We interrupt this program…

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I knew that there would be some penalty to pay for switching from Windows.

However, I didn’t realize just how quickly the penalty would arrive.

Slinging heavy boxes around is hot work, and the air was getting stuffy. I resolved to open a window for some fresh air so that we might more fully enjoy the Mac unboxing experience.

There are blinds on the living room window of the heavy-duty metal variety; they have to be raised in order to get at the window latch. As I was in the process of raising them, they detached from the wall and struck my forehead. I stood there stunned for a moment thinking, wow, that’s gonna leave a mark.

I turned back toward Patrick, whose countenance immediately became somewhat pale; he dashed off muttering something about towels. I tentatively touched the impact area, and immediately pondered that the feeling of a lot of blood running down your arm is something you don’t experience very often, but something you immediately recognize when it happens.

It was evident that Mac geekery would have to be postponed; immediate medical attention was required. We mopped up the worst of it, left a note for my Lovely Wife, and headed out.

In San Jose on a Sunday, one visits the nearest Emergency Room to have large holes in one’s person plugged. It’s not a bad place per se, but it’s filled with sick and injured people; this detracts somewhat from the overall atmosphere.

For example, Horfing Man. This poor guy was hurling like it was his job. Deep, guttural, gravelly bass; profound volume.

And he did this every four minutes, for two solid hours. You had to feel for him.

Eventually, if you’re bleeding enough, they do triage and repair you. Five stitches and a tetanus shot later, we were ready to return to the new Mac.

In retrospect, this is the first time I’ve been physically assaulted by a window treatment.

I suppose I can say for certain that switching to the Mac has scarred me for life.