New stuff/mix tapes

I recently joined a blog networking site called Seeded Buzz, and while I'm not sure just how much time I want to spend reading blogs on the web, so far the site has been very inspiring. I am finding it interesting to see how others write and what they choose to write about. The older I get, the more I feel like I can't possibly read enough, learn enough and write enough. As my writing heads in different directions, one of the things that I've always loved about writing is simply getting my thoughts out - either for someone else to see, or just to release it and/or gain a better understanding for my own well being. Sometimes that helps more than others.

Ok, so this Seeded Buzz thing, right? The first post, er, seed, that inspired me to write about is one entitled Mixtape (http://ladaisi.blogspot.com/2010/12/mixtape.html) - a bit coincidental as I recently did a series of three posts about a playlist (the current medium for mixtapes) that I did for someone.

I found some interesting points to ponder in this post; having cassettes around, music collection that is a combination of store bought and burned - no one uses the terms recorded or dubbed these days, and listening to music with tunnel vision until you get sick of it. Seeing as how I have real work to do, I'll attempt to plant my first seed while I wake up with my coffee...

My own music collection has taken various forms over the years, as well as enduring growth and shrinkage. I was going to say that I have a very large music collection - but then I read a comment from someone who has 8,000 or so CD's...

No matter, most people would say that my music collection is both impressive and large - I'm not concerned with size so much as I am with the enjoyment factor, which is very high. I've spent a fair amount of money on recorded music over the years. I've made lots of mix tapes that have either served to save me from radio deciding what I listen to while driving, or to hip someone to music that I enjoy and think is worth sharing. In terms of the medium that my collection is made up of, I never thought I'd say it, but iTunes is a very convenient way to manage/enjoy a rather large amount of music. A lot less hassle. I grew up in the vinyl era and at one time had a lot of LP's. No matter how convenient dropping the bulk of vinyl may be, I still miss the format for the cover art and liner notes. I also still refer to music as albums, though that seems to be fading off a bit. I skipped the whole 8-track thing and I'm glad I did. When CD's came out, it didn't take me long to, as one friend put it, take that quantum leap. I very nearly caved and bought one of those 3" mini CD player/recorders - but the same friend busted my chops enough to make me realize just how foolish that would've been. I may actually have a cassette or two laying around somewhere, but I couldn't hazard a guess as to what might be on the tape. Being the giver that I am, I tend to burn or loan music quite a bit. These days my collection is listened to mostly on the computer and it's made up of near equal parts of mp3 and hard copy compact discs. I have a cross country move in the works and I'm seriously considering jettisoning the hard copy stuff - but I have attachment issues.

I'm embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize just how cool an iPod is - and I'll use my good friend Doug's line here - it's pretty damn cool to be able to carry around an entire music collection in something that's basically the size of a pack of cigarettes. My iPod is currently an 8gb iTouch, so I can't carry my entire collection around - but carrying around the 1,000 plus songs that the pod lets me do while being about the size of a candy bar (much better reference than a pack of smokes) is much easier than having the number of CD's in my car. I still have a ton of CD's, but I have to say that I like the convenience of the mp3 tunes and for the most part, I haven't really noticed the sound quality not being as good.

As far as listening to music I love with tunnel vision, I like to think I'm pretty good at taking steps to avoid that - but it does still happen now and then. When I was in college and INXS came out with the Listen Like Thieves album, I knew I was in danger of playing What You Need to the point of getting so sick of it that I'd never want to hear it again. I couldn't stop - great guitar riffs always get me, ergo my playing that first cut to the point of not wanting to hear it again. Since then I try to ration myself - and I'm lucky that there's so much music that appeals to me. I've often said that nothing works for me all the time, but when it does work, it works very well. I'm a moody music listener and there's always something playing - and it always has an effect on me, at least to some extent. That being said, having a large music collection and being open to new music is a bit like having a well stocked refrigerator or pantry - it's nice to have choices to make in different directions.