Old School

I don’t have an iPod. I don’t want one. I supposed that even with my love of new, shiny technology, this is one area in which I am decidedly old fashioned. Like my dad and e-mail (“Why can’t you just call or meet face to face? I hate all the typing.”) (Sorry, Dad, this is where you and I part ways. I would gladly hand over my phone in favor of the internet.) There are several reasons.

1) I have had way too many computer crashes and lost untold amounts of important information to trust my music collection to a hard drive.
2) Yes, I know I can pull songs off CDs I already have. Do you know how many CDs I have? Too many, that’s how many. I will be a grandmother before I get around to ripping all my CDs. And that’s just music up until now. The future, she is a masked lady.
3) And yes, I know many download services keep an account for you so that do don’t really lose your music in a catastrophic failure. Have you tested this? Really? I raise an eyebrow, at least. Perhaps 2.
4) The idea of buying individual songs does not jive with my sense of frugality. I am aware that I may not like every song on a CD. But then again, have you met me? Do you honestly think I paid sticker price for any of these albums? Those songs are bonuses.
5) I like the radio. This is where I hear new songs or songs I’ve never heard before. Plus, I don’t hear (mostly) the same songs over and over. And I don’t mind the occasional commercial (although I do reserve the right to change the station if I must), especially when I get clued into something I might not have discovered anywhere else.

When I run, I need music, mostly to distract me from the fact that I’m breathing hard and sweating, but also to keep me energized and going. I don’t want to have to think too hard when I’m running, and the music helps me stay out of my head and in the moment. I hate wires hanging around and sticking to my sweaty neck, so I like a good headset radio, preferably one that’s got digital tuning and presets so I can just touch a button near my ear to change the station when I song I can’t stand starts makes my brain bleed. No, they’re not the most attractive in head gear out there, but neither and I am I when I’m panting and grunting along my neighborhood streets.

They’re also a little hard to come by in my neck of the woods, so if you have one hanging around your closet, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands. Think of the space you could free up in that closet!

So, if you see me running, I’ll understand if you laugh, but I ask that you at least try to stifle your giggle ever so slightly. Then maybe I won’t hear you over the music in my sexy stereo.