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I have found that the true key to happiness is not found through friendship, money, or even love. The true to key to happiness is really found through a good pair of socks. I came to this realization this morning, as my toes froze through my cheap-ass, paper-thin, I-can-almost-see-right-through-them, cotton socks.
Misery is a cheap pair of socks.
Irony is a cheap pair of socks in a brand new pair of boots.
…and I’m one miserable, ironic asshole on this frozen morning in San Diego.
The iPod is one sexy hot-ass bitch. You know it, and I know it. Hot. Hot. Hot. It has been the hottest personal MP3 player since its release. But as you and I both know, all good things must come to end, right? If not, our lives would be gloriously full of long summer days, everyday… and friends that lasted forever. However, this is not case (… as I write this blog, alone, on a rainy December morning).
But the iPod is here to prove my theory wrong.
As I’ve observantly (and patiently) stood on the sideline for the past year, I’ve watched the iPod’s reputation as the formidable MP3 player only grow stronger, week after week, month after month, and now, year after year. Proving that not all good things must come to an end… just those things in my life (insert awkward silence here).
What I find amazing is that the iPod’s place as the best player on the market has yet to be tested. With consumer electronic devices traditionally replacing each other as the latest and greatest on an hourly basis, the iPod has (curiously) yet to face a contender to give it a serious run for its money. Thus, its price has remained steady with no reason to drop, only increasing with each new model release.
Good for you iPod. Bad for me.
While a self-proclaimed passionate techni-nerd at heart, I am no fool. I pride myself on purchasing the latest and greatest at only the greatest price. And so, this is the quandary that has fueled my non-electronic consumerism this past year. Despite the price, with no discounts to be found, I still find myself wanting an iPod. With the cord from the white ear buds disappearing into my argyle sweater (yeah right), and the distinctive bulge in the pocket of my Banana Republic chinos (yeah right), I too would like to join the ranks as one of the tens of millions of iPod owners.
And so, I am now faced with a task, one which I have not encountered before, of quantifiably defining a value to that which I desire. In the past, I have avoided this undertaking by mitigating costly purchases as an economically sound decision. i.e. Any deficit in the personal value of an item has been justified through the “discount” (off of the MSRP) I was to receive.
To help solve my problem, I think that Apple should start a loaner program, one which would allow me to take home an iPod for 2-3 weeks. With an opportunity to evaluate the iPod for a couple of weeks, I am confident that I would be able to answer the one question that has kept me thus far from making a purchase: Can it replace all the other music devices I currently use (i.e. laptop, home PC, work PC, RIO portable for running, MP3 deck in my car), or will it become a $400 hood ornament for my desk.
Anyone willing to aid my addiction of gadgets, by donating their iPod for 2-3 weeks, please contact me. I’m easy to find… just look for the caveman in the corner of the coffee shop… listening to my MP3s on my laptop.