I was initially eager to blog about my horrendous experience in the Apple store on Friday. My team made the unwise decision to stand in the iLine for the new 3G phone, and I think we learned our lessons. Other people, such as Julie Penner, made a more thorough evaluation of the situation at hand and decided it was a waste of time. We did not.

Three days later the pain has lessoned while the love for the iPhone has only strengthened with each passing moment. I am looking back on those stressful hours in the store with a sort of bittersweet feeling….like maybe it was worth it. And I must admit it was fun being part of the hard core group that arrived early on Thursday night to play rock band, eat pizza, learn bike tricks, and tell ghost stories (full disclosure: I was not part of the hardest core group that stayed all night - I left at 1:30 AM and came back at 6:30 AM with donuts bribes).

Matt orchestrating a Rock Band Sess

Sara+Aaron=HARD

There was a solid showing by several people, including Matt Emmi with his Smart Car, Aaron Kellerberg and Sara Czyzewicz (from DandyId).

I had minor issues with my iPhone experience, which involved a two hour call to get my voicemail to work. We did, however, have two people who were ineligible, although one ended up getting his ‘corporate’ account lifted (he never had an account) and just recently remedied the mystery number he was somehow assigned.

Overall the experience could have been better, but it also could have been a whole lot worse. And we did get a standing ovation from the people in line as we all exited…iPhone bag in hand.

Can’t say I’d do it again though.