Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Mix Tape versus Mix CD: A Eulogy for the Soul of Rock & Roll
I came across this ... this is what i used to do. Wanna post this here as a dedication to my friends who received my tape(s) before:
Ya, I know i am pretty old-school....
Mix Tape versus Mix CD: A Eulogy for the Soul of Rock & Roll
Bex Schwartz
Friends, we are gathered here today to consecrate the official death of a beloved and adored member of our society, an icon, an artifact of such profound and unspoken eloquence that countless months of sleepless nights have passed in pondering its very significance: the Mix Tape. For the Mix CD has slain it; slain it with the sword of ease and convenience, destroyed that which made it great.
Now, there are those who would say the "Mix CD" is but an improved form of the mix tape. The mix tape is dead, they say - long live the "Mix CD." Fie on you who utter such blasphemy! Pay attention, now, to the Mix Tape/Mix CD catechism. Listen and learn:
1. Speed versus love
You claim that your digital so-called "burning" abilities allow you to make the atrocity of a "Mix CD" in mere minutes, thus saving you countless hours of painstaking mix-making labor and hassle. You claim that you can compile your favorite songs and near-instantaneously produce enough copies for all your coworkers to enjoy after lunch. You claim that your "Mix CDs" (pah!) are far more easily enjoyed and consumed. And I reply:
Easier is cheaper. Friendship is dear. To what end speed? To what end convenience? To what end mass duplication? Are you so devoid of human emotion that you cannot envision spending intimate hours with someone you cherish? To make a mix tape properly takes preparation of ritualistic proportion. First, one must seek the elusive cassette tape of the ninety-minute variety, for fie on you who dare to be a sixty-minute man. Second, one must create the most exquisite combination of hallowed songs to fit within the forty-five minute boundary, for no man chance the wrath of cutting off the last verse of a cherished song. And third, one must remain glued to side of the double-sided tape deck for the entire duration, hitting 'pause' at precisely the correct moment, lest moments of 'snow' prevent seamless integration of the chosen and esteemed songs lucky enough to make the final edit. And the final provisions: one must decorate the cassette label and perhaps (perhaps) provide a brief explanation of the weight and significance of every track and transition. Then, and only then, may a supplicant bequeath the sacred symbol to the very fortunate recipient.
This is time spent on love, friends! The four hours it took me to create the perfect mix tape shows you that I care. If it took me ten minutes, maybe I just want to borrow your car.
2. Ease versus taste
And then you mix-CD heretics saith: "I don't even need to own the songs I want someone to hear! I can pull them straight from KaZaa and thus I can give someone 'Question' without buying the whole Old 97s album! Because I really only like that one song but I want this guy to think I'm all alt-country!" And I reply:
The Search is the Destination. Downloading a song is nowhere near as impressive as taping a song off of your mother's original vinyl album. Remember that and extrapolate its true meaning and smear it like holy ointment across your torso. And wading through the other songs on The Troggs Greatest Hits makes you the sort of person who discovers "Love is All Around." There is no other way! Plodding through every used CD store off of Bleecker Street until you find the Men Without Hats album, because you really want "Rhythm of Youth" instead of "Safety Dance" - friends, this is what the army means about building character! Otherwise, you are condemned, doomed to know only "Moondance," never "And it Stoned Me" - "Down Under" and never "Down by the Sea" - "Mexican Radio" and never that other Wall of Voodoo song. The reward depends on the effort!
3. Convenience versus Commitment
The CD infidels say unto me: "A CD can be played anywhere! In your computer, in your stereo, in your discman! Nobody listens to tapes anymore!" And I reply:
Commitment leads to intimacy. Do not underestimate the forced intimacy of the mix tape: the resurrection of a battery-operated tape-playing personal stereo and headphones; the full ninety minutes committed to listening to both sides of a tape without the CD's all-too-tempting 'skip' function.
