Day: May 2, 2008

Yesterday was Jake’s birthday! He is 5 years old now.

Rather than traditional dog gifts, Jake received two chestnut tree saplings and a record player.

In a word – boring.

Ungrateful lout.

Giggle. OK. I’ll confess; the gifts were for me. They just happened to arrive on Jake’s birthday.

The trees were planted straight away. I took care of the digging, watering, and mulching while Jake supervised to ensure everything was done to spec. I have named them Cleo and Mark in the hopes that they will be renowned lovers – as Cleopatra and Mark Antony were – and lavish me with a huge crop of chestnuts every year.

It may take a while for the first batch of chestnuts to be realized. They are awfully small right now.

Later that evening, I played my record player for both Jake and Dan. Enthusiasm waned in each of their responses. I tried to live without one; I honestly did. My old record player died approximately a month ago. I piled up all my LPs and stored them in the office. I pulled out my CD collection and and drug it into the kitchen with the hopes they would help me forget. The trick worked for about a week. Yet, there is no lap over between the two collections. None of my CDs include artists from my LP collection and vice verse. I could, as many people have done, purchase CD versions of all the LPs that I own. Yet, it seems like a waste of good money. I already own the music. Why should I buy it again? Plus, I would lose the sound of the vinyl and the joy I get from finding old LPs for sale.

I caved. I bought a Crosley stack-able record player (model #CR85) from Second Chance Crosleys.

It’s so wonderful to be able to listen to my LP’s again.