Grown-up Toys
My darling husband bought me my very first iPod for my birthday. 
So last night, I opened up the package and tried to figure out how to work it. Technology doesn’t scare me a bit, so I dove right in and started playing around. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get my computer to sync with the device. I tried everything I could think of, even going to the apple website. At last, I went back to the directions AGAIN, and felt like a complete moron. The very first instruction told me to download the iTunes software. I was thinking that was only necessary if I intended to buy music (which I don’t need at the moment). Idiotic me didn’t realize that you HAVE to have the software in order for it to detect your iPod. 
Once I downloaded that, it copied all of my Windows Media music and I could start transferring songs over. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to organize my songs. There are some pieces of music, e.g. movie soundtracks, that I only listen to when I’m writing. I’d like to separate those from the other albums that are just for fun.
So anyway, I’ll have to experiment and see what I come up with. Next time I’ll be more diligent in reading the directions. 
It’s a bad habit of mine.
What about you? Do you read the directions first or do you dive right in?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:59 am | Viewed 2552 times
Holly (aka Taryn Raye) Says:
It depends on what it is, though most the time I do read the instructions first. My husband will try to just glimpse at the instructions and dive right in.
When we first got our daughter’s crib, he went to put it together and was having trouble with the big bolts and screws. He SWORE they put the wrong ones in the kit. He called his dad to have him come over to help him. Meanwhile, I stayed in the bedroom, used the same screws and got the frame together before his dad even got here.
I went to the living room and told them I had the frame up, so they could have at the rest of it. LOL
Similarly when we bought one of those dresser/entertainment center combos for my stepson, my husband got ahead of me and put the sides on. I was trying to keep up with the instructions, he was doing it “fly by the seat of his pants” and he ended up putting one of the sides on backward. I pointed it out, but he wouldn’t listen to me. Then he finally looked at the instructions again, threw his hands in the air and marched off in a BAD mood. I took it apart, turned the panel around and got it back together by the time his temper cooled off.
beth Says:
Directions are there as a fall back plan…people didn’t actually want you to read them proactively, did they?
Yay for iPods! I couldn’t survive at work without mine. I recommend playlists for separating out music that you listen to in certain situations vs. “general” music. I’m a “shuffle all” gal, myself, but that does make for some fascinating segues during the day.
Kim A. Says:
Directions? I’m with Beth–they are a fall back plan. Ha.
Actually, it does depend on what it is. I’ll usually skim them, try to have a go, get frustrated, then end up reading them.
Congrats on the iPod! I don’t have one…or even a cell phone.
Happy Friday to all and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
-Kim
Kelly Boyce Says:
I usually skim the directions. Depends on how easily they’re written. If they read like Greek - I skim and then try to figure it out by doing. Then refer back to the directions when/if I hit a snag. I like to call it my trial and error method.
Enjoy your iPod!
Gina Black Says:
You want to may “Playlists” for your writing. iTunes pretty much insists on organizing itself in every other way.
Tori Lennox Says:
I’m so jealous about your new iPod!!!
And I’m with Beth and Kim about directions.
Melissa Blue Says:
Directions?
Leanna Ellis Says:
I am so bad about reading directions. I usually just start pushing buttons. Which is so funny because when I taught reading I emphasized to my students to always read the instructions first.
Thanks for the tip on the ipod, Michelle, as I’m getting one this week for my birthday too.
RubyD Says:
Sounds like you had a good birthday. Just wanted to tell you my Granddaughter was born on Nov 20, and I have a great granddaughter due Dec 24.
I am a direction reader, but no one else in the family does, so while I read they try to put things together
Heidi Dahlquist Says:
Wow…nice gift Michelle! For my birthday in August, my husband got me a Zen Player….which is like a iPod. I am a direction reader, unlike my husband who never reads them. Occassionally, I’ll pass of the directions, but it’s rare. LOL.
trish Says:
Directions? You mean things come with directions? I just jump in. If I can’t figure it out, that’s what my hubby’s for, isn’t it?
MaryF Says:
I love my iPod! And yes, definitely make playlists.