Ah, chaos theory. Somewhere in Africa yesterday, a butterfly flapped its wings. Here in Vancouver last night, I bought The Drivers’ “Tears on Your Anorak” and Squeeze’s greatest hits from the iTunes Music Store.
A short while later, that very purchase turned one Alex Ostrovsky of West Bloomfield, Michigan into a minor celebrity. Instead of being just the guy who bought the 999,999,979th song from iTunes, which he would have been had I not made my purchase, he bought song number one billion.
And instead of being the proud owner of a Coldplay song, he’s now the proud owner of a Coldplay song, a 20-inch iMac, ten video iPods and a $10,000 iTunes gift card. Plus Apple is naming a new Julliard scholarship after him.
I’m not trying to suggest he owes me, the man who made this all possible, a thing. Whether he sends me one of those iPods, or better yet that iMac, is of course entirely up to him. It’s not like the entire blogging world is watching and judging him.
I think I’ll go downstairs and wait for the UPS guy now.
god, like 999,999,999 people also contributed to his winnings- i did! just because you bought a friggin song doesn’t mean that you will getone of his iPods, a mac, or any of that crap. good crap. dont be so self-centered
Please. How many of those 900-million-some-odd people had the style and élan to buy “Tears On Your Anorak”? Or John Hiatt’s “Death by Misadventure”? Sorry, Sally (and don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to horn in on my action with that little “I did!” you slipped in), but I still trust Alex Ostrovsky to do the right thing.
And while laser engraving is by no means necessary, Alex, it would certainly be a lovely gesture. If you’re having trouble thinking of inscriptions, let me suggest “To Rob, who made it all possible.”
I give nothing to Jobs after market….
Nothing!
____
(although, occasionally, I will force my kid to do so – how else to get digitial versions of all those tunes they ripped off in Sky High).
I just had a look at the soundtrack (Sally, what did you think of Sky High?) and have to admit, I’m intrigued.
Yeah, intrigued. Confession time: I’m a sucker for cover versions, ever since I first heard Peter Gabriel’s appalling rendition of “Strawberry Fields Forever” on All This and World War Two.
Now, given that I was in university when most of the songs on the Sky High soundtrack were recorded the first time around, I’ve heard of nearly none of the people singing the new versions. But I’m still very interested in hearing, say, a new take on “I Melt With You”. So at the very least, that’s reason enough to fire up iTunes and check out the preview. I’m glad, too, that “One Thing Leads to Another” is in that list. (There’s a new ABC series coming out soon, and judging by the promos, that’s the theme song. Martin Landau’s in it too, so between the Fixx and Commander Koenig, that’s two very welcome blasts from my past.)
No surprise, then, that I’m a listener of the much-loved podcast Coverville. If you share my particular little addiction, that’s a great way to feed it.
Go figure. I bought a 45 some 22 years ago called “tears on your anorak” and just broke it again out a couple of weeks ago to play for my teenagers who are into Fallout Boy, Yellowcard, etc. I thought it was a great song then and it sounds great today along with other old stuff like teenage head’s – “picture my face”
Oh Rob – how much joy you brought our family today. I’m Alex Ostrovsky’s sister. My dad stumbled on this gem of yours this morning. We found it pretty hilarious. well done my friend. ;)
That absolutely made my day! I love it when some older post comes back to life unexpectedly – especially with the news that it gave someone a grin.
All the best to your dad and brother. I hope 2014 brings all of you 365 days of awesome. Each.
Cheers, and happy new year,
–r.
Thank you and happy new year to you!