iPhone Wins A Photo Contest!

 I glanced down at the blog it had  been reading.  Yup, it was Glyn’s iPhone photography site, the one I’d bookmarked as soon as iPhone came into my life.  I didn’t know iPhone’d been reading it too.

 I’d been wondering when Glyn would get around to announcing the winners of the Easter-themed photo contest.  The challenge was to photograph anything Easter-related using the iPhone camera,  and  one or more of the growing number of wonderful photography apps to enhance it. It had to be e-mailed via an iPhone to the http://www.iphoneography.com blog.  The prize would be a case for the iPhone 3G donated by Griffin Technology Clarifi. It’s not just another iPhone case; this one comes with a slide across  lens for getting better close up shots with the iPhone camera.

 So I’d participated, just for fun.  And I got the e mail telling me I was one of the winners a few weeks ago. Glyn indicated he’d announce it on his site soon, so I hadn’t mentioned to iPhone, or anyone, for that matter.  (Well, okay, I told my Dad and my family.  But I did not tell iPhone.)

 “And you don’t like to think of me as a camera!” iPhone was bubbling with pride, trying to engage me in the moment, while  continuing to read the  short announcement and admiring our winning photo.

 iPhone didn’t notice that I wasn’t too….surprised, for a few moments.

“Wait a minute,”  iPhone calmed down, “this is exciting, isn’t it?”

 “Mmm hmm,” I murmured, pleasantly.  It was true that I’d been mighty excited when Glyn’s e mail first arrived announcing that I was one of the winners. I’ve never won anything, let alone a photography contest.  

 I was just a little reluctant to encourage iPhone’s photographic aspirations.  I am still pining for a real camera.  iPhone’s been really quite reliable for most of my photographic occasions these past few months.  We’ve had some good times together, made some good pictures, downloaded many entertaining apps.  I can’t deny it’s been a lot more fun than I expected, photographically, when iPhone came to me.

Winning an actual award, with rather a good prize for iPhone too, kind of ratchets up iPhone’s expectation for a future in photography with me.

I had not anticipated that iPhone might learn of the award before I’d had the chance to tell it.  This was a problem, I could tell.

iPhone’s exuberance settled.   iPhone was putting two and two together.

 “You asked if I’d read your e mail,” iPhone stated flatly.

I said nothing, nonchalantly going about my business in the kitchen, acting preoccupied.

“You knew about this already,” iPhone went on in monotone, “and you didn’t tell me.”

iPhone was so disappointed.  I could feel its disappointment in my own heart.  

Should I have told iPhone we’d won, back when I’d found out?  I was feeling so conflicted!  I didn’t want iPhone’s expectations to soar while I am hoping…longing…pining for a real camera for my birthday in three more days.

I love iPhone and it will always be my pocket pal.  My go-to device for just about everything…but its photographic affections will be replaced by a real camera if I get one for my birthday three days from now.

“I know I’m right,” iPhone went on.  It had stopped shimmying about the counter and was still.  “You must have gotten an e mail telling you we’d won.” 

“And you didn’t tell me,” it added. 

I  sighed, and turned to look at my beloved little device, who only moments ago, was giddy with joy over having been a photo contest winner.  

Heck, I was giddy myself when the e mail from Glyn had arrived. 

“All right,” I admitted, “it’s true.  I knew that we’d won and didn’t tell you.  I wanted to surprise you when Glyn posted it on his blog.” 

“Oh really?” iPhone’s tone was  sarcastic, which brought me up a little short, I admit.  I was not accustomed to sarcasm from my beloved iPhone. 

“Well, it’s true.  I waited to tell you because I wanted to write about it on the blog.  Then it would be a surprise for you and the five or six people who read this.  Like, my cousin, Rosie, and a couple of new visitors, Mickey and Debra.  And Sink!” I spoke brightly.  I remembered to smile.  

“Sink?” iPhone spat, “A sink? What the…” 

“Never mind that,” I said quickly. I was making a mess of this.  Explaining the name of my friend Sink would divert the conversation and I knew this needed to be addressed-soon.  Because, my birthday is coming and I just might get a real camera… 

I realized I was treading water on this one.  I needed to feign enthusiasm to pull iPhone back from the brink.  I  want iPhone on my side,  camera or not. I didn’t want to spoil iPhone’s happiness with the contest win. I do love iPhone.  And it did win the contest, that was true. 

I hoped I did not sound false.  We stared at each other.  I noted that iPhone’s screen had not dimmed – as it usually does when it’s idle – during the entire confrontation. 

“I’m so proud of you, iPhone,” I said respectfully, “I-I love you. I never meant to hurt you.”  

“We’ve talked about this before, remember?   You do know I think you’re great, and I admit – your pictures and apps  have been pretty awesome. I’ve had the best time.”  

“But…” iPhone was waiting for the denouement.  Damn, it knew me so well.  (How did this happen?)  

I exhaled.  

“Since you came to me last December I’ve grown to depend on you so much that now I cannot imagine life without you.  If I had to choose between you, and say…giving up acrylic fingernails, I’d choose you.  I’d give up Starbucks for you.”  

I thought it sounded pretty convincing.  And I was speaking the truth. (But Starbucks would go before the nails did.  Just sayin’.)  

iPhone was unmoved.  It knew I wasn’t finished.

 “iPhone, seriously.  I need a real camera.  One that can take pictures and videos and has a flash and a zoom and a close up feature,” I told it quietly, “and you don’t have those things.” 

“I have asked my family to buy me a camera for my birthday which is coming in three more days,” I finished, really ready to be done with this nonsense.  I’d lost my patience with all this.  And with writing this story.  

“Oh, I know when your birthday is,” iPhone snarled, “I think we all know when your birthday is.  You can’t stop talking about it.  What is your freaking problem?”  iPhone’s volume was rising. 

I did not know where to take it now.  iPhone was angry when I wanted us to be happy together.  And, truthfully, iPhone had embarrassed me just a little about my multiple birthday references.  Suddenly, I wasn’t finding it all that amusing anymore.  

“iPhone, let’s stop this,” I said, “Let’s be happy – WE WON THE PHOTO CONTEST on the iphoneography blog! You’re going to get a brand new Clarifi case, with a built-in lens from Griffin Technology Clarifi.  We’re winners, you and me!”  

I had really blown it.  I was so darned excited when I learned we’d won and I knew I should have told iPhone right away.  

“I was wrong to keep it from you, simple as that,” I stated as candidly as I could, “Will you forgive me?”  

What else is there, without forgiveness?  I mean, really?  

“Whether I get a camera or not for my birthday (in three days)   you have to know you that I will never, ever go anywhere without you.  I might get another camera, but I promise you this:  I’ll never get a BlackBerry.”  

At this, iPhone brightened.  The tension between us was gone.  iPhone gave me a very sweet apology in return which it asked me not to write about, and we took some very sweet make up photos with the camera.  I’ll keep those pictures private as well.  

iPhone, you are still my #1 smart phone.