iPhone 3G

Two o'clock in the morning, July 11, 2008: I wake up excited about the Big Day! The new iPhone 3G comes out today and I am determined to get one. I back up my systems, I get dressed, and drive the five minutes to the AT&T store closest to my house. I am seventh in line. I chat some with the guys just ahead of me in line. They have an entire set up: air mattresses, blankets, pillows, and a computer propped up on a blow up chair. They claim they have never done this before. 

At about 5 AM, the line starts to get bigger. Every subsequent hour the line grows. No one knows how many phones have been made available. As the line gets longer, we start guessing where the cutoff will be. Who will have to go  home disappointed? 

At 6 AM, employees start showing up to monitor the line. 

By 7 AM the excitement is tangible. A commotion starts up when the mother-in-law of one of the guys behind me shows up and then his wife. The people behind them aren't too happy. I can't blame them. Store managers come out and simmer  people down. A happy compromise is reached. It's a good thing because most of the people behind me have been in line since 5 or so and tempers can quickly reach hot temperatures.

A little before 7:30 AM the employees come and get a listing of who wants what...black, 16G, white 8G, etc. I put down my order...black 16GB.  We find out there are only 25 phones that have been allocated to that particular location. A lot of people will go home without an iPhone 3G. The line wraps around three sides of the building. 

Finally, 8AM. It is the hour of anticipation. The first people go in the store. They are only letting 4 or 5 people in at a time to avoid confusion. When they come out they hold up their purchase like a trophy. I feel victorious when I enter. The guy at the counter gives me a high five (we had spoken the day before as I was feeling out the possibilities) and he's glad that I made it. I get my black 16 GB iPhone 3G and stumble out of the store dizzy with accomplishment thanking those who congratulate me and offering my own congratulations to them in return. The drive home is quiet. Despite the fact that myriad people are having trouble finishing the set up, as do I, I manage to complete the set up for my phone. 

This is going to be awesome!