As some of you may know, I am a music lover with very eclectic tastes - aside from Rap - I appreciate many genres and artists. Being a gay man, I love musical theatre and had a 2,000+ vinyl collection dating back to the late 40s. In my previous life we had a top of the line multi-media center and a 50" television. Bose surround sound and all the magic anyone could wish for to make the home music and viewing experience a real treat.Well, all that disappeared after the breakup with the Ex getting everything except the CD collection, which he offhandedly told me, "oh, you can have those." No matter. I was in no physical or emotional state to process what that would mean down the road. I learned later that my precious collection was sold at his "garage sale" and it tore my heart out. A few buyers offered to give them to me, but I have no turntable - yes - the Ex got those too.
Anyway, that's the past. For the past 4 years I have listened to music played on the player in the computer through rather old, but fairly good speakers. Even so...
I received an email last week from American Express (a member since 1974) reminding me that I have accumulated many thousands of "points" by using my card. I knew that Discover Card had a cash back rewards program and used it in the past to pay part of my balance, but this was a smack-in-the-face wake up call.
You see, I use those 2 credit cards to pay for all my monthly expenses. All of them. I use their money and keep what I have in the bank. This is the best way I've learned to handle a budget. At the end of each month I receive an itemized accounting of what I have spent and where the money has gone. Then, I always pay the amount due in full. No interest is charged.
OK, so this Amex email suggests that I "treat" myself to a luxury item using the accrued points, and lists a few retailers from which to choose. So I hunted down a Sony shelf-stereo system, keyed in the information about the points, discovered the unit was on sale (I love sales!) and then found out that I had enough points to cover the price and shipping with points left over. O.M.G!
Sometime this coming week there will be a new addition to the household. Music! From a real component system. It will even play iPods! Not that I have, or want one. I am thrilled beyond measure. The music I've waited so long to hear again is already stacked in a queue.
The ongoing cell phone saga will wait for another day.
And so it goes.
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As you know (and probably don't want to hear again) this is one gay man who does not like musical theater but I am glad that you will now be able to indulge your passion for the 'break out in song" (or is it 'talking a song' a la Rex Harrison?) Just a reminder, the iPhones have an iPod in them. That's a Two-Fer you should probably take into consideration when buying a new cell phone. I know, I know...you can't afford it. Just putting the information out there for you should you come to that point someday.
ReplyDeleteW, just go your own way. If you have a camera, a music system and a computer... you don't need an i-Whatever.
ReplyDeleteI use my cell-phone only for emergencies or a short call. When I want to hear music while I'm on my way I humm or sing [under my breath] and pictures... a small flat camera will do the trick.
Ron, it has nothing to do with money but only with priorities!
The iPhone is more than a phone. It keeps all your appointments at once place, is a GPS, contacts, takes great pictures and also bakes a great pot roast! I hear they're working on an app for massaging your feet.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your tunes (and maybe dance a little)!
ReplyDelete@Peter: That's exactly how I feel. The last thing I want in my life is a small device that lets everyone know where I am at any given moment. Robert Heinlein warned us of this evil machine. The cell was purchased for emergencies, until I took the job at DL. I am not a fan of personal music devices either. I like hearing the world around me. When I listen to music I want to hear only that. The only thing I would change is the desktop PC for a laptop (a future purchase).
ReplyDelete@Ron: Oh yes, I have so many important appointments and they are kept in one place, too. It's called a calendar - 1 on the wall and 1 in my organizer. And, of course, they are full, I tell you, FULL! I own 3 great cameras, at least 2 of which take better pics than an iAnything.
Don't even think of messing with my pot roast recipe. And who wants a machine to massage their feet? Bitch, please!
@Will: Whattya mean "a little"??? When that thing arrives I'll be pounding the pecan floor for hours. All that pent up energy, it's gotta go somewhere.
Thanks for the comments, guys.