Melissa’s Friends and Family

For your listening pleasure: Selections from RCP 2

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:27:39 -0700

I thought it would be a great idea to post some of the songs I'm converting. Every time I do a batch of albums, I will pick the tracks that just stand out. So, here are some tracks for your listening pleasure:

You Are My Sunshine

Ray Charles with Raelets & Margie Hendrix

This first track is Ray Charles with the Raelets & Margie Hendrix. I've never heard this song before but it is a pretty good version and it's off of ABC-Paramount. The B-side is "Your Cheatin' Heart" by Hank Williams. It was released in 1962 and I do not really hear this version on the Oldies stations so here you go. Also, I got it for 50 cents! What a bargain for a great song!

The next track is the B-Side of Otis Redding's "Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa (sad song)." He really did die way too young. I often wonder what his music would sound like in the 70s. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" - one of my all time favorite songs - really was a departure from his earlier recordings but you can only guess if that was reflecting some bigger move or if it was just a one time thing he was trying out. When I lived in Santa Cruz, my roommates and I would sit up on the roof (there was a door there because supposedly the owners were building a balcony) and blast Otis Redding's Greatest Hits, smoke cigarettes, drink beers and watch the boats in the harbor. It was one of those truly great moments that happened pretty frequently living in that small house. So here you go, "Good To Me" by Otis Redding.

Good To Me

Otis Redding

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Mark Your Calendars: SIDS Benefit on Sept. 22

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:04:18 -0700

Marley4_237180509_std

Earlier this year, Marley, the daughter of one of my peers at work, did not wake up from an afternoon nap. She passed away due to SIDS.

On Monday, September 22, her family and First Candle are holding a benefit in her memory in Los Angeles. For more information click here.

All the funds raised will go towards SIDS research.

There is also an event happing in Boston on Sept. 12. (Looks like it sold out!! but you can still send in a tax-deductible donation)

Please do what you can to help. There will also be a raffle at the events. Visit the Marley Jaye Cherella Memorial Fund website for more details.

Maybe I'll see you there :)

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The Records Conversion Project Begins

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:26:08 -0700

Instead of working on my school to-do list last night and after my misadventure, I ended up opening my ION turntable and to set it up to "digitize" (as they say in the archives) my vinyl/record collection. I have not looked at my 45s in a long while but I was inspired by Headphonerecord, who sent me a HSA mix at the beginning of the year and I know I have some hidden gems in that old milk crate.

I thought it was going to be a whole lot to set-up than it turned out to be. The turntable was easy to put together just follow the directions. The difficult part that I still keep adjusting is the counter-balance weight at the end of the needle arm. I forgot that you need to adjust it with each album. It all depends on the quality of the pressing and how old it is and I am sure other factors that I am not technically schooled in. I am pretty comfortable with turntables, I own 3 of various styles but I was constantly being reminded of things I never really worried about as a radio DJ because someone before me had always worried about it.

After setting up the turntable, I inserted the EZ Vinyl Converter & Audacity disc that comes with the turntable. First, I have a MAC, the EZ Vinyl Converter is not MAC compatible. Second, after going back and forth and a little frustration, the Audacity software on the disc is outdated. Luckily, I have used Audacity at school with my students and it is Open Source and very easy to use. I ended up downloading Audacity from the website. I also ended up having to find a post about what to change the settings on my little iBook G4 so that I could record. Thank you flyingsnail! I had to change my Audio inputs and MIDI setting and I have never done that before.

At first, because I did not know I had to change all the inputs and audio settings, I would monitor the input in Audacity, it was picking up some weird feedback but it was also kind of picking up the record. After I downloaded the new Audacity and changed the audio settings, it started working and I was getting playback from my computer. It was definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done!

ADDENDUM: Oh yeah, you also need to down load the mp3 encoder = LAME LIB. I know the .aiff (MAC) and .wav (PC) are better formats but if you want to be able to play them pretty much where ever I would use the .mp3 format which still seems more universal than the other audio formats. (if I am wrong please correct me. thanks!)

So, with that little review, here are a couple of the 45s I've converted for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

01 Lovefool

The Cardigans

Lovefool by the Cardigans is the first single I converted from a limited edition white 45. Whoo-hoooo!

Over Easy

Booker T. & the MGs

Hometown

Jenny Lewis

I Wish It Was Me

Delroy Wilson

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wish i had this 2 years ago

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:14:13 -0700

Ambookgeek! I found the perfect shirt for you!

clipped from www.snorgtees.com

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New Favorite Site - Post Secret

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:12:56 -0700

I really love this site. It is interesting the secrets people have - some of them sad, some of the funny, some of them strange. Most of them very creative.
The girl who posted this on FF commented that she posts picks 1 from the new post that applies to her. I thought that was a great idea. 2 apply to me this week.
Have a great night folks!

clipped from postsecret.blogspot.com

Sunday Secrets

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Kermit Bale - this made my day!

