Today’s topic of discussion: How fast do you jump on the new electronic trends?
I try to take my time, but, there's always something, quite often a small thing, which makes me jump onto the latest electronics bandwagon. . .
When did you get your first record player and what kind was it?
I can't remember a time of NOT having a record player! My folks had a console RCA stereo from the time they got married, and it moved with us in 1959 to where we've lived since then.
For probably my fourth or fifth birday or Chrismas I got one of those little suitcase type of record players.
I had an 8 track tape player by the time I was 10 (1966) - I know this because one of the first tapes I was given was the newly released soundtrack to DOCTOR ZHIVAGO.
When did you get your first CD player?
Here's one of those little things I mentioned earlier: I bought my first cd player because of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. That was the first cd I bought. So that places that purchase in and around 1985 - it was a Pioneer.
Your first VCR?
I rented an RCA Betamax recorder, before actually purchasing an RCA vhs recorder. Both were the big, lumbersome models, and even blank video tapes were quite expensive. When I first got the recorders, there wasn't cable available in my area (gosh, that's almost inconceivable today!), but Photo Hut actually had a video rental service, and the sadly defunct Heads Together shop had an immense rental selection - from foreign films to porn. The first real videotape I bought, I purchsed at Heads Together: WHAT'S UP DOC? and it was priced very high.
Your first laserdisc player (presuming you got one)?
Another of those little things: I bought a laserdisc player because of the widescreen release of INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. So, my Pioneer, which I still have in working order (just not connected to anything) was purchased in 1990.
Your first DVD player?
Well, I had a dvd for about five months before I bought the dvd player, so it's another one of those little things that prompted the purchase: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, the Frank Oz film had been recalled almost as soon as it was released, but National Record Mart hadn't pulled theirs yet, so, I bought it. 1998 brought me my first dvd player, a Toshiba, which actually died only last year. .
Your first mp3 player or iPod?
With my income tax refund in 2008, I bought my IPod. I take it with me while walking Dixie Bell, walking the mall and to bed with me, which is where I listen to audiobooks.
Your first car phone?
Never had one.
Your first cell phone?
2008, because Wal+Mart had a $9.99 sale on Tracfones. It sits in the glove box of my car. If I'm running late from work, or am going to the store after work, I'll use it to call home to see if I need to pick anything up.
And your first Blu-Ray player and widescreen TV?
I know that I've shared this before, but I bought a boxless Blu-Ray player (again from Wal*Mart) because it was marked 30% off. Without a power cord, they dropped another $15.00 dollars off. This was only a few months ago, that I acquired my Panasonic player.
My Panasonic HDTV (36 in) was bought in 2004 when Dad's lymphoma made in impractical for us to maintain our Myrtle Beach house. My television, amongst other things, was bought with my share from the sale of the beach house.
