If you’ve read my column in the past, you know I’m very candid with my addictions. I strive for transparency when it comes to my life, relationships and bargain hunting tips. This space is like a comfy couch inside a therapist’s office. Allow me to recline and share my latest love: my new iPad 2.
We haven’t been together long, but the last two weeks have been fabulous. I’ve nicknamed her Paddy (how original) and now expect everything to happen with the touch of my finger. I tried swiping the screen on my BlackBerry and even reached up to move something on my monitor at work before I noticed I had a problem.
Paddy was a birthday/anniversary gift from Parish. The gift was a complete surprise – I’m actually surprised the neighbor didn’t call the police when she heard the screams and hollering from our apartment.
Before he made his grand entrance with my real gift, Parish presented me with a birthday card and a $25 iTunes gift card. I was appreciative, but thought the gift card was odd, considering the list of places I rattled off when Parish asked me where I like to shop. But I also have a cute, green iPod that is in desperate need of new music, so the card wasn’t a total mystery.
I smiled back at my husband and said, “Oh, thank you. I need to download the latest Lady Gaga song!” He paused and then quickly left the room. OK, maybe he doesn’t like Gaga that much. I thought Parish returned with a Victoria Secret bag – a big, shiny pink bag. “You can use your gift card with this,” he said and he put the girly tote in my lap. What the heck? Did he expect me to buy some songs and dance around Victoria Secrets for my birthday? I was at a loss until I pulled back the tissue and there she was – my new iPad and sleek cover.
I have to sit up to tell you about this part. I lost it! First of all, I couldn’t believe that my lover had actually bought me this totally cool gadget. I was expecting a gift card to Sephora or a bottle of perfume. The iPad was not in my radar – although I had wanted one for almost a year. Every time we visited Best Buy, I would mosey over to the Apple section and check them out. Now I had my very own.
I will lie back on the couch for the remainder of our session – I just couldn’t help myself. Paddy is one cool chick, and she is fast, and I don’t know how I made it without her for so long. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but I have found a lot of great uses for my iPad, and use it daily, sometimes hourly. The colors on the screen are so vibrant, and the ability to read or watch anything is a tap away. I’m blown away every time I find a new app, visit iTunes or play ‘Words with Friends.’
This past weekend, I combined my two addictions – coffee and Paddy – at Starbucks. The coffee haven offers free WiFi – God bless them. I felt so grownup and mature when I propped my iPad on the table next to my triple Grande iced nonfat mocha with sugar free sprinkles. I proudly looked around and noticed that about three other patrons had a Paddy family member on their table. Maybe next time I will take my new friend to a less “techy” place, like Victoria Secret.