Musical Me

I love music. I love ALL types of music - even a little rap (really profane rap that I would NEVER let my children listen to). Until just a few days ago, I've had most of my music collection ... um, collecting in giant CD binders. Where is my collection now, you ask? I am in the process of uploading all of my Cd's onto the computer. JUST NOW?! You wonder with awe. Why yes! I've tried in the past, but my laptop couldn't hold the insane amount of music AND photos I have stored - so I chose pictures on the laptop with only the newest and coolest tunes to accompany them - I think it was something like 1500 songs. NOW (pant, pant) NOW with ridiculous amounts of memory at my fingertips (evil laugh) I can contain my entire collection! With each digital save, I savor the sight of my beloved friends - the soundtrack of my life!

If you've ever seen the movie High Fidelity, there is a scene where John Cusack's character is categorizing his record collection by memories. Sadly, I completely related to his system. I start by putting like Cd's with like, but they form into this strange melange of spurred memories and captured moments. With me and music, it's like that. We have this long relationship that began with two pivotal moments - OK, three -

1. I am maybe 4 yrs. old (maybe) stomping through my house - stomp, stomp, clap. stomp, stomp, clap. Singing, "You've got blood on your face! Big disgrace! Wavin' your banner all over the place!" I love Queen!
2. Same very young age playing "Waitress" in the garage with my sisters and singing Elvis songs when one of them says, "You know Elvis died." Part of me died. I don't even know if I knew what that meant, but I felt like I'd just lost my best friend. I love Elvis!
3. Maybe a little older - maybe, singing (in a very throaty, stereotypically black man voice) "I found Ma' thrilllillllillll, oooooooonnnn Blue Berry Hill!" and everyone around me cracking up in a fit of giggles. I love singing to be funny!

It completely tickles me to see similar signs coming from my Lily. She already knows lyrics and tunes. She sings to herself a lot. Just tonight, I was singing a Carpenter's song to her and she joined in with me. How she knows it - besides my singing it to her during her infancy - I have no idea. I don't have The Carpenters in my giant collection (oooo - great gift idea!).

Back to me ... When I was fifteen, I was kind of "dating" this boy who claimed that being around me was like being in a movie because I had the best soundtracks going at all times. I loved that! It's my most favorite thing in the world. If I love you, most likely I've created a soundtrack of you in my mind - creepy? I hope not! There are a few people who have complete anthologies & they know who they are!

Now I've shared my most intimate love affair. Don't quiz me or think that I have the patience to memorize artists or producers or even years of release. I don't! I can probably tell you a song you remind me of or begin my funeral play list because those are things I think about when I'm bored, but I'm hindered by my lack of song name knowledge. It's a conundrum.