The other day, Fat Bridesmaid wrote a great post about blogging, about how blogs reflect who we are and the message we want to put out there. It got me really thinking about my blog and where I started and who I was when I started. In the olden days, when I had nothing to say, I used to play iPod Roulette. iPod Roulette? Yes. Hit shuffle on your iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iTunes, iWhatever and admit to the first 10 songs that come up. It’s so much fun!
Tonight’s selection comes from Jake, my trusty running iPod.
Broken From the Start – Jon Foreman. Nice, shuffle. I listened to a lot of Jon Foreman’s solo eps when I was in the emotional thick of the miscarriage. Life is a gift like fresh cut roses, cut from the branch and brought inside. It’s a slow contradiction that’s beauty in a vase. When the cord is cut, it’s when you start to die. Strangely comforting, though.
Shadowboxer – Fiona Apple. This song takes me waaaay back to the college days, at the gym in the evenings. My friend Michael brought the music, and he usually chose either Fiona or the soundtrack from My Best Friend’s Wedding. Fiona will always make me think of him. And the time my roommate flew off the back of the treadmill. Good times.
Big Rock Candy Mountain – Harry McClintock. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou = best. movie. ever. That is all that needs to be said. The theme song to Nate’s favorite cartoon is also very similar, but much faster. I like the thought of little streams of alcohol trickling down the rocks. I’d paddle all around that in a big canoe. Just sayin.
In Your Eyes – Jeffrey Gaines (the artist per our iTunes is “Not Peter Gabriel”). At this point, I yelled, “Oh man! Really!” because this is the best shuffle ever. The Peter Gabriel verison is our song. I think it’s been on just about every shuffle I’ve done here. I look to these times with you to keep me awake and alive. I heart my Nathan. Sigh. (And I will resist the urge to put a picture of him here.)
Warehouse – Dave Matthews Band (Live from the Gorge). One of my favorite DMB concert songs. Even though it’s been 10 years since we’ve seen them live, I can still see the lights during this song. It also reminds me of college summers, driving home from Krogers after my shift ended at 2am. In my red toyota celica, windows down, blasting Dave down the highway. Wow, I was young.
Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s. Guilty pleasure? Yes, please. A while back, I told Nathan that this is the reincarnation of Elton John’s “Your Song” and I stand by that. Simple. Cozy. Big smile.
Twelve Days of Christmas – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Seriously. I get the occasional Christmas song and have no idea why they are on my iPod. I have no Christmas playlists. I don’t get it. Interesting Bela Fleck story: We saw him play with the Sparrow Quartet at Woodsongs and stayed around after to meet him. I mentioned how we’d seen him a zillion times – with Dave Matthews Band and Nickel Creek and now with Sparrow Quartet – and he responded, “Really? I’m so sorry.” Just a really nice guy.
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins. Best night driving song ever. Running too. That is all. (And don’t you dare say anything about Phil. He’s my friend.)
Clap Hands – Peter Mulvey. I stalked Peter Mulvey when I was in college. He played at my college the first week of my freshman year and then coffee houses around Louisville for a few years. I listened to his cds on repeat when I drove back and forth from home to school. This is probably my least favorite Peter song. Check out November (and Calvin and Hobbs). That’s a great song.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – Sufjan Stevens. It may be on his Christmas cds, but it is not necessarily a Christmas song. I love old hymns, and this one is beautifully done. I cry every time. (Jars of Clay’s version of Jordan’s Stormy Banks does that to me too.)
How do I feel about this shuffle? Nothing particurarly embarrassing. That’s kinda a bummer. And no Nickel Creek or Thile/Watkins/Watkins post-Nickel Creek incarnations? For shame, for shame.
What does your iPod Roulette bring up? Play along! It’s so much fun!
(and I’m handing this over to Nathan right now to do his, so check the comments! His musical interests are all over the place.)