Consider the duties required of the Mix Tape beneficiary. The Mix Tape must at once be heard, on the car stereo or the Walkman. The Mix Tape must accompany the giftee across town, on household errands and Slurpee runs. The Mix Tape must be cherished on a train across Eastern Europe, on a bus back home, on a power-walk through the park. And the Mix Tape must be appreciated in toto - one must never skip over a song, even if it is by the detestable Mazzy Star. And if you are fortunate, there shall be a favorite song, shared with the Creator of the Mix Tape, and it shall be recognized as a symbol of the blessed union to remain everlasting. Because you worked for it. Would you care as much for someone's latest Mix CD, scrawled-on with permanent marker? Methinks not.
And even after it is forgotten it remains. Ah, the dig through crumbling shoeboxes to retrieve one's favorite mix tapes; the chance encounter at the bottom of the closet. The Mix Tape will be cherished always, even after one has sold all one's Rush albums.
4. Sophistication versus sincerity
And they say unto me: "Stop walking into the twenty-first century backwards! It's the carousel of progress, buddy, and you're about to get bull-dozed. Look, I made my own cover art for this CD and I think it's a perfect reflection of who I am and how well I know how to use Quark." And I reply:
You can't digitize the love. There's nothing like smudged erasable-ink penmanship to pluck at the heartstrings. There's nothing like two cleverly-named sides of a cassette tape. And there's nothing like the little ripples in the song that you wore out by rewinding it over and over and over again in your best friend's Dodge on the way to the Dairy Queen that long, hot summer that you were obsessed with rainbow sprinkles and Ani Difranco.
Do you not cherish your mix tapes? Do your little teensy weensy "portable" compact discs betray the same sentiment and personality as your cassettes? You don't have a car, but if you did, to what you would you listen while driving? And if you do have a car, and if you have installed a CD system - FIE upon you, infidel.
Remember the Mix Tape and keep it holy. Kyrie Elieson, my friends, (the version by Mr. Mister on your "Totally 80s" compilation) - that is what I say unto you. Do not fall into the deep, dark, but dangerously silent pool of ease and luxury afforded by the so-called "Mix CD." Be not led into temptation. In short, my darlings, keep it real. Or else,R.I.P.Mix Tape
Thanks for the memories.
Found the article here
Ya, I know i am pretty old-school....
Mix Tape versus Mix CD: A Eulogy for the Soul of Rock & Roll
Bex Schwartz
Friends, we are gathered here today to consecrate the official death of a beloved and adored member of our society, an icon, an artifact of such profound and unspoken eloquence that countless months of sleepless nights have passed in pondering its very significance: the Mix Tape. For the Mix CD has slain it; slain it with the sword of ease and convenience, destroyed that which made it great.
Now, there are those who would say the "Mix CD" is but an improved form of the mix tape. The mix tape is dead, they say - long live the "Mix CD." Fie on you who utter such blasphemy! Pay attention, now, to the Mix Tape/Mix CD catechism. Listen and learn:
1. Speed versus love
You claim that your digital so-called "burning" abilities allow you to make the atrocity of a "Mix CD" in mere minutes, thus saving you countless hours of painstaking mix-making labor and hassle. You claim that you can compile your favorite songs and near-instantaneously produce enough copies for all your coworkers to enjoy after lunch. You claim that your "Mix CDs" (pah!) are far more easily enjoyed and consumed. And I reply:
Easier is cheaper. Friendship is dear. To what end speed? To what end convenience? To what end mass duplication? Are you so devoid of human emotion that you cannot envision spending intimate hours with someone you cherish? To make a mix tape properly takes preparation of ritualistic proportion. First, one must seek the elusive cassette tape of the ninety-minute variety, for fie on you who dare to be a sixty-minute man. Second, one must create the most exquisite combination of hallowed songs to fit within the forty-five minute boundary, for no man chance the wrath of cutting off the last verse of a cherished song. And third, one must remain glued to side of the double-sided tape deck for the entire duration, hitting 'pause' at precisely the correct moment, lest moments of 'snow' prevent seamless integration of the chosen and esteemed songs lucky enough to make the final edit. And the final provisions: one must decorate the cassette label and perhaps (perhaps) provide a brief explanation of the weight and significance of every track and transition. Then, and only then, may a supplicant bequeath the sacred symbol to the very fortunate recipient.
