One classic item which clearly defines a turn of the century gentleman was his pocketwatch. Always at the ready with the time and quite the fashion statement. No Steampunk outfit would be compelete without one. However, most people in 2009 still have this handy time piece is a more digital form.

It could be your cell phone. It may be your iPod. It could even be that iTouch or BlackBerry. Digital convergance has brought back a time honored tradition of looking into your pocket for somethign to tell you what the time is. Now it may not be as cool as a fog watch but it is just as useful.

The next time you grab your iPod to see what time it is, remember that you are carrying on a tradtion that goes back centruries.

This should go without saying but if you are registered in the United States to vote, you NEED to do this today. I don’t care if you vote for Obama or McCain. Just go out and exercise your civic duty to vote.

Now if you already did vote, make sure you get an “I Voted” sticker on the way out. Not only will it show people you are a cool frood but it will score you free stuff. Starbucks will give you a free cup of coffee with your sticker. Ben & Jerry’s will give you a free scoop of ice cream between 5-8pm with your sticker. Krispy Kreme will give you a free star shaped donught for mentioning you voted. Chick-fil-a is also offering free sandwiches at participating stores. Also, check your local merchants who may also be giving out free stuff.

All offers are reported in this AP article.

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But as drive failures continued, Rio discontinued servicing and SONICBlue went bankrupt, I started to seek out an alternative in 2002. In walks the iPod. 15 Gig was less than the 28 I had and letting iTunes control my music after I had complete control over files and menus was not welcome. But at least it didn’t break down every 6 months or so. I then sold the Empeg to pay for a new head unit in the car and the iPod.

Fast forward to 2008 when the iPod finally failed from one too many drops. Normally I would just buy an 80 Gig Classic and go on but fate has intervened. I ended up winning an 80 Gig Zune through some luck which will replace the iPod.

Will it be better? How painful will it be to set up? How will it compare to the iTunes experience? Will it really matter seeing how I rarely use my iPods anymore? Well we will all find out in this week long series. The Zune arrived today and I will post over the course of the week my impressions compared to my other MP3 devices.

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You see, space is of a premium in our house and due to a lack of funds, the best place to build an office was in the basement. This is all fine and good because it keeps me focused on work and the office is well separated from the house. However, there are no windows and no natural light.

Some of you would, as I have, shout great! However, I miss being able to look up from my computer screen to see the leaves falling. Or to feel a wind on my shoulder from the open window. We take nature for granted living in this digital world. We try to recreate it in games, simulate it, and manipulate it into new worlds. But in the end, nature has the last laugh on us. We shun the outside world for the digital but without the natural balance, we are just as far out of touch with life as anyone who excesses on something.

Take a minute, get up from your computer, take a walk outside. Clear your head. Don’t take nature for granted for she has ways of reminding you when you least expect it.