That's When I Started Primal Screaming

I recently returned to Chicago after visiting my parents in another state. I took a shuttle to the airport, and once I was in the van, I suddenly realized something.

No. It can't be. Oh, dear God, NO. Nonononono! TURN THE VAN AROUND! But it was too late.

I realized I'd forgotten my iPod at my parents' house.

Before you roll your eyes and call me superficial, think about how often you use your iPod/cell phone/laptop, and then try to see if you could live without it for a week or more. I wouldn't have minded leaving my cell phone behind, because I hate talking on the phone anyway. Forgetting my laptop would have been worse, especially since I use it for work, but I can always just use the computers at school. But my iPod? I NEED it!

I use my iPod when I'm commuting, doing chores, or working out. I also use it when I'm walking around outside, because if I look like I'm not otherwise occupied random creepy people will see that as an invitation to talk to me. And then I have to run away from them, and seeing how it's often so snowy and icy out right now, I'd really rather not slip, fall, and crash into a crowd of people, you know?

Not having my iPod meant that everything seemed to take so much longer. It also meant that I was more prone to eavesdropping on the people around me. I thought, Maybe this is good. This will make me more observant, and maybe I could pick up some writing material. But when I think back to what I observed and heard at the airport when I was waiting for my flight back to Chicago, I'm not so sure. Unless I write a book with a chapter titled, "Things You Shouldn't Say in Public".

Here are a few examples:

Barista #1 who was making my coffee at the airport cafe: I feel so itchy today. Would someone scratch my back for me?
Barista #2: I don't want to catch anything from you. Then I might die.

Woman sitting next to me in the waiting area, who spoke loudly on her cell phone for 45 minutes: I'm just waiting for my plane. I think I'm going to go get something to eat, and then I'm going to go potty later. (I should add that this woman looked like she was in her forties, and based on her conversation it did not appear that she was talking to a five year old.)

Woman sitting behind me on the plane, who was talking to the guy beside her: Well, if you have time while you're in the city, let me know. I could show you around. I'm sure my husband wouldn't mind.
Guy: Sounds like fun.

It didn't help that several of the people around me were listening to music on their iPods, which made me stare at them with envy. I think one guy thought I was checking him out, but I was really just wondering if he had any of Katy Perry's songs on his playlist.

I won't be getting my iPod back until next week, so hopefully I can live without it until then. Or maybe I'll just curl up into a fetal position and whimper softly until I get it back.

What about you? What is one thing that would be difficult for you to live without (aside from the obvious, like oxygen, food and water)?