I realized this morning as I bought an album to listen to on my way to work that iTunes has really pegged the music impulse buy, at least as far as my needs are concerned. It’s probably a holdover from my days of babysitting and careful budgeting of gas money, but I still don’t think of a CD as purchase to be made lightly. It’s almost twenty dollars if you go and buy it in a regular store, which is enough to make me think twice about whether or not I actually want it (and it’s usually the second thought that’s fatal to the purchase). I can always get it cheaper online, but then I have to wait for it - and that’s not conducive to impulse buying, either.

When I’m halfway dressed and need to be out the door in twenty minutes and just want something new for the iPod, buying an album or playlist off iTunes is about as good as it gets. No hunting for real tracks or interacting with humans. I can just click a damn button and it will download while I brush my teeth. It’s ten bucks, which is only “pint and change” when translated into the terms of my native currency (known among my people as Beer Money).

Anyway, this is how I ended up with the wretched new Gwen Stefani album on my iPod. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.