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When apple makes an announcement my web routine usually allows me to be one of the first civilians to know. Today I found out that January 27 has been confirmed as the day for an apple announcement - the tablet? New iphone software? - Or my favorite, iLife 10?

Normally I would be crouched over my computer fixating on live feeds bringing me the very latest I can expect from anything I might buy from the lovely uncluttered store in downtown San Luis Obispo.  But not this time.

Sure, I want to know what the new tablet has in store, and I'm game for new ideas and concepts on my mobile iphone device.  Plus, will they improve iWeb and the other iLife apps? But this year I will be on the last day at my conferences annual pastors workers meeting - and traditionally this is communion time with my fellow pastors. You'd think this would be a high time, and something to look forward to.  

But I'd rather be with the heathens in the big city... finding out what gimmicks are coming next.  Except, for all the things apple does wrong, I love their stuff because for the most part they are not gimmicks. They do not woo me with 10% off, of promises that seem impossible to fulfill (because many gimmick promises can't be fulfilled). They just give (I mean provide for a price) me software and hardware that works. That helps my creativity turn into usefulness.  And I love every minute of it.

Communion on the other hand, well, how can you beat what Jesus has done for us, and passed on for his people?  But it's beauty and usefulness seem to get hidden amongst the cliches and testimonies that sound the same from all the same people year after year.  At the pastor meetings we never seem to progress, always looking back, making promises everyone knows we won't keep. Whereas the apple announcements always make me go - wow, that'll be great, or that's incredible, or why didn't we have that before!?

Does this make me a bad person? Maybe. At the very least ought to get me thinking about creating more time and resources to making my relationship with Jesus better - though I think I'll do that on my mac!!!  

Not to worry, I will make the most of what can often be rather dry meetings - for there is always a gem I cling to amongst the other stuff.  But then on the second week of February I will be off to San Francisco in person to macworld for 2 full days with the heathens. Browsing dreaming, yes, even coveting all the latest gear and ideas.  It'll be a blast, but don't worry Christian folk, Jesus'll be there too.  He is everywhere.  All the time.  In the fun stuff too.