the week in joy

and what a week(end) it was

I had a regular week. Went to work Tuesday and Friday, ran some errands in between, did some chores, played with my cats. Nothing to write home about it. Until the end of the week, that is. Sunday night, even. I did have small joys during the week; I saw my northern cardinal I named Pinegrove, and he was hanging by the bird feeder with the pigeon I named Bert. Saw a beautiful rainbow. There was the moment I got the “Islander beep” from a big truck guy (I have Islander plates on my car) and I listened to some good music, but nothing will beat Sunday evening for the sheer amount of joy I felt within two hours time.

I discovered through a series of emails that I am the owner of four domain names, all of which have websites attached to them. I know about one because it was my main blog for many years, but I had forgotten about the three others. Two of them I don’t care about and will get my writing off of them and close them up. But the other one! I was overjoyed to realize I own the domain ihavethatonvinyl.com. I had used it previously (2006) to track my 500 favorite songs and write about them. As soon as I saw that URL I knew I had a gift on my hands and I had to do something interesting with it. So I am dusting it off, creating a new website for it, and calling it what it is. I Have That on Vinyl. I will use it for multiple purposes; to review every record in my vinyl collection, and to have people write about their own music collections and what makes them so special. If this is something you’d be interested in, please say so. I have all this free time and winter is coming and I will be so glad to have a big project to take on. Who knows what will come of this?

My birthday is next week. In my family, we usually get together on birthdays at my parents’ house and either my mother or father will cook your favorite meal (depending on what it is). This year I chose eggplant parm (made expertly by my mom). And then I got a surprise. My sister (Liss) and brother in law (Matt) and nephew are going to come from Rhode Island to have birthday dinner with me! I immediately canceled the eggplant dinner (I honestly think I’m the only one who likes it) and changed it to roast beef and mashed potatoes so everyone will be happy. I can not tell you the joy I felt when I found out they were coming. I am celebrating a lot this year (essay incoming this week), and really wanted us all to be together. So glad we can make this happen.

Next week (the 27th) I am going to my first show since last December. I’m going to see Jeff Rosenstock and Pup and they are two of my favorites. I’ve seen Jeff before and it was an experience I am excited to repeat. I never saw Pup, but I have heard amazing things about their shows. I am going with my friends Kerry and Sean, and Sean informed me tonight that the ticket is on them for my birthday. I have made some really wonderful friends on the internet, and they are always doing for me. I appreciate the joy and friendship they bring me.

Also tonight! I don’t really know how this happened. I was on twitter talking with Matt about the band Kings X (which he loves and I do not care for) and how he is going to see them soon in Providence. Well, it came up then that my favorite musician Kevin Devine is playing Providence on October 4th. Matt got the idea that I should definitely go to this show and made plans to drive her to Long Island to get me on Friday, take me to see Kevin, and take me home on Saturday (I do not drive long distances by myself). Not only that but he is playing with Balance and Composure, a band I really enjoy. I still am shaking my head at the idea that someone would want to do this for me but I am accepting it graciously. In Matt, I have found the brother I never had but always wanted. And that is joy.

the albums i have to catalog

So this has been a stellar night. I also avoided a financial catastrophe, made a really great spaghetti with garlic cream sauce, and I have the house all to myself until tomorrow night because my son is in Pittsburgh seeing Springsteen. What a day. What a night. What joy.

I hope you all had a good week and that the coming week is great for you. Don’t forget to contact me either in the comments here or dm me on twitter or email if you think you’d like to write something for I Think I Have that on Vinyl (I will give details then). I’ll be back Wednesday with my annual birthday essay, and Friday with a Conspicuous Consumption.