As a rule, it’s a little hard to get to know people as you walk past them on the street. For a while, I, too, had the habit of wearing my iPod whenever I went into a supermarket or a bookstore, but I soon discovered that the chance to meet people and strike up conversations increases exponentially when you’re standing still in a store. While I still like having a soundtrack for my life, I’ve had to create rules around it – taking off my earphones when friends approach, as you may have noticed, and not wearing it in stores/areas where I have the potential to talk to people.

I think it may be in part compartmentalizing one’s life, but if one figures out a balance to it, I think there’s a grace in it, too, as you have pointed out with your podcasts. For me, those ten minutes between Carroll Science and my apartment are a good safe haven from dealing with students and the homework.

That said, I typed this entire comment while listening to my iPod (current song: “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M., ironically).

and though it still does remind me of the Seashells from Fahrenheit 451, I’m learning to let go of the Ludite agenda (also imprinted in me by my Cuban-I-want-you-to-interact-with-the-family-obsessed dad). So, if you see me with my Ipod buds in, I don’t feel like interacting (probably a bad day). Pray for me instead of trying to strike up a conversation, okay?

I’m tired, so if that doesn’t make sense…

I was ecstatic to receive my 30GB as a gift from work (coincidentally, I had just gotten my wife the same for Christmas). I almost filled it up putting all my CDs on it. We got a iPod compatible stereo and now I have ultimate control over my music collection. And that’s about the size of it.

My commute to work is less than ten minutes right now and will be fifteen when I move. That’s not enough for me to really bother with an iPod for those fifteen minutes. Once at the office, I have iTunes and speakers, so again, iPod = not so necessary. When I get home, it’d just be plain rude to plug in when my wife’s in the room, so I pretty much just use it for the home stereo—or maybe if I go on a long road trip and everyone’s asleep or something.

I don’t even listen to podcasts on it. I really only listen to two anyway (You Look Nice Today and CAPC—as I was already invested in it) and I listen to them on my computer through the browser. As a rule, I don’t really like podcasts that much, so I don’t find myself seeking them out and certainly don’t find myself listening to them when away from my desk.

However, I did get an iPod shuffle that I plug into a waterproof headset, so I can listen to music while I swim—as a way to time my workouts.

The Danes last blog post..20090413.amazinfail