Is This Funny or Just Sad?

So, I work with a bunch of women.

A bunch of old(er) women. Women who have known each other for years, some of them their whole lives. Some of them are related (nepotism is alive and well in American business!).

So they talk.

A lot.

Which led me to the purchase of an iPod. Yes, I bought an iPod.

Waltzed into WalMart, went straight to the electronics department, looked around for the NerdHerd helper guy (don't all the guys in the WalMart electronics department look like they play extras on "Chuck"???) and said "I need an iPod and I don't wanna spend an arm and a leg".

He blinked a couple of times and squeaked out "They're over here", showing me the counter display.

Now, let me tell you, I was simply not prepared for an entire display case full of iPod choices. I mean, what the hell???

Anyway, when I quickly dispelled the notion that I was going to pay hundreds of dollars for, basically, a tuner-outer of office noise, he pointed me toward the "shuffle". Holds about 500 songs. About as big as a stick of Dentyne. The cheapest one. Sold!

Next day at work I'm wearing it. Nobody tried to draw me into some inane conversation about high school sports or tried to tell me who's grandkid was dating who else's grandkid. I just got to work. No distractions. It was wonderful.

But here's the funnyorjustsad part:

Later, in the break room, a friend of mine and another woman were talking and when I walked in the other woman commented on my iPod (it was still clipped to my shirt). We all three got to talking and the third woman commented (bragged) about having an iPod on which she could watch movies. I said something along the lines of how wonderful it must be to watch "Master and Commander" on a two inch screen and have Russell Crowe appearing... about the size of an ant. And she said, "oh, no, my screen is really big", making a square with her index fingers and thumbs, about 3 whole inches. Uh huh.

So I said, "well you must have that $200 or so job, then" at which point she jumps in with "Oh, more like $350. It's got everything. Of course, I can't use it because I haven't loaded anything on to it yet and I've had it forever".

Moral of the story?

Don't know that there is one.

What I do know is that out there somewhere is at least one person who just had to have the biggest, bestest, brightest, shiniest, newest, fastest, etc., etc., etc. toy. And it's sitting in the box because she doesn't know how to/doesn't want to be bothered with it's use. But she can certainly comment on (brag about) having it!!

Meanwhile, the el-cheapo model is in full use and serving it's purpose marvelously well.

Reminds me of a certain Leica camera that virtually never came outta the box in, oh, six or seven years.... except to be shown off, of course.

As opposed to a trusty old (and I mean old!) Minolta that got used at every opportunity. And, um, is still in use today!! :)

So I guess I answered my own question.

Having things just so that you can say you have them is so sad.

When you love to use the things you have...

Ah, well, that's just the best.
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