I want to clarify…
that you are not hallucinating.
You see…
I certainly thought that I was.
This is a record player.
I felt compelled to clarify…
as I am still in shock.
My three oldest children…
brought this home.
Yes…
they purchased it.
New.
Along with these…
that definitely are not.
I purposely…
pulled back…
the front records…
so that you could…
see the 45s.
Unbelievable.
Said children…
are enthralled!
I was particularly…
thrilled myself…
when out…
of the “Genesis”…
album…
came Barry Manilow’s…
“Magic” instead!
BAM!
All of a sudden…
I was back in Washington state…
lying on a bed at Camp Arnold…
in the same room…
with my dear friend…
Cathy Cisar…
listening…
to this “vinyl.”
Which is what…
every kid…
within this new-found rage…
is calling them.
I was belting…
out the words…
to more…
than one groove…
on that baby…
before the boys…
knew what hit them!
Son #3…
finally broke in…
“Good Lord, Mother…
try and contain yourself!”
There was…
no doubt about it.
It was a major default!
Especially…
since technology…
has refined…
digitalized…
“cleaned up”…
and repackaged…
the “classics from our youth.”
Anyone…
could use…
that last phrase…
when referring…
with fondness…
to “their era.”
My dad and I…
sat and watched…
while they played…
record after record…
on that “new” player.
This week…
I’m reflecting a lot…
on choices…
thoughts…
and ideas…
that make up…
preparing…
planning…
and evaluating.
See…
I struggle..
more than…
I care to admit…
with advances in technology.
What I find simple…
and obvious…
in many ways…
based on my own…
personal experiences…
my children find novel.
It’s the same…
when I evaluate…
my current choices…
over 14 years…
of conveyor belt…
public education.
And…
even now…
while I’m mentoring…
them and their journey…
I default.
Because the “groove”…
is what I knew…
for so very long.
The needle…
knows where to go…
and the melody…
comes out…
for me…
with a lot less effort…
than trying…
to pull it up…
or make it appear…
in its “revamped”…
and “improved”…
form.
Frustration…
at detouring…
from what you knew…
to what you now want…
is scary.
I won’t lie.
But I have to admit…
that the sound…
quality…
and remix…
while including…
familiar elements…
is cleaner…
possesses more clarity…
and is overall…
more effective.
I’m not a “hater.”
I think…
that different forms…
serve different purposes.
I just try…
to have defaults…
that last no longer…
than a 45.
Long play…
in this regard…
always creates…
fear…
doubt…
and insecurity.
Son #3: “Mom…
check this out.
Can you hear that?”
Scratch…
scratch…
scratch…
as the needle…
connects with the LP.
“Isn’t that AWESOME?!”
I smile.
It all depends…
upon the perspective…
you’re listening to!
How’s yours?
Make sure…
that whatever…
you’re listening to…
encourages your objectives…
broadens and deepens..
the experience that you’re seeking…
and isn’t so scratchy…
that you become…
annoyed…
frustrated…
and confused.
You want…
just enough…
noise…
to appreciate…
the music…
as it starts to play.
Celebrate the journey!
Belt out with confidence…
the lyrics…
involving your situation…
that you know best.
And…
always be open…
to a method…
of delivery…
that produces…
the sound…
and results…
you are seeking!
Here’s to a Fall…
rich in melody!
Hey Teri if they find another one get for me! I have been wanting one forever! Love Potion #9 sounds best when played on a record player!
[Reply]
Very inspirational! It took me back just reading along with you. Thank you for sharing…Keep it up!
[Reply]