Oct
Lady B Learns About Steve Jobs
“Miss MacLean!”
Lady B has caught me. I’d planned to really enjoy tonight…I was going to hang out with the musicians here at Lady B’s and get the scoop on what it’s really like behind all those well-placed ferns. But just as I was headed in that direction, I heard some unfortunate news.
I paste a smile on my face. “Lady B!”
“You’re rather quiet tonight. It’s unusual. I don’t care for it.”
“You rarely care for my being loud, my lady.”
<squawk!> Impertinence! <squawk!>
“Apologies, Albert.”
“Apologizing for impertinence? You?” Lady B looks skeptical. “Are you quite well?”
“Honestly? I’m a bit out of sorts tonight. I just heard that Steve Jobs passed away.”
“Hmm. Such things are always unfortunate. Did I know Mr. Jobs?”
“I don’t think so.”
Her brow furrows. “Don’t be so certain. I know most people. He might have been related to my cousin’s wife’s brother-in-law.”
“I’m not sure, Lady B…He was not precisely the kind of person who frequented Mayfair ballrooms.”
“No? Why not? Did he have a…” her voice lowers to a scandalous whisper, “profession?”
“He did, actually.”
“Solicitor?”
It occurs to me that this conversation is about to become complicated. I hedge. “No…”
“Cobbler?”
“No.”
“Architect?”
I pause. “Not exactly.”
She sniffs. “You are being obstinate.”
“He…” I consider lying, then plunge ahead. “He created the personal computer.”
“He was a mathematician?”
“More of an inventor, really.”
“For example?”
“The iPod, the iPad, the iBook.”
She sniffs again. “The I’ve-never-heard-of-any-of-those-things.”
“The Macintosh.”
Her eyes light up. “Ah! He must be related to Charles Macintosh!”
It is my turn to be confused. “Charles Macintosh, my lady?”
“Of course! The Royal Society Fellow…the Scot!”
<squawk!> Och, Lassie! <squawk!>
I look to Albert. “Och? Really?”
<squawk!> When A Scot Loves a Lady! <squawk!>
“That was Tuesday’s ball, Albert.”
<squawk!> Bagpipes! <squawk!>
I shake my head. “I’m unfamiliar with Mr. Macintosh, my lady.”
She tuts. “I’m disappointed. You do spell your name with an M-A-C, do you not?”
“Yes…” I’m not sure where she’s going.
“Highland Scots, both of you, my dear. I would have sworn you would have known him. He was also an inventor–just as your Mr. Jobs was. He invented the Macintosh raincoat. If Mr. Jobs also invented the Macintosh, I assume they worked together.”
It’s just easier to say, “Perhaps.”
“In which case, I would absolutely know him, because Mr. Macintosh is my brother’s daughter’s closest confidante’s uncle.” I start to reply, but she presses on.”Either way, I am a great supporter of innovation and invention. And I therefore mourn the loss of this Mr. Jobs, despite our never having formally met.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, my lady.”
“Shall we have an apple tart?”
“An excellent idea.”
Oct 6, 2011
3:37 am
That was very nice, Sarah, and yes, Lady B couldn’t have said it better. We lost a brilliant mind and a good man but he’ll never go unremembered for his extraordinary vision for the world is his gift to us all.
Oct 6, 2011
5:43 am
I was greatly saddened to hear about Steve’s death.
It is always sad when someone this young passes away.
Oct 6, 2011
7:36 am
Lovely post, Sarah. I bought my first (and easily most expensive!) Mac in 1984 (probably before you were born) and have been a dedicated Mac girl ever since. Steve Jobs was a visionary in his ability to combine utility and high style.
As ever, I’m awed by Lady B’s ability to make connections. I think I will throw my raincoat over my computer.
Oct 6, 2011
9:48 am
Thank you for this, Sarah. It’s perfect. Yesterday I listened to his commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. He spoke of a calligraphy course he took after dropping out of college that delighted and inspired him, though he imagined it would never be useful in Real Life. Ten years later it inspired him to design the Mac’s remarkably innovative fonts. He created the future, essentially, from his love of the beauty of the past. I especially admire his advice to that graduating class: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” It’s all about taking chances, going after the dream, and never settling for anything but true happiness. Sounds just about right to me!
Oct 6, 2011
11:14 am
Thanks for this tribute, Sarah. I’m typing my comment on my iPhone, within view of my Macbook… My college even had his NeXT computers (anyone heard of those?), and they were fabulous. I think we’d have to go back to Thomas Edison or Henry Ford to find an innovator whose work so directly touched and even changed my life. He really made computing personal and accessible — a way to express and enhance creativity, not just crunch numbers. Such a gift. It’s sad to think what more he could have given us if he’d had 30 more years to live, think, and create.
Oct 6, 2011
11:27 am
Lovely post and a great tribute, Sarah. I was listening to NPR this morning, and they were talking about the very same things-his creativity and ingenuity, and how he revolutionized tele-communications. I admire someone with vision and drive who sets out to change the world and does it. He truly had an impact on every person’s life. This truly is a great loss.
I don’t even know how much music and podcasts I’ve downloaded through iTunes, though I’ve only ever used PCs. Sorry!
Oct 6, 2011
1:02 pm
A lovely Ballroom tribute. Steve Jobs’ impact definitely transcends both time and space. Thank you, Sarah.
Oct 6, 2011
2:49 pm
Thanks for a nice tribute for an American treasure. He will be missed.
Oct 6, 2011
6:44 pm
I agree with the ladies who posted just before me….a lovely tribute indeed. He will be missed.