nothing original

Yesterday, was a figurative “shot heard ’round the world” as news of Steve Jobs’ passing spread on various digital devices and mediums that would never have been created if he hadn’t thought of it first. Even I am writing this on my iPad, a tablet computer more portable than my laptop computer, in the comfort of my bed.
In homage to the great icon, I wore to work a black turtleneck (for lack of a mock), blue jeans, and tennis shoes. Ironically, I find that others will pay the same tribute on October 14, when the iPhone 4S is released. At least I can say “I thought of it first.”
I hear stories on the radio and TV, read articles using news apps. One question that was asked by reporters to pedestrians was, “What was your first Apple device?” Most people would answer the iPod or iPhone. My first Apple device was the Apple IIe. Okay, it’s not a device but a computer. It was the most incredible thing back in the 80s. I was living on an air base in Japan. I learned very early and rudimentary MS DOS program coding. Quite tedious in typing, but very cool to see what the program you wrote would end up doing. It’s probably why some of my computer teachers gawked when I moved back to the States and said that I already understood how to use the Apple IIe in the classroom. A lot of people here had the Commodore 64. It could also explain why I’m a bit geeky with gadgets.
By the time I reached high school, all the computers were IBM compatible with Windows 3.11. I never had a relationship with Apple again until my husband got me an iPod for Christmas a decade or so ago. I later got a video iPod, the hubby a nano, the kids each got an iTouch, now the hubby and I have the iPad2. I can carry this with me almost anywhere since it can fit into my purse.
So, thank you, Steve Jobs. You have changed my lifestyle and made it better. My nonverbal son is more vocal because of apps that were made available on the App Store. My developmentally disabled daughter is able to find videos and entertainment easily on her iTouch because of it’s simplicity and ease of use. And my family can have a bit more quality time together as we sit around the glow of our individual screens.