I’ve been emotional this morning thinking about the passing of Steve Jobs. Part of it is a bit of fear – the reminder that life is short. No matter how visionary, successful, smart, creative, hard-working, kind or wealthy we are, our time is finite. The greater part of the emotion, though, is gratitude.
The “products” that rose from Steve Jobs’ vision have shaped my life. I put products in quotes because they are more than just widgets, they enable a way of life, of communicating, connecting and creating.
Every printed piece – program book, newsletter, poster, flyer, ad, form – that Music for All/Bands of America has put out there since 1986 has been created on a Macintosh computer, whether by me or other talented MFA staff and outside designers. When I first came to Bands of America in 1985 our printed pieces were created the old-fashioned way. Text sent to typesetters. An Exacto knife, proportion wheel, pica ruler, spray mount were my tools. In 1986, I created the BOA newsletter on a Mac SE using Aldus Pagemaker 1.2 for the first time and there was no looking back.
My work history on Macs is like an Apple history lesson: Mac SE with two floppy drives, Mac II, Quadra 700, a Mac clone whose brand I cannot remember, then Macbook Pros of various sizes and configurations. My Macbook is more than a work tool, it’s a companion, a workplace colleague, an extension of myself.
My work life in Macs, 1986-2011
Jobs’ vision has shaped my personal life, too. My iPhone is with me every hour of the day and night. iTunes is open on my screen nearly all day. I read 90% of books these days (I’m a voracious reader) on my iPad. Thanks to Pixar, I actually don’t mind watching the same “kids” movies dozens (maybe even hundreds) of times – I am moved, amused and entertained every time.
This Saturday, I’ll be working at the Bands of America Regional Championship in Conroe, TX. I’ll have my Macbook Pro in the press box, my iPad on my shoulder and my iPhone in my pocket – and the knowledge that one person can make a profound difference in the world.
– Debbie Laferty Asbill, Director of Marketing and Communications, Music for All
