Apple iPad: iFail, iWin or Just iAwkward?

So unless you live under a rock or just don’t care that much about unveiling of new technology you may have noticed that Apple revealed their next innovative product yesterday.  Plenty of people have tweeted, blogged, and written articles about it and even the talking heads on the evening news dedicated a slice of airtime to the new device.

Now, true to human nature, folks starting whining right out of the gate about what Apple’s latest “toy” DIDN’T have.  I am here to counter those negative vibes with what I feel are valid points.

1. Camera – no it doesn’t have one, but is it realistic to think you’d use it?  You know how DUMB you’d look holding up that large of a “camera” to snap a photo?  As far as video conferencing you’d get tired of holding it and even if it was in the dock the iSight camera built into every Mac is simply more practical.  Moving on.

2. AT&T contract – it is ridiculous to assume AT&T could’ve forecasted the astronomical success of the iPhone.  Since it is the exclusive carrier for the device I (how many millions have been sold again) I can understand their bandwidth problems.  They are probably praying for the day Verizon or T-Mobile gets an iPhone.

2.1 No Verizon – did people not catch that the 3G versions are OPEN and can have a data plan from ANY carrier?

3. No multitasking – this has always confused me.  While I admit the convenience of being to switch between open Apps in a similar fashion to how Safari allows you to move between open “windows” would be nice, it really ain’t that much of a hindrance.

4. Price – while pundits were predicting a $999 price point Apple delivered 3 different tiers w/ the most expensive WiFi model topping out at $699.  Here’s my justification (and I think Apple’s too): Kindle + 64GB iPod Touch + 10″ screen = $269 + 399 + 40 = $699 = totally worth it.

5. Overall – productivity aside (email, maps, notes, calendar, etc) and all the capabilities/applications within that space just think about the personal entertainment factor.  IF… IF I were to get one of these I’d use it primarily for books, movies, and gaming.  These alone are impressive.

6. Name – I surrender on this point with hands raised in bewilderment.  The iPad?! Really Steve?! Who was in on the focus groups for this naming convention process?!  It took all of .5 seconds for the painful puns to start rolling and Mad TV to conjure a YouTube bit.  iSlate, iTablet or even iDontKnow would’ve been better.

I know there are greater issues and concerns in the world occurring right now and a new Apple product falls low on the totem poll in the grand scheme of things, but give me a break – I still haven’t had my coffee yet.

Go check out Apple’s site for the iCantSayItWithaStraightFace and see for yourself.

Time to Man Up

Life is hard.

Children are without fathers, single moms struggle to make ends meet, there are drug addicts and people consumed by selfishness & greed, and others suffer intense pain & devastation (click here to donate to Haiti relief).

This last weekend I had the privilege of attending a men only event at New Life Church.  Their men’s ministry is summarized by the macho phrase, “Man Up!”.

It is more than a command to be tough and suck it up, it is a call to action.  For men to be real men – men of God.

The guest speaker was a phenomenal pastor from Colorado, Steve Chavez.  He has a contagious passion for God and a strong desire to inspire men and empower them to become godly men.  But Steve didn’t tiptoe around the tough issues or get everyone together for a big group hug.  He was real, raw and got down into the dirt with us.

The passages of scripture Steve focused on were 1 Peter 5:8-11 & Hebrews 12:1-3.  I will never see these verses the same again.

Regarding 1 Peter, Steve spoke of standing firm and resisting the devil who prowls like a lion, ravenously hungry for our souls and families.  He reminded us that this lion is old and had his teeth kicked out at Calvary and we need not run, but rather ground our feet in solid faith and press firmly against the door he’s trying to claw through.

Hebrews talks about removing the weights that hinder us on our race.  They might not be bad in and of themselves, but they interfere with what is important and will trip us up.  In addition to that Steve specifically called out where the text pinpoints throwing off “the sin that so easily entangles” – speaking of the particular area of temptation each man struggles with most (anger, porn, alcohol, etc).  Hebrews challenges us to run this race with endurance and we can only succeed w/ focused eyes on Christ, the Author & Perfecter (Leader/Captain & Completer) of our faith, who endured the cross with joy.

My meager notes cannot do justice to the power and truth Pastor Chavez’s message conveyed.  Please take the time to read these passages and dwell on them.

Fellow men, fathers, husbands, friends – we are called to be more than society expects us, and has portrayed us, to be.  As a father of a young man I am keenly aware of my responsibility to raise his up to be man of God, to be an example of Christ, and demonstrate the character of a real man.  Honestly, it scares me sometimes knowing that I’ll fall short.

1 Timothy 6:11
“But you, man of God, flee from all this [sin & temptation], and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

Time to Man Up!

Lost in Translation

Went into Supercuts over the weekend and suffered the adverse effects of a language barrier.

For the past year or so I’ve successfully rocked a very modest faux hawk. Nothing extreme or metro-sexual, but just long enough for a little gel and style. During this time I have faithfully patroned Supercuts because they do it quick and dirty, and I confess the shampoo afterwards feels really good.

Well all the fond memories came to a screeching halt on Saturday. I called ahead, walked in, was immediately seated, and asked what I wanted. I requested the usual – a 1 on the sides, 3 on top to trim, and a high fade motioning with my hands the desire to maintain the pointy faux hawk look. The polite little hairdresser’s response was a wide smile and gratuitous nod. She then proceeded to buzz my entire cranium and now my rather large dome resembles an oversized chia pet.

Moral of the story: if neither party can understand each other’s English the situation will not end well.

It’s a good thing that the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut for a dude is about 7-10 days. In the meantime my Sun Devils ballcap fits better.