there’s a guy who rides the same bus I ride in the morning that listens to music on his mP3 player at an incredibly high volume… he listens to his music so loudly that I can hear it very clearly while sitting as far away from him as possible… considering the fact that we’re not in the public library, but on an engine noisy bus should give you a good indication of how ridiculously loud the music playing on his headphones is… being subjected to this on a daily basis really gets to me, but since it has inspired a new performance series, I suppose I have to be a bit thankful…

for the first performance in the series, I recorded various sentiments/statements/questions related to the idea of being bothered by the guy’s music. Anytime he’s on the bus listening to his music loudly, I play the recorded sentiments/statements/questions on my iPod at top volume from inside the front pocket of my backpack… I unzip the pocket, allowing the headphones to sit outside of the backpack so that others might be able to hear my broadcasted thoughts on the matter… however, in attempt to delocate myself as the source of the broadcasted thoughts, I cover up the headphones with my hands slightly so that people can’t see them… the first performance of iPod Performance # 1 took place on June 16 2009.

Sentiments/statements/questions:

1. “I really wish that guy would turn his volume down on his iPod.”

2. “I really wish that guy would turn the volume down on his mp3 player.”

3. “He’s listening to his music so loud!”

4. “I wish someone would tell him to turn his volume down.”

5. “He’s going to go deaf if he keeps listening to his music that loud.”

6. “Do you have to listen to your music at 15?”

7. “It’s ridiculous how loud he’s listening to his music on the bus!”

8. “Should I tell him to turn down his music?”

9. “I mean I’m not trying to be rude, but it’s like ‘gosh dude, there are other people on this bus and I don’t feel like having to hear a drum solo for a heavy metal band at 6:50 in the morning.’”

10. “I’m just too old.”