Say it isn't so!

I was one the first people I know of to realize the potential of the iPod. It was released in October of 2001 and by Christmas that same year, I had one. Since then it has become a part of my being. I never go anywhere without it. I feel naked without it. It is one of the great joys of my life to carry around My music and share it with others. The other night I had dl'd some moe shows and was dying to transfer them to the iPod. To my horror, it never showed up on the desktop.
OK---deep breath--- maybe it's the cable. I plugged in another IEEE 1394 6pin to 6 pin cable. Nothing. Now I'm really starting to freak. Let me try the AC charger, at least I should still be able to charge it. Freak out turns to panic. No charge. I reset it. I reinstall the software. Nothing. I try the firewire again. Halleluah! It starts to charge! Then it stops. This can't be happening!
I start to search the forums at Apple support and iPod Lounge. Looks like the firewire port has gone bad. Today I took it to the Apple store. They could not get a response either. I begin to contemplate suicide. Sort of. I mean I have been wanting a new one. The salesperson tells me that they can send it off for repair but then directs me to a web site called ipodresq.com
For $30 bucks, they overnight you a box, you stick your patient in it and overnight it back, they diagnose the problem and email you an estimate. So that is where we are. At least I have the laptop and Airport express so I can stream my music to the stereo. But, I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT AN IPOD!
I'll keep you posted. I do have a b-day coming up.