Love me, love my iPad

OK, so I admit it, I am as a friend described me on Facebook, a "big techy apple obsessed computer nerd". Actually, not completely apple obsessed. I still haven't gone over to the dark side and gone Mac. I can't prise myself away from my PC games (see, how nerdy can I be if I play games on a PC instead of a WII? Oh wait, that IS nerdy!) and the other day was only the first time I saw all four of my beloved games; City of Heroes, Civilization IV, Rollercoaster Tycoon III and Sims 3 ALL available for Mac. (I admit, I did pee myself, just a little bit right there and then and had to stop myself asking the sales girl about a macbook pro). But then to be honest, that was a day for weeing with excitement, because you see dear reader, that was the day I bought my iPad.

Oh my god I love it. It's beautiful. Truly.
Did I need it? Of course not.
Did I want it? Desperately.

 I'd convinced myself I didn't want one. That it was a super-sized iPhone and that I had no use for it. My self-delusion lasted right through the build up and well into the hype. Until I touched it for the first time. Slid my fingertips across it's sleek, shiny screen. Playfully flicked it's apps from left to right, held it's weight in the palm of my hand and caressed it's hard covering. Mmmmmmmmmm. It felt good. It felt right.

When leaving the store after that first fateful meeting, I forcefully convinced myself that I could resist, that it was a mild flirtation with no possibility of long term commitment. The second time I drank in its sexy, sleek lines I knew there was no going back. I had to have one. I want to tell you it was because of the amazing functionality, that the iPad can do things neither my laptop nor my iPhone can do, that the apps are exceptional, the screen resolution phenomenal and if I told you these things I wouldn't be lying, they're just not the reasons why I craved it so.

Of course it's about status but it's also the fact that I travel soooooo much and need the entertainment factor. Bullshit. It's about desire. And Messrs. Ive and Jobs have done a fabulous job at building an empire based on feeding that desire.

One trip to New York, a stoking of my need by a handsome, silver tongued salesman and a saving of £80 later and the device of my dreams was sequestered in my bag where it's been ever since. When asked why I carry it with me everywhere I go, I explain "I'm like a new mother, my iPad's not yet two weeks old, I couldn't possibly leave it alone!".
But my iPad and I both know the truth: I'm addicted. Well and truly. And addiction is bliss.