Hi, guys.

As you know, I've given up my interests in music. As fun as using an ipod was, I think I'd rather be bored and have hearing, than be blasting my ipod and going deaf.

Well, recently, I've been looking up what an ipod, a simple little music-playing machine, can do to your ears.

Oh, lord....the dreaded hearing disorder no musician or music-lover wants to hear...."Tinnitus!"

People say that they've lived with it for six months, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years, and even 50 years. Some say they've learned to live with it. Others say it's driven them to the point of madness (including and not limited to suicide).

Yikes. And lemme tell you guys something, compared to how loud I was listening to my ipod, had I continued today, I probably would have gotten this dreaded ringing in the ears.

I had known that listening to my ipod was dangerous, but I didn't care. I just loved the music. And I listened and listened. However, as time went on, things were going great, until once in a blue moon, I'd feel someone, like, push the side of my head, and then suddenly, my hearing would vanish for a brief moment and a high-pitched "beeeeeeeeeeeeeep" sound would occur. It scared me sh!t-less, but when it went away, I promised myself to lower my ipod. And I did...sometimes.

But then, when I officially decided to do good in school, I had to get rid of my ipod....on my own. I looked the effects of what an ipod can do....and wow, tinnitus doesn't sound like fun.

At that moment, I opened up my trash can, and in went my hearing-destroying ipod.

It was hard, I admit, since I loved listening to music. But, as time went on, I learned to do other things on my spare time, like writing and drawing. And wow, those things are so much fun, especially knowing you're not hurting anything.

And now, if I wanna listen to music, all I do now is pull it very low, and listen only briefly through my speakers. I don't need headphones or loud music. It's good to hear it a low level...it seems more......enjoyable.

I took an online test, to check my hearing. It said my hearing was fine, but you can't be too sure. So, either way, I'm not taking anymore chances.

All I can say now is, every day, I go in front of my crucifex of Jesus Christ in my room, and I bow down to him, and I say aloud,

"Thank you, my Lord. You have shown me the error of my ways before the damage could have been done. Thank you for having pity on me and making me realize what could have happened had I not stopped. Thank you so much. I beg of you to let me hear and see the beautiful sounds and views of life until the day I die. Thank you, God."

Yes, I'm a bit religious. But, that's MY business. =)

Um, so yeah, out of experiance of a guy who used to love to rock hard and blast his ipod....

STOP NOW! HURRY! BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! SAVE YOUR EARS!!!

YOUR EARS NEED TO LAST YOU YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!! THOSE TWO EARS ARE THE ONLY EARS YOU'LL EVER HAVE!! ONCE THEY'RE GONE.....THEY'RE GONE!!! YOU'LL NEVER HEAR YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC AGAIN, YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO FOCUS AGAIN, YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO HEAR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDEN'S SWEET, INNOCENT LAUGHTER, YOU'LL NEVER HEAR THE BEAUTIFUL SONG OF A BLUEBIRD OR A CANARY! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVERRRRR!!!!

STOP NOW, WHILE YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE!!!