Just got my first message on the new answering machine...

[VelmaD]

and it was a %&*$@ telemarketer. *grrrrrrr*

My old answering machine died after a long and full life. I bought the thing when I left for college in fall of 1989 if you can believe that shit. Lasted nearly 16 years. RIP. :(

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Wow, I've never had anything electronic last that long

5 years is the general rule for me.

I had battery-operated travel alarm clock that died recently, which I purchased in 1983. I miss its wail in the morning!

[VelmaD]

2. I've had my alarm clock even longer...

I think I got it early on in high school...around 1985 or so. IT has even survived a fall out of the 3rd floor window of my first college dorm room. I had the window open to let in a breeze. The clock was sittingon the window. I went off and I smacked it to shut it up. Out it went and down three floors. It landed in a bush and survived. Still wakes me up every morning after 20 years.