It's the '70s Again

 Yes, this is a flannel shirt in my yearbook picture.

I've been listening to music while I work these days. In the past, when I was working on the computer, I found that I could only listen to instrumental works. Now, much of my typing is numerical and I so I'm finding that I can listen to more lyrical music. Sure, my mainstay is the local classical music station, but with my entire musical library on my iphone, I can listen to... well... anything.

Of course, finding the appropriate music for a given day can kind of be like trying on clothes. It just may not fit my mood. Yesterday I found myself in a Neil Young groove listening to Harvest. (1972). The picture above was taken for my High School Yearbook in '77, but it's safe to say I was listening to that album around then. I remember my friend Annie preforming "Needle and the Damage Done" at a talent show when we were around 16. I don't remember what I played.

Anyhooo.....

It was such a relief to listen to music yesterday that was so "un-synthesized". Then, this morning I was on Pam's House Blend watching a little Chris Williamson retrospective. Folks like to joke about the Women's Music movement but seriously, it shaped my coming out years in a serious way. Even at the time, it sounded a little hokey, and running into the music that shaped us can certainly have either a grounding or a humbling effect. There is definitely music that I will NEVER own up to listening to. This reminds me of my ex, Alex thinking that I was listening to the Greats Hits of the Carpenters for "ironic" affect. Uh...no.

I feel lucky to have grown up in an analog and acoustic age. I still look at a digital clock and translate it in my head to hands on the face of a clock. I listen to the "over-souled" music that is so popular now and long for a "real" voice, un-tampered-with.

I do know though that I'm also lucky enough to call up any given musical memory by typing a few keywords into my computer and downloading a digital version.As it turns out, I'm not picky enough or have an ear sensitive enough to hear the difference between vinyl and bytes. I can appreciate the advantage of instant musical gratification for my sentimental moods. It's the best of both worlds by my estimation.

I'd love to hear about your experiences of re-kindling long lost musical memories and how the combination of analog and digital music exists in your world.

Is This a Record?

Is this the longest I've gone without blogging? Probably  not, but it certainly feels that way.

Everything has changed.

I closed Krafti-Kit. Not enough capital to throw at what I still think is a great idea, even if it ended up morphing into more of a knitting company. Would have liked to expand the fiber crafts even more. I'm taking a break from designing right now, as well.

One of the most significant changes is that Suki passed away on April 2nd after a protracted illness. I miss her very much but I don't think would have wanted to move again. She was really ready to leave this world as much as she loved me.She left quietly...

I've moved on to another temporary living situation, just down the road. Regrouping. Paring down to the essentials. Trying to figure out what the next step is, and when. Late Summer? Brahms is hanging in, just. She likes where we live and the big friendly dog and how she can just rest for now.

I can sort of rest right now, but I feel restless and wanting to travel. Only short trips for now as I'm committed to a job.

That's the long and short of it. Mostly the short of it because the longer version is...well... messy. I don't even have a picture for this post so I'll just leave you with a picture of lovely Miss Suki.