Finally!

Buying a new Apple product is almost like a Hero's Trial. You need to suffer and persevere before you can claim victory.

Yesterday, having just taken my paycheck to the bank, I saw the line in front of the Apple Store and decided on the spur of the moment to start waiting.

And wait I did, for 3 1/2 hours. It was freezing and windy, and I looked a fright once I finally made it inside. After another 1/2 hour I finally made it to the front of the line, but was told they were out of stock of the black 16gb, which is what I wanted.

I was ready to settle for the white one just because I was exhausted and I wanted to get home, change into my Flash tee and crawl into my warm, warm bed.

But the guy said that if I really wanted it, they'd have more in stock the next day and I could get a ticket that would get me to the front of the line. If I had suffered that long, I figured I might as well get what I want, so I took the ticket.

Not wanting them to run out of stock again, I got someone to cover for me at work and I returned to the cave, slayed the dragon, and returned scarred, but victorious, clutching the svelte heart of the beast in my frigid hands.

Bring on the ale and wenches!