Hurrah! This is how I celebrated Record Store Day!
Store #1: Metrowax Records (Eau Claire, WI)
No, I didn’t go to Eau Claire. Metrowax is an online record shop that sells mostly 12″ singles. I discovered them by doing a Google search for online record stores, and I placed my first order a few weeks ago and basically fell in love with them. They have very reasonable prices, and a lot of really cool stuff. They have sales basically every week, and they offer “Wax Packs” which are basically mystery goodie bags. Anyway, for RSD, they had 40% off of everything if you bought 10 records or more, plus they had several hundred records on mega-clearance for less than $1.00 each. I think my order had 20 records in it…and including shipping it was less than $35.00. Hell. Yes. I highly recommend this store. They’re truly the epitome of Midwestern “nice.”
Store #2: Electric Fetus (Minneapolis, MN)
This is where I thought I would score my RSD releases. Unfortunately, I didn’t line up early enough. The selection was pretty picked-through. I’m not really surprised, though. It was still fun to spend a few hours at the store, though. I bought a few 12″ singles and LPs, three 45s, and a small stack of CDs. I also got this nifty button!
So fitting. I do love 45s.
There were a lot of people at the store, and they had all sorts of fun stuff going on throughout the day — live performances, a barbecue, giveaways, free goodies. And, of course, the employees there are always so incredibly nice and friendly.
Store #3: Yeti Records (Minneapolis, MN)
Yeti Records is a new store (I think they opened last autumn) but they have a lot of great stuff. It’s a small store, but it has a lot of character and charm. They had a big sale on 45s for $0.50 each, and I ended up picking up about 25 or 30 of them. I also bought some LPs, including a Sparks album, an Elvis Costello album, and a Plimsouls album.
Next door is B-Squad, a vintage shop. They also had a ton of records, but I didn’t get a chance to look through all of them. I did buy a vintage 1939 sewing book, though, and that made my day even better.
Store #4: Roadrunner Records (Minneapolis, MN)
Roadrunner Records is a tiny store, but there was something really awesome about being elbow-to-elbow with die-hard vinyl fans as we dug through the bins. They had LPs for $1.00 and 45s for $0.25 each. At one point, my stack got so huge that one of the employees gave me a box to tote around. I found about 80 45s. I was so excited!
They also had boxes of back issues of music magazines, and I picked up a copy of Musician from 1987. It’s so awesome.
Record Store #5: Action Records (Preston, England, UK)
Action Records is my go-to for import records. I’ve been shopping there for about 10 years, and I’ve never had problems with shipping from the UK to the US. I’ve had some bad experiences with other stores where records arrive with the covers bent to hell, or CDs with huge cracks in the cases. Not with these guys — they go the extra mile to make sure their customers from overseas are happy with their orders.
Anyway, I went to the website to order the Franz Ferdinand covers EP — which, to my surprise, wasn’t a limited-run RSD release…I guess it was just an early release, so the proper release is on April 25th. I pre-ordered it on vinyl and CD, because anyone who knows me knows I have every single thing they’ve ever released. (Except for the Tonight: Franz Ferdinand box set, but I will own it someday.) Anyway, I placed my order and I’m excited to hear it! Hooray!
My RSD loot! Whee!
I will be posting my purchases from RSD on my Tumblr blog, Stereofidelity. I’ve already started posting some.
I picked up the newest issue of Vogue because it had Lady Gaga on the cover. I’m not really a Vogue reader because I hate falling in love with an item of clothing only to find it costs a gazillion dollars. Of course, in this issue they had a spread about punk-influenced fashion, and since I love the idea of taking punk/New Wave/goth fashion concepts and working them into my everyday wardrobe, I kind of fell in love with everything in the damned spread. I liked a fairly simple item featured in the spread: a black t-shirt with small rips in it held together with safety pins. Not exactly the most original idea, but it looked cool. The price? $1,600.00. Really?? For a t-shirt? My immediate thought was, “I can totally make that.”
I went to Target (that’s in my price range) and picked up a plain black tissue t-shirt. I wanted something that already had the feel of a worn t-shirt, and this one was perfect. I had a bunch of safety pins left over from my gazillion other safety pin projects, and I just went to town pinning them all over the shirt. I didn’t create rips in the shirt because I didn’t want the thing to fall apart. After I was done pinning everything, I used a needle-nose pliers to pinch the pins closed so they don’t pop open when I wear the shirt.
The result?
The original shirt featured in Vogue.
And my version of the shirt.
My shirt cost $10.00. Who wins? I do.
