Filler 32

Today I performed open-heart surgery on two iPods. The original 5MB model (now my mother's) was a fuck of a lot easier than my own third-gen, but really both designs are impressively hermetic and cramped.

The results seem satisfactory, so far. Mine, which suffered a catastrophic battery failure a month or so ago, is firmly back in action; I walked to the Y with music in my ears and a spring in my step. Despite being two years older, Lesley's pod could at least still hold enough charge to spin up the hard drive, but it should be getting a serious boost in listening time; just as well, since she departs for the old country next week, and that's a bloody long flight.

This is the first week this year that I've managed to both swing and bounce, and it's about damn time. My hands are, of course, blistered, but that's part of the fun. Hmm. Maybe not.

At tonight's trampolining session, Mark pointed out that my first back somersault of the evening is almost always the best; which at some level I already knew, but had never really brought into focus. The question is: why? What is it about trying to improve that move that almost always winds up making it worse? The same isn't true for other moves, or -- on the whole -- for other activities. It's very vexing. Perhaps there's some way to use this realisation to get over the problem.

Also tonight, for the first time in fucking ages, I found myself gripped by the urge to go out dancing. Not a practical midweek prospect as things stand, but I really hope the desire survives until the weekend. I need to dance. I need to get lost in the music. I need to have fun. It's been far too long.

We'll see. I expect to experience any number of mood swings between now and then, but if I can keep the spark alive, you may just see me in Popstarz on Friday. Well, okay, you probably won't. But someone might.
Posted by matt at March 8, 2005 10:30 PM