Spring Break
The Daily OrangeiPod adds new dimension to existence
By Dana Moran
Posted: 9/21/04, 1:40 AM EST Section: Pulp
Since I was raised an Apple junkie and am pretty much in love with the entire "i" line, I couldn't wait to get my hands on my very own iPod. This summer, I scrimped and saved (and by scrimped and saved, I mean spent money I shouldn't have), and purchased my very own little white wonder, lovingly named Opal, to match my iBook, Pearl.
My life was instantly changed. A five-hour plane flight from Seattle to Newark with an annoying 6-year-old sitting behind me and screaming baby somewhere in front? Suddenly manageable. Cleaning up huge piles of dirty clothing off my floor? So much better while strutting around to the "Kill Bill" soundtrack. Opal had provided the soundtrack to my life.
The iPod is so much more than a device-it's its own culture. While walking across the Quad with my tiny bud headphones securely placed in my ears, I feel a connection with the dozens of others who have the same wires protruding from their heads. Maybe it's not so much a connection as the knowledge that we're all carrying our entire CD collections and half of our roommates' music in our pockets, along with the capacity to store documents and photos. And it has a really ridiculous Solitaire game, too.
The one problem with the iPod is that you have to be careful who you let look at your musical selection. If, for example, you really, really don't want your crush to know that you have both Spice Girls albums in heavy rotation, it's probably best to only allow him to scroll down as far as the P section. Of course, at that point you realize that you "forgot" to take off your Avril Lavigne songs.
My mom complains that my iPod is just an excuse for me to ignore her. I'm not going to lie, sometimes the woman talks and I don't want to listen. But that's what nodding my head in agreement and saying "uh-huh" is for. In some ways, she should actually be thanking me. I honestly doubt that she wants me to play "Danger Mouse" on her stereo so that we can discuss his blending of the Beatles and Jay-Z, and the fact that it, along with most of my music, is illegal.
But the iPod isn't just a personal thing. The fact that it can be plugged into any number of speakers and stereo systems turns it into a portable radio station-with no commercials. And if you really feel like stirring up some conversation, go ahead and leave that Avril on there. You obviously gave up on your dignity long ago.
My life was instantly changed. A five-hour plane flight from Seattle to Newark with an annoying 6-year-old sitting behind me and screaming baby somewhere in front? Suddenly manageable. Cleaning up huge piles of dirty clothing off my floor? So much better while strutting around to the "Kill Bill" soundtrack. Opal had provided the soundtrack to my life.
The iPod is so much more than a device-it's its own culture. While walking across the Quad with my tiny bud headphones securely placed in my ears, I feel a connection with the dozens of others who have the same wires protruding from their heads. Maybe it's not so much a connection as the knowledge that we're all carrying our entire CD collections and half of our roommates' music in our pockets, along with the capacity to store documents and photos. And it has a really ridiculous Solitaire game, too.
The one problem with the iPod is that you have to be careful who you let look at your musical selection. If, for example, you really, really don't want your crush to know that you have both Spice Girls albums in heavy rotation, it's probably best to only allow him to scroll down as far as the P section. Of course, at that point you realize that you "forgot" to take off your Avril Lavigne songs.
My mom complains that my iPod is just an excuse for me to ignore her. I'm not going to lie, sometimes the woman talks and I don't want to listen. But that's what nodding my head in agreement and saying "uh-huh" is for. In some ways, she should actually be thanking me. I honestly doubt that she wants me to play "Danger Mouse" on her stereo so that we can discuss his blending of the Beatles and Jay-Z, and the fact that it, along with most of my music, is illegal.
But the iPod isn't just a personal thing. The fact that it can be plugged into any number of speakers and stereo systems turns it into a portable radio station-with no commercials. And if you really feel like stirring up some conversation, go ahead and leave that Avril on there. You obviously gave up on your dignity long ago.