As of late, I’ve been buying 45s from eBay. I’ve been getting mixed lots, so most of the time I don’t really know what I’m getting, and that’s part of the fun. I’m looking for mostly 1980s stuff, because that’s one of my favourite decades for music. Anyway, it’s been quite an adventure. I have duplicates of quite a few singles, but for the most part I’m getting singles that are new to my collection. The condition varies quite a bit from record to record. And, vinyl is funny: sometimes, I’ll look at a record and think, “This will never play. It looks terrible!” and then it plays just fine. Other ones look pristine, and then suddenly there’s a skip. You just never know.
So, I’ve been re-organizing, cataloging, sorting and cleaning records over the past few weeks, and so my office at home looks a bit like a record shop right now.
Organization in progress.
A couple of boxes of 45s from one of the eBay auctions I won.
I love Wham! and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Cornpuff likes the plastic sleeves for my records.
You get three chances to guess what I find funny about the J. Geils Band lineup.
Cornpuff also likes 45s.
I bought a Groovmaster label saver so I could clean the records that have some surface dirt on them, and it’s awesome. It’s much less expensive to clean records using good old Dawn dish soap and warm water, and it works well, too. I’ve got a pretty large stack to go through, unfortunately, so it may take me a while. I wasn’t able to “save” some of the 45s that had significant surface scuffs, but for the most part the records are working just fine.
Some 45s in the drying rack.
I also finally bought some shelving to hold all of my LPs and 12″ singles. They were kind of scattered around the house in different bookshelves, crates and what-not. It’s so nice to have all of my records in one place.
New shelves! Hooray!
I've got the look.
I have no idea when this big organizing and cleaning project will be complete, but it’s fun and it keeps me busy.
"The White Stripes" by Kris Heding
“Did you hear The White Stripes broke up?” That’s what I’ve been hearing a lot of since Wednesday, because I think it’s pretty obvious I love that band. I named my cat Jack, for crying out loud. I had a hamster named Meg. My kitchen is black, white and red (although, to be fair, I’ve wanted a black, white and red kitchen since I was about 12). Needless to say, I did hear the news, and it’s saddening. Bands break up all the time, but when it’s one of the bands I love the most, the news is twice as heartbreaking.
If you know me at all, you know I love music, and you know there are lots of bands and artists I like. It’s always been hard to decide what bands I love most of all. Radiohead is my number one favourite band, and then there are about nine others that I consider the rest of my Top Ten. Being in my Top Ten is a great thing, because that means you win my unconditional love and adoration.
With Top Ten artists, I buy every album they ever release — no matter how crappy it is, and no matter how many live discs or “Greatest Hits” collections there are. I attend their shows whenever they’re in town, no matter how many times I’ve seen them. I tend to strive to be a completest with their releases and hunt down every single on every format (or, at least buy every one that I come across). I buy their t-shirts and merchandise. I create artwork based on them. I load all of their albums onto my iPod so I can always listen to them. I memorize the lyrics. I read biographies. But, most of all, I love them as I would love a friend, and jump to their defense when they’re being criticized, and get personally offended if people say something negative about them. It’s borderline sick, and I realize that, but I can’t help it. When I love a band or artist, I love them with all my heart.
That said, I was disheartened to see people making snide comments when friends posted about the breakup on Facebook or what-not. Seriously, people? Your friend is obviously saddened about the breakup of a band, and all you can say is, “Well, they weren’t that good anyway.” What sort of “friend” says that? It just made me think about how rude people can be. Maybe it’s not intentional, but it just baffles me. If I were to post, “My friend just died,” people would be shocked if someone responded, “Well, your friend wasn’t that great anyway.” No, a band breakup is nothing like the death of a friend, but if a band means something to you, their absence can still be heartbreaking.
This lead me to think about other stupid things people say.
One of the comments I hear the most when people find out I have pet guinea pigs is, “You know, they eat guinea pigs in South America.” What the hell kind of comment is that? That’s on par with me saying to a parent, “You know, Albert Fish killed and cannibalized children in the first quarter of the 1900s.” Why would you blurt out some random factoid like that? It makes no sense. I don’t care that guinea pigs are food in South America. There’s no rule saying you can’t keep a living thing as a pet that is considered food to some people. If I want a pet carrot, then so be it. Leave me alone.
It’s like people can’t accept the fact that certain things bring you joy, and they have to say something to burst your bubble.
“I just read To Kill a Mockingbird. It was amazing.”
“Oh, I hated that book. What a bore.”
“I went to Florida to visit my friends. I had such a great time!”
“Oh, Florida is too hot and humid. Plus there are all of those annoying lizards everywhere.”
“I adopted a Persian kitten from the Humane Society. She’s very sweet!”
“I hate those kinds of cats. Their faces look like they slammed into a wall and never recovered.”
See? Buzzkill.
