Pictured from L to R: Phil, Zeke, James, Ian, Jesse and Brian
ISSAQUAH, WA - A fiercely loyal duo of iPhone fanatics wasted no time starting the line for the launch of Apple's new iPhone 3G S at a small AT&T location out in the suburbs some twenty five minutes east of downtown Seattle. The town that spawned indie rock band Modest Mouse in 1993 is where I chose to line up for my own iPhone 3G S purchase.
The line began at 3:30 pm on Thursday afternoon with Ian and Jesse, who grabbed the number one and two spots without the benefit of pre-ordering with AT&T. A small hoard of iPhone faithful joined the party after dark to brave the rain soaked night, hoping to push through the glass doors of AT&T shortly after 7:00 am once a minor number of pre-orders were filled. Just minutes before 7:00, the AT&T staff broke the bad news, confirming that anyone who did not pre-order a device will have to wait until 9:00 am for purchases. Fail. After what felt like an eternity, the line started to move into the store.
A guy named Zeke, was one of just two fresh iPhone converts who camped out overnight along with several committed veterans in a ritual that has become a true right of passage for those hoping to own a coveted new iPhone on launch day. Shortly after 9:30 am, Zeke emerged from inside the store with his very first iPhone in hand. The crowd cheered wildly as Zeke kissed "his precious" for the very first time (below), signaling the start of an epic bromance. Actually nobody cheered except for me, but it was mostly played out inside my head.
Pictured above Zeke, Nick and Jonny
Things began to get a bit strange around 8:45 am when some old-balls, pre-order customer shouted "high tech!" for no apparent reason as he exited the AT&T store with his new iPhone in hand, while this other ultra-noob with leftover donut fragments stuck to his cheek, sang some unrecognizable song from the front door all the way out into the parking lot. It was a perfectly awful and awkward moment to watch.
The tired hoard who endured these random acts of madness quickly turned to each other as if to confirm witnessing an alien sighting. That's my story. It's real. I was there and I lived to tell about it. But it wasn't the work of an alien at all. You've just been baptized into the cult of iPhone. Welcome aboard!
Comments