the ultimate playlist
So it's been a minute since I've blogged and I'd like to give my sincerest apologies to all those who follow this blog and have been anxiously awaiting another post. I really don't like to write on here unless I have something that is at least slightly entertaining or noteworthy. I'd also like to include that I rarely have enough time to sit down and write a comprehensive and satisfactory blog... I am all too picky with my words. Anyways, I hope this one does not disappoint you.
This is a side note, but today I get the entire day off of work and school! I'm sorry it's so small and seemingly petty but this little rare phenomenon that I'd like to call a break has successfully kept a smile on my face all day long.
5 Things I like to do on my off days.
1. catch up on school work, budgeting, and other logistical stuff of the sort
2. walk/sit on the quad with good company
3. clean (the feeling of a clean room after it has been in shambles for a long period of time is a recreation in itself)
4. go out to dinner and/or get a drink
5. take as long as I so desire to get ready
Lets move on...
I only go to my math class for the 2 attendance points. I never pay attention because I cannot learn math sitting in a classroom, I can only learn by teaching myself from examples. Thus, in class a few weeks ago, I pulled out a sheet of paper and started to conjure up a list of rules for the ultimate mix tape.
One of my favorite pastimes is to make mixes. After years of this, I have found that there are do's and don'ts to this art and it is now time to finally publish my findings. I use these guidelines when I make a friend a standard mix tape and when I make my monthly playlist. Part of my inspiration for making this list of rules comes from High Fidelity, so if you don't mind I'm going to borrow some of John Cusack's advice.
1..Start off with a song that is upbeat or makes statement, something that gives you or your listener a reason to listen to the rest.
2. "then you have to turn it up a bit
3. 'but you don't want to blow your watt so then you have to cool it down, there are a lot of rules."- High Fidelity
4. Follow your first three songs with more songs that show off your personality and make you proud to listen to the music that you listen to
5. Don't be ashamed to throw in a guilty pleasure song such as Michelle Branch (my usual choice.) I tend to throw this song in towards the end of my playlist so that it will leave me smiling.
6. Mix it up with fast and slow songs. Too many slow songs in a row will make you lethargic, and too many fast ones could possibly make you anxious. Point in case: VARIETY
7. However, let the slow songs get slower towards the end. This is a good way of showing that your mix is drawing towards a close. But once again don't forget to end it completely with a guilty pleasure or something that will end it on a jolly note.
8. Include songs that are appropriate for the season. Such as Auld Lang Syne in January, Sweet Home Alabama during football season, or Summertime by Mae in June or July.
9. Similar to Rule #8, some bands are best played in certain seasons because of their trademark sound. Examples would be Daphne Loves Derby and Owl City in the Spring, Yellowcard and Kings of Leon in the Summer, etc. But you don't have to follow this rule strictly. These examples are mostly a matter of opinion and you probably will want to include songs on your list that you've recently discovered which obviously does not always happen during its associated season.
10. Don't ever be ashamed of what you have put on your mix tapes. If you like it then it's perfect. Period. Don't let another "music snob" criticize what makes you happy.
Rules to the ultimate mix tape are always subject to change, so please do not think that I consider myself to be the guru of playlists and music or that I think these rules are universal and absolute.
It's time for this incredibly long post to end. I'll try to make my updates a little more frequent so that they won't take as long to read. I make no promises though.
Peace.
This is a side note, but today I get the entire day off of work and school! I'm sorry it's so small and seemingly petty but this little rare phenomenon that I'd like to call a break has successfully kept a smile on my face all day long.
5 Things I like to do on my off days.
1. catch up on school work, budgeting, and other logistical stuff of the sort
2. walk/sit on the quad with good company
3. clean (the feeling of a clean room after it has been in shambles for a long period of time is a recreation in itself)
4. go out to dinner and/or get a drink
5. take as long as I so desire to get ready
Lets move on...
I only go to my math class for the 2 attendance points. I never pay attention because I cannot learn math sitting in a classroom, I can only learn by teaching myself from examples. Thus, in class a few weeks ago, I pulled out a sheet of paper and started to conjure up a list of rules for the ultimate mix tape.
One of my favorite pastimes is to make mixes. After years of this, I have found that there are do's and don'ts to this art and it is now time to finally publish my findings. I use these guidelines when I make a friend a standard mix tape and when I make my monthly playlist. Part of my inspiration for making this list of rules comes from High Fidelity, so if you don't mind I'm going to borrow some of John Cusack's advice.
1..Start off with a song that is upbeat or makes statement, something that gives you or your listener a reason to listen to the rest.
2. "then you have to turn it up a bit
3. 'but you don't want to blow your watt so then you have to cool it down, there are a lot of rules."- High Fidelity
4. Follow your first three songs with more songs that show off your personality and make you proud to listen to the music that you listen to
5. Don't be ashamed to throw in a guilty pleasure song such as Michelle Branch (my usual choice.) I tend to throw this song in towards the end of my playlist so that it will leave me smiling.
6. Mix it up with fast and slow songs. Too many slow songs in a row will make you lethargic, and too many fast ones could possibly make you anxious. Point in case: VARIETY
7. However, let the slow songs get slower towards the end. This is a good way of showing that your mix is drawing towards a close. But once again don't forget to end it completely with a guilty pleasure or something that will end it on a jolly note.
8. Include songs that are appropriate for the season. Such as Auld Lang Syne in January, Sweet Home Alabama during football season, or Summertime by Mae in June or July.
9. Similar to Rule #8, some bands are best played in certain seasons because of their trademark sound. Examples would be Daphne Loves Derby and Owl City in the Spring, Yellowcard and Kings of Leon in the Summer, etc. But you don't have to follow this rule strictly. These examples are mostly a matter of opinion and you probably will want to include songs on your list that you've recently discovered which obviously does not always happen during its associated season.
10. Don't ever be ashamed of what you have put on your mix tapes. If you like it then it's perfect. Period. Don't let another "music snob" criticize what makes you happy.
Rules to the ultimate mix tape are always subject to change, so please do not think that I consider myself to be the guru of playlists and music or that I think these rules are universal and absolute.
It's time for this incredibly long post to end. I'll try to make my updates a little more frequent so that they won't take as long to read. I make no promises though.
Peace.
posted by Stephanie Carol at
9:58 AM
1 Comments
