In November of 2004, I won an iPod at the NCTE conference.  That was a good thing, as I don’t know that I would’ve spent that kind of money on myself, especially for a "gadget."  Within a month or two, I was listening to podcasts.  Within six months, the radio was off and I was listening almost exclusively to podcasts.  Eventually, I was making my own.
    My iPod has been grinding to a slow halt for six weeks.  After a few weeks of rest and vacation at Camp Junk-Drawer-in-My-Kitchen (a place where lots of great tools and other stuff goes to get away from it all) she seemed to be returning to normal. 
    Until this morning.
    I’ve lost a good friend.  And, in lots of ways, my connection to the larger world of podcasting.  I feel a little lost, to tell you the truth.  My small family of iRivers is doing some of the work that my iPod was doing, but not as well, or as easily.   
    Remember her fondly.  I sure will.