As a kid I always loved the Jetson’s. I was probably the only 6th grader reading Isaac Asimov, I watched Back to the Future like 300 times, and I spent my days and nights dreaming about what life would be like in THE FUTURE.
THE FUTURE seemed like such a magical place. A place where space travel was mundane. Where people lived in shiny cities in the sky and wore dashing jumpsuits and jazzy hairdos. Where (best of all) every house had robots to wait on you hand and foot.
Need a warm meal? There’s a robot for that.
House need to be cleaned? Robot.
Take the dog out for a walk? Robot.
Need your hover car washed? Robot.
Facial? Massage? Foot rub? Robot.
You get the picture.
Imagine my disappointment to find myself just shy of 30 years old and very much in THE FUTURE and there’s not a shiny city in the sky, hovercraft, OR robot to be found. The jumpsuits are just recycled from the 70s and the hairdos? Not so jazzy after all.
WHERE IS MY ROBOT?????!!!!!
I JUST WANT MY ROBOT!!!!
Until…
Today Jay emailed me from work. The email went like this:
Subject: new vacuum
You REALLY should consider one of these…
So, like a good wife, I clicked on the link. And found this video. Go ahead, watch it. And TRY not to drool on your keyboard.
Seriously, I watch that little disc-shaped guy and I start to feel all warm and fuzzy. I want to sweep him into my arms and plant a moist kiss right on his bulbous head.
Little peanut. Scurrying around to do all my vacuuming exactly when it needs to be done.
Special muffin. Plugging himself into his home-base unit when he needs to be recharged.
Even the name is cute… Roomba.
Awwwww!
I heart that little robot.
Too bad it retails for something like $500. I’m gonna have to wait for a whole lot of months to pay for that with my BlogHer revenue, and that’s a fact.
And so, I’d like to make an invitation to the the people at iRobot.
Dear iRobot people,
Hello and good day. I have a blog and I saw your video, and now I am writing to ask you very courteously, oh won’t you please SEND ME A FREE ROOMBA!
I promise, if you SEND ME A FREE ROOMBA, I’ll write all about it on my blog.
And I have at least one very loyal reader. Ok, that’s my mom. But she might buy one. Or tell someone. Or something. (hi mom!)
Also if you SEND ME A FREE ROOMBA I would give it a great home.
I should tell you that I am an excellent mother, caretaker, friend, boss, and pet-owner (just don’t read the ones about the goldfish. And that wasn’t my fault anyway.)
So I’m convinced I’d be an ideal robot owner.
Sincerely,
Jenny
P.S. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SEND ME A FREE ROOMBA!
Well, let’s hope that works. I mean really, if you can’t use your blog to get FREE STUFF like robots, what CAN you use it for?
But for now I’ll just dream of what life could be like with Roomba and me.
Me and Roomba.
This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
(I wonder, do they make a robot that cleans toilets?)
***
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed.
Like what you're reading? You can help me achieve my life-long dream of publishing a book by supporting this blog, which is a platform that can help me get published! (Click here to learn more about my book) There are lots of ways to show your support:
- Subscribe by RSS or Email
- Like Absolutely Bananas on Facebook
- Share this post on Facebook (click the link below "Related Posts")
- Tell a friend about Absolutely Bananas
- Leave a comment. They're like candy, but without the calories. :)
xo Jen


October 3, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Your blog always makes me smile! I hope you get the robot vacuum. I would love to have one, too! Your husband might be intersted in this robotic lawnmower: http://www.friendlyrobotics.com/
October 3, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I would heart a robot that cleans, too, but not Mr. Roomba. He’d feed my paranoia — you know that feeling that you keep seeing something in the corners of your eyes. Roomba reminds me of an oversized parasite, always lurking, waiting to strike. Give me something full-size like R2-D2. Or better yet, C3P0.
October 3, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Nah, they’re only around $200 retail, and if you watch Woot.com faithfully, they usually have one at least once a month for about $150.00.
Hope you get one!
October 3, 2007 at 1:56 pm
The only reason our home doesn’t have a Roomba is the price. I sure would love a Roomba. That would be an appliance allowed to be given as a gift.
October 3, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I’d really like one that would do my laundry for me!
October 3, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Please let me know if this works!
