I have a love-hate relationship with my iPod.

Here’s the issue: Part of being a professional novelist is constantly being open and available to new things. You never know where the bits of conversation that inspire you will come from.

For my first novel, the seed came at the gym while weight training, and the guy next to me grunting out upsetting phrases under his breath (You’ll have to wait until the book is published for that anecdote, since I’ll be publishing that on Backstory around that time). Now, here’s the rub: if I were weight training today, I’d be listening to a podcast on my iPod.

In defense of the iPod, I listen to some fascinating things. iTunes just started a new “Meet The Author” series, and their interview with Alan Alda was so inspiring, I want to buy his book now. When he was in town a few weeks back, I was just like, eh, I like him, but…

I guess I want it both ways. I want to be a perfect receptor, but at the same time, I don’t know where the seeds for future projects will appear. You’d think pumping my head with interesting people saying introspective things, like Alda, would increase the ratio, except my current book was birthed by a grunting lat pulldown. I’m basically trying to manage serendipity.

The other day, a drunk guy got on the F-line streetcar. He was feeling no pain and couldn’t have been more pleased with himself. As you would expect, he started hitting on the 30-years-younger well put-together girl headed home from work. Instinctively, I paused my iPod in my pocket, leaving my headphones on (of course. Aside: Oftentimes, even when I’m not listening to my iPod in the city, I leave my headphones on. It lets you walk past all the pleading homeless and Scientologists easier).

So, I was ready not to miss whatever he said, and basically it was just drunk posturing and gibberish, until she finally moved to the front of the car, and he stopped bothering her. He started running down the list of sexual menu items she was turning down (and, I know it’s rude to judge this on sight, but I can’t imagine he’d do half of that stuff as well as he purported). Eventually, I just grew bored with it and hit play in my pocket again, starting up the podcast du jour.

But, what’s the balance? I realize there is no answer, but I do seriously question this stuff.

As an artist, it is my responsibility to be available to input from the outside world. Only boring, arrogant people think they know everything. The question is: am I shutting myself off from better input? And, if so, is said better input coming from the world around me or my iPod?

I’m just not sure.