Anyway, back to the main subject of this post. I’m sad that The White Stripes broke up because they’re in my Top Ten. I’m glad I have all of their albums to listen to forever. I’m glad I got to see them perform live twice (and once was on my birthday). I’m glad Jack White will stay busy with multiple projects that I enjoy as well. I’m hoping for a reunion someday. I’m also hoping I meet Meg White someday and she’ll think my idea of starting an all-girl minimalistic rock band is awesome and we can collaborate together. Or, you know, just become BFFs and hang out. Whatever works.
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
It’s difficult to say. Some days I feel like I’m old, and some days I still feel like a kid. It really depends on the situation, I suppose.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
I think never trying is worse. If you don’t try, you don’t have a chance to succeed. At least if you fail, you learn from your mistakes.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
We do things we don’t like because we have to. I’m not sure what “like so many things we don’t do” really means — does it mean hobbies or interests we don’t have time to do?
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I’d say they would be about equal. I don’t typically say I will do something and then end up not doing it. Sometimes I just do things without saying I’ll do them.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
I wish people were more accepting. That doesn’t mean everyone has to agree — just accept that people are different, and embrace the differences.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Anything art-related.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I live my life doing what I think is right, and what I believe.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I guess I’d do things a lot more quickly.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
This is a tough one. While I believe you’re in control of your life in regard to the decisions you make, I also believe that there are things thrown at you in which you have no control. For example, you can make an effort to work hard and do your best, but you can’t really control something like layoffs due to a poor economy.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
I think I’m more concerned about doing the right things. Even if I don’t do the right things correctly, at least I’ve made an effort.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
I would speak up and defend my friend. First of all, I don’t think distasteful and unjustified criticism is beneficial at all — even if it’s toward a complete stranger. Secondly, I’m a devoted friend and would defend him or her because they’re my friend.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t take crap from anyone.
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Yes.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
I kind of see insanity and creativity the same way — I think they come from similar parts of the brain.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I type with my fingers on the wrong keys. It’s a really weird method, but I know exactly where all of the letters are, and can type something like 80 WPM.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because everyone is different. Everyone finds happiness in different things. That’s what makes us unique.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
I haven’t traveled nearly as much as I would like. What’s holding me back is money, really. I can’t afford to travel, and it depresses me.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Yes. I won’t get into it, though.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
I’d move to Seattle, Washington.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
No, I only push it once. I also only push the crosswalk buttons once.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
I’ll go with ‘worried genius’ because I’m already a worry-wort. Being a genius would be an added bonus.
22. Why are you, you?
I am me because my family allowed me to be me. I’ve never been told to do anything differently. I’ve always been encouraged to express myself and follow my dreams.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
I think so. I think I’m a fairly good friend.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
I think losing touch with a good friend who lives right near me is worse. I’ve had that happen, and it’s really saddening.
25. What are you most grateful for?
My family.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
I’d rather lose all of my old memories, because never being able to make new ones means I would have to stop living.
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
I think the truth makes itself clearer if it’s contrasted against lies.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
Not yet.
29. Do you remember a time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
I remember several times when I was extremely upset. And in a way, it does matter now.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
I have a lot of happy memories from my childhood. My favourite memories seem to revolve around listening to records with my family.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
I’m not particularly sure I’ve felt that way in the recent past. That’s a bit sad, isn’t it?
32. If not now, then when?
Er…later?
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Nothing. Except maybe money.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
I feel like that all the time.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Because people always have to defend what they believe in, and I don’t see why anyone should have to defend beliefs at all. You should be able to believe whatever you want to believe.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
Isn’t ‘good’ and ‘evil’ really in the eye of the beholder?
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Probably not. Money runs out eventually.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
I’d rather have more work I enjoy doing. I like staying busy.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
Yes. Holy crap, yes.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
Isn’t this basically creativity in a nutshell? Taking an idea and giving it a go whether or not it works?
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
My mum.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
No way. I’m fine being an average-looking nobody.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Truly living is enjoying your life — whatever that entails.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
I think it’s always time to go ahead and do what is right. It may have short-term downfalls, but feeling like you did the right thing feels pretty good.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Because failing is still painful. It’s a learning experience, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I’m not really sure. I guess I’d leave the house without makeup on. I know, that sounds really petty.
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
Very often, recently. Winter has not been good for my asthma.
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
I love my family. I love art, I love music, I love animals, I love my friends. I’d like to think I live my life expressing my love for all of these things.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
It depends on the day. I also have a very vivid memory, so I do remember the mundane things as much as I remember the exciting things.
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I’d like to think I’m making my own decisions. I suppose there’s a bit that’s out of my control, but for the most part I think I’ve got the wheel.
I love reading what people type in as search terms.
assuming a project of condom dispensing,what would be the appropriate title.
Good question.
