Movin' On

[liveonearth]

In the last two years I have transitioned my music collection to my computer. Digital music has changed the way that I listen. The ability to play random songs from a host of artists means I have become familiar with quite a few artists that I might have never discovered, even though I had their music in my collection. I sent the core nugget of my favorite CD's to a friend in TN who will keep them for me. I distributed my entire Ani Difranco collection (I had most of her work) to girlfriends, to keep it in circulation. I got rid of the remainder by selling them for two bucks each at my yard sale, and giving away the rest.

I am constantly dropping songs into songlists, and the ones that resonate the most with what I am thinking are the ones that become a mix. I start with 30-50 songs, and delete from the list every song that I dislike for any reason whatsoever. When I get my current favorite songs down to 20 songs or so, I burn audio CD's for my friends. The current mix is about getting the hell out of dodge. I call it the Blow 'Em Away Mix, named for the first song which is a humorous number from David Wilcox about road rage. I am ready to move on. The music tells the tale. I have listened to this mix at least 20 times, and there is something about the combination of songs that is particularly comfortable and satisfying. Each time a new artist comes on it is refreshing after the last one. I really like mixes.

I have two days of work left. I have already removed all my personal affects from the office, and am working to complete the last few menus so that I leave no loose ends whatsoever. I have been telling my clients that I am leaving for months now. I also asked them to use me up until the day that I leave, because I'd rather be busy than bored.

Today is a day off. I needed it. I was so tired last night that I retired at 8:30pm. When I post on LJ in the evening, it keeps me up late. The sun is rising just after 6am and I tend to wake at first light, even when I hang blankets over the windows. So I get sleep deprived when I stay up late. Better to retire early and post in the morning, or not at all.

After I finish my last bit of work I will load up one truckload of stuff to be stored. I have a hoard of outdoor equipment that I won't be using much while I am studying to become a doctor. A friend will keep my pile in her shed until I can return for it, or she can bring it to me, whichever comes first. I will give my plants away to friends. I have a list already of who gets what, though a few plants are not claimed yet. I'm giving my remaining foodstuffs to Gunther and Ingrid, because I notice that they eat low quality food and scrape their plates thoroughly. They have never been as wealthy, or as wasteful, as I have already been in my short time. I need to learn from them how to be frugal. I thought I knew how, but obviously I was wrong.

I feel like a fool for having saved so little in my life. The wealth that I have wasted would have supported a village. I have been extravagant in my daily habits, traveled the world and had nice playthings instead. I could have saved enough to pay for the four years of school I am about to embark on. I have wasted that much in my life. It is a guilty realization. People have helped me rationalize by saying that experiences are priceless, and it is true, but I could have had those experiences and still been far less wasteful.

Comments

Love the music

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

I've listened to the Alison Kraus and Tori Amos CDs so far and love both of them. Thank you!

I'm going to listen to the Blow 'Em Away Mix now, haven't had the opportunity up to this point.

I get a little sick to my stomach too, when I think about how much money I have wasted in my lifetime. And I just sent a huge amount off to finish buying my brand new car, and it made me sick to write the check. I hope this car lasts for a looooong time.

Re: Love the music

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

That's a good car, it will last. My plan is for my truck to be my last automobile, that's why I keep maintaining it. Being an old toyota with ONLY 189,000 miles on it, I figure it's at its halfway point. Your car should go that far too, if you treat it nice, and you do.

Listen to the mix yet?

Re: Love the music

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

Yes - listened to the mix yesterday. It's great! Not a bad song in the bunch. I didn't hear any country music in there.

Re: Love the music

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought. But some young people think anything traditional or acoustic is "country". I'll be interested to hear if you enjoy it more as you listen to it over and over again. I have.