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Manifest

I’m coming to the edge of a rising ocean
Such commotion and fear
Keeping all our eyes on what’s on the horizon
And all that we hold dear
Andrew Bird – Manifest (My Finest Work Yet, 2019)

Birthdays are weird man.

There’s the anxiety of feeling like I should want to do more than I really want to, because as an introvert I find it really hard to celebrate me. Not that I have low self-esteem, more like ‘I don’t enjoy all the attention being on me’. And as I prepare to exit my thirties this year there is the added bonus of feeling like time is just slipping by faster and faster.

This does not bode well for one with anxiety.

The one thing I do love about my birthday is the making of a birthday playlist. I started this tradition about ten years ago when I was (surprise) preparing to exit my twenties. There is something so special about these mixes. It’s a mix that’s only purpose is to please me. Period. End of story.

Now if we’re going to get technical, ALL my playlists are for me, but this is one where I don’t have a theme or an idea in mind when I sit at my laptop. I become Marie Kondo, looking through song after song and asking myself “does this bring me joy?”. Just unbridled audio bliss as I try to ignore the fact that another year has passed on the march to my inevitable death (yay!).

So here is my 2019 birthday mix. May she bring you the joy she has brought me.

In the Car

A book and record love
we sat and read our books,
between our longing looks
compounded by our fear
My tongue inside her ear
my tongue inside her
Barenaked Ladies “In the Car” (Stunt, 1998)

I’ve had my record collection entry on my laptop for like 3 weeks now. It is coming, at some point I promise. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks. I went back to work on the 19th, and then all staff was back on the 26th, and the kids are going to be here tomorrow. Also, when did it become August? All I know is I have two relatively normal weeks before my NAU classes start and then I’m going to be run to the bone. Should be fun.

So let’s talk the July mix. We said goodbye to HUM drummer Bryan St. Pere and to the one and only Biz Markie. I had to put “Just a Friend“, but I also included the song he sampled for the hook “(You) Got What I Need” by Freddie Scott. We also said goodbye to David Bowie guitarist John “Hutch” Hutchinson, so I had to include some Bowie. It was also the anniversary of the Lizard King, Jim Morrison’s passing, and the 23rd anniversary of “Stunt” from Barenaked Ladies.

As for the new shit: we have been BLESSED my children. So much good tunes, here are my top 5 for the month:

Act Up – Terry Presume
Blouse – Clairo
Liquor Store – Remi Wolf
Happy Now – girlhouse
Me Myself & Dollar Hell – Mild High Club

So yeah, that’s about it from me. First day of school tomorrow, Here’s to a new school year. Enjoy yourselves, mask up, and stay safe my lovelies!

Wicked Little Town

You’re running up and down that hill
you turn it off and on at will
there’s nothing here to thrill or bring you down
The Breeders – Wicked Little Town “Hedwig Version” (Wig in a Box, 2003)

Time for a new series!

So picture it….the early OO’s on livejournal. The big thing was fandom soundtracks and I was sucked in hook, line, and sinker. On my PC (which I logged onto for the first time in almost a year yesterday and then had to spend 3 hours fixing it) I had saved my playlists and CD covers (because you were super cool if you made a cover for your mix!) and I decided I should share one of them. Not that I’m hard up for content or bored in anyway, but it was a fun blast from the past to go through them.

This soundtrack is for one of my favorite Stephen King novels, Salem’s Lot. When I was 12-13 I went through a MAJOR Stephen King phase, and read through a whole bunch of books that were in hindsight probably really inappropriate for me. I’m also pretty sure EVERYONE has gone through this phase, I know my brother did. I read Pet Semetary, Christine, and Misery while my brother chose The Shining and The Dark Tower Series. Anyway, when I finally read Salem’s Lot I was depressed and jobless and was at the library to find some stuff to read because I had the time. I saw this, and said why not.

I remember telling my Aunt I was reading it and she spent ten whole minutes telling me about how creepy the 1970’s TV miniseries was, and I was like I’M IN. I would read it late at night, and I finished it in under a week. It just stayed with me for days after I finished it, and that was when I realized that I wanted to try and make a mix for it.