The camera I’ve had for years is a Canon Rebel XT, and I love it. It takes fantastic photos. The only problem is that it’s quite bulky, and since it was a pretty expensive camera, I can’t just set it down somewhere. It’s got to stay with me at all times if it leaves the house with me. That camera is a prized possession, and I’d probably sob uncontrollably if I lost it or if it was stolen.
So, there have been many opportunities for photos that I’ve had to pass up because it wasn’t practical for me to haul along my Rebel. That’s depressing to me, since I like to take photos of everything. I promised myself that if I had a wee bit of spare cash and found a good deal, I would buy a little point-and-shoot that I could keep in my purse. I found one at Target — it’s a Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS. It’s pink! It’s a pretty decent camera. I do love Canon cameras, so I knew it couldn’t be complete crap. Turns out it’s a nice camera, and perfect for everyday photos. I haven’t quite figured out the best settings for certain situations just yet, but I just got it today, so it may take a few days. I played around with it and took some photos in various lighting situations, and it seems to adapt pretty well. It’s nice to be able to film video, too.
Anyway, I figured now is a good time to work on checking off another 101 In 1001 Days item. I’ve started Project 365, which is to take at least one photo a day for 365 days. I’m excited.
Here’s my first photo:
Day 001: It’s not a particularly interesting photo, but I was testing out the “night” setting on my camera, and decided to take a photo of the staircase between the main and upper levels of our home. It would probably be creepy if it wasn’t for the pink rug and orange furry cat toy.
I do expect that many of my Project 365 photos will involve animals.
In August, I turned the big 3-0. I anticipated suddenly feeling different, but I really don’t. I don’t plan on buying any anti-aging creams or signing up for catalogues from The Scooter Store any time soon. Hell, I still feel like a teenager most of the time. But, I did spend the week of my birthday and the following week doing some fun stuff that made me forget that I’m in my third fourth decade.
My birthday week was fun. I celebrated with my family one night, and then celebrated with friends the other. The initial plan was to go to our favourite restaurant and bar for karaoke, but when we arrived they told us they weren’t having it that night. I was crushed! But we hung out for a while and then headed back to our place for Rock Band. It was just as fun.
Then, on the 31st, I went to see Lady Gaga with my friend Lauren and my new friend Robyn (whom I met because she bought my extra ticket). The ticket was a joint graduation/30th birthday gift to myself. All I have to say is that it was totally and absolutely worth it, and I would (and will) pay whatever I have to so I can see her every time she comes to town. She puts on an amazing live show, and it was so much fun.
For Labor Day weekend, my oldest niece Nikki and her boyfriend Rob came to visit, and we went to the Minnesota State Fair on the 5th. I always love going to the State Fair, even if it’s basically the same every year. I think it’s fun to go with people who have never been to the fair before. Last year, I went with Nic’s mum, and she had never been to the fair. The year before, I went with Nic and his dad, and neither of them had been to the fair, either. You see it through different eyes when you go with people who haven’t gone there before. I basically do the same things every year: Eat cheese curds, pet the goats, look at art, don goofy hats from whatever vendors are handing them out, and do a lot of walking. This year was no different, except I did milk a dairy goat, which was very fun. I love farm animals.
I learned that the goat’s name was Raven, which made me feel a little bit more comfortable. She was a sweetie. I even got a ribbon when I was done that says, “I Milked a Dairy Goat.” I’m a pro, now.
I captured this photo of two goats taking a nap. I thought I was going to wake them up with my squeeing. I love goats. They are so precious.
Nic and I enjoyed the Spam building. We enjoy Spam, really.
The weather was beautiful. I don’t think it got above 75 degrees that day, and there was a nice breeze. Oddly enough, it wasn’t too crowded, either. I also made friends with two alpacas. I thanked them for having hair that makes amazing yarn. One made an “eeee” noise, so I took that as, “You’re welcome!”
I really should own a farm.
Here’s another odd one:
glass jewellery maps distorted necklace
Huh?
Something tells me they didn’t find what they were looking for when they stumbled upon my blog.
I picked up a word search book last year to keep in my bag in case I get bored. I take the bus everywhere, so I have a lot of down time where I can listen to music, read, or whatever else. I used to do puzzles, word searches and such when I was younger, but I stopped doing them for some reason. Now I’ve been picking up variety puzzle, crossword, fill-in and word search books pretty frequently. I like to do them before bed, because it’s pretty relaxing. I used to play my Nintendo DS before bed, but I haven’t found a fun game to play since I completed Lego Battles.
Two of my Mission 101 goals are to complete an entire word search book and an entire crossword puzzle book. Why? Just because. I’ve never finished an entire book of puzzles, and I thought it might be fun.
Unfortunately, there’s no point to this post except to say, “I like puzzles, and I’m a dork for buying lots of puzzle books lately.” I guess that’s the TLDR version.
