Dear iPod, Happy Birthday #5 - I Love You

I have a deep passion for music. I play noCDs on the average of 800 per year and still going
instruments, although I have some interest in the lapstrong. Then, for me, came the computer and iPod in
steel guitar and the dobro. I have no musical talent as2004 and the rest is history.Apple introduced the iPod
of this writing. I would love to learn the craft ofto America on October 23, 2001. Since then, I have
writing music. I hope to achieve this before my lifebeen so happy with the new and improved ideas in
has ended.My deep passion for music was introducedtechnology, especially where music is concerned. The
to me very early in life. I had three older brothersadvances have been astonishing.I still have friends
and we allthat love their vinyl and claim they will never cross
slept in the same bedroom. We were raised in aover. They seem happy baby- sitting their turntable
small two-bedroom house. We had little privacy. Myof smack, crackle and pops and hisses of the sound
oldest brother had the control of the hi-fi. The restof needle to vinyl.I am only 54 years old, a product
of us listened. It was the 1950s and rock and roll wasof the baby boom generation, but I remember my
hot. I memorized many songs and tried singing themaunts and uncles fashioning their stately Victrollas in
all through the night.My brothers and I listened totheir living rooms. I had fun winding them up and
some 78 RPM records and later 45 RPM records.listening to their breakable, brittle 78 RPM records. I'm
Then came the 33 1/3 LP albums. We played mostlysure I broke a few.I, also, remember receiving an
45s on a stacked, spindled turntable. I believe it wasexciting gift at Christmastime--a phonograph that
a Westinghouse phonograph. Electric radios andfolded up like a suitcase. It was a jewel at slumber
transistor radios were busy in our household. Duringparties.Also, I'll never forget the time my mother
the years, we collected a sizable room of records.Itsubmitted her name in a drawing at Montgomery
wasn't until after I turned 51 in 2004, that IWards in the early '60s. Her gift was a console
introduced myself to the computer.. It was then Istereo made by Montgomery Wards . The stereo
bought myself a brand new HP. I didn't enroll in anymodel was an Airline, and bless her heart--she gave it
classes. I didn't have a clue. I taught myself by trialto me. I was floored. I played that stereo cabinet
and error.I was impressed how skillful I became andclear up until the '70s. My brothers were insanely
how quickly I learned. I always had trouble learning byjealous. It must have been close to my birthday. I
instruction or by manuals. Hands-on training was thewasn't use to receiving new things. Being the
only way for me.When It came time to set up myyoungest, I only received hand-me-downs.The iPod is
music library through Windows Media, I was thrilled tothe greatest, little invention of my time. It's the
death. I have a collection of about 1500 CDs. They allgreatest way to play music and be organized. The
needed to be ripped into Windows Media. This wasversatility of the iPod is by far the best companion in
going to take some time and patience. I completedthis materialistic world. It can go with you anywhere.
the task.A few months later, I introduced myself toI play it in my car and connect it to my home stereo.
the iPod. I purchased the iPod for HP version toThe sound is crisp and pristine. It's the most perfect
coincide Apple with HP for my particular computer. Isound you'll ever hear. It's the best gift to buy for a
fell in love immediately with this tiny, thin, smart,friend or relative. It's the best gift to buy for
hi-tech blast of ultimate fun andyourself. You will have no regrets.I am fortunate to
convenience.Eventually, I transferred about 12,000have a job where I can strap on the iPod and listen
songs from my iTunes library onto this amazingto my favorite music during my shift at work and
invention. I purchased the 40GB that claims it holdsnever having to attend to it. I particularly like the
10,000 songs. I pushed it to the limit. I selectedshuffle mode. It's like listening to non-stop FM radio
mostly the hit songs, rather than all album cuts. Atwithout the DJs and commercials. I like the idea of
first, a variety of genres of music was applied to mynot knowing what will play next in the shuffle mode.
iPod. I later bought another identical iPod because IIt's all a pleasant surprise.In many ways, the iPod, I'm
wanted to divide my music to certain genres. I nowsure, has taken away many sales from businesses
have country and folk music on one iPod and anotherselling home stereo systems, car stereos, CD
for rock and roll, pop and rhythm and blues on thechangers and other audio equipment. Who needs
other.But I didn't stop there. I purchased another iPodthem if you own a slim, thin, smart and dynamic
, a 20GB which claims it holds 5,000 songs. I neededinstrument, like the iPod? It's all you'll ever need.
this one for my jazz and easy listening collection. NowConsumers deserve the best quality money can
I covered all the bases--I thought. No, I didn't buybuy--and i Pods are affordable. Even auto makers are
another iPod . I decided I would have enough roominstalling direct sources, in which iPods are able to
on the 20GB to put on my holiday music. That wouldconnect as their optional equipment. No longer will the
go nice with jazz and easy listening.I still am amazedconsumer fear the theft of their car stereo system.
at the thought that I now have almost my entireNow they can take it everywhere they go.Music
library of music on three iPods. Each one representsplays a major part in my life. Listening to music is my
the listening moods I'm in.Now I look back and itultimate hobby. I can't imagine life without music. I
seems so unusual that I was packing a bulky portableplay music daily. And I play lots of it. My shift at work
CD player around my waist and having to carryis so much more enjoyable--thanks to the iPod. I
around and constantly change CDs. What a hassle!can't afford another change in how I listen to my
And to think America, at one time, had no othermusic. I hope the availability will always be there. I
alternative other than to baby sit the phonographlove you, iPod , happy birthday #5 and many, many
every two or three minutes in the '50s and '60s. Howmore birthdays to come. I sincerely wish you
times have changed.All this new technology remindscontinuing success. You have made my life so much
me of the time I went from vinyl to cassettes manybetter. Thanks again, iPod. Take care.Earl D. Erickson,
years ago--in the '70s and '80s. I somehow neverloves his music and takes his hobby very serious. He
made the switch from vinyl to 8-tracks in the latehas taken it to another level by introducing his love
'60s. My older brother did. I held out until the mid '70sof music on-line. His on-line store, Videos, Music &
when cassettes were available. I had no problem withMore, sells
staying with vinyl--pops, crackles and all.I have alwaysDVDs, VHS, CDs, cassettes and vinyl. He also sells
been slow to convert or change the course from oldiPods, walkmans, MP3s, stereo systems,
ideas to new. I inherited this trait from my mom andcar stereos, audio equipment, musical instruments
dad. It wasn't until 1988, that I owned an answeringand more.
machine and a VCR. It wasn't until 1989, that IMr. Erickson loves to write and persue photography.
owned an automatic dishwasher. It wasn't until 1991,He owns and manages five websites. Two of them
that I owned a microwave oven. I didn't own a cellare: and
phone until 1998. I didn't own a CD player and beganHe is a native and lifelong resident of Tacoma,
buying CDs until 1999. Since then I have been buyingWashington.