Like almost everyone else, I have been unable to get through to the Apple Store on the web. I had the time today so I got on the subway and headed uptown to the Apple Store on 5th Ave, thinking I could order it there, in person. 

At first, the salespeople said I had to do it the same way I'd do it from home. I said that doesn't work. They shrugged it off. I was getting ready to leave, but on the way out I asked another sales person, and really pressed, and he said he could reserve one for me to pick up on the 24th. Sheez, why didn't you say that in the first place? Never mind. I did it, and now presumably I'll get one on the 24th like all the other Apple-addicts who can't wait to get their hands on the latest and greatest. 

I wanted to get this out there, in case you're near an Apple Store, you might want to go down there, and tell them you know you can reserve one for pickup on the 24th. Tell them Dave toldja. ">