BTW did you ever see the parody of this on SNL-The Woomba?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bND35w8joLU
Funny but remember it is SNL so it may be a little “salty.”
October 3, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Oh yeah, they already make a robot that cleans toilets…. it’s called a “Wife”.
I heart the Roomba too. Too bad it doesn’t look like Rosie from the Jetsons (which I loved too).
October 3, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I’ve drooled over these little gems too. My mother-in-law, seriously, had a “house boy” when my husband was growing up. He was like her wife. Ran errands, picked up kids, cooked, lifted and moved heavy things, polished silver, cleaned, did laundry. Some evil bitch on the other side of the country club hired him away from her and she’s never gotten over it.
October 3, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Even though the future gave us the Roomba vacuum, I’m still kinda disappointed in it. I mean, where IS my hovercraft and my totally automated house?
That was a brilliant overture to the iRobot people, though! I’m sure your Roomba is already in the mail.
October 3, 2007 at 2:54 pm
hmm how about one that changes diapers? I dont mind the feedings, its the diapers ICK!
October 3, 2007 at 2:58 pm
It’s delurking day so I thought I’d delurk, even though I don’t really lurk here, you get the point, lol!
My boyfriend is DYING to get a Roomba. I want a pink Dyson, there is no middle ground. Unless they make a pink Roomba… :/
October 3, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I’ve wanted one of those for awhile now too.
I would call him my fluffy joy special peanut muffin.
October 3, 2007 at 4:23 pm
They are pretty neat. I have seen them in action.
October 3, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I’m loyal reader #2!!
While you’re at it, could you ask them to donate one for a giveaway on your blog. (Be sure to pick me, okay?)
October 3, 2007 at 4:57 pm
You MUST check out the SNL parody!
October 3, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I want one to! Can it herd the kids into a crate just for them? Because that would be great!
October 3, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Hey, anything that can clean under couches and tables where much worse than dust bunnies live, breed, multiply, and take over my house, and can be vacuumed, is a great invention. I want me a Roomba, too!
October 3, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Tag, Bananas. You’re it.
http://betamomsblog.blogspot.com
October 3, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I was just thinking about getting a Roomba today when I saw it at Costco. I’m sure if I got one it would run non-stop. It would vacuum night and day, and I think our Cheerioed-doghaired-dustbunnied house might drive it completely insane.
Or maybe not since robots don’t have feelings. Or do they?
My friend has one and loves it, even though she says it’s a bit slow on getting the job done. Still, it’d be fabulous to know the house was being vacuumed while I was out grocery shopping.
October 3, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Dear makers of the Roomba,
Please send a Roomba to review and a second to giveaway. It would make the whole internet hapy.
Thanks
Ktjrdn
October 3, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I see someone else is pointing you towards woot.com – it’s true they have roombas all the time. AND it’s a fun site to watch.
October 3, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Oh crap, summer beat me to it. Nevermind. This is why I don’t leave comments that much. Everything is already said by the time I get here.
:)
October 3, 2007 at 7:36 pm
You’ve heard about Roomba’s little friend Scooba, too, right? He does the MOPPING!!! I think Roomba would probably be lonely in my house without Scooba…I need them both.
October 3, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Your photoshop skillz are mad, woman!
October 3, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I used to have the same dream as a kid!!
Hope yours comes true!
October 3, 2007 at 11:23 pm
We are early adopters in our household and we purchased a first generation ROOMBA – we love it; however, we have ROOMBA envy over the new models. Did ya hear that people are now starting to dress their ROOMBAS in costumes . . . now that’s obsessive.
October 4, 2007 at 5:26 am
Oh Judy, I mean Jen,
I hope that your dreamy Roomba arrives soon. You have been apart for much too long!
I was watching Jay Jay the Jet Plane yesterday with the boys and for some reason it reminded me of you. Photoshopped head onto an airplane….!!
October 4, 2007 at 6:48 am
LOL!
The future is now and WE are the robots. Yes, mothers everywhere, we are the robots. We cook, we clean, we vacuum, etc, etc,…
I’m sorry, but it’s true.
If you have kids, or a dog, they are sometimes robots. You can train your dog to fetch the paper and you can train your child to bring you the TV remote. But I think that’s as far as it goes.
Good luck with your plea, though. I thought it very convincing and if I had one, I’d probably send it to you myself!
