I always believed in Apple. You know, in a kind of distant way. Like Steve Jobs was Bill Gates co-pilot, if you know what I mean. I know Apple is everywhere, but I guess I just never wanted to make it too personal. I mean, Apple is pretty busy with everything else going on in the world, right?

Then my daughters bought IPods. And my wife came home with this white Mac. I knew it was getting a little weird when Sarah walked in with an elegant, aluminum Macbook. I don’t know, but sometimes I think they feel a little bit . . . better than me. Like they have a personal relationship with their computers that I can’t have, just because I have a PC. I mean, what the heck, I’ve always had a PC and I don’t think I need some kind of a “personal relationship” with my computer! I’ve been fine all these years, right? Why change now, you know what I mean?

Maybe having a personal relationship with your computer just means you have a weak mind. You know, a crutch because you can’t handle viruses and crashes. Man, with all that I have been through with my PCs, I know I’m strong! I don’t need a flipping crutch.

But they seem so happy. I have to admit it. My family is  . . . different. They talk about their computers like they really know them. It’s like, they love them. I don’t know. Maybe there is something different about the relationships they have. Maybe I should give it a shot, I mean, what do I have to lose, right?

For Father’s day they got me an Apple Nano. It came sleekly packaged, in a tiny clear box. I felt a strange burning in my heart as I unpacked it. I downloaded ITunes. It converted all of my music files. I think I feel  . . . special.