What to do with all this plastic?

As I sit here inspecting my CD collection to trade in at the local FYE, I realize that this collection has been growing since middle school …which was before CD players came standard in cars…I stopped buying CDs a few years ago…uploaded the one I have to my ITunes library but have yet to part with them…CDs aren’t as cool as vinyl and I’m doubting anyone would Ooooh and Ahhhh over my mountain of shiny plastic cases…especially since it contains such gems as Nick Lachey’s Soulo and The Cutting Edge soundtrack…But as I sit here reflecting on my music taste through the years, I pause to question how I would store all of these in my car if blue tooth audio didn’t exist…

My inspection has only yielded me about 20 odd CDs to trade-in…the observation that I have made is that any CD I bought before my ability to drive a car and after the invention of the IPod…is in near perfect condition…Unfortunately, changing CDs in a car was about as safe as texting and driving…just picture pressing the eject button slipping that CD between your lips while you open the next case while keeping one hand on the wheel and eyes on the road…it was a messy situation…little round discs flying every which way…so most of those got tossed in the seat or on the dashboard…Sure they invented that little visor storage system but you had to stare up at the visor to see the titles and sticking them back in while driving was near impossible…My Pieces of You by Jewel is scratched and smudged so it skips when played…those scratches and smudges remind me of my freshman year of college….sitting in Amber’s dorm room singing Foolish Games at the top of my lungs…the broken cases and worn out jackets let me know that this music was listened to over and over again…taken from car to house to dorm room to friend’s house and beyond…The DC Talk album Jesus Freak is in the worst condition…but it got me through college and my twenties…Pulled out when all hope seemed lost and I needed to find my way back to center….

Music has always been my safe space and emotional outburst…I still make mix CDs and I check ITunes on Tuesday mornings like a kid on Christmas for new music.  My stroll down my musical memory lane has given me a few hidden treasures…I will be listening to Garth Brooks before they day’s end.  Only one question remains….

What do I do with all of this plastic?

Everything you thought is in a box to the left…

Sometimes I read the things people write to others on social media sites and am instantly appalled…I go through a laundry list of things in my head to say…but very rarely do I comment because I don’t want to be a part of the problem…people who find it easy to say/write horrible things are usually fueled by any attempt at rational conversations…I read something today that I can’t get out of my head…and maybe because I’ve read similar posts…and even had similar things said to me…

I really didn’t know who Chely Wright was until earlier this year…I listen to country music but not consistently…Luckily, I have a person in my life that keeps me current on most things country music related (Thank you Lisa!)…It wasn’t Chely’s music that captivated me though it was her documentary…Her story touched me…her honest and heart wrenching decision to come out struck a chord…I understood where she was coming from…and of course, her music from Lifted Off the Ground turned out to be just as moving…I bought her CD and followed her on Twitter…I wanted to learn more about this interesting lady…

As I read the twitter comment…my first thought was how effing prejudiced, homophobic and cruel can one person be…you get the idea…I’ve had a friend say something with a similar sentiment to me for my change in political views…But if I stop and think before I react…I realize I feel sorry for this person…You cannot put people in a box…it’s impossible to know every nook of a person you know…let alone someone you only know of because of their celebrity status…Chely Wright was always going to be the person she is…she just revealed more parts to the world…This person has Chely Wright in a box that is self-created of what a country singer lady is supposed to be like…there is no room in the box for all of Chely Wright’s parts…It’s interesting that what we perceive as personal growth some people see as losing your path…It continually boggles my mind that people find something to dislike about equality, inclusion and compassion…it’s strange that people fear and loathe an open heart and an expanding mind…

Aren’t we meant to evolve as people…the planet evolves with little hiccup…aren’t we meant to do the same?  And whatever happened to embracing differences and learning from each other?  Maybe some people fear other’s beliefs because they think it puts their own at risk…or makes them vulnerable…I am usually up for a new way of seeing things…I have surrounded myself with people who teach me every day…and I think that’s because my foundation is strong…I know who I am and what I believe…there is no need to demean or dismiss differing views…it may not change my mind but maybe I’ll get a new perspective…

Voting: The Playlist

Today is all about getting out and rockin’ the vote which is why while driving to work listening to the soulful voice of Wanya Morris (Boyz II Men) singing about throwing clothes on the floor and holding me all through the night…I thought to myself…SING IT WANYA…SING IT…because that is hands down one of the best songs ever…and then I thoguht…Ooooohhhhh how about a playlist for the lines at the polls!  Some people are going to have long exhausting waits with hundreds of their friends and neighbors (good and bad)…causing their civic pride to become more like civic doodie…so here are ten twelve songs to keep you pumped, patriotic and smiling!

1. Voting Rap – Smart Songs
2. Coming to America – Neil Diamond
3. Living in America – James Brown
4.  American Idiot – Green Day
5. Love of Our Lives – Indigo Girls
6. (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party) – Beastie Boys
7. Stuck in the Middle With You – Stealers Wheel
8. What’s Going On? – MTV All-Star Tribute
9. Waiting on the World to Change – John Mayer
10. If You’re Out There – John Legend
11. Freedom – George Michael
12. Proud – Heather Small

Of course, there are more songs out there but these are the ones I like.  Plus, this is my blog and I approve this message.

Also, if you’re still undecided check out isidewith.com quick like and pick a candidate why don’t ya!!!

Mika- Happy Ending – Unplugged

I was thinking of this song went to the MikaSounds website and this was the first video…how’s that for a smile maker!

Dawes – A Little Bit of Everything…

Kept hearing this very poignant song on Sirius that manages to fit in lyrics about mash potatos and chicken wings…Take a listen.