Have you heard about peer pressure? Its the sort of thing that makes you senselessly follow a herd of cattle.

Following the Herd

I was once such cow following a herd. Still am, but to my better amusement. Usually it is recommended to make your own decisions, learn through mistakes! But sometimes, following the herd can pay off!

On one such occasion, when the new iPods, 4th generation (released in 2003/04) were such a rage, I decided to purchase one. My friend’s new shining iPod which I was not allowed to touch was a piece of envy. Being at university can be financially stifling. We used to struggle to eat out once a month, let alone buy an expensive gadget just to listen to music on the run (I did own a bulky CD players…I have since forgotten what CD’s look like – yes, I can be sarcastic at times)

Yet I relented. Working very hard for a long, lonely summer, I made enough money (and then much more) to purchase a brand-spanking-new 4th generation iPod.

4th Generation iPod

Thank you Mr Jobs (You are sorely missed!)

Now this was the first piece of technology that I had wasted (as my dad would later put it) my money on. Before this 60 GB piece of brick-like hardware (I kid you not!), I had not even owned a computer. The computer came after a hard winter spent working in a fast food shop.

So now I was the proud owner of an industrial-line product from a famous company called Apple. iPods were soon catching up, and the touch-screen and video iPods came next (Oh how I envied those too).

Having owned this piece of gadget for the last 7 years, I have some very interesting, painful, sad and exciting memories and anecdotes to share. Looking back, my iPod was with me for nearly all my time in England, most of time in Finland and some time in India. If I ever forget about the time gone past (who does?!?), I just put on some music on the brick-shaped device and go back into a blissful state!

My iPod was with me when I was nervously pacing at the train station, waiting for the connecting train to take me to Kent. The sound of Deftones ‘Knife Party’ still rings in my years.

My iPod was with me as I walked the streets of Amsterdam, heartbroken and dumped. Foo Fighters connected with me, I connected with them.

On a gloomy train ride to London, Daniel Beddingfield lifted me with his ‘wrap my words around you’. Not as talented as his sister, but he has delivered some hits!

As I laid in bed at night, thinking about the exciting weekend I would have golfing, Miles Davies Jazz filled my ears with sweet sounds.

Facing a group of young and restless (extreme) teenagers, Rage against the machine helped me walk on without paying much attention to things around me. Perhaps the choice of music could have been more soothing to the senses, but RaTM made me seem like I didn’t care!

Its memories such as these that make my iPod so valuable to me. The last 7 years has seen many scares – the iPod has officially died 3 times, only to be resurrected after 7 days (in your face Jes..!). My iPod has always stood the test of time and ever evolving Apple-product line to give me the comfort and entertainment I need. Never have I thought about replacing it with a newer model, but I fear its time might be close.

With an otherwise excellent performance, it can only last an hour without 6 hours recharge. So yes, it is highly ineffective, consumes too much power..but it is still my iPod.

And I love it

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What is your favorite piece of technology? Tell me about it!