As An Apple Lifer in 2024...

Yeah, no surprise here. I’ve been an Apple Computer guy since I was like 5 years old. I read MacAddict magazine in the 90’s, during the more painful years. I spent my Junior High and High School years using a Performa 550 (later “upgraded” to a powerPC Performa 575). That was the family computer for 7 years. I enjoyed the thrilling late 90’s and early 2000’s. I used a Power Mac G4, saw the iMac dominate, and lived out the thrill of the G5. On top of that, we got the iPod, followed by the iPhone, and then the iPad!

I used the Apple //e when Jobs and Woz ran the show. I used the Macintosh before Jobs left, while he was at NeXT, and when he came back, and after his untimely departure again (boo cancer). Many things changed in that time, but the one thing that kept me around was the continued innovation. Truly, Apple was always finding a way to bring new technology to us, in a way that worked.

Lately…. Apple has made some huge advances. I will say that the Mac, and their ARM based M chips are incredible. I use an M1 Macbook Pro, have for about 4 years. It still runs smoother and faster than most any Windows laptop I’ve used at work or elsewhere. The desktop and laptop line has delivered.

The iPhone literally redefined the cell phone market at release. I personally saw outspoken Apple haters not only buy it on release day, but talk endlessly about how amazing it was. The iPhone changed everything. It defined the framework for usable portable computing.

So, in recent years, Apple’s usually much hyped keynotes showcasing their new hardware have been replaced with pre-produced marketing pieces. And the innovation and daring of yore seems to have all but vanished. Sure, we see some incremental tech boosts, a faster processor, cameras that are ever so slightly better… It’s just not the same anymore.

So then I saw this video. And while it’s specific to the Airpods Max, I’m not so sure that it kind of applies to more and more to other parts of Apple’s business.

Yeah, so. This is kind of real. It’s kind of ridiculous to be passionate about a company like this in some ways. I get that. But that was what was unique about Apple, they made it fun, they gave us something to be invested in. I sort of see that leaving year after year, and it’s kind of like losing a friend, sort of. Anyways, I saw an upcoming Apple event in October, and I am yet again getting amped up to see what they’ve got in store. Lets hope there’s that “One more thing…”

It's been six months? Whoops.

Lets see - what’s been going on. Oh, well I graduated from Penn State. 20 years after attempt number one, I have succeeded at long last. I now have a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. Having completed this was very fulfilling, and I’m glad I did it. I graduated along with people much younger, but also much older. In any case, it was a great experience, and I’m stronger for it.

The obvious question I must ask myself, “Now what?”. Well, I don’t know to be honest.

I’d love to spend time developing an app of some sort, or get back into music again, maybe even keep learning? While I haven’t ruled a master’s degree out, I have no appetite for that at the moment.

Only time will tell, but now that I’ve had a little breather, I’m ready to start thinking about what’s next. When I find it, I’ll post it here.

Now then - some music:

New Cars are Fun

For a very long time, I’ve been a huge fan of German cars. Audi, Porsche, and VW have always been my favorites. I have previously driven two VW GTI’s, the most recent of which was a 2018 GTI Autobahn, and a fantastic car. As I’ve gotten older, been married, had a child, and so on, the GTI became a little too small for day-to-day life (though it’s hard to admit that).

Well, as of today, I have an Audi. I stumbled into a heck of a deal on a 2021 Audi Q5 45 Premium Plus. It has all of the options, and even some upgrades, and I could hardly believe I was actually buying it, even as I signed the last bit of paperwork.

In pictures and even in reviews, these cars look nice, and I’ve always known that Audi gets high marks for quality and comfort, especially the interiors. It’s been a fair bit of time since I’ve sat in an Audi. This morning, I sat in the driver’s seat of this car and was blown away. Like an Apple product, you can’t fully appreciate these things until you’re actually in front of one. As I started the car, and drove it around, everything was on a different level from previous cars I’ve owned. Every button, surface, and finish felt sturdy and high quality. The leather is real, and very comfortable. The ride is sporty, quiet, and plush. Bumps cease to exist when riding in this car.

Among options, this one includes the Bang and Olufsen premium Audio, the 20” Wheels (which look incredible), and the Premium Plus Package. The sound system is sublime, and sounds every bit as good as the Fender Audio system in my GTI. Unrelated, the Fender Audio premium system from VW was one of the all-time best in any car.

Overall, I am still in disbelief that I have this car, but a great deal of hard work has led to this moment, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to get this car.