You can think you aren’t so great all you want, Adam….but I know the truth.

I hope that all is well. I’ve enjoyed your products over the years. That’s something I never thought would happen. In fact, I told many of my friends years ago that I’d dress up like a nun if I ever bought an Apple product. I haven’t dressed up like a nun yet, but I hear about my obnoxious statement often.

I’ve had every version of the iPhone, sans the iPhone 4S. I sat on my laptop with iPhone in hand, as I furiously refreshed your online store along with AT&T’s site. They were both horribly broken, as many people were as excited as I was to get the new amazing Siri having toy.

Hours went by, and then I finally got through! One iPhone 4S for $200. And then….

I closed my computer. You see, Apple…it’s time for me to see other people. I’ve had your beautiful iPhone in my hands for years. I worked for an iOS focused development company for almost three years. I ate, drank, and slept your OS and platform.

It’s time, Apple. It’s time.

I need to be free of your rules, and your horrifically dated iOS design. Yes, you add some magical tricks in there, but all they do is make me remember that your device is as only as good as the developers apps that get built onto it.

Your iOS sucks. Bad. Battery life is horrible. Siri is not what you tell us it is. I’ve enjoyed your “wait and see” approach to marketing, but after seeing Ping, FaceTime, and now Siri flop hard….I need to step away.

We’re breaking up.

I’m seeing other people. I know that probably upsets you, but you’ll be just fine. My mom still loves you!

I’ll still keep your iPhone around of course, but mainly for the apps. No longer does taking your device out of my pocket make me smile. It just makes me think about what could have been if you would let developers take full advantage of your amazing technology and hardware.

I’ll never say never again, so who knows….if it’s meant to be, you’ll fly your way back into my heart. You’ll always be special to me, Apple iPhone. Always.

It’s time for one more thing….

Love,

Drew

P.S. I absolutely love the new Macbook Air and my iPad <3

But then what?  The next two years were not a cakewalk.  I lived with survivor’s guilt, I wished I had done more for LIVESTRONG, friends passed away and there was nothing I could do about it.  I felt helpless.  I almost felt like I missed a chance to do my best.  I had moments where I felt like if I couldn’t help cure cancer, I was a failure.  But cancer is a real bitch like that.  It takes away your hope, your faith, your happy, your loved ones.  But then we get them back.  I’ve gotten all of it back.

No longer do I feel like a failure.  No longer do I feel guilty for living.  I used to say that I had it pretty easy “only” having Hodgkins Lymphoma.  That was my way of keeping myself from not being scared.  It was a big deal.  My body was opened four times to rid myself of cancer.  That’s four times more than I would have liked.  Having surgery is intrusive, it makes you feel like a lab animal.

Cancer tries to take away your dignity.

But I didn’t let it.  I came out on the other side a better person, a smarter person.  I’ve always been compassionate, caring about others way more than myself.  Almost to a fault.  I’ve learned to focus on myself a bit more, because if I don’t…then I can’t help anyone else.

In 2012, the Blame Foundation will be in full swing.  I never knew what it would be, never knew how it could serve those battling horrible diseases.  Why? Because I had to go through the whole thing myself.  I thought I knew how terrible Cancer was while I was going through it, but the long lasting effects were almost as bad as the chemo.  With the Blame Foundation, I’m not just going after cancer, I’m going after all diseases.  I started this social good thing, and I’m going to finish it.  Unfortunately, a conference of laughable “luminaries” isn’t going to cut it.  Elbow grease, compassion, and some good ol’ heart will be the answer.

Mel got me a new bracelet, engraved with the date of my 2 year cancerversary and #blamedrewscancer.  You’ll have to pry it off my dead, cold body.

It’s good to be alive.  Being alive means one thing, we help those who are fighting for the same chance at living.  That’s it.  Money doesn’t matter, fame doesn’t matter, nothing matters.  We stay alive to help others, and that in turn helps us be better and happier people.

Help someone else today.

I turned down a few interview requests to talk about Steve Jobs last night and today.  However, I joined @whatstrending and a few of my friends to talk about the impact Steve Jobs had on our lives.  Please enjoy.

Drew Olanoff to sjobs show details 3/22/10  

I just wanted to say thank you for being so inspiring, I had a tough time of things last year after being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  You inspired me to put a ding in the universe and do something good, so I started http://www.BlameDrewsCancer.com and auctioned off my Twitter name (@drew) to Drew Carey for a million bucks for LIVESTRONG.
Many a day after chemo I sat with my iPhone and Macbook Pro, and it kept me connected to the world around me during a lonely dark time.
Thank you.
_drew