Shopping Spree

Steve! Welcome, my friend. Nice to see you here. The love train continues.

The best thing about having a stomach virus is that when you're getting over it and someone says, "You're full of shit," you can stand with fists firmly on hips and announce, "Not anymore, I'm not!" Not that I'm getting over a stomach virus or anything. These are just the things I think about when I'm grocery shopping without my iPod. And have to go to the bathroom. Now I can't wait for my next stomach virus so I can try that line out.

I'm lightening up on the iPod a bit, as well as the radio and the internet. My TV consumption is much less than it used to be. I used to eat about seven television sets a week. I'm now down to less than one. And, now that flat screens are all the rage, my waistline is really showing it. But I'm pulling back from net surfing because I want more writing time and I'm shooting for less audio input so I can sit and think. I don't do a lot of that anymore with ears constantly full.

And speaking of the grocery store, while shopping earlier, I bought a 12 ounce package of provolone. The package proudly proclaimed "50% MORE." Below that, in little print, it read, "Than our 8 ounce package." I thought that was a hell of a deal and bought two.

Then there was the mustard (Turkey subs/grinders/hoagies/heroes/atomic tarantulas for supper). The Wal-Mart "Great Value" brand stated on the label that it was "Prepared mustard." The word "prepared" didn't jump out at me on any of the other labels, so I thought I'd better buy the Wal-Mart brand. I didn't want to squirt anything on my sandwich that wasn't ready to be there. What have the other mustards been doing there on the shelf all this time, anyway? You'd think they would have plenty of time to pull themselves together and implement a plan. Ian was afraid that if he squeezed a bottle of the unprepared stuff, mustard seeds would come out.

Wherein I Wallow In Consumerism

I tossed around the idea of getting a nano last week, an idea which is no small thing for me. In the forefront of my mind is the thought that I could spend the money on something more important. Like food. Or gasoline. Last week I couldn't do it. Yesterday, Apple sweetened the pot, releasing the newy ipods.

For a buck-fifty I get 8 gigs with some new features and that money would have gotten me 4 gigs last week. What is a weak-minded consumerist to do? I went for it. I got the red guy or should I say (red) guy. When you buy (red), Apple throws a little money at AIDS meds for Africans who need it. That sold red to me. I also liked blue and orange (yes, they have orange now. And yellow.)

I have to say I currently have a shuffle and I use it more than I use any device save my MacBook. I use it a lot. Mostly to listen to science fiction podcasts and stories. What got me on the nano train was that I wanted distinct playlists on the ipod so I could easily switch from science fiction to music and so that when I hit the wrong button and go back to the beginning of an hour and a half long podcast when I actually wanted to raise the volume, I can much more quickly get back to the point of the podcast to which I was listening. So these were real needs which I wanted met for a device that I use a whole bunch.

And for some reason I felt the need to justify that to you.

Engraving was free. I don't know if you can honestly call it engraving, but it is writing. I'm having the words, The One-Thousand, written on the back of mine to remind me of my goal.

Listen To Some Great Science Fiction

I'm a fanatic about audio science fiction and podcasts about science fiction. I load my iPod with the stuff and listen to it when I'm doing things that don't require my full attention. This past week over at starshipsofa.com, Tony has posted audio versions of all five short story nominees for the 2007 British Science Fiction Association awards. Head over there and give them a listen, and you can vote for your favorite on their forums if you like. Tell Tony I sent you.

http://www.starshipsofa.com/