The last time I experienced intensive listening like I am with this MD - and I'm referring to my old cassette walkman - was in 1990. Since then, I've been listening in my car or at home, usually on great monitors. And I've been missing out on something really cool.

Like some type of LSD flashback, it's all coming back to me.

* Having music with me as I moved about my whereabouts really impressed certain experiences on me. As proof, I have great memories of my trip to Taxco, to New Milford, my trip in Salvador and of shuttling back and forth between Philly and Cape May in the summer.

* There's no denying that I've changed as well. I found myself comparing snare sounds in between Police recordings, and I can swear I heard a really bad edit on Embassy Row. It's not that I'm looking for trouble. These things just jump out at me. So that's certainly a negative point.

* I'm really impressed at how small and light my new toy is.