This Wicked Little Town

The mix is told in 4 parts bookended by the song “Wicked Little Town” from the musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” which I was listening to OBSESSIVELY when I made this mix. The first part is background on the town Salem’s Lot and the people that live there. Part two introduces murder and our main villain. In the third part, the villains make their move and the heroes flee Salem’s Lot to survive. And in the final part, they come back to reclaim their town. God that was a terrible summary that absolutely does NOT do this book justice. Seriously, if you haven’t read this book yet, go find it and enjoy because it is really great.

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the little bit of new today. This weekend will be my Vinyl collection, so until then stay safe and stay cool!

Kissing in the Rain

Please don’t let me go
I’ll be in control
I’ll be like everybody else is
I can play it safe
Save the kissing in the rain
If it means I’m all you ever wanted to find
Soccer Mommy “Kissing in the Rain” (Death Nights: Death Metal Soundtrack, 2021)

It’s been a busy summer.

I finished up teaching summer school and I saw my group of friends for the first time in a year and a half. Celebrated my BFF’s birthday with a pool party. Did you know that there is apparently an app where you can rent a pool? Yeah, it was a freaking blast. Also, my brother is coming to visit in a couple of weeks! All in all, things are absolutely coming up Milhouse.

So let’s talk about the mix this month. It’s been awhile, but this is mostly all NEW music because June was VERY good to us. In no particular order, here are my top 6 new songs for this month:

Hobo Johnson – I Want You Back
Soccer Mommy – Kissing in the Rain
Shannon & the Clams – Year of the Spider
Bo Burnham – How the World Works
illuminati hotties – Pool Hopping
The Linda Lindas – Racist, Sexist Boy

I feel that this mix ended up feeling very summery without too much extra work from yours truly. I was listening to it tons in the last few days of summer school while I finished up teaching/packing up my room. Now I have two weeks and 3 days of summer vacation until I have to report back. Now I know that seems like a very short break after a fucking crazy-ass year, but I always end up in a depression spiral at the end of long breaks because no structure/routine makes me feel like I’m wasting my life. This will be just long enough to feel somewhat rested and not go crazy.

So that’s it from me kids. Sunday will be all about my record collection. So until then, stay safe and try not to melt.

Bizarre Love Triangle

Every time I think of you
I feel shot right through with a bolt of blue
It’s no problem of mine
But it’s a problem I find
Living a life that I can’t leave behind
New Order “Bizarre Love Triangle” (Brotherhood, 1986)

I was at a bar in downtown Phoenix when I realized that if I had been in high school during the 80’s, I absolutely 100% would have been a New Wave kid.

My friends and I were at Valley Bar for Shana’s birthday, where they were hosting “New Wave Night”, and as I walked down the steps into the bar the movie “Labyrinth” was being shown on a screen behind the DJ who was playing “Young Americans” by David Bowie. After circling the room and getting a drink, I’m standing at our table drinking my Whiskey Sour. The movie has now changed to “The Neverending Story” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths fills the room. It was at this moment, when I realized that I knew practically EVERY song the DJ was playing, and that I really, really, REALLY, liked New Wave music.

Fast Forward to June of 2018. I follow Sebastian Stan on instagram, and in a clip he posted himself singing along to “If You Leave” by OMD. And I was like OMG I NEED A NEW WAVE PLAYLIST WHY DON’T I HAVE ONE ALREADY. Hence, the playlist I am sharing today came into creation.

Now, it’s not 100% New Wave, I also added some other stuff I was listening to, and I had always planned to add onto this but never did. Maybe I will someday, either way I am absolutely rocking out to this tomorrow. Stay cool out there kids!

It’s Too Late

Stayed in bed all mornin’ just to pass the time
There’s somethin’ wrong here, there can be no denyin’
One of us is changin’, or maybe we’ve just stopped tryin’
Carole King “It’s Too Late” (Tapestry, 1971)

Hello everyone!

Hope all of you are doing well and staying cool. I’m already over the hot weather and I am counting down the days until it cools off. I officially graduated from GCC with my associate’s degree (YAY!) and had my last day with the kiddos. Tomorrow I start summer school, and then three glorious weeks of freedom.

I’m gonna keep it short and sweet for the mix this month. First off, I put songs from the newest class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So there are tracks from Jay-Z, Tina Turner, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go’s, & Carole King. I also threw in some throwbacks from Madonna, Better than Ezra and Weezer.

