Creative Exercise
My favorite thing that I’ve done recently is make a very long playlist of songs that I know well enough to sing along to. It is appropriately titled “Sing It Loud”. The song choices make zero sense to anyone else listening but mean everything to me. Most of them are 80’s and 90’s radio hits that I listened to with Jessie McGoldrick on 95.9 in her childhood bedroom. There is a lot of Gin Blossoms and Third Eye Blind. You’ll be happy to know that Hey Jealousy is still a banger. Songs go through a very intuitive pruning process. I’ll add things to test them out and if they don’t hit right when they come on during a shuffled listening session they are deleted. Usually what I let go of is too slow or sad, this is an upbeat dish washing and long car ride playlist. It is not a cool playlist, it is a comforting playlist.
Making the playlist has reminded me of laying on the floor listening to the radio with my cousin Jake waiting for a song we liked to come on so that we could tape it. I It reminded me of the time I called in the radio station and answered their trivia question about what Jewel’s last name was, before we could look up answers on the internet. I had Jewel’s book of poetry (lol) and it said her last name was Kilcher. I did not get my prize because I was 12. It reminded me that you cannot be sad while listening to Mr Roboto. I feel like it needs more Whitney Houston. The bodyguard soundtrack played an outsized role in me and my friend Jenn’s dance videos we choreographed in elementary school. Thank the lord we were not able to put them on instagram. Let’s all hope the VHS tapes aren’t excavated in an archeological dig. It’s an on going creative exercise. I’ll add another song when I’m reminded of something that I need to hold onto forever and sing along to while doing whatever mundane task needs a soundtrack.
I’m also reminded of going to our music shop to pick out CDs! WE HAD TO BUY CD’S! Do you remember the mail order CD company? Columbia house?! We live in such a fun time where we have access to so much music. It’s been fun to edit and curate something so self indulgent. I’d love to hear your life soundtrack if you make one.
Mine is on Apple Music. Again, it will probably make no sense to you, but it’s not supposed to. It’s also best listened to on shuffle, not in order. Here it is if you’re curious.
Things Worth Sharing
Youtube sucked me in this week with a compilation video of Kindness 101. It snuck up on me, playing automatically after I watched the Newshour. Kindness 101 is a recurring segment on CBS mornings featuring feel good stories. I watched and cried as happy story after happy story played. I showed Elliott the first story about a boy who joined the swim team but didn’t know how to swim that will hug your soul. Humanity is really beautiful friends, don’t let the algorithm convince you otherwise. You can watch here.
I was also moved by this story of the California school for the deaf football team that just keeps winning.
I bought these rainbow fire packets on a whim, and they were a hit! They’re little packets you toss into your fire pit and it makes the flames glow different colors. The kids really enjoyed them.
My salad recommendation from last week was well received, so here are a couple more lazy lunch ideas. I like to pair a bagged Mediterranean salad mix with a little frozen pizza, or Avocado ranch bagged salad with frozen chicken nuggets in the toaster oven.
I’m already thinking about a gift for E’s teacher and I love the idea of a personalized book embosser.
I also bought these Ikea candle holders and let Elliott light them every night at dinner. They’re really heavy and substantial, they feel and look way more expensive than their $9.99 price tag.
Fine Little Day is my favorite place to look for artwork. All the artists they carry have so much soul.
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E-mail: halestormenator@gmail.com