Don't talk to me, I have headphones on.

Sitting in a hockey game over the weekend, I glanced about at the crowd around me and noticed half a dozen folks in my end of the arena with earbuds in their ears. What could they possibly be listening to at a hockey game, and how could they possibly enjoy the music with all the crowd noise? And how could they possibly be good company to the people they were with?

I decided to venture out into public with earbuds in my own ears after this. I had to make a quick trip after work to WalMart for a few necessities and took my mp3 player with me. Threading the cord into my pocket and buds into my ears, I push PLAY and head into the store.

First up - I'll Follow The Sun (Beatles). Earlier I had built a playlist of tracks in the player of music that were greater than 1:30 but less than 2:00 in length, about 175 tracks or slightly more than 5 hours of music. I want to avoid what Tory calls "mp3ADD". If I don't like something I don't have to wait long for changes. MP3ADD is a disease that causes you to continually cycle through the music on your player trying to find something to listen to. The Beatles are a good inoculation against this ailment. Head to the grocery side of the store.

The lady inside the front door greets me welcoming me to Wal Mart. I turn taking the basket and say thanks. Mental note: turn down voice volume at once.

Next - Circus Clown Calliope. Wow, is that still in there? I am probably the only person in the world listening to calliope music.

I notice that people see me, and the headphones. Its probably my paranoia but it looks like they are thinking "What is that old dude doing with headphones on?" I did see a few others wearing earphones, and I tried to give them that knowing nod that says "yeah we're shopping and listening to tunes," but they were teens and they looked back at me with typical indifference. How disappointing. I thought I could fit in finally.

There is a sheet metal worker where I work who I have never seen without earphones in his ears. Even at our company Christmas party this year he had them in.

Ah, a Neverhood game song (titled "Jose Feliciano" by Terry Taylor). The Neverhood was probably the only computer game I have enjoyed playing, and the sound track is fun as well.

Sometime before leaving I also hear some Danny Elfman music from the movie Big Fish, a Chopin Prelude, and some brass ensemble music amoung others. Again, I will wager of all the folks wearing headphones right then, I am the only one listening to that kind of music.

At checkout I pull out the left earbud and hear the first live voice since I came in. I wouldn't say I learned why some like having music in their head constantly. Or why I would take my mp3 player into a movie theater. But having that little mp3 player with me has become more pleasant.