Life Mix

Hi friends,

I've just returned from a lovely Fourth of July weekend in Detroit.  This trip convinced me that July 4 is my favorite holiday.  There's no expectation or stress or arguing over when to spend time with whom.  Unlike Christmas break, I don't spend half the break in bed recovering from school and hiding from the cold.  On good old Independence day I needn't plan my menu and send invitations two months in advance.  It's just a lovely day of reflection and relaxation spent in the company of friends and family.  This year my sis and I each invited whoever was free. Our small party took the paddle boat around the lake, ate, and played bocce ball before roasting marshmallows over a bonfire, enduring my mother's tall tales, and watching neighbors light illegal fireworks.  What could be better?

It was great to spend time with my sis while she's starting her first year of residency.  I also played some tennis with my  parents, talked to my bro on the phone about America's impending fiscal doom, went to City Fest downtown and had an impromptu Food in the Hood, and saw Wall-E (which I highly recommend).  I hope your weekend celebrations of the nation's independence were equally as pleasurable and festive.

And now to the point: During my trip, Patrick reminded me of something cool that he and his friends did last summer.  They all made Life Mix CD's and sent them around to each other.  It's a pretty simple concept - create a soundtrack which encompasses your life thus far.  Alas, in light of my attempts today, the Life Mix is a dauntingly complex task.  But I think it'll be really fun.  So I wanted to propose that we all make one this summer.  I know everyone's busy, but it's summer, I mean, how busy can you really be?  I guess some of his friends went as far as making CD jackets and writing descriptions for each song/time period.  I beseech you to be as creative as you please.

Let me know if you're in.

Much love always,

-k

Wanted: Ultimate pump-up playlist

Hi friends,

So from now til next Thursday (as in October 11) will probably be the most work-laden 1.5 weeks of my 17-year school career. Wish me luck. In order for me to survive I'll actually need some help from you all. As some of you have noticed, my current myspace song, "Go For It" by Hot Sundae (from Saved By the Bell), is the best song ever. It has the amazing power to psyche me up and make me laugh all at the same time. I need to compile a playlist of songs in this vein. It's the only way that me or any one else in my program will survive. I've received some good suggestions so far:
"Don't feel like dancin'" by the Scissor Sisters
"The Champions" by Queen - I can actually think of some other good Queen suggestions
"A little bit of heart and soul" by T Pau

You get the picture. I'm not looking for "great music" as in talent, or insightful lyrics, or complex chord progressions, etc. (If it happens to be amazing music, like Queen, that's fine). But what I really need is high energy and a little bit of ridiculousness. And, as I've realized that any song that's even the slightest bit sad makes me instantly introspective and detached, we've got to avoid those. Usually I only like the sad songs but I'm realizing they render me entirely useless.

Ok, so that's your assignment. Now back to mine...my pile of assignments that is. If you're reading this I love you.