The aura of secrecy that precedes each Mac Expo is almost too much for one Mac|Life staffer. I decided to grab my camera and snoop around the Moscone center today. You know, in case Steve showed up holding a new product and was giving out iTunes gift cards. It could happen.

Here is what I found.

Anything with the words San Francisco on it must have a Cable Car. It's the law.

That something in the air is security, and lots of it.

I really want an Apple security jacket.

Clean sidewalks are important to a successful expo.

Conference registration.

While Apple security wasn't too happy to see me snooping around with a camera, the Jolibee mascot down the block seemed ecstatic at my presence.

Don't tell Steve, but some of the Apple employees are litter bugs. Did I pick this piece of trash up out of civic duty or because I'm a giddy fanboy?

For now, this is as close as most people will get to the Moscone center before the expo doors open. The security folks were cordial, even when I spent too long looking at the broadcast truck outside Moscone north. The security guard made sure I knew I should move along. He was nice about it in an intimidating way and I left. They have a tough job keeping pasty-faced fanboys from taking pictures of top-secret Apple stuff. Maybe tomorrow I'll bring a peace offering of donuts.

I never did find Steve, not even in the Jolibee.