For new stuff, SLEATER-KINNEY & GARBAGE HAVE NEW MUSIC! So excited to hear new music from these two bands. Also, new Mannequin Pussy is making me happy to. I was also into new Cuco “Forevermore” and everything that Lord Huron has been releasing over the last two months has been phenomenal.

Lastly, I had to include B.J. Thomas, who passed away at the end of May. While I do love “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head“, I had to include “Hooked on a Feeling” because his version is the best version, suck on that Blue Suede.

Okay, that’s it from me. I have to go back to work tomorrow after a 4 day weekend, so yeah. Have fun out there and stay cool!

F.N.T.

I’m surprised that you’ve never been told before
That you’re lovely and you’re perfect
And that somebody wants you
Semisonic “F.N.T.” (Great Divide, 1996)

Hello once again.

Two weeks in a row, look at me not slacking! Things are still going well; I have one more crazy week and then FREEDOM…kind of. After this week I have 4 more days with the kiddos and then I have a week off before summer school. I got the email that I was accepted on Saturday, so an extra 24 days of employment. Which in turn means I won’t have to dip into the savings much so YAY!

So let’s talk about the April mix. We lost some good ones in April, DMX, Shock G of Digital Underground, and songwriter Jim Steinman. It was the anniversary of the Purple One’s passing, and John Waters’s (my favorite deviant) birthday.

I also did what I do every Oscar season: I gorged on a bunch of movies. For like the last 10 years, I watch every movie nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, all 4 acting categories, and Best Original/Adapted Screenplay. It was a pretty good bunch this year; the only ones that I was kind of meh on were Mank and Hillbilly Elegy. I really loved Minari, Judas & the Black Messiah, A Promising Young Woman, and White Tiger. For the soundtrack category, I added a couple of songs from APYM which had a GREAT soundtrack, as well as the winner “Fight for You” by H.E.R. as well as the song I wanted to win “Husavik” from Eurovision Song Contest.

There were also some good throwbacks, including the title entry for this post, F.N.T. by Semisonic. My BFF posted this to my FB page and just OH MY GOD I MISS THIS BAND. Seriously, Semisonic got me through my first two years of college. There’s some Traveling Wilbury’s and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds for good measure. Oh, and some random One Direction. I guess this is proof that you never outgrow your love for boybands.

As for the new stuff, here are my top 5 new songs from April:

“You Stupid Bitch” girl in red
“Cheer Captain” Charli Adams
“Kiss me More” Doja Cat feat. SZA
“Head Cheerleader” pom pom squad
“I Lied” Lord Huron feat. Allison Ponthier

There was lots of good new stuff, but these were the ones that I glommed onto the most. And that is also going to be it from me. I’m not going to promise an episode next week, but more than likely you’ll see something the week after. May2021 coming soon and then maybe a summer mix of some kind. So yeah, until then: stay safe, wear a mask, and enjoy yourselves out there.

Adia

Adia, I’m empty since you left me
Trying to find a way to carry on
I search myself and everyone
To see where we went wrong
Sarah McLachlan “Adia” (Surfacing, 1997)

So it’s been awhile.

I have been swamped, between work and school my days are mapped out and go by in a blur that would usually set my anxiety ablaze, but I’m too busy to really give it any thought. The good news, in 2 weeks I will be finished and have my Associate’s Degree, and in 3 weeks the kids will be done with school. I find out this week if I’m going to teach summer school (yay for a small chunk of change!) and my life will calm down to a reasonable level.

So let’s go back to March and look at my mix for the month.

It’s so random guys, just…so random. For throwbacks I added Metallica, Madonna, and Selena. (35th anniversary of Master of Puppets, 23rd anniversary of Ray of Light, and 26th anniversary of her death) Lots of good new stuff to, new St. Vincent, Japanese Breakfast, and girl in red. Also, I got swept up in the sea shanty fad and was OBSESSED with the Wellerman. Just, so catchy and fun to harmonize with. This one isn’t as long as the epic that was February, but I’m really happy with it.

So that’s all from me for now. Updates will come when they come, at least until the end of the month. Later days, friends.