This is time spent on love, friends! The four hours it took me to create the perfect mix tape shows you that I care. If it took me ten minutes, maybe I just want to borrow your car.
2. Ease versus taste
And then you mix-CD heretics saith: "I don't even need to own the songs I want someone to hear! I can pull them straight from KaZaa and thus I can give someone 'Question' without buying the whole Old 97s album! Because I really only like that one song but I want this guy to think I'm all alt-country!" And I reply:
The Search is the Destination. Downloading a song is nowhere near as impressive as taping a song off of your mother's original vinyl album. Remember that and extrapolate its true meaning and smear it like holy ointment across your torso. And wading through the other songs on The Troggs Greatest Hits makes you the sort of person who discovers "Love is All Around." There is no other way! Plodding through every used CD store off of Bleecker Street until you find the Men Without Hats album, because you really want "Rhythm of Youth" instead of "Safety Dance" - friends, this is what the army means about building character! Otherwise, you are condemned, doomed to know only "Moondance," never "And it Stoned Me" - "Down Under" and never "Down by the Sea" - "Mexican Radio" and never that other Wall of Voodoo song. The reward depends on the effort!
3. Convenience versus Commitment
The CD infidels say unto me: "A CD can be played anywhere! In your computer, in your stereo, in your discman! Nobody listens to tapes anymore!" And I reply:
Commitment leads to intimacy. Do not underestimate the forced intimacy of the mix tape: the resurrection of a battery-operated tape-playing personal stereo and headphones; the full ninety minutes committed to listening to both sides of a tape without the CD's all-too-tempting 'skip' function.
Consider the duties required of the Mix Tape beneficiary. The Mix Tape must at once be heard, on the car stereo or the Walkman. The Mix Tape must accompany the giftee across town, on household errands and Slurpee runs. The Mix Tape must be cherished on a train across Eastern Europe, on a bus back home, on a power-walk through the park. And the Mix Tape must be appreciated in toto - one must never skip over a song, even if it is by the detestable Mazzy Star. And if you are fortunate, there shall be a favorite song, shared with the Creator of the Mix Tape, and it shall be recognized as a symbol of the blessed union to remain everlasting. Because you worked for it. Would you care as much for someone's latest Mix CD, scrawled-on with permanent marker? Methinks not.
And even after it is forgotten it remains. Ah, the dig through crumbling shoeboxes to retrieve one's favorite mix tapes; the chance encounter at the bottom of the closet. The Mix Tape will be cherished always, even after one has sold all one's Rush albums.
4. Sophistication versus sincerity
And they say unto me: "Stop walking into the twenty-first century backwards! It's the carousel of progress, buddy, and you're about to get bull-dozed. Look, I made my own cover art for this CD and I think it's a perfect reflection of who I am and how well I know how to use Quark." And I reply:
You can't digitize the love. There's nothing like smudged erasable-ink penmanship to pluck at the heartstrings. There's nothing like two cleverly-named sides of a cassette tape. And there's nothing like the little ripples in the song that you wore out by rewinding it over and over and over again in your best friend's Dodge on the way to the Dairy Queen that long, hot summer that you were obsessed with rainbow sprinkles and Ani Difranco.
Do you not cherish your mix tapes? Do your little teensy weensy "portable" compact discs betray the same sentiment and personality as your cassettes? You don't have a car, but if you did, to what you would you listen while driving? And if you do have a car, and if you have installed a CD system - FIE upon you, infidel.
Remember the Mix Tape and keep it holy. Kyrie Elieson, my friends, (the version by Mr. Mister on your "Totally 80s" compilation) - that is what I say unto you. Do not fall into the deep, dark, but dangerously silent pool of ease and luxury afforded by the so-called "Mix CD." Be not led into temptation. In short, my darlings, keep it real. Or else,R.I.P.Mix Tape
Thanks for the memories.
Found the article here
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Busy...
Gotta go to my accounting class today after work....arrrh! I am so behind! I havent done the questions assigned last week yet. After today i will have more to catch up to. There's a lot of new shows on tv now too and i wonder if i will ever get to watch them. I am still trying to catch up with last season's stuff. @_@ Gee ... i am trying to finish the OC right now. It's turning into some teen soap but it's got awesome music! I guess this is my way of trying to stay young?
