Even though I'm not completely sold on the iPhone 4s, and if there was only one thing I was allowed to love about Apple, it would be Launch day lineups! I've been lucky enough to be at the very top of a few lineups (for the iPad and other things silly) and I love the comments and reactions that I get. (WHAT YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR 48 HOURS?!?)
So much so, that I have decided to line up for the iPhone 4s and bring the experience to those who aren't lucky enough to go out and line up for themselves. Along with having a child, buying your first home, car, and getting married, standing in line and forking over your hard earned money for the newest Apple device are all experiences you should have in your life time! (really, no sarcasm here and I don't judge, you can do it in whatever order you like!)
So follow my blog here starting tomorrow at 3pm EST and I will have pictures and video's up all the way to 8am on Friday!
For those of you who will be out there, here are some tips;
1. Find a great location such as a mall with other people who will be lining up and to watch your back, the earlier you line up the better your chances of scoring the prize!
2. Don't carry your cash overnight, if you are using your credit card, you are fine, but if you are using cash, wait until the mall or store opens when security, people, and media are abundant, because at night many things can happen.
3. If you have to wait over night dress accordingly based on the weather reports in your area and if you don't have a car, bring extra warmth if you will be spending the night, even 10 degrees with a little rain will have you feeling unwell in no time. Also, malls close between 2am and 6am (most) so expect to spend at least that much time outside!
4. Food and drinks are your choice, but I always leave a cooler in my car and of course someone will always do a coffee run!
5. Lawn Chairs, I don't need to say more.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes!
If you get a chance, throw some of your tips in the comments and lets help each other out!
Its Thursday!
10am: Getting ready for a fun and exciting day! Contacted all my friends who are going with me and we are excited! Just going to have a nice breakfast and then get all my supplies together! Should be in line about
1:30pm today! Wish me luck!
11am: Just showered and shaved, it's going to be a long day (and night) might as well be as clean as I can before I go! I'll have my first pictures up by 2pm too I think! So far so good, all my friends are on board and we have gathered all our supplies! (drinks, chips, etc) Almost ready to go, will call the apple store once before leaving, so I don't be the first kid in line! LOL!
Format Change!
20 Hours till Launch: I'm about to leave for the store, I don't know if anyone is line yet, but the the queue to call the Apple store is currently at 8!
15 Hours till launch: still no one here with me. Thinking of buying a volleyball, naming it Wilson and telling it all my stories...
Side: Its kind of ominous to start off, but with the tribute to Steve Jobs and no one here, it is kind of somber, I know the mood will change, but it gives me a chance to reflect on those I love and lost, not the best thought to be thinking, but it does strike you when you see how they have arranged it.
13 hours to go! There are about 14 of us here. We are all excited and looking forward to a wet night
12 hours to go: Our line up is growing exponentially! We are up to about 30 people and just heard that Eaton center is up to about 50. Head of the Apple store and Mall security came out and shook my hand to congratulate me, never felt so special! Originally I was planning to post pictures and videos as I blogged but I don't think that will be feasible right now due to bandwidth and battery concerns. (long way to go still) It's totally awesome how many Apple employees are coming out after their shifts and hanging out with us. Looking for some dinner right now before the mall closes. Will check back in about an hour.
10 hours to go: We're up to about 90 and it's gotten kind of chilly, but there is a warm feeling inside (just kidding)I am not that sappy) everyone is laughing and sharing stories, there is the hater here and there, driving by in his rice mobile shouting profanities, but whatever, water off our backs. Funniest things so far,
Random guy walking by: Blackberry!
Me: When it works maybe!
50 people: lol @ him
Random guy walking by: puts head down and leaves...
Totally awesome!
Side: Just some random pics from the time frame
Side: A guy from photoscanning.ca came by and hooked us up with some pizza and coffee, some great viral marketing at work there, I didn't get a good picture of him, but I did get a picture of the bounty! Thanks for the snack! Many people enjoyed it!
6 hours to go: Just spent 1 hour reorganizing the line. Still raining on us intermittently and people crowding under the shelter. The 3 rain drops terrified this crowd! Everyone ran for cover and the line is all a mess!
3 hours to go: Realized that the crowd is increasing exponentially and we won't be able to keep up the list, made a judgement call and told everyone to get back in their spots in line, and the list would be stopped all newcomers to the back of the line.
2 hours to go: OH NO! People don't know how to count, things are about to get horrible! Because we all gathered under the shelter for rain, people are claiming they were there at random times! Fortunately, we have a list and I actually walk and count 250 people into their line spots. Took me an hour and the Apple employees are impressed by my skills! My faith in humanity is restored, some people ceded their spots to others who were complaining, it meant a difference of 1 spot or two spots but they understood the bind that I was in, and did this on their own. To those unspoken hero's, THANK YOU!
30 mins to go. Its been a great night. Being at the front of the line has presented challenges I never knew I was responsible for. I will elaborate more when I get home with my bounty. Just really excited that in under an hour I will have my hands on one.
Side: The Apple Team gets their first look at the iPhone 4s
SCORE! I have my iPhone 4GS! First in and first out, what an amazing day and fantastic experience. Apple and Square One Mississauga are always a class act!
As always, there are those who wonder why so many line up with the ability to order online or waiting just a few days and being able to walk in and just picking it up. My answer is, I don't always line up, but when I do, I have a great time. The people I meet, the friendships I forge, and the fact that I have the time to do so are all part of the reason why. When someone asks, where are all the good people in the world, all you have to do is come visit an Apple Line up and realize that they still do exist. Of course there are always exceptions, but on this night there weren't any, and for that alone, it was worth going down and spending 20 hours in line. Oh, and for the phone too of course! For those in line with me, thanks for the great experience and I hope you all the best and hopefully we'll run into each other again, even if its in the iPhone 5 or iPad 3 line up!
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