touch!  AMAZING.  My first impression was staggering.   The one thing I could not get over was the intense speed of the device – how fast it flipped and did things.  I was eager to see the PHOTOS applet and before I knew it I was pinching and zooming my way to photo nirvana.

Our Apple Rep came back with items in hand and we quickly rang up my purchase.  He saw my e-mail address (bill@macgod.net) and we discussed Apple Computers.  I have been using Apple since 1988 when I obtained a Mac SE for my own personal usage (from my Aunt who worked at Apple).

He offered to register the device right there in the store and handed the device for the unboxing – that is part of the beauty of Apple – they want us, the consumer, to have the best experience possible.  It is in their best interest to keep us coming back for more.

After a short registration period – I was gone and walking with Andrew through the mall back to the car to quickly get the iPad home so I could really take it for a spin.  Once I was at home, I loaded it up with my accounts, my apps, music, some videos and photographs from my iPhoto.

But this isn’t a totally glowing review or write-up of my iPad.  I truly do believe it is an awesome device – but I have a few issues with it:

• Upon connecting to my iTunes 9.1 app on my brand new 21″ iMac, it takes a good 4 minutes before anything is responsive?  I hope this is a minor issue and they fix it – it doesn’t seem like it should take this long
• My other issue is with the iPad developers – If I paid $15.00 for an application 1 month ago – I would hope that if you developed an iPad version that it would be free or become a universal application – this is an EPIC FAILURE by MLB (Major League Baseball) who not only charged $15.00 for the iPhone version, and recently released their iPad version and low and behold – they want another $15.00 for that version… Bugger Off
• The case isn’t as functional as I want it to be – it feels plastic like so I think I will invest in something more worthwhile like a leather carrier or something

Overall – a great device and I look forward to running it through its paces, both personally and professionally.

Have a great Easter everyone!

Here is my open letter to Mr. Yeager in a plea for sanity:

Dear Mr. Yeager,

I do not work for the fast food industry.  I did about 22 years ago when I was in high school, but that has no bearing on my plea to stop the insane legislation you are proposing.

I am a 37 year old male who grew up in Santa Clara Valley and current reside there.  I have three children, ages 10, 7 and 4 and I place a lot of value in their health and happiness.  My wife and I make their lunches every day and provide a balance between fun and healthy items within that lunch. 

As a parent, it is my responsibility to ensure that my kids are taught right from wrong, fact from fiction, and healthy from not.  I abhore the idea that we have to legislate for the parents who do not take that initiative to be watchful for their children’s health.  Does it sound right that kids should be penalized for poor management of their caloric intake by their parent(s)?    To blame the meal because it includes a toy as the culprit is just insane thinking.  The meal is still going to be cheap and affordable for those in need of a quick dinner.  Where will this line of thinking stop?  Maybe a ban on video game sales in Santa Clara because kids sit too much in front of the T.V.?

In today’s health concious society, their are many options for parents wanting to find a better balance within their fast-food options.  Many fast food companies allow you to substitue poor health oriented food like french fries and soda with apple slices and milk. 

You know who is to blame – the parents.  You know who is going to suffer – the independent business owners and the children.

I have a saying I garnered from Armstrong and Getty radio and it goes like this:

‘You cannot legislate stupidity or ignorance’

Please stop wasting money on poor legislation and do something else for the kids to get them fit. After school programs and activities that get the children away from the T.V. and Computer are what they need.  Put your funding and your money into those programs – better our parks, our education and public safety and the kids will go out and play.

Well, there it is in a nutshell – you really cannot fault a politician for attempting to make a name for himself, but there are better ways to find a solution to this problem.  For now, I guess my kids will be penalized for the few irresponsible parents out there.

My blog – my two cents.

B

She loves me!

Two deaths have hit home hard this week.  Corey Haim died yesterday and today was Merle Olson.  For the uninitiated, Corey was an 80′s movie star who was age 38 at the time of his death yesterday.  Merle Olson, amongst playing in the NFL for the RAMS, also played in Little House on the Prairie and some other shows.

I also have a head cold which doesn’t enlighten my darkened mood.  I pray for both of their souls that they find the peace with GOD they could not have here.   Life is a many splendid thing and our existence is very short and fragile – how peaceful this world would be if we all understood that and embraced it.

Sad.

Is it a personal conduit to the Lord or a form of personal meditation?

Is it how you ask for things, or thank the maker for his gifts?

How do you use prayer?

Today’s reading is very interesting because it shows Jesus teaching his disciples how they should pray.  Not prayer for the sake of prayer, but a meaningful prayer that says it all – it praises God, asks for forgiveness, and prayers for guidance and understanding.  The reading is from Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

^7″And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹“This, then, is how you should pray:
” ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
¹²Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.^[a]‘

¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Do you stand in church and prayer the Lord’s prayer with your heart, or your mouth.  I have found that my strength is within my relationship with God and that relationship is nourished by my ability to pray and pray often.  I also find that praying to God helps center my mind and even when I am troubled by events unfolding around me, a quick prayer and reflection help dig me out.

Jesus sat in the garden of Gethsemane and prayed to God about his future and the plans that were unfolding before him.  He prayed so hard that he sweat out blood.  You have to admit that this level of concentration and diligence in his prayers is reflective of the meaning behind his teachings written above.

