Guest Author - Michelle Anne Cope

I have two players; one is from Napster and the other is my green Shuffle. I wanted to give you a list of places I can go and things I can do while listening to MP3s and iTunes. This is a dramatic change in lifestyle for me as you will read in the story that follows this list. I'm going to give you a quick list of “my stuff” and then post a thread in the forum where you can add your own stuff!

Chel’s List:
*mow the grass
*grocery shopping
*write
*read
*eat
*feed the cats
*water the flowers
*library browsing
*laundry
*iron
*walk
*ignore commercial breaks during TV programs
*ignore the early season fireworks in our neighborhood
*ignore the grumpy barking dog down the street
*sleep

Now it’s your turn. Go to the forum and tell me where and when you listen to MP3s and iTunes!

The Story:
The inspiration for this article belongs to Lena, my mother. As I was sitting here today going over my MP3 / iTunes notebook and files, she asked me a simple question.

“What can you do with those MP3 things?”

There was a time when I used this same question to defend my position about not buying an MP3 player or iPod. I wouldn’t even download music files to my computer unless I was going to burn a CD. After I was finished with the burn, I would delete the files. My philosophy was that I already had the CD; I didn’t need extra files on my computer.

I had a portable CD player. It wasn’t inconvenient, at least not that inconvenient. I had to hold it when I was walking or carry it in a fanny pack. I would carry the whole contraption in my purse when I was at the grocery store or library.

I kept telling myself that I was eccentric; I liked doing things the old fashioned way. I would often watch with envy as other shoppers, walkers, and writers would go about their business, punctuated by music, with tiny devices.

My life has changed with MP3s and iTunes! No more bulky round thing to hold and I don’t have to distract from my fashion wear with fanny packs.

Have a great week!
Chel