I mentioned a little while back that I accidentially re-started my counter on my birthday, just as one of those blog traffic sites was gearing up to send a buttload of readers my way. That coincidence sent 39 hits my way, an astronomical number for Uncle Crappy, bested only by the 42 I got on the day I announced to my friends that the blog existed.

That was back before I discovered the secret: mention “Apple Store” during the holiday shopping season.

That’s “Apple Store.”

That little thing I posted yesterday apparently was referenced at ifoapplestore.com, a bloggish kind of thing that tracks news about Apple’s retail stores. And that reference sent, as of this moment, 44 people to Uncle Crappy today.

The reference, listed in the “On The Web” sidebar on the left, also netted me a couple of emails from hardcore Apple types, who, apparently, didn’t find the notion of asking an Apple Store employee for an analog writing device at all funny. And maybe it wasn’t. But jeez, guys, maybe you could lighten up a little bit? I love having an Apple Store nearby, and in fact The Wife and I were in the store on Saturday checking out possible Christmas goodies.

I’m one of you. I’m also a Deadhead, another group that tends takes the object of its obsession a little too seriously, so I understand. I’ve discussed before how some Deadheads can choke all the joy out of their lives; I’d hate to think that Apple users do the same thing.

There’s nothing bad here, guys. Maybe we can all just relax?

** 11 p.m. update. Fifty-two hits. Holy crap.