A recurring dream goes something like this: I'm in a large room full of naked people (shut up Freud!), seated with earphone coming out of their ears, trailing wires that are plugged into the floor, zombie-stares and jerky movements. I am fully clothed (of course I am or that would be a nightmare) and I'm standing on a podium lit by spotlights. "Hi, my name is Michel and I'm an iPod addict!" The zombies lips move, "Welcome, Applehead, applehead, apple......" I wake in a cold sweat and quickly glance at my night stand to make sure the 'under-the-bed-monsters' haven't made off with my iPod. That would really piss me off!
Ok, so I'm a longtime Mac user. Since my first Mac ( a Mac SE) some years ago I've pretty much used Mac exclusively and the few odd times I've had to use a PC, the experience has left me fuming and frustrated. I'm such an Apple enthusiast that last year I got my Apple certification during my spare time in Administration and Networking. For anyone in the graphics trade, Mac are a a mainstay and lately its gotten stronger. The innovations of Apple and the ease of use of the Mac have built a strong and faithful following.
Which is why I'm defending my iPod to the death from any and all monsters looking for swift ass-kicking! This little device is nothing short of amazing. I have the 40-gig model and on it is my (somewhat eclectic) music library, notes, contacts, games and plenty of room for the times when I need to empty one of my digital cameras of their content. Added to that I have iTalk for those time I need to quickly add little voice memos or record something of great interest to me sound-wise. The device came with those cute little ear-buds that hurt my ears so I replaced them with the Bose Sound Canceling Headphones. They really work well and are great for drowning out complaints for coworkers and street noises, but no so great when Mom is calling from the US wondering why I didn't answer the phone! Its a simple matter to plug the iPod into my G5 and upload my latest purchase for the iTunes Music Store. Or to rip a CD and upload it. I spent considerable time ripping my CD collection this summer, complete with album covers.
I love to read. Nothing like getting home after a hard day, putting you feet up with a little snack and steaming hot cup of tea (with lemon) and losing ones self in the pages of a good book. Recently, however, I've discovered a whole new world for my iPod—audio books. I'm having a ball with them and while nothing will replace a real paper book in my heart, they are running a close second. The audio books I like the best are the ones narrated by the authors. Authors seem to have more passion and humor when reading their own works.
My first audio book was a present from a friend and was presented on a CD. It sat around for months gathering dust before I finally ripped it to my iTunes and uploaded it to the iPod. What! I was hooked. The "book" was a humorous mystery call One For The Money, written and narrated by the author Janet Evanovich. Its about a smart-mouthed, Jersey girl turned bounty hunter, with a strange family and takes place in Trenton, NJ (Trenton Makes, The World Takes). Being a Jersey Girl herself, Ms. Evanovich adds plenty to the narration and even still has that accent. You find yourself getting into the mind of her heroine Stephanie Plum as she stumbles from one adventure to another. I'm now "listening" my way through the 7th installment of the Stephanie Plum novel.
Since that first book, I've listened to many others...mostly all narrated by the authors. My favorites are Kitchen Confidential by Chef Anthony Bourdain, When You Ride Alone You Ride with Bin Laden by Bill Maher; Stupid White Men and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation by Michael Moore; the hilarious How to Remodel a Man: Tips On Accomplishing Something You Know Is Impossible But Want to Try Anyway by W. Bruce Cameron, two by Steve Martin, The Pleasure of My Company and Pure Drivel, Dune by Frank Herbert and many other really great works. One can even learn a language...but so far my Spanish has not improved!
As a bonus, iPod, audio-books and a good music library free my hands for other pursuits, like when cooking, painting and mundane task like cleaning the house. One can now do this with a smile or a chuckle without the need for some cumbersome CD playing swing from ones hips. I highly recommend it. Whatever your reason, the iPod is a really nice multi-functional device to add to your collection of gadgets. And its even available for the PC users among you as is iTunes. So if you are looking to give yourself a treat, get rid of that StairMaster you know you are never gonna use and get an iPod and take a brisk walk on the wild side! Its healthier in the long run.
(No authors, rock stars or neurons where harmed in the writing of this weblog!)
I did the same thing. Bought an iPod and then got hooked on audiobooks. It's great for driving long distances, makes the miles fly by. My favorite so far are the Harry Potter audiobooks.
Posted by: Angie | September 22, 2004 at 09:22 PM