I’ve already told a few people this story, but I thought it was worth blogging.

As most know, Friday, July 11 was the 1st day that the new iPhone 3g became available for retail sale.

I know a few people who bought the First Generation iPhone, but I wanted to wait since I thought 1) the cost was too high ($499 or $599) 2) No GPS 3) No Exchange for email 4) No 3G

These issues were solved when Apple announced the features of the iPhone 3G during a March 6 special presentation.  Along with reconciling my main 4 issues, they also included a major software update (2.0) which included an Application store for user and 3rd party-made applications.  Some would be free, others pay.  On top of all this, they made the hardware slimmer, a flush heaphone jack and dropped the initial price to $199.

That brings us to this last Friday, when I had to make a choice about where to try and buy an iPhone. Eugene doesn’t have an Apple store, we do have a Mac authorized seller, but I doubt they would have the iPhone, so I went to an AT&T store.

I’m already an AT&T customer, so I didn’t think there would be any service issues with upgrading my phone, but I assumed they would sold out.  Turns out they were sold out, so I went to leave.  Before I could leave a salesperson suggested I preorder and pick one up when a new shiment came in, I said fine and gave them my account information.

After looking up my account I was told that an iPhone would cost me $399 or $499.  I was confused since I thought the initial prices were $199 or $299, depending on the HDD size.  BUT, apparently my plan won’t be ‘upgrade eligible’ until September, so I have to buy out my old plan to upgrade now.  I guess this is just how it works in AT&T world, but it seems weird that I would be able to upgrade hardware and start my new plan from this date.  They’ll just have to content with not getting my $200 now AND having me pay less per month since I don’t have a data plan.  FOOLS!

I’m back in Oregon and I seem to have brought the weather back with me.  I arrived in Minneapolis last Friday and the tell-tale signs of Midwest were there.  Humid, check.  Hot, check.  Stale air, check.  As we drove down to DSM, and then skAnkeny, nothing had changed from my many years in Iowa.  The weather was muggy, the landscape was flat and the place ached for a healthy rain, think 1993.

We arrived in Ankeny and I ate dinner with the folks.  I proceeded to the happenin’ spot for drinking with college & high school friends, the Applebee’s.  No, Tyler Florence was not there for me to kick his ass, but the atmosphere was nothing short of middle-class boredom.  The day was long, and I was tired after 8 hours of flying and layovers and 4 hours of driving.  On the upside, quality beef is easier to come by in Iowa, so I would eat burgers and steak and nachos all weekend.  Yummy.

Saturday started off well enough, slept in til 10am.  Tried to watch Wimbledon but that damn thing’s been getting rained out.  Rented some movies with Mom, got Strangers with Candy, Children of Men and Music & Lyrics.  Can you guess which ones I chose?  At night I went up to Ames to visit more friends.  Saw Knocked Up, hilarious!  Got back online too.  I had been without internet since

Sunday, did some web work for freelance, drove around Ankeny, then went to Marshalltown to visit Grandma for her birthday.  Apparently the thing to do for your birthday in Iowa is to go to Ice Cream Socials in rural churches.  I had never been and it was interesting.  Sandwiches, beans and salad, topped off with homemade ice cream and pie.  Pretty good stuff, although the music entertainment was weird.

Monday, awoke for more Wimbledon, but more rain delays.  Serena Williams was saved by the rain.  Watched the Children of Men and then Strangers with Candy.  Children of Men was still great, and SwC was hilarious.  I first saw SwC at the Bijou and it totally pulls off the TV series to film transition.  The plot is stupid, but it doesn’t matter because the characters are awesome.  Colbert, Dinello and Sedaris, plus famous guest stars appearances by Allison Janney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Dan Hedaya, Ian Holm, Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker.  Don’t forget Principal Onyx Blackman.

Tuesday, slept in, watched more Wimbledon, then went to the Jordan Creek Mall.  Oculon knows what I’m talking about.  This monstrosity has been pumping out stripmalls and one-off stores around it’s perimeter for a while now and I think only the interstate will stop it’s advances.  Went to Ocean’s 13 with mom, pretty good.  Way better than Ocean’s 12, but there were some cameos from that movie.  Not as good as Ocean’s 11, but the plot made sense even if some things were glossed over.

Wednesday, got up at the ass-crack o’ dawn, again and waited at Des Moines International Airport for my Minneapolis connection.  Aside, I think you’re airport has to be able to fly to an international location in order for you to put in ‘International’ in title.  I think Des Moines fails to fly to directly to Canada, so they’re liars.  The Minneapolis flight was delayed, so I missed my connection to Seattle.  Amazingly the airports weren’t packed on the 4th of July, so I was rebooked to Portland.  I had to layover there for 2hr50m, but it was all good, free wi-fi!

Now I’m back at work and although my vacation is over, I’m loving the internet.  Oh internet, what would I do without you?