Although I pay for Apple Music, I only use it to add music to my collection so I can try it out (Boris’ Pink is today’s example, ten years late to the party).

I remember saving up to buy my first iPod, a 3rd gen, off eBay when I was 16. I think it’s one of the best-looking devices they ever made. I also remember my friends touting their iPod Minis, claiming that needing more than 4 gigs was ridiculous. I bought a 4th gen after my 3rd gen died, and used an old iPhone 3GS as an iPod before finally getting my first iPhone. I buy the bigger size iPhones because I insist on having my small but carefully kept library fully stored on my digital devices. 35–40 gigs doesn’t kill my storage too badly.

I’m weary of streaming services — I don’t trust them to find me stuff I’ll want to listen to years down the road. I guess I still rely on critics and the occasional recommendation to help me find music, just like I did back in ’05 and ’06. I don’t have an iPod, but the iPod spirit lives on in all my listening habits.