Long train runnin'/Listen to the music
Thank you for the numerous and imaginative entries to yesterday’s ‘Give Me A Bloody Book’ competition, which, as its name suggested, gave you the chance to win a bloody book – my new novel – by making lists, telling stories, or just begging for it. There is still time to enter (see yesterday’s blog for details) and although the competition is fierce, five people will win. So it’s no good sitting there saying ‘oh dear, I definitely won’t win.’ You won’t with that attitude. Get going!
We now return to one of the first competitions launched on this blog. Some weeks ago now I rashly promised to give an MP3 player to the most deserving reader, to show my support for new music in the light of the BBC‘s irresponsible killing of 6 Music. After a tight contest, the prize went to a lady called Anna who needed it to save her from becoming prematurely middle-aged. Since then, a dedicated team of what I like to call MP3 Conveyance Feasibility Experts has been grafting night and day – mostly night – to produce a route across the country for the MP3 player, which will pass through the hands of around seventy people (or about 140 hands, assuming they all have the full quota) who signed up to take part. Along the way the MP3 player will be stocked up with music by the links in this human chain. Eventually it will find its way to the winner, and a huge, rather pointless, but joyous act of collaboration will have taken place.
Early this afternoon, the MP3 chain officially began, with me buying the device in the Apple store on Regent Street and handing it over to Sarah of Dunfermline, in a short ceremony attended by a couple of hundred people – although in all honesty, most were there to buy or browse Apple products and were not technically aware they were witnessing history. The Apple staff politely agreed to take a photo for us to log the momentous event. One staff member boosted my ego by knowing me from previous gigs. Sarah chose purple as the official colour of the Watsonian iPod nano. The staff informed us of a 14-day refund policy, which, given that the purchase has to go through seventy people, may not be of much use to us. Then it was done. You will soon be able to see the pictures.
At the time of writing Sarah is on a train from Euston back up to Scotland, where she will deliver the gadget to the next person in line. The fabled object will then find its way up to the Scottish Highlands before dancing its way back down the country, taking many digressions and detours, with its progress being logged on the Google Map set up specially by Pandora from the Feasibility Team. You can look at this map on the Fans’ Forum. As the plan proceeds, it will be embellished with photos and accounts of the odd meetings between strangers and virtual-strangers which it is the purpose of this project to bring about.
It emerged yesterday that two people are going on a date having met in a conversation on the Can I Help You? problem page a couple of weeks ago. I don’t think it’s being too ambitious to hope for the first Ten-Year-Blog Wedding between two people who meet over the iPod. Well, it definitely is being too ambitious, but that’s how I roll. Maybe a new friendship, anyway. Or just a few pretty unusual conversations. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this happen. There will be setbacks ahead, of course, but for now, someone is going on a train and someone else is going to end up with a lot of music. And that’s why I feel justified in having a title for this blog which brings together two classic Doobie Brothers songs.
Of course, by now, someone might have nicked it off Sarah on the train or she could have dropped it down the toilet or swapped it for food. But let’s be optimistic. That’s what I’m all about.
Posted by knox on May 10, 2011
“This blog may be responsible for some of the more wonderful and mental things that happen over the next 10 years of my life I suspect”
I reckon this’ll probably apply to me too!
Posted by Steph on April 23, 2010
I think the google map is fantastic! Looking forward to getting some details about my group! Now what to choose to put on the thing? It’s got to be 80s. And I did get The Smiths greatest hits CD yesterday… Then again, we are meant to help Anna stop becoming prematurely middle-aged. I guess Morrissey and Co. had some youthful, out-there ideas.
Actually, I know what to contribute. It hopefully reflects my 17 year old age a bit better.
Posted by Shell on April 21, 2010
This is such a fun and lovely and mad idea!
That’s all I have to say.
x
Posted by Anna on April 21, 2010
No, no requests for any music in particular, just something you genuinely love and think should be shared.
Once I’ve got the iPod and had a listen, I’ll write a track by track review of the songs. I can’t promise it’ll be any good, as I’m not very good at writing, but I’ll do my best.
Posted by cymruangel on April 21, 2010
Anna, any requests for what songs you’d like (e.g. music other people have raved about, things you’ve seen but haven’t got round to buying) ?
Posted by Lydia on April 21, 2010
This is a pretty ace thing to witness!! I am so excited by the whole thing, I had to explain to child 1 why I squealed when I read this blog entry this AM, he stared at me blankly when I explained what was going on. Maybe it’s a bit much for a child to get their head around or maybe I’m just easily pleased. Either way it’s brilliant, well done to everyone involved!
Maybe at some point a list of songs on the iPod could be shared here? I’d like to know for numerous reasons but the main reason is, I’m a nosey mare :0).
Posted by Corey on April 21, 2010
And now to think of a song for the worthy winner??
Posted by Dean on April 21, 2010
Now might be the time to figure out a set of instructions as to how someone actually adds a song to the iPod?
