Lots of you know me, but some may not. I have a little issue. A little love affair, you might say.
Yep. I’m another one o’ them damn Mac lovers. I’m a fanatic, but please! Know that I love PC users just as much as my Mac friends. I don’t take it that far. 
So yesterday’s news hit me like a brick. Steve Jobs. One of my heroes. Leaving his work. We’re all assuming it has everything to do with his health. I hope we’re all wrong.
Normally the people I admire are givers, teachers, generous people with generous tendencies. Whereas Steve works for his company, his baby, his Apple products. And NO philanthropy. But hey. Nobody can be all things to all people.
So the love I’ve had in my imagination with him for the past 27 years has been more of a mind affair than a motel one. (He is an attractive dude, though. No doubt about that.) To me, he is one of the most extraordinary people of my time.
The ways in which he’s changed this world will be listed and trumpeted and praised in every nook and cranny of the web and the world, so there is no need for me to do that. I’m nobody to do that.
I just want to say that when I came across this video at Business Insider, of young Steve introducing his first Macintosh computer, I cried. It was such a grand beginning, and through all the ups and downs, his has been a glorious career. The computers are better than ever, as is the Apple product line. Their future doesn’t worry me. And he’s still on the board. For now.
But it doesn’t seem that will last for too much longer, does it?
So it’s time to start imagining Steve Jobs gone from the world. It breaks my heart.
I have nothing to say that really means anything. I just wanted to write how I feel. Posting this video of him young, exciting, on the cusp of a New Age for our culture and times? I think I owe him that.
This day in 1984 was a big one for me. And watching it brought everything back.
Thanks, Steve. It’s been a great ride. New and exciting revelations all along the way.
But more importantly, thank you for giving me something that sustains me now, all these years later, and allows me to be a teacher of children, despite my terrible vision and aching back.
You’ve given me back my life, with a large screen where I can see my students, talk with them, and teach them, and the technology to accomodate an old bird like me. I couldn’t possibly be more grateful.
What was that I said about you and philanthropy? No, you don’t give it away. But a gift it nonetheless is. I won’t forget you.
Stay well, take care of yourself, and God Save the Mac.
See Life‘s photo tribute to Steve Jobs’ career.
Great tribute, Paula. I loved that you personalized your experience of Steve Jobs and didn’t just list his already well known accomplishments. Hearing how he created something that is now an essential tool for you to share your gift as a teacher is wonderful. Thanks for this post.
Awesome video Paula, appreciate you sharing that. He is a brilliant man and produced an awesome product. I can tell you are very happy with your Mac Man!
I’m not a Mac person and don’t have any urge to do so, but I know so many other people that have Mac’s. My first computer I used was an IBM, which I called the ‘big box’! My have we come a long way in such a short time.
Thanks Paula for sharing your wonderful thoughts and some very interesting information I didn’t know about Steve Jobs.
Lynn Brown brilliantly posted A Secret LinkedIn Marketing Tactic To Increase Website Exposure
Hey Paula,
Such a wonderful tribute! I ain’t an Apple person, apple is not much of a craze this end, except for Iphones but I love Steve Jobs as a leader, his vision, his popularity and his charisma is something people can learn a lot from.
Hajra brilliantly posted Vampires and Being Yourself
I guess you can tell that I totally buy into his charisma and everything else you mention! Vampires?? I’m gonna have to head over to read that one now!
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted Happiness and Kindness Abound in This Ultra-Cool Video
Oh yes! Who wouldn’t/ And girls adore him for that
Oh yes, it’s a guest post, please do read it! I worked really hard on it and am showing it off now
Hajra brilliantly posted Vampires and Being Yourself
I went, I read, and oh, my. You have a winner there, Hajra! Good work, and great reading.
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted Hard Knock Life or Just Hard Knockers? The Very First Barbie!