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Harry Potter
Just watched the new Harry Potter trailer today. Hmm looks pretty good. I only read book 1 of HP, but i am a fan of the movie! I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that I am lazy. Quite look forward to this new movie coming in Nov. Call me shallow but I do like HP more than Lord of the Rings. I remember falling asleep watching the first LOTR movie.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Music Talk
List of CDs I brought lately:
Songs I like: Somebody Told Me, Jenny was a friend of mine, Mr. Brightside
Green Day - American Idiots: a band i really like listening to lately.
Songs I like so far: Holiday, Wake Me Up When September Ends
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk: this is kinda old but i brought it anyways cuz it's got a good mix of cheerful, virbrant tunes.
Songs I like so far: Shut Up, That's Get Retarded/It Started, Hey Mama
Eason Chan - U87: show of support for a quality album, hey i made some recommendations for this album!
Songs I like so far: songs by Cy, Bad Habits
Fan Fan - One-to-One: got the special edition with the DVD. Hard to surpass her last album for sure.
Goldfrapp - Ooh La La CDS: Hehe courtesy of a friend from London! Got the Ltd Edition slipcase too....yippie!
Royksopp - The Understanding: I like this cd! Quite different from the last one and it's got more vocals on this. Not as ground-breaking as the last one but still quite good.
Songs I like so far: Circuit Breaker, Only this Moment
Paul McCartney - Chaos & Creation in the Backyard: Hmm this is an interesting cd, i never knew i'd get a cd by Sir Paul. Was recommended by a friend. I really like it tho, i never knew Sir Paul can play the drums and 10 other instruments before seeing the making of the album.
Songs I like so far? I just got this yesterday, and there are a few tracks i like but i am not familar with the names, will tell ya later :D
CDs I will be getting:
Jan Lamb - 30mething: Gotta get this. Jan Lamb is the former member of Softhard in case you don't know. as always the lyrics are too witty. :D
May Day - Just My Pride: May Day is definitely my fave Asian band right now! This year will be the first year I dont get to see their show since I became a fan! :( This is their best of cd and i highly recommended it esp if you are sick of the HK crap.
That's all for today....
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
More Toilet Tales
Had quite a busy long weekend. My toilet was clogged again!!! It literally drove me crazy! It's my ensuite bathroom and you can imagine the inconvenience. :( I tried to fix things and eventually the parts inside the tank started to fall apart. I was already quite traumatized last time when I had to remove the toilet, this time I say forget it and get a new one. My sister and I went to Home Depot and ended up getting the cheapest American Standard we can find (only $118 + tax!). The next day I got it installed with the help from my daddy. Basically i've learnt the following: 1)Detach the tank from the toilet 2) Detach the toilet from the floor without making a mess 3) How the toilet is connect to the ground 4) Getting rid of the old wax ring 5) Putting the wax ring on the bottom of the toilet 6) Installing the new toilet and align it to the right position 7) Attaching the new tank to the new toilet bowl 8) How to adjust the water level and water flow of the tank......great achievements eh? After all the hard work and observations, i realized that the cause of the "clogged" was the slow water flow. I could've avoid all this if i knew how to adjust the flow from the beginning. :( Oh well....this new toilet seem to be more efficient than the old one, and the tank is much smaller (Altho it's a 13L model also)
Ok, if you ever have a problem with your toilet, dont expect me to help you (yes, as in getting my hands on your toilet, no way!), but if you need good advice on how to fix things I think i more than happy to give you step by step instructions verbally. :)
Anyways, took me a long time to make sure everything in the bathroom is sanitized afterwards. Now everything is nice and clean and germ-free! Yeah!
Ok, if you ever have a problem with your toilet, dont expect me to help you (yes, as in getting my hands on your toilet, no way!), but if you need good advice on how to fix things I think i more than happy to give you step by step instructions verbally. :)
Anyways, took me a long time to make sure everything in the bathroom is sanitized afterwards. Now everything is nice and clean and germ-free! Yeah!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
