For some reason, I never took my iPod to work with me when I started at the News. Truthfully, I talked myself out of it because I didn’t think my boss would think too highly of it — I told myself I wouldn’t be able to hear the phone. But, spending nine hours stranded in the San Fransisco airport made me realize how much I miss having a soundtrack. (The airline industry is letting down society.)
My iPod was rarely of my head in college — all though, my ears did breath a little more than Feigner’s. I have some really powerful memories from university life involving “Poddy II.” (Poddy I gave out, freezing on the apple screen and spinning his little hard drive like crazy. “It’ll spin itself out, the battery will die,” said the apple store guy.) In college, I had many profound walks down the road to the swings with my dog. On walks like those, I thought myself through a good portion of chasing ellyn around. I made a few life decisions. I certainly got looked at funny by passersby that went unnoticed because I was singing to some strange song — Xiu Xiu’s cover of Devandra Banhart’s “The Body Breaks” comes to mind.
Anyway, my recent trip to New York had a lot going for it. And, it continues to pay off with little residuals like the realization I wasn’t listening to my iPod enough.
I’ve started bringing Poddy to work, and the effects have been great. My productivity is up, way up. I don’t wander off to find a detraction as much, mainly because my distraction allows me to work at the same time. I don’t surf the Web nearly as long in the morning — a great habit to break when at work. Plus, I’m getting into a lot of great music again. My tastes have changed quite a bit in some respects, and in others they have solidified.
Another positive effect of the iPod: it’s a creativity line connected to your brain. My writing gets stronger, more creative and playful when my iPod is on. It starts to flow faster — a great catalyst for a deadline writer. I can still flow without it — this morning I wrote two page-one stories on a three-hour deadline and I didn’t touch the iPod. But, during slower days, where I’m more likely to struggle to find motivation, the iPod sends it in like coal in a furnace.
So, I’m still sold on the iPod. Whatever it looks like, it makes life better.
P.S. As to critics who say I’m shutting myself away from society and missing out on relationships and interactions. This is a foolish argument. I find myself having better personal interactions because they are fewer, more important and longer lasting. Plus, I keep the volume down and I can still hear the phone.
and blog we must, right?!
yes, the ipod. brad used to drive with his headphones on. i told him that had to be illegal and if not I was making it so. i got him the nifty old cassette-ipod converter…it is awesome.
Then I got one for myself too.
Today we listened to “In Rainbows” again, by request of jackson.
I agree ipods don’t compete with relationships…they are people too.
Ah the Ipod-college memory train.
Those times seemed so strenuous yet carefree at the same time.
I too have a newly acquired taste for my ipod. It helps being in school – having somewhere to walk to a few times a day.