So, these are my true feelings about iPods and why I have one... (Just a warning these are my completely personal and possibly irrational feelings. Don't be offended or hate me, J, if you don't agree)
Early this week the three of us met for lunch at a restaurant downtown, El Naturista, which is a vegetarian restaurant and a great place to have some fresh veggies for lunch. C had rice with carrots and some other vegetables. A had homemade pesto ravioli and I had a veggie lasagna. The food was good and it was really fun to eat out because this was our first time eating out in Santiago (other than getting empanadas and eating at a brand new Burger King that just opened.)
Right after we ate, A and C went outside to walk around the area while I paid the bill. While I was trying to find the girls, I unknowingly was pick pocketed, or ROBBED, as I like to think of it. Nobody was hurt or anything, and yes, it could have been worse, but it still stinks! I was stupidly wearing a back pack because I had to carry some things to the theater for my morning rehearsal and had left my iPod in the outer pocket. Usually I am over vigilant in regards to protecting against pickpockets, but this one time I got nailed and have now lost my old 3 year old, 20GB iPod. Although it will be erased and probably sold for drugs, I hope that the theif will listen to it and gain a great knowledge of all the classical music on there, or at least sell it to buy a lot of food for his starving kids. More than likely it will probably just be used on the black market for drug money... Isn't it ironic that my cultured, old, and technologically outdated iPod was stolen by an uncultured street scum who could care less about its use and musical selections? At least the battery was extremely low!
As a musician, I used mine for many hours a day studying and listening to music that I have either recorded myself, or am studying for an upcoming performance or audition. I feel that I can justify iPods at least for all serious musicians in the world. I thank Apple for this creation and value its existence. My iPod did not have color, video, or picture capabilities. It was a simple and old 20 gig iPod that was completely full, all 20 gigs. I had recordings of every Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich, Bruckner, and Sibelius Symphony. Many times there were multiple recordings of each - I'd say I had at least 10 versions of Mahler 5 on there which is typical of trumpet players, 4 or 5 of Mahler 3, the John Elliot Gardiner recordings of the Beethoven symphonies on period instruments, etc. I also had all the Strauss tone poems and his operas. As well as many other complete operas, singers, tons of Stravinsky and Schoenberg, Bartok, jazz musicians, not to mention the endless recordings of trumpet players, and so much more. It was my portable music library that I could consult any time and anywhere. I also would listen to countless General Conference talks, podcasts of the NBC Nightly News, and Classic speeches given at BYU.
I suppose I am ranting on about this because I really did enjoy my iPod and the benefits and good things I could use it for. I know an iPod is a luxury and I can live without it, but I actually feel that I had a legitimate use for it. When we got married, iPods had recently become the big thing and became very trendy. I wanted one, not for trendiness, but because the potential good it could do for my studying music. I focused on "practical" uses for an iPod because I had to convince my sweet wife that I needed one, not because I wanted one to be cool. I didn't buy the newest and coolest iPod with video, color, and a million gig (they didn't have them when I bought mine, but I didn't upgrade either) However, I unashamedly feel that most people don't need an iPod. They are usually used to be cool and trendy and their potential is wasted. In my opinion, you shouldn't spend several hundred bucks on one just to download songs by J-lo and American Idol Finalists and thus be "cool." I suppose if any non-musician has an iPod, they too can and should enjoy these many blessings an iPod can bring to your life. Listen, have fun, enjoy it, and hopefully find a practical purpose for having it; but if you just want one to be cool and trendy, leave it at the store and go by some Uggs...
6 comments:
Can I contribute to the "Buy J a New Ipod" fund? It sounds like you really used yours and definitely need a new one! Sorry it got swiped. It will take a long time to get those 20 gigs back. But if you get a new one, I suggest an upgrade! And I definitely think Uggs are just that -- "ugg"ly.
Sad!! So how much is it going to run you to buy a new one? Stupid pick-pocketers! The worst part is how long it must have taken you to put all of those songs on there. I feel for your electronic woes - me: a computer and portable DVD player gone in one day. I hope you're able to get a replacement soon. I haven't been able to justify buying an MP3 player yet - at least not an ipod. The only time I could listen to it would be in the car and I'm thinking that's not legal with headphones. So until I can replace my stolen car stereo or listen to headphones without two children being neglected and getting into trouble - it will have to wait! Good luck on the streets and watch those pockets!!
Sad your iPod was stolen. I hope they used it for a good purpose. Noelle and I had an Aerobed stolen from our porch, in its package. Sad.
What is the update on life?
Oh, that really sucks! Did you at least have it backed up on your computer? I myself use my iPod to listen to books on CD while I do housework and chase the kids. I do have some music on there as well, but thankfully none of it is J-Lo. (is Miley Cyrus okay?)
What a huge huge bummer! We feel for you! and hope you can get a new one soon!! Jeff cares about being 'trendy' less than anyone I know and he has an ipod. (yes, it's HIS and not mine! but he shares very well. haha) So I think they're okay to have if only for the convenience of having all your music with you without having to lug around a case full of cds that get scratched when your two year old gets to them. :)
We are seriously impressed with your music library. Maybe it will do the theif some good. We can only hope!
so sad! at least you know you got your use out of it! well Brian and I both had to tough it and study music "old school" in the music library. Back then we spent our money on mini-disc players, and the last one we bought still works and he still uses it if he needs to record. I digress...oddly enough, Brian just surprised me with a nano last week! It was our 4 year engagement anniversary (right before that tour we went on) and he's like never gotten me a big gift so it was a total surprise. I never would have spent that much money! It's pretty cool though! I downloaded a Blue's Clues episode for Elliott to watch but he doesn't keep the earbuds in very well.
ps I'm playing with the symphony for the opera right now! It's so awesome. I'm playing 2nd to my husband and it's so cool!
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