The first computer that I ever touched was an Apple IIe. It was back in 1984 and I had just accepted a new job as an elementary school librarian. My first task was to attach bar codes to all the books so that we could use a computerized check-out system.
I have had PCs since then, but last Christmas my husband bought an iPad.
Steve Jobs has done a great job at Apple. He will not be forgotten.
Janette Fuller brilliantly posted Book Review: Beyond The Myth
I had an Apple IIe too! It still strikes me as odd, though, to read the year “1984.” I read too much sci-fi in high school.
I love my iPad too. When everybody else is whipping out their smart phones, I whip out the iPad. I doubt I could see the phone! ;D
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted I Use the WordPress Catalyst Theme and It’s Changing My Life
Thanks, Paula — What an amazing moment in our history!
I owned one of the original MacIntosh computers and I only wish I had hung onto it. It was so cute.
Now my household is divided. I use my trusty PC and my daughters are MAC users. I guess you could say our computer lifestyle is “balanced”. We don’t believe in showing partiality. LOL!
Really enjoyed the video,
Melanie
xoxo
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur brilliantly posted Flushing Blog Posts Down The Toilet
You wouldn’t want that old thing now. It seems odd now to recall how little they could actually do, yet how amazed and thrilled I was. Having said that—oh, dear!—mine is still in the back room somewhere. Think maybe it’s time I start organizing?
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted The Most Hilarious Thing I’ve Seen In Ages!
Steve is many things. And, you are right- he’s not many things. Enough said about him in those regards.
One thing he is, though, is a charismatic leader. In that, he has not many peers in the tech industry. (Some have negative charisma- that doesn’t count!) And, because of that, he was able to drag his staff to make giant leaps to match his vision.
That is the key takeaway for those trying to make something different. We- and he- are lucky his vision was worth it to us.
Disclaimer: I am NOT an apple person. Except for my son who has a Macbook, we are all (and my companies are all) PC-bound (pun, intended). But, I miss Adam Osborne!
Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. brilliantly posted Coming soon- to your mailbox (US Postal or eMail)
Hi, Roy. I still love ya, despite the fact that you’re PC-bound! Funny.
I’m not so sure if he had to drag the staff. Other than some disgruntled Apple Store employees, they sure do great things. Getting people that many leaps does take a real leader, that’s for sure.
His vision was definitely worth it to me. Thanks for coming by.
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted Why Apple and Steve Jobs Will Beat Flash and Adobe!
There is no question that Steve Jobs had a vision and like many other pioneers he changed the world. I think that the next Steve Jobs is out there waiting and will be able to do special things because of the Steves, Bills, larrys, Buckies and the rest of the incredible inventive human beings who saw a new future.
And maybe we should also mention Da Vinci and Verne and….
He left before and came back. Challenge this time is his cancer – no one lives long with Pancreatic cancer.
Roberta Budvietas brilliantly posted Stop taking it personally to get out of stuck
Oh, Roberta, I know you’re right. There will be others to take his place, as there will be to take mine, yours, and everyone we know. But because of timing and serendipity, he’ll always have a special place in my heart.
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted Oh, Sarah. Even Stephen Colbert Can’t Save Your Ass This Time!
It’s the sheer passion! Steve Jobs is the most passionate person about his products and he wants everyone else to be too. And all Mac owners are!
I’m a PC girl myself BUT I do have several Mac products, the latest being my iPad. Love it. Love it. Love it.
You have given great tribute to a one-of-a-kind businessman. He really knows how to create the “know, like, and trust!”
Thanks!
Martha Giffen brilliantly posted 4 Common Misconceptions About PLR Content
That is exactly what it is, Martha: passion. And I have it to the hilt.
But I don’t mind that others aren’t. I’d never presume to tell people what type hammer they should by, so why would I have the right to preach on computer brands? The people who do that are nincompoops!
Thanks a million for coming by, PC-gal.
Paula Lee Bright brilliantly posted Wall Street: The Filthy Geese Who Laid Their Own Golden Eggs