I just invented a word all by myself!

Sometimes I go through life thinking I invented a word. I really didn't invent a new word, but I just thought I did. I'd probably heard it somewhere, picked it up, and stored in my head. Then I'll bring it out and used it like it's my word. Is that just me? Sometimes I go through life thinking it’s just me. All me. It's totally disheartening to find that millions of people have heard that word and are using it everyday. Great disappointment sets in. For example, the word hoopla. I just use it in one of my posts. I had no idea where I heard it from...it just came out. Then I come to find it written and said elsewhere. Just my luck...and I thought I was special :(

I wonder how you get emoticons to appear in my entry. I've seen ads for emoticons, but you have to download extra crap on to your computer too, and I don't want that. Sometimes I need them to get my point across, and it's so much easier with an emoticon. Instead, I'm forced to write a couple of sentences to explain what I'm trying to say. Speaking of emoticons, one of the redeeming qualities of the internet is that a few hours after the whole Janet boob expose during Super Bowl went down, someone kindly made an emoticon depicting the event for us all to enjoy and use. I'd also say that it was pretty life like. Kudos to whoever that was. We, or at least I, applaud you for your hard work.

I have this system for my music. Forget about mp3 players and iPods, let’s do it old school. The mix tape is baaaack! I still record my favorite songs off the radio because it's cheaper than having to go buy full-length albums that turn out sucky. It's really not that hard anyways. I mean, you’re bound to hear your favorite song or the song that you want to record if you listen to the radio long enough. Right? I must say, I have only a small collection of tapes, most I made for myself, and others someone made for me. But I can lay claim to having all the endings to the songs I've ever recorded. Now, the beginning, I'm working on. I often hesitate because I'm not sure if I want to record that song or not, and I often question whether that's even the right song. I have a hard time discerning the starting music. But once you've hung around that station long enough, you'll begin to recognize the songs.

I think you can learn a lot about someone from his or her mix tapes. If you listen to mine (shudder), you'll begin to see my character emerge as well as my complete obsession over certain songs at certain times. That's right. You'll learn about my obsessions. If I like something, I'll like it completely. It's like I go through phases of complete obsession, and a couple of months later...nothing. For example, if I really like song A, I'll stalk and scour the radio stations for that particular song. Once I heard it come on, I'll record it at every opportunity I get, whether it is at the beginning, the middle, or the end of the song. And I mean, at every chance I get. If you play back the tape, it'll probably go something like this:

Side A
1. half of song A
   
2. miss a few minutes of song A
   
3. song B, half of song A
   
4. song C
   
5. miss the beginning of song A
   
6. song D
   
7. song E
   
8. song F
   
9. (oh, I'm staring to like song A again, so...) song A
   
10. the end only of song A, oh, this time a complete version of song A
    
11. song G, but only half because I've run out of tape

...yah...you get the idea. And I also have extremely cheesy songs on tape. They weren't cheesy when I recorded them, but turns out, they really are. Also, it sucks when I get tired of the song that I really liked before because now, I have 10 versions of that same song I have to listen to in order to get to other songs I recorded.

I've gone back to and listen to some of my mix tapes, and it's like listening to a different world. You start to think, "Gosh, ya know, the 90s were so passé or whatever." The memories evoked are priceless. It really does take you back. Music will do that to you.