I went into the store today to buy a case for my iPod Nano (3rd gen, light blue, the fatty model). I figured since it's now a "previous" generation I better buy a case before they disappear and, to be perfectly honest, I assumed they'd be cheaper now than they used to be. Bingo, I was right!
Here's why I want a case…I'm begrudgingly sticking my toes into the Velcro world. Unlike my father, I detest using Velcro on commodities. My dad is an expert at slapping a little Velcro here and there (he's also a master at gluing things, which is fantastic…no kidding here). Pop has a cordless phone sitting on top of the little TV in his computer room. He has the phone sitting there because every other surface in reach of the phone line is covered with paperwork, books, important knick-knacks (is that an oxy-moron?), computer equipment (e.g., monitors, surge protectors, the tower, a fax machine, and a printer), and all his upstairs hi-fi equipment. He's a hi-fi nut, so that last grouping covers a lot of territory. That means the poor little cordless phone has no home other than on top of the TV. To make sure it stays on top of the TV, my father pulled out his adored Velcro and ta-da "nothing could be finer." I hate this. Now there's going to Velcro residue on top of that TV! It doesn't bother me about the bottom of the charger, but…ugh…Velcro stickiness on the TV for the rest of it's sad life.
I'd rather be careful and occasionally knock something over (or find it a new home if it's breakable) than stick Velcro to my commodities. You'll not find Velcro residue on my TVs, computers, chairs, dog, beds, phones, shower, mirrors, tables, photographs, lamps, remote controls, bulletin boards, etc. If it didn't arrive with Velcro, such as the Velcro sown on my Teva sandles and a few jackets, then there ain't no Velcro on me. (OK, I admit it, my father doesn't have velcro on most of those items either.) Simply put, if it don't come with Velcro, it don't get no Velcro. That's the creed.
Until today that is. I decided that since my car is dieing anyway, I might as well put a little snip of Velcro on the flat vertical part of the dashboard and stick my Nano to it. That way I can see the iPod and control it with greater ease and safety. However, with my aversion to residue of any type and, in this particular case, Velcro residue, I can't bring myself to stick Velcro to the back of my Nano. Don't bother to tell me I could probably scrub the residue off with nail polish remover…that might also ruin the Nano's bright shine (TL, I throw that word in just for you!).
This brings us back (whew) to my opening paragraph. I looked over the case selection at the store…they had a few leathers ones, a few with flaps covering the front of the Nano, silicone ones, and plastic ones. I decided to go with plastic because it's cheaper than leather and I'm afraid the silicone ones will eventually tear since I'll take the Nano off the dashboard and hide it whenever I get out of the car. In fact, I bought four plastic cases as they were all bundled together in one package for $.99. Can't beat that price very easily! The case even swings open, making it even easier to hide the Nano when departing the car. I was all set, except for buying the Velcro with it's mandatory residue.
Only once I got to the car and popped my Nano into the case, I discovered why those 99 cents weren't such a deal. Once you put the Nano in the case you cannot plug anything into the headphone jack! The case is too thick and close to the jack. How BRILLIANT is that? Nanos don't have speakers…you have to plug something into the headphone jack to listen to the device! But not with this case design, listening is not an option. I had to go through two lines to return the 99-cent package of cases (another brilliant design) and am back to the old method of having the Nano slide around on the console between the front seats, where I can't see or control it without picking it up.
It's always nice to be thwarted by another person's "brilliance." Maybe they should have used Velcro or at least tested their product!
Missyisms 