I sit in church and the great thing about the Catholic church is that it is highly ritualized and that ritual has such majesty and beauty.  I don’t go to sit and fulfill and obligation.  I can find God on a nice walk in our local park, or while I am digging into the soil of my back yard.  My prayers are just as important in the privacy of my backyard as they are standing before a priest.

Do this:  take 2 minutes out of your day and Thank God that you woke up, that you got dressed, that you saw the sun rise another morning.  Embrace your existence as a blessing and give thanks to the one who gave it to you.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to share your Word with anyone who will read it.

Peter 5:1-4

^13(A) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴And they said, “Some say^(B)John the Baptist, others say^(C) Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter replied,^(D) “You are^(E) the Christ,^(F) the Son of^(G) the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered him, ^(H)“Blessed are you,^(I) Simon Bar-Jonah! For^(J) flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,^(K) but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you,^(L) you are Peter, and^(M) on this rock^[a] I will build my church, and^(N) the gates of^(O) hell^[b] shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you^(P) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and^(Q) whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed^[c] in heaven.”

To fully understand the above verse and the meaning behind it, we must have a rudimentary understanding of the time when Jesus lived – the political climate, if you would.  The Romans had been occupiers of Jewish homeland for years upon years, imposing taxes and their ideology upon all that they conquered.  There were, at this time, many zealots who appeared and spoke of GOD and preached of the coming of the messiah.  John the baptist, himself, was a prophet, baptizing and preaching about the one coming with fire to cleanse all.  Jesus came and taught a great multitude – preached about his father’s kingdom and perform miracles.  News of this ‘man’ spread widely amongst the Nation of Israel.  But the establishment in power had other plans for the Lord.

When Jesus spoke the above words, the proverbial writing was on the wall and the tide of favor by the common people was being turned by the religious leaders and he knew, the end was coming soon.

So Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?”.  The disciples presented sound answers that were reasonable at the period given people’s expectations of a ‘holy’ presence.   None of the answers were bad – just not correct.  To be called Elijah or Jeremiah fit a lot of views at the time by the Jewish people of who the ‘messiah’ was supposed to be.

So, Jesus asked his disciples directly of who they thought he was?  This could have been answered a thousand different ways, but Simon simply said in a factual manner: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

WOW!  You can’t blame Peter for being a direct-to-the-point type of guy.  Read that statement again:  YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!

A factual statement – no, a revelation.  You are the Christ.  And with this statement, Simon is forever altered and changed.  Jesus addresses him and says that he is blessed and that NO MAN HAS SAID THIS, but that this revelation has been granted to him BY GOD DIRECTLY!  This is important.  It wasn’t Simon who said, “I think you are… ”  or “We talked and we think you are…”, but “YOU ARE…”!

Jesus goes on to say that “You shall be called PETER, and on this ROCK I will build my church”.

I believe Jesus is telling Peter (notice I no longer call him Simon) that his statement is the rock upon which his church will be built.  Is not Peter’s statement, in fact, a dogmatic truth of our religion?

To build our faith and grow with the Lord, we too must have a strong foundation from which we can build our relationship with God.  This foundation begins with Peter’s words:  You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!  With this, our relationship, our community, our church will have all the foundation necessary to grow and flourish.

I watch the news and see a 2 year old killed by a falling tree and I pray and ask God, WHY?  Is it my place to ask this question?  Is my faith so shallow that I ask an all powerful and loving father, why he allows this to occur? Is my faith lacking, that I question the Lord how these things can be allowed to occur?

When we pray to GOD, we enter into a very personal relationship with the LORD.  It is a unique relationship in which we find solace and meaning and the act of praying helps clear the mind and for me, reboot my soul.   We live by faith and not by sight.  Why should we believe that in order to have our faith, a visible miracle should occur.  How is it that we lost sight of the miracles that happen every day around us and yet still have faith questions.

In today’s reading, Jesus was put to the test by the Devil, where the Devil commanded Jesus to task the LORD to prove that Jesus was truly the son of GOD.   The exchange between the Devil and Jesus is one of the best in the New Testament because it shows that faith does not need proof for existence.  Faith lives in us all and with that faith, comes the existence and beauty of our relationship with GOD.  Not the other way around.  A proof of GOD, would undoubtedly spawn faith, but the very definition of FAITH is to believe in a GOD based upon spiritual apprehension rather than proof.   WOW!

¹Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, ²where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.³The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’^[a]“

⁵The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”

⁸Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’^[b]“

⁹The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. ¹⁰For it is written:
” ‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
¹¹they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

¹²Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]“

¹³When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

How many times throughout the day do we put our Lord to the test?  How many times do we worship our money, our jobs, and forget the Lord that brings all to fruition?  How many times do we eat, but are not fulfilled in life?

How amazing and beautiful our relationship with GOD.  The meaning behind Lent also becomes more clear through the above passage.  We too must journey for forty days and be tempted to test the LORD.  But at the end, what an amazing time we have when we join together and celebrate the risen Christ.  Through his son Jesus, we can be fulfilled with the word, commune with GOD and forever have faith.

Amen