West Coast

And I miss you
I’m goin’ back home to the west coast
I wish you woulda put yourself in my suitcase
I love you
Standin’ all alone in a black coat
I miss you
I’m goin’ back home to the west coast
Coconut Records “West Coast” (Nighttiming, 2007)

Well, it’s Sunday night and my spring break is officially over. Tomorrow it’s back to work, and back to in-person teaching, which after a break where we know our kids traveled, sure let’s throw everyone back in the same building that can’t possibly end terribly. As you can tell, I have an opinion on the subject, but who would I be if I didn’t?

So let’s talk about this throwback mix from 2018, shall we? This mix is grouped in thirds. Tracks 1-6 are all songs that I was just really loving at the moment. Top of that group is probably Sufjan Stevens “Mystery of Love“, which is so hauntingly beautiful it still makes me feel all the things.

Tracks 7-12 are all about the amazing city that is NYC. I went to visit my brother in Brooklyn that year, and wanted some songs about a city that I have grown to love so much. It’s hard to pick a fave from this one, but for today we’ll go with Harry Nilsson “I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City“.

Tracks 13-18 are all by artists who hail from or call NYC their home. I had a ton of great music to pick from, and I really feel I selected a good group of new and old. From this last group I have to go with They Might Be Giants “Birdhouse in Your Soul“.

Well, that’s about it from me. I am going to go have dinner, and then shower/wash my hair before taking an edible and calling it an early night. Stay safe out there, wear your mask, and wash your hands!

Ladyfingers

I’m so tired of my guns and my vanity
I’d like to trade them in for some sanity
and I know it didn’t come too easy
It didn’t come easy to me either
from the freezer to believer in love
Luscious Jackson “Ladyfingers” (Electric Honey, 1999)

Hey Party People, how are we doing?

Me, I’m stressed. Even though I’m on spring break this week (w00t) I have an oral final on Thursday, and I have to go back to campus for work on Monday…because my Governor is a fucktard with no regard for science and safety. Sigh….but I was finally able to get appointments for my parents so they could get their COVID vaccines this week! So silver lining I suppose.

The mix I bring to you today is a throwback, and it’s from 2009. Imagine if you will, unemployed Lainey getting ready for a late night bath (think like, 2am) because I have become a nocturnal being. I take my iPOD and hook it into my little speaker and enjoy the bubbliest of bubbly baths while the world sleeps.

This mix is a collection of mellow girl rock ranging from Fiona Apple to Chantal Kreviazuk, and I still love it so much. It’s perfect background music, but also perfect for sing-a-longs if you have the time.

So that’s it from me for today. It’s going to be a quick shower and then plopping down to watch some Supernatural. So I will see you guys on Sunday.

In the Blood

Who did you love before?
Who did they love before you?
But it’s the way you move your hands
Oh
And it’s the way you understand
Better than Ezra – In the Blood (Deluxe, 1995)

Well, another Sunday got away from me.

The mix for February is very long, and you could say that I got carried away, but the truth is that there was a lot of good shit that made me happy this month.

Let’s start with the losses (which btw, did not make me happy):

Hilton Valentine, guitarist for The Animals
Mary Wells, The Supremes
Chick Corea, American jazz composer
Louis Clark, arranger/composer Electric Light Orchestra
Johnny Pacheco, Dominican-American bandleader

Anniversaries/Birthdays:

Bob Marleys birthday (Feb. 6th)
Johnny Cash’s birthday (Feb. 26th)
George Harrison’s birthday (Feb. 25)
Better than Ezra – 25th anniversary of “Deluxe”

Top 5 New Songs of the Month:

Kero Kero Bonito – The Princess and the Clock
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Computer of Love
808vic – Vibe Session 2
Fruit Bats – Holy Rose
Liz Phair – Hey Lou

That’s about it kids. I’m almost done with my first 8-week math class, then I have a week of normalcy before the second one starts. Spring Break is next week and I’m just tired. So yeah; that’s about all I can come up with today. Oh, I am happy to say that I got my second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine last weekend and it thoroughly kicked my ass. Feeling much better now, but I still have to find appointments for my parents and that’s turning out to be a fail. So yeah, keep wearing a mask and washing your hands. Later days!