Musings @musicandmeaning.com

So I stood at the station with a plan and a pocket of poems.
"He had a theory that musicians are incredibly complex, and know far less than other artists what they want and what they are; that they puzzle themselves as well as their friends; that their psychology is a modern development, and has not yet been understood." – E. M. Forster

Archive for January 8th, 2004


Thursday, 8 January 2004

Bonum annum ingrediaris

I resolve that this year, I will devote more time and energy into completing my music and writings, and that I will be more practical and organized and helpful to and for my family. I’m not really one to make new year’s resolutions: I try to see each day as a new opportunity to be productive and/or creative, and get things done gradually but steadily.

I do hope that, eventually, I will accomplish (or at least step closer to accomplishing) the above resolutions, and some of what I’ve already mentioned in months past — some dreams and some letters to write.

As for being more practical, I’ve finally set up a system to record Weekend Becomes Eclectic. Unfortunately, it’s still not on a timer but at least I can archive them on my own, and listen to Anne Litt‘s playlist during the week if I’ve missed a set or song here and there or can’t listen to the radio for much time during Saturdays and Sundays. Last weekend she played Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee (a version of "Why Don’t You Do Right" I hadn’t heard before), and even Tammy Wynette, amongst songs from Travis, Ryuichi Sakamoto + Morelenbaums, Ryan Adams, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Radiohead, Goldfrapp and many others.

More practical stuff: I’ve cut back on TV (it wasn’t hard, since this season has been so awful), and when I do watch, it’s usually on tape so I can fast forward through the adverts. And/or I will watch and work out at the same time. I’m trying to read more, including books I read before but have since forgotten. Same goes for music: I’ve drastically cut back on buying CDs, and if I do, I tend to buy used. I really dislike paying current new prices (typically $13-17) unless I’m buying directly from the artist. I’m listening more and more to the CDs I already have — old favorites I haven’t heard in a while, as well as discs I hardly ever listened to, for whatever reason. It’s always odd and interesting to read something and notice something new, or listen to a CD that I thought I didn’t like and end up changing my mind.