This week I’m going set my usual flirtatiousness aside and dive into a matter that I think needs some attention —something that I’m just as guilty of as so many of you.

Buying music online.

Now I’m not going to dip into the controversial sides of downloading music. The point I’d like to make is that there are great locally-owned record stores that could really use your love.

I’m obviously not privy to the financials of wonderful used CD establishments such as Rocket Records, Disc Connection, Hi-Voltage and Buzzards Discs, but with the way the current music market is, and the way people are downloading music online like crazy, buying ringtones, etc., I get a little sad when I think of how this might affect our used CD shops.

Well before all of this technology pandemonium, I developed a heart-filled fancy for CD shops. When my family lived on the top of Queen Anne Hill, we used to hustle down the steep slope to Tower Records. During my West Seattle days, it was obviously Easy Street. Natasha always drags me into 2nd Time Around when we’re near Federal Way. Now, here in Tacoma, I’ve realized recently that I’m guilty of downloading more music online than buying CDs at the locally-owned shops that I’ve always loved.

Sure, buying the stuff online and downloading it to your computer or iPod is so simple and convenient, but there are merchants out there who could really use your attention.

Most of all, I still put a high premium on the ability to thumb through a set of CDs, check out the tracks while holding the CD in your hand, admire the cover art, use a listening station, and interact with cool store staff to find out their opinions.

That’s what I really need to get back into.

As you’ve read so many other times in this rag, Natasha will chew your ear off about the value of public transportation, but my pseudo-political pedestal is all about buying local.

The more I think about it, I’m disappointed that I’ve become accustomed to feeding money into the online music stores of the world when there are such sweet, real people owning and working at Tacoma music establishments.

I hope you’ll make a concerted effort like me to stop breezing by places like Buzzard’s and Rocket, only to rush home and spend non-interactive hours downloading music.

I need to get back to the girl who strolled into the shop at least once a week, spending my money on the local merchants and worker bees who are way cooler than my stupid computer.  Let’s rock that together!

Friday is music to my ears

This week flew by with a mind-boggling and overwhelming amount of duties at the office, which meant that I couldn’t wait to throw down my business suit and put on my party dress by the time Friday rolled around.

Unfortunately, by the time I got off work and was done getting ready, I had just missed the fun Natasha and Brad had at Red Hot, but I met up with them at Doyle’s Public House for the usual St. Practice Day (which happens of the 17th of every month). Ockham’s Razor, the pop-Celtic band was playing. Other people playing there included The Pusher, Kake, Pappi, Uncle Yikes and Michelle.

Hazel 8 decided to sweep in and steal Natasha and me for some fun at two other downtown establishments, Cans and Puget Sound Pizza.

The night ended with more Doyle’s love, and a cab that came just in time to return us to our Eastside homes.

Saturday blues

Setting aside all of my usual partying ways, I decided to simply grab some late lunch at the Parkway (ooooh, those nachos are good), then I returned to my abode to take care of the things in life that I rarely have time to pay enough attention to: laundry, deep cleaning and relaxing. I felt the rainy weather was indicative of throwing greats like John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters into my CD shuffle.

And after a full day of getting my act together, I rested my pretty head on my fluffy pillow and slept like a baby.



Drop me your favorite parties here.