Greeting from Apple Store, Memphis

I am here at the Apple store checking emails and hangin' out with the locals. And, yes, looking to buy an ibook G4 with a wireless mouse (and splurging on a neat little carrying case that would displace the discounts that I'm getting).

As a designer this little tool will be invaluable. I'll be able to take it with me whenever/wherever without tether to a network or outlet. Any time I catch the design bug I can whip out the G4 and go to. It will be good. Very good. And, yes, I'm excited.

I think visiting an Apple store is a rite of passage for a designer or any mac enthusiast, for that matter. Simply being in the store is an experience. All the hardware is separated around the store into neat little vestibules. There is the music section (with the ever-popular ipod), the video section with software for making professional grade edits and productions, the audio section, the photos section, kids, pros, and genius (the learning center at the back of the store). There are also accessory and more softwares available in the center of the store. As a designer I really enjoy how the whole environment is layed out — plenty of space framed by clean, solid materials. Ther's lots of white and hardwood. It feels more like a fine art gallery than a retail store.

It is intersting to me how many different kinds of people are here. There are elders at the learning center watching a miniseminar about how to organize their photos and email them or print them. There are kids wrapped in bean bags at the kids center gaming away on emacs while parents shop. And then there are the few the student/professional types like me. I really had no idea that Apple had such a broad following.