Watching a movie
Dinner in front of the tube,
It’s a treat ’round here.
Spaghetti and sauce
Salad and buttery bread
Makes tummies happy.
Might watch the big game
Later tonight from the Bed
Just for commercials.
About 10 minutes ago, I did something that is so monumentally big, and different, and huge, and earthshatteringly against the norm, that I expect that, much like the work of the impressionsts back in the day, people three generations from now will discuss it’s influence.
I downloaded music. Legally.
I know. Take some time to let it sink in.
I downloaded Vampire Weekend’s eponymous album because, well, as an indie rokk guy, I tend to do everything that Pitchfork tells me to do (not unlike the way that housewifes the world over go out and immediately buy a book, or a blender, or facial cream, or, I dunno, cutlery because Oprah told them to do it), and they said it was good, so I listened to it, and was like “damn, that is good”. So I downloaded it from AmazonMPG.com.
Now, I know the whole downloading music thing has been legal for some time, but the reason that I have flat out refused to do it, and continued to, ahem, obtain MP3s in another fashion, was because all of the music that you would by from iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, whatever, isn’t music. Its a restriction package, like one of those plastic bubbles from hell, surrounding a sub-standard quality MP3 rip. Its telling your computer “this is what you can do with this thing you just spent money on, and all THIS stuff is what you can’t do. Aren’t you glad you bought this instead of downloading an unrestricted music file that you can do whatever the hell you want to do with?”.
Essentially, being legal meant that you could ONLY listen to this music file through THIS software, on THIS computer, at THIS time, and maybe, if you’re good, you can burn it to one CD that might not work in your car. You certainly aren’t allowed to copy the thing onto your new phone to use as a ringtone, or to listen to at the gym, or put it on your laptop to take to work.
Screw that noise.
Except for some time now, Amazon has been offering DRM-free 256 bitrate MP3s for about 2 bucks an album less than iTunes (who, admittedly, is starting to sell music that isn’t only non-drm’d, but also CD quality FLAC downloads), and word is coming on that DRM is on the way out, with something like 4 out of the big 5 RIAA record labels agreeing to sell non restricted music, they way they should be. Really, its the only way to compete with free, non restricted music.
And the CD? Its freaking awesome. Totally worth my seven bucks. Maybe worth yours too.
Earlier this week in the Chattanooga area, a mother dropped her kids off at an apartment (in the morning…school? hello?) with a bunch of other children (where they were not being attended by a capable adult) and then went shopping with some friends. The 6 year old little girl got hungry and tried to cook some food. A fire started and she’s in the hospital now with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Her mother has been arrested and she has no other family. Terrible. Makes my heart hurt. This little girl needs some prayers…
…………………….
I have 3 younger brothers. The oldest one is a 4th grade teacher in the city where I grew up. He’s had a lot of jobs, but teaching is where he belongs. Recently in his class, they’ve been talking a lot about friendship. After he heard about the little girl who got burned, he and his class decided to write the little girl some “get well soon” cards and letters. His fiance’ is interning for her teaching certificate right now, and she did the same in her class. He called me last night to tell me they made the news.
I wanted to send some big ol’ KUDOS to my brother and sis-in-law-to-be for teaching friendship and love. It’s what this world needs more of. It goes a long, long way.
JBAM- you guys have taught your kiddos something huge. Thinking of others and caring for humanity. It’s so, so, so important. And I know that little girl will feel every bit of the love you’ve sent her way. There is no greater gift. You guys rock.