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:14:50 -0700

You have to look at this! it's brilliant! My friend Miss CG posted it and I had to share!

clipped from community.livejournal.com

Kermit Bale

What do Christian Bale and Kermit the Frog have in common? More than you might realize... (and yes, clearly I have far too much time on my hands.)

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DJ's for Obama pin

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:33:19 -0700

I like this pin!

clipped from www.democraticstuff.com

DJ's for Obama Photo Button - 2 1/4"

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Cine-ramblings: Watching some random movies

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:09:22 -0700

The Fountain movie (trailer)

Today, I watched Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain (2006). Have you watched this movie? I never heard of it but I really like Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman so I thought I would give a go. It was really weird but really beautifully shot. I have not watched such a visually spectacular movie in a while, probably not since I watched "Lust Caution." Hugh Jackman's character, Tommy, is a scientist trying to find a cure for dying. The film jumps from the past to the present to the future and also replays scenes and overlaps scenes which added to the film's emotional impact. It definitely makes you think about death, aging, science, history and of course, love. When do you let go? How do you let go? It was strange but definitely left an impression.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Official Trailer

Yesterday, I went to see "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" with Ambookgeek. Ambookgeek went in with no expectations, I unfortunately had some after enjoying the first movie. It was so boring! I mean, the first one had jokes at the right moment, made you uncomfortable when you needed to feel umcomfortable, and actually made me care about the characters. The sequel did nothing for me and I like all the actresses. I feel like they were not even trying at all because America Ferrera and Blake Lively seem to be doing so well on television. Amber Tamblin is still my favorite but I feel like the under-utilized all the characters. Maybe because a lot was going on in their lives but it was just "meh." Luckily we went to a matinee & it was only $5 and we ate amazing sandwiches afterwards.

'How to be Lovely' song from 'Funny Face

I also watched "Funny Face" the 50th anniversary disc. The "How To Be Lovely" song is one of my favorites in the film. I have not watched this in years so it was nice revisiting it. I love Audrey Hepburn. I know, what a cliche but she's classic and lovely. I also love Kay Thompson - is that who Meryl Streep was trying to channel in "Devil Wears Prada"? Kind of? Of course, "Maggie Prescott" was much more subdued though I could see her being "Miranda Priestly" if it was a different decade. Anyway, always lovely to watch a fun musical filled with lovely art (fashion, sets, photographs) and lovely actors. I need to borrow "Sabrina."

The Bucket List - trailer

The Bucket List was pretty enjoyable. It was actually kind of inspirational and not as emotionally wrenching as I thought it would be. I do love Morgan Freeman and enjoy Jack Nicholson, though I would not want to run into him because he kind of scares me. Anyway, they visit some amazing places. The cities and sites they visit are definitely characters in the film. Also, it made me want to drive a Mustang Shelby on a track, which I will add to my list. Actually, I'd love to drive any car on a race track. Now that would be incredible! I remember my friend took his motorcycle (crotch rocket :)) on a track once and he said "just ride the way you ride, Anna. And don't worry about any body else." I had asked him if racing was scary. I think that applies to a lot of other things as well. (Stop your dirty thinking! sheesh people!)

Any movie suggestions? Obviously, I watch EVERYTHING. I'll add it to my list :)

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How the World Is vs. How the World Should Be

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:22:11 -0700

Michelle Obama at 2008 Democratic National Convention

It's ok to still be hopefully and passionate and believe.
Yes, it will take time...probably a long time to change things but it will happen.

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A Lesson In Empathy

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:05:35 -0700

Empathy - Audrey Hepburn

I just got back from a meeting and I will go into that later...

However, I wanted to just remind myself of that weekend a few weeks ago. One of the personal goals I am working on is how much empathy I have for the people in my life. I still believe that there is a balance and one can have too much empathy. I have realized that I can never feel exactly what a person is feeling and that is usually not what they want from me. I can empathize but I will never know exactly what that person is going through. Sometimes if you have too much empathy, it is more destructive to you and the other person. I am not sure if that even makes sense but it is what I believe.

The business meetings I have started going to has been reinforcing a lot of the realizations I made that "mindblowing" weekend. It is ~~strange~~ wonderful how what you start thinking and believing or dreaming for, begins to fall into place and attract things that are similar. I wonder if it is because one is just open to the possibility or that frequency or what have you because it is not fate. I am coming to believe that it is allowing yourself to go into certain environments with a different mind set.

I read this quote and I am starting to get it. It is Victor Frankl and he wrote:

"Live as if your were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now."

I tend to be very emotional and I'm jumpy. For example, I can get directions from a person and I will start to freak out on my way to a destination. I have never been there before and I will literally hop off the freeway too early, call the person, who gave me directions, while freaking out. Jumpy! Anyway, I am realizing that I need to stop, breathe for 10 seconds and then deal with the moment. (This also reminds me of Fred Jones) What do you think he means?

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