Oh my, I’m with you on the Spotify playlists ... I’ve got 2 dozen I think. But I had no idea you could make your own covers for them! You’ve just changed my life.
Well, I’ve been curating a bunch of covers recently (they have to be songs I like, covered in ways I like) called “Cover Me Up”, and then there’s one called “Contemplative” which includes just songs that I allow to bounce around in the back of my mind while thinking about other things ...
I just found you, too! Will take a look at your lists. My “Undercover” playlist is a covers one, will be curious to compare ours. I like my “Autumn” playlist for having bonfires in our yard, too.
Oh Bryn, I just found your profile on Substack--what’s your favorite playlist right now? I’ll give it a listen. And if you find me, start with “Betcha Don’t Know This One” ...
Okay, I’m listening to “undercovers” right now while drinking a beer and digging through today’s pillage pile from the library--I can already tell we’re gonna get along musically
I love the idea of mindful collecting- something I do in the tangible world( see my massive book collection) but not as much in the digital world. My physical space and collections usually curate a real sense of well being and I’m going to aim for that in my digital life which is often not as great for my mental health.
Is it the selection of materials in the physical space that differ compared to the digital world? I know for me, it’s the lack of mindfulness and also the constant barrage of glossy perfection that are hard for me. Real life works take time and have imperfections, but that doesn’t translate as well online, I think?
Lol yes I have MANY thoughts (we just did our weeding lists for 2023 and I’ve got some stuff to pull! Not so much as SJ, though, because I’ve beat my collection pretty hard over the years).
I have to admit though, I’m also not as mindful as I should be with my digital files. I’m planning on getting a new laptop in the nearish future and I think that’ll be a good time to do some purging (am I going to look at my undergrad papers? Ha no). But then I think about how my work email is organized and the library shared drive, and that is mindful, if not always as efficient. So I need to apply that to the rest of my digital life.
And I think, being a millennial means we have these weird quirks about analog versus digital. Like I don’t actually trust streaming so I still buy all my music from iTunes - then it’s DRM-free and I can copy the file as much as I want, on all of my devices. Conversely, I don’t own any CDs anymore. But I do buy DVDs and Blu Rays of my favourite movies and shows. It’s a weird place to live.
I miss the thoughtfulness of buying music. I do get that if I buy vinyl (which is like once a year?) but then again, I like the ability to try out so many new artists via streaming.
Your tweets on purging stacks has made more open to getting rid of books. I never did before but I think I just needed a librarian’s permission 😅
I’ve had people ask me what to do with their old books (like encyclopedias) or books that aren’t in good condition and the answer is always throw them out. You don’t have rare books! This is the age of the mass-market paperback! If they’re in like new condition and relatively new (like last ten years), sure, try to donate them. But otherwise? Nah. Thank them and toss.
I too did not think you could just get rid of books prior to being a working librarian but you need to get real comfortable with it real fast, or your collection and users will suffer. So you learn to deal, ha.
Oh my, I’m with you on the Spotify playlists ... I’ve got 2 dozen I think. But I had no idea you could make your own covers for them! You’ve just changed my life.
Ooh, what do you have for playlists? Always looking for new tunes.
Well, I’ve been curating a bunch of covers recently (they have to be songs I like, covered in ways I like) called “Cover Me Up”, and then there’s one called “Contemplative” which includes just songs that I allow to bounce around in the back of my mind while thinking about other things ...
I just found you, too! Will take a look at your lists. My “Undercover” playlist is a covers one, will be curious to compare ours. I like my “Autumn” playlist for having bonfires in our yard, too.
Oh Bryn, I just found your profile on Substack--what’s your favorite playlist right now? I’ll give it a listen. And if you find me, start with “Betcha Don’t Know This One” ...
Okay, I’m listening to “undercovers” right now while drinking a beer and digging through today’s pillage pile from the library--I can already tell we’re gonna get along musically
I think your playlists must be private, I don’t see those! Although the covers playlist I do see makes me agree - we will get on musically 🙌
I love the idea of mindful collecting- something I do in the tangible world( see my massive book collection) but not as much in the digital world. My physical space and collections usually curate a real sense of well being and I’m going to aim for that in my digital life which is often not as great for my mental health.
Is it the selection of materials in the physical space that differ compared to the digital world? I know for me, it’s the lack of mindfulness and also the constant barrage of glossy perfection that are hard for me. Real life works take time and have imperfections, but that doesn’t translate as well online, I think?
Yes it’s that for me ! It’s having too many options, not having mindfulness and the sense of immediacy that the digital world brings I think 😊
Great post - it's really made me think! Thanks, Bryn.
Just a heads-up - your link to the fabulous Alison at Subject Headings isn't working - might need a tweak?
Thanks Rebecca for the heads up! Shouldn’t rely on my memory alone 😅
Really enjoyed this overview of analog and digital collecting and great message about surrounding yourself with things (and people) that inspire you.
H.A.T.T.E.R.-verse, eh? Hmm... I should thank Joe.
The HCU (patent pending) is full of good content and folks that inspire 😃
I’m waiting for the many links and Easter eggs that we will have to study for the