Feeding-frenzy, Geniuses & Flop-sweat, oh my!

The bottom half of my 20" i-Mac desktop suddenly greyed-out Wednesday, (much to my chagrin).  I could still see through it, but it was annoying and it was a strong indicator that there was more (and worse) to come.

So, I contacted my local Apple Store, and got an appointment at the Genius Bar (what they call their little section, where the computer geeks live).  So I disconnected the computer, and hefting it under my arm, carried it to the car and off to the Apple Store for a little R&R, (Repair and Resurrection)...

When I walked into the Apple Store at Old Orchard Mall, it was filled to the front door with lemmings , er... I mean customers... honestly, they were falling out the front door... it was as though they were giving computers away in there, and there was a feeding frenzy at the front door.  I waited my turn until an Apple representative (a pimpled adolescent, whose voice was still in flux) was able to confirm my appointment with a "Genius", and then I was led through the throngs of people clamoring for attention in the store.  I could hear snippets of conversations as I made my way back to the repair counter... er... I mean Genius Bar.

"Please take my money... "

"What is that thing... I MUST have one!"

"Is THAT the new i-phone?  It doesn't LOOK so magical... "

"What do you mean I can only buy one?  I want 10!"

Finally arriving at the Genius Bar, we get into "me-time".  The Genius gingerly took my computer from me, and set it carefully on the counter, wiping the screen of fingerprints in one smooth motion.  Caressing the monitor casually, almost reverently he asked...

Genius: So what's wrong with your computer today?  What brings the two of you in?

Me: [turning around to see who the second person he's referring to... oh, he means the computer].. the bottom half of the screen has "greyed out"...

Genius: [plugging it in and watching it start-up].. "oh, I see... yes, that's a problem... let's run a few diagnostics."

[INSERT BORING DIAGNOSTICS HERE]

Genius: "Okay... we've determined that the LCD backlighting has gone bad, and that will cost $675.00 to repair"

Me: "But that's more than half the cost of a brand-new one, faster processor, lighter, larger monitor, larger hard drive, and that comes with a free i-touch (the new high-tech ipod, that looks like an i-phone).

Genius: [innocent but smirky smile] "yes, that's true".

Me: "Crap, I don't want to buy a new computer right now... Doesn't my Apple Care Warranty Cover any of this?"

Genius: [checking their computer database on his i-touch] "you don't have an Apple Care Warranty"

Me: "yes, I do"

Genius: "No, you don't"

Me: "yes..... I do.  I purchased the Apple Care Warranty the same day I purchased the computer... can't you look that up?"

Genius: "Of course".  [searching his i-touch... they eventually find it]  "yes, you're right... here it is... but you've never activated the warranty".

Me: "I wasn't aware I was supposed to 'activate' it... but I bought it, and paid for it so it should cover me"

[INSERT LONG BACK AND FORTH WITH GENIUS, HIS MANAGER, THE TELEPHONE, THE GENIUS AGAIN, A PHONE CALL TO APPLECARE]

Genius: "okay... you're all activated... and the repair is now free".

Me: [mopping up flop-sweat] phew.  When will it be ready...

Genius: a day or two.

So, right now.. I'm sitting at my desk, Jonesing for my 20" screen, while I play on my MacBook laptop and it's 3-inch screen.... (okay, okay... it's a 12 inch screen... it just FEELS like a 3-incher)...

All's well that ends well??