Update 11.03.2001 – The method below has worked for quite a few people and is worth a try in the meanwhile as Apple acknowledges finally that there is indeed a battery issue with the iPhone 4s. “A small number of customers have reported lower than expected battery life on iOS 5 devices,” Apple said in a statement to AllThingsD, a part of the Wall Street Journal network. “We have found a few bugs that are affecting battery life and we will release a software update to address those in a few weeks.” Let’s hope this fix solves the issue.

Personally, I have had some issues with my new iPhone 4s. But after a few days of trouble shooting it and getting it all sorted out, I’ll have to admit I’m becoming a bit smitten. I’d be willing to bet that the number one issue that Apple employees have seen when people bring there 4s to the Genius bar is battery life.

I was one of those people but I managed to get it fixed without stepping a foot into the Apple store. I got my 4s a week ago Friday and after a day or two really started questioning the life of the battery. This is my first iPhone so I had only my iPod Touch to compare it to. I realize that it is a little like comparing apples to… well, ok, I’ll say it… apples. But these were entirely different varieties of apples. One is connected to G3 and sports the beefed up 5A processor. But still something seemed wrong once the initial introduction with Siri was over. It became glaringly clear after going to bed with a 100% charge and waking to only a 30% charge. “What the hell?”

So over the course of the next few days I proceeded to systematically turn off push notifications, wifi, iCloud syncing, Bluetooth and hard re-booting to ensure that there were no rouge apps running in the background. To no avail the battery life was still draining quite fast and the 4s seemed to be running rather warm even in stand by mode. Then I found the final clue and confirmation that something was wrong – my standby time was equal to my usage time.

So, I did what any sensible Apple Genius should be doing by this time when this issue is brought to the bar.

So, I did what any sensible Apple Genius should perhaps be doing by this time when this issue is brought to the bar. I reset all settings an in Settings >> General >> Reset >> Reset All Settings. Took about 5min to get through the process and bingo! Battery life is now stabilized at a reasonable and expected rate. The machine (dare I call her that?) is running much cooler now as well.

Getting this metaphorical blocked pipe cleared was like, well, like clearing a blocked pipe. I was liberated! It has been roughly 24 hours since this little burp has been resolved and since my last charge and I am currently at 66% charge. That is just fine with me. It is pretty good in fact.

As for Siri, she does a rather fine job as well. I am able to truck down the bike path at a good 18mph and make a phone call, send and read a text as well as a few other tasks like selecting music and checking the temperature with out missing a beat and in a much safer way than I previously could – not to mention faster. I am really looking forward to Alpha Siri as this is still the Beta release. Hopefully I’ll be able to rename her after Stephen King’s Christine. “Christine, what’s the future like?” “It’s bright Sugar Pop. It’s bright.”

I’ve always wanted to make my own beer. But frankly, I’m intimidated by the complexity of it. The initial monetary investment, the formulas, the amount of equipment required, the volume, the cleaning and the waiting all combine to bring me to the conclusion that Serria Nevada Brewing Co., and my local micro brew favorites Marble Brewing Co. and Il Vicino are doing a hell of a job so why should I go to all the trouble just to end up with some sort of mediocre brew that more than likely I’d end up drinking mostly by myself? Oh and did I mention the waiting? Maybe I’m under estimating myself. But that’s the fact Jack.

It takes to long and it is a lot of work.

Then just last week, over a bottle of Ace Pear Cider, I wondered – could I make my own hard cider? With a quick search on the internet I had my answer and to my great surprise it was really easy, cheap and quick! With an investment of around just $24 that included 2 gallons of organic apple juice and some basic supplies from the local brew supply store I’d be on my way towards drinking my very own hard cider in as little as ten days. Did I mention it was quick? Ten days for God’s sake!

So fast forward just a day or two later and I’m sitting here watching my first batch of cider bubble away as the yeast does it’s work. Soon, I’ll be drinking it. And in me is the pride that if everything (and I mean everything) were to to go to hell in a hand basket in this world I’d know how to make hard cider at least. Another notch for the inner survivalist in me. I’ve got value.

In the meanwhile, while everything is still copacetic, the really big questions start to arise. Among them – what will I name my cidery?

So many questions to be answered.

Stay tuned for the tasting results, my initial recipe and other goodies. It is a ciderific world after all.

Did I just say ciderific? That is so stupid.

l. Tips poorly.
2. Speaks with Hungarian accent.
3. Pen pals with Lindsay Lohan.
4. Competitive swashbuckler.
5. Lewd acts under table.
6. Documentary film maker.
7. Waterboarding.
8. Gaseous.
9. Trouble weighs a ton.
10. False teeth.
11. Scratches frequently, fidgety, blurry vison, sweaty palms.

Starting immediately.

All string that is too small to be used must be stored in a box. The box must be labeled “String Too Small Too Use” in all uppercase letters.

Unless you are looking for some days off, this new policy must be implemented by the end of the work week.

Thank you.

Photograph taken September 24, 2010.
Sandia Crest, New Mexico.

[The tapping of a martini glass is followed by diminishing voices - and then silence.]

Today, like many men my age, I am thirty-nine years old. So in the broad wing of time, I place another feather and lose another hair. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate this occasion than in the presence of my family and friends … and these drinks … and this strawberry-rubarb pie. So, I raise a toast. But not just to my birthday, but to all of our birthdays. For things would not be the same without your being here. The best is yet to come.

[Upon which the guests clap, noting how articulate the speaker is after so many cocktails. The merriment continues. A piece of strawberry-rubarb pie is hidden away.]

First “graphic designer” and a maker of Marionettes.