Being frivolous under the sea

There are some things that just feel odd to me, like eating breakfast for dinner, a steering wheel on the other side of the car and an Indian wearing a cowboy hat.

I added a new odd pairing to my list yesterday when I LISTENED TO MUSIC UNDERWATER with my new WATERPROOF MP3 PLAYER!!!! (By far the most high-tech thing I own).

I sat at the edge of the pool ready to swim laps, the player strapped to my goggles, and said “NO FREAKIN WAY!” to myself five times before I submerged my $134 present, convinced that it would break or blow up.

"HAHA!" I imagined the manufacturer saying from behind a big desk somewhere. "LOOK AT THIS IDIOT WHO BELIEVED YOU COULD LISTEN TO MUSIC UNDERWATER! PERHAPS I CAN SELL HER A “ROCKET” TO GO TO THE MOON NEXT YEAR!"

But, NO! the player actually came through on its promise. The minute I put my face underwater, Black Eyed Peas suddenly became loud and crystal clear.

Wide-eyed behind my goggles, I smiled big and then popped my head out of the water immediately, just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

Then I put my head under again to hear the music and then back out, and then under, and then back out, because it felt so…weird.

The lifeguard thought I was nuts.

Getting the underwater MP3 player wasn’t an easy task. I needed to wait until a birthday came around because that’s when you ask for something expensive and frivolous.

I also needed to convince my parents that the underwater MP3 player was a safe gadget.

My dad, who subscribes to Consumer Reports and thinks it’s the best thing since sliced bread, supposedly read that underwater MP3 players cause ear infections and told me that he wasn’t going to be responsible for that affliction.

“I’ll be safe, I promise!” I begged, which reminded me of the time I wanted to get my belly button pierced in high school. “I’ll clean it everyday! I’ll follow all the rules!”

Our phone call ended with him saying he’ll “think about it” and my birthday passed with no gift (which happens when your family lives in a different city or state).
But I didn’t give up.

I spent time researching the different types of players here, (and ignored a warning that playing music too loud underwater could cause nausea....I mean, uh, awesomeness, dad) and I emailed him a link to the player I wanted on Amazon, and he actually bought it. SCORE!

It arrived in the mail on Monday and I envision this new piece of equipment will turn me into Michael Phelps in a few short weeks.

My arms and I are pretty convinced that I indeed swam faster yesterday (owwwww!!) thanks to Rage Against the Machine pumping through my ears during flip turns.

If not, there’s always next year, and that underwater Pogo Stick (oh yea) I saw in Sky Mall.
I promise I’ll clean it everyday.

-Jenny