Without Music

My iPod Shuffle has been causing me frustrations.  It works then it doesn't work.  Lately, it doesn't work.  Yesterday, I decided to take it to the Genius Bar.  I tried to explain that I think it has something to do with a bad connection (headphones and charger).  Mr. Apple Genius guy looked at it, plugged it in, and did diagnostics.  "Your shuffle is six years old.  They're made to last two years," he stated as he took my shuffle to the back room.  He came back with it working although he warned me it could be temporary.  Let me give you the steps of temporary.  1) Shuffle charges.  2) Shuffle plays music for five notes and cuts out.  3) Shuffle doesn't play music.  4) Shuffle still doesn't play music after several attempts.  5) Shuffle seems dead.  

Instead of going back to the Apple store to purchase my new shuffle (looks the same, but acts better), I went to First Tech.  It's a small step, but they are a local business.  Honestly, I don't know how they stay in business since they are literally only four blocks from the big Apple Store.  "How's it going?" the salesperson asked as I walked in the door.  Even after my reply of horrible, he was still pleasant and eager to help.  Actually, all he needed to do was grab a shuffle off the top shelf and run my credit card.  He, however, did empathize with my pain of a dying electronic and lack of music on my bike ride.  Although I can't remember his exact words, he massacred this Nietzsche quote, "Without music, life would be a mistake."  It was a valiant effort, and I do have a new iPod that is charging as I post.  Tomorrow's bike ride to the gym will not be a mistake since I'll have music.  Unfortunately, it's almost the end of August and I'm still enjoying July's playlist.  It may be time to start a new playlist for September.