Wow great piece of writing! My favorite part of the day is coming home from work and putting a record on and dancing with my 2 year old.
This also made me curious regarding your listening set-up, do you use headphones during this hour or let the music blast through your speakers? I've been debating getting a good pair of headphones for my active listening.
Thank you, Jared! Much appreciated. I think it’s beautiful you listen (and dance!) to records with your child. You are creating memories you will both treasure forever.
I listen through speakers during that hour, as (interestingly) I find it more immersive. But I should experiment with headphones. I tend to use headphones whilst travelling or walking, but while at home, always my speakers. You can try both and see what works best for you. I can imagine headphones may be useful in your case for example when your child is asleep.
Once again, thanks a lot for your comment and for stopping by!
Andres, this is a gorgeous post. It's so beautiful that you get up an hour early to listen to a record, and that you do it with no distractions. A composer friend once told me that he never, ever listens to music while doing anything else. For him, music requires absolute full attention--active listening, as you say.
I too love Ian McEwan. I was inspired in my early years of writing by A Child in Time and The Comfort of Strangers. Also, we're coffee twins! I too need it first thing in the morning, undoctored.
Thank you so much, Michelle! I really, really appreciate your very kind words. Absolutely, I think certain activities, like listening to music or reading, require one’s full attention.
So cool that you love McEwan too! I can totally see the inspiration you mention, particularly those titles.
Yes, black coffee all the way! Interestingly, I think my coffee intake may have doubled since I started writing for my Substack :)
My vinyl hour is after work. I get home in the early afternoon, so it’s just me and the dog. I treat it the same way someone might unwind with a glass of wine or similar.
Is it a luxury for us? Maybe, but it builds an intentionality in our lives-- that’s a rare commodity in 2023.
Nice! After work is great as it gives you a chance to disconnect and unwind, as you say. In my case, I go to the gym every evening after work, which also helps me relax in a different way.
Completely agree with the point you make about intentionality. In a world where Instagram reels are displayed on some sort of "loop", with no clear beginning or end, and where many people end up doing "everything and nothing" at the same time, it's a great feeling to be a contrarian :)
Many thanks, Jeremy! I agree it is a luxury from that point of view, absolutely. There is a clear intention to listen to a record, i.e. you’re not merely browsing through thousands of available albums on a streaming platform. Plus, you will have invested time/money and/or received the item as a gift (with the associated emotional value) -- which makes you appreciate the experience even more.
All beautifully said, Andy! As one for whom vinyl was all-surrounding (and the lone sound software extant), I know I take/took it for granted. Your words not only show that fact to me, but help me appreciate my love and life of vinyl to be that much more precious and worthy of appreciation than I realized!
And, as I've stood in amazement before, I'll say it again...they're words from one so young, too! You undoubtedly rock, Andy....in all formats!
Thank you so much, Brad, for your very kind words. They mean a lot to me.
I am really glad that you enjoyed reading my post and that it helped you perhaps appreciate how fortunate you were to grow up surrounded by all things vinyl from such a young age. That level of experience is indeed precious. "Count your blessings", as the saying goes...
My vinyl hour definitely has replaced my cocktail hour since being in recovery, and I'm a better person for it.
That’s awesome, Ellen. Thanks a lot for your comment and for sharing. And congratulations on the recovery!
Wow great piece of writing! My favorite part of the day is coming home from work and putting a record on and dancing with my 2 year old.
This also made me curious regarding your listening set-up, do you use headphones during this hour or let the music blast through your speakers? I've been debating getting a good pair of headphones for my active listening.
Thank you, Jared! Much appreciated. I think it’s beautiful you listen (and dance!) to records with your child. You are creating memories you will both treasure forever.
I listen through speakers during that hour, as (interestingly) I find it more immersive. But I should experiment with headphones. I tend to use headphones whilst travelling or walking, but while at home, always my speakers. You can try both and see what works best for you. I can imagine headphones may be useful in your case for example when your child is asleep.
Once again, thanks a lot for your comment and for stopping by!
Andres, this is a gorgeous post. It's so beautiful that you get up an hour early to listen to a record, and that you do it with no distractions. A composer friend once told me that he never, ever listens to music while doing anything else. For him, music requires absolute full attention--active listening, as you say.
I too love Ian McEwan. I was inspired in my early years of writing by A Child in Time and The Comfort of Strangers. Also, we're coffee twins! I too need it first thing in the morning, undoctored.
Thank you so much, Michelle! I really, really appreciate your very kind words. Absolutely, I think certain activities, like listening to music or reading, require one’s full attention.
So cool that you love McEwan too! I can totally see the inspiration you mention, particularly those titles.
Yes, black coffee all the way! Interestingly, I think my coffee intake may have doubled since I started writing for my Substack :)
My vinyl hour is after work. I get home in the early afternoon, so it’s just me and the dog. I treat it the same way someone might unwind with a glass of wine or similar.
Is it a luxury for us? Maybe, but it builds an intentionality in our lives-- that’s a rare commodity in 2023.
Nice! After work is great as it gives you a chance to disconnect and unwind, as you say. In my case, I go to the gym every evening after work, which also helps me relax in a different way.
Completely agree with the point you make about intentionality. In a world where Instagram reels are displayed on some sort of "loop", with no clear beginning or end, and where many people end up doing "everything and nothing" at the same time, it's a great feeling to be a contrarian :)
Hermoso post, gracias!
Gracias a vos!! Me alegra que lo hayas disfrutado. Abrazo enorme!
Lovely post. For me, listening to something without distractions - in any format - feels luxurious, which only makes me appreciate it more!
Many thanks, Jeremy! I agree it is a luxury from that point of view, absolutely. There is a clear intention to listen to a record, i.e. you’re not merely browsing through thousands of available albums on a streaming platform. Plus, you will have invested time/money and/or received the item as a gift (with the associated emotional value) -- which makes you appreciate the experience even more.
All beautifully said, Andy! As one for whom vinyl was all-surrounding (and the lone sound software extant), I know I take/took it for granted. Your words not only show that fact to me, but help me appreciate my love and life of vinyl to be that much more precious and worthy of appreciation than I realized!
And, as I've stood in amazement before, I'll say it again...they're words from one so young, too! You undoubtedly rock, Andy....in all formats!
Thank you so much, Brad, for your very kind words. They mean a lot to me.
I am really glad that you enjoyed reading my post and that it helped you perhaps appreciate how fortunate you were to grow up surrounded by all things vinyl from such a young age. That level of experience is indeed precious. "Count your blessings", as the saying goes...
Thank you once again for all of your support!