I just moved into a new apartment with the most basic tools of independent survival: mattress, desk, sumo bag, iPod, Xbox 360, clothes, books, and HDTV.  That was the contents of my house on day 1.  The rest was coming the next day or would need to be bought.  I had no furniture; I have always previously used whatever furniture came with the other people in the house--boyfriends, roommates, family.  This time I’m on my own, and that means starting from scratch (mostly).

The first thing hooked up was the TV and Xbox 360.  Even without internet, I now had a central hub around which so much of my life revolves.  The TV may have been on the floor, but sometimes that can’t be helped. Has any HDTV ever been so insulted?  Mine bore it with considerable grace.

One of my first real epiphanies with my new bare-bones setup has been the realization of the Xbox 360’s practicality.  I have stood by a pretty clear philosophy about my gaming platforms, and that is that I like my gaming machines to play games. If I want music I’ll listen to it in a music device like my iPod. If I want to watch a movie I’ll put it in my DVD player.  For this reason, robust non-gaming functionality has never been one of my selling points, but I have to say that I’m really grateful for that extra functionality now that I don’t have a DVD player or dedicated stereo system.  My most devoted companion throughout this daring settling process has been the Xbox 360 in conjunction with my TV, a really gorgeous Olevia 37” I still need to name.

I have had little time for gaming, actually, but I’ve developed a deep appreciation for my 360 as a media device. I plugged my iPod into it, turned on the visualizer to stave of the mythical burn-in which may or not even be a concern, and had some psychadelic company while I went about unpacking boxes, rearranging items, hauling new boxes in, assembling my Ikea-special shelving, cooking pasta with tomato sauce meal after meal, and enjoying my newfound independent lifestyle.  I’m sure real speakers would give me much more boom (I know they would) than my TV speakers.  A music player wouldn’t send me on a funky visual trip back to the 70’s that I wasn’t alive for the first time.  A DVD player wouldn’t stretch the image out on me (anyone know a cure for this? Does the 360 support black sidebars on 4:3 DVDs?).  But I have to give it credit; for a single box that I bought specifically for gaming it has really gone the extra mile for me.

I’ve had a little time to settle in now and unpacked my other electronics.  My HTPC, PS3, and Wii now have proud places on a new TV stand, my little thank-you to my TV for being so patient these first few days.  Luxuries like book shelves and spare bath towels have alleviated the furnishing famine.  Tamales and salads are slowly joining the pasta sauce and beer in the fridge.

It’s starting to feel like home, and somehow I’m no longer in any rush to buy new media components.

- jinx

this is where your sanity gives in