Or maybe not. Us robots have to stick togehter…
October 4, 2007 at 7:36 am
I actually had one of these!! For a short while, it sucked so bad ( or maybe didn’t suck enough?) that I returned it. I had to actually go behind and sweep up after it. Forget the robot, I want a hover craft.
October 4, 2007 at 8:00 am
Here’s hoping your letter works!!
October 4, 2007 at 9:37 am
The roomba would be useless in my house. I have too much random crap laying around on my floors. It’s bad enough that my mom comes over and guilt trips me about the socks, toys, granola bar wrappers and books uner the couch. I don’t need a robot clogging up every four seconds to make me feel even worse. As soon as they invent a random crap picker upper I’m going to be on that like crazy.
October 4, 2007 at 11:07 am
I have two Roombas (upstairs and downstairs) and a Scooba. As others have mentioned, Woot.com is the way to go – they have Roombas CHEAP a couple times a month.
I love, love, love my robots. Being a working mom with a busy toddler, I just turn my robot on and watch it clean. Seriously, watching the thing is really quite addictive. Highly recommend Roombas and Scoobas to everyone.
October 4, 2007 at 11:17 am
Does it come in a heavy duty version, because I think that’s what I need, right now!
October 4, 2007 at 1:04 pm
i love how you are getting the irobot love in your picture…i really, really want one also…but i think my kids would end up “loving” it too much and bust it up…i really hope your robot dreams come true!
October 4, 2007 at 1:19 pm
you rule. you can totally get one for more like 200! cmon, you know you want one… ;)
October 4, 2007 at 2:42 pm
First, I’m so sorry about your grandmother. I’ve been behind on blogging.
Second, you crack me up. And totally make me want to get a Roomba. Christmas is coming up…
October 4, 2007 at 2:55 pm
You go girl.
I sure hope the Roomba folks are listening.
October 4, 2007 at 3:16 pm
You and that vacuum were made for each other!
But I have to wonder, where the heck does all the dirt go? ‘Cause when I vacuum (which is close to daily) I dump at least 1 cup of dog hair, people hair and dust, etc. into the trash!
October 4, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Oh, come now, you have more than one loyal reader. I might not buy one, but I promise to tell my kids about it, so that when they have to take care of me in the Future, I can at least say I told them to get a robot.
October 4, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Is the box on your door yet? I’m thinking it will be there in under five days… Maybe you could start a pool going on the exact day it will arrive. Winner could “borrow” said Roomba for (Let’s Say) 1 week? Sound fair?
October 4, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Man, do they make one that folds laundry, does dishes and puts kids to bed?? That way I can enjoy my soaps and Bon Bons with no interruptions whatsoever!
October 5, 2007 at 3:09 am
Bananas – Did we learn nothing from “I Robot” – the movie? First the Roomba moves in to your home, sucking up dirt and winning the hearts and minds of your families. Then it develops conciousness, creates a sinister plan, and before you know it….your Roomba’s making long-distance phone calls and eating all your Bagel Bites.
Beware! Beware!
October 5, 2007 at 7:09 am
It’s there today on woot.com for $139.99 and $5 shipping!!!
http://www.woot.com/
go quick!!!
October 5, 2007 at 7:24 am
LMAO. I would love a Roomba. But I”m sure it would self destruct as soon as it set it’s rollers on my floor….
“DANGER!!! DANGER!!!!too…much….dirt….”
October 5, 2007 at 9:49 am
I have a roomba! She is 1 year old and her name is Marin and she cleans EVERYTHING off the floor for me. And what she doesn’t get, I snatch up, hoping to beat her to it. Something about a baby? Eating off the floor? And eating stuff that NOT EVEN FOOD?
I am the Best Mom EVER!
October 5, 2007 at 3:34 pm
My dad has one of those. Not very impressive I hate to say.
October 6, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I heart him too.
I want to tickle him under his little chin and feed him chocolate buttons on his day off.
Big sighhhhh.
October 9, 2007 at 10:21 am
mmm….Roomba….i’ve been drooling over this baby for a couple of years now! crossin’ my fingers for ya!
October 9, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Hilarious!! I would love to have one of those too!! They also have one that mops!
Pingback: Absolutely Bananas: Seattle stay-at-home mom blog » Blog Archive » iRobot’s Roomba… The TRUTH