I know that sounds ridiculous, but if you like, already own your own iPod and you plug a new one in, iTunes tends to go “A-ha! A new iPod! I must delete everything on it and copy all your music across”. I think it’s meant to ask first, but sometimes it doesn’t.
Posted by Kate W on April 21, 2010
Bon voyage to the Watsonian iPod and all who sail in her. (I know no-one will actually sail in the iPod and whether she’s female is debatable, but I don’t care – feeling metaphorical.)
Posted by Magnificent Josh on April 20, 2010
Did you get it engraved? You should have got it engraved.
Posted by Lynsey on April 20, 2010
This is such a fantastic idea. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all progresses.
By the way Mark, I finally saw THAT advert on the TV last night. You voice a very cute bunny.
Posted by lisa brunders on April 20, 2010
Very exciting, wish I had the technology to take part; can’t even SEE the map from my phone!
Good luck everyone, such a brilliant idea Mark.
Posted by Anna on April 20, 2010
In case I’ve not said it enough, thank you, thank you, thank you, Mark, and thank you, thank you, thank you, random internet people. I’m really looking forward to getting the iPod, and listening to the songs you’ve all chosen. Purple is my favourite colour, by the way (my wedding dress was purple), so good choice!
I’d like to open the betting, and guess that it’ll arrive here by the 31st July. Because that’s my birthday, and it’d be nice to get it as an extra present.
Posted by Hannah on April 20, 2010
Brilliant
Can’t wait to do my bit!
Posted by Kate on April 20, 2010
Really wish I could be a part of the train but annoyingly my computer broke for 2 weeks when I was asked to give in my address details. But I know it gonna be a laugh watching the success of the trip and good luck to all the links!
Posted by Laurs on April 20, 2010
I’ve now got something else to occupy my thoughts, which song do I choose to put on? All the important things in life!
Am very excited about this!
Posted by Carl on April 20, 2010
Look forward to my leg (out of context that’s a weird sentence).
Congratulations you pair of daters you. x
Posted by Megan on April 20, 2010
This is a very cool project. Since I only listen to CBC Radio 1, I don’t hear much about music unless someone else plays some and I ask ‘Who is this? It’s quite good’. It’s worked for me thus far, but I’d like to expand my horizons.
But yeah, I can’t really partake in this project, so I will wish those who can a merry time with it.
Posted by Maddie on April 20, 2010
Brilliant! I’m so excited about this! Really need to thing about my song choices now!
Posted by Marie on April 20, 2010
I continue to be amused at how utterly mental but wonderful this idea is! Anyone opened a book yet on when it’ll actually reach Anna?
Posted by Emmy on April 20, 2010
I second Misha’s statement. The next ten years will probably be the nuttiest and best ten years of my life.
Greatly looking forward to watching the ipod dance it’s way down the country. Good luck to all involved!
Posted by Simon on April 20, 2010
This is SO awesome!
Posted by Sarah (@misswiz) on April 20, 2010
I can confirm that the iPod is still safely in my bag (unless someone stole it while I was sleeping, but I don’t think so), and we are both currently pulling out of Newcastle station and will soon be in actual Scotland. I will get photos of the event to the team when I get home but meanwhile if you check my Twitter @misswiz you can see the momentous handover. The Apple Store staff were very nice but I don’t think they quite appreciated the importance/rash stupidity of what they were witnessing.
Anyhow, thanks to Mark for getting the chain started and more from me when the next link is sorted.
Posted by Rachael on April 20, 2010
It makes me feel quite powerful that I get to choose some music for a stranger to listen to.
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on April 20, 2010
Any chance of adding another member of the ipod train? (would look good on the map, the ipod travelling over the Irish sea
)
Posted by Zoe Fell on April 20, 2010
I am stupidly excited.
And I reckon I’ve got my song choice sorted. I think. It’ll probably change about 30 times before I get round to putting it on!
Posted by h2osarah on April 20, 2010
I really wish I could take part in this iPod train of madness. But, if nothing else, I expect an invite to this Ten-Year-Blog wedding (you know who you are). I’ll either be in the UK by then, or make a special trip.
Posted by rachel (pandora) on April 20, 2010
‘MP3 Conveyance Feasibility Experts’ really made me laugh. That is what we are.
To all participants – keep an eye on your emails this afternoon…
Posted by glamlovinkitty on April 20, 2010
What a great idea. And having met Sarah several times, I feel sure the glorious object will be in good hands.
Posted by Beth (@Doomed1) on April 20, 2010
Excellent. When do we get an idea of the trail? And how to contact people?
We should make a CD of all the song choices!
Or send a note book round with why they chose that song! Too much?
Posted by Misha on April 20, 2010
This blog may be responsible for some of the more wonderful and mental things that happen over the next 10 years of my life I suspect.
The ipod is finally in transit, which is both scary and exciting. I suppose I need to start narrowing down some song choices for when it reaches me.
Posted by Ben on April 20, 2010
excellent! can’t wait to see how this travels, and by a ruddy good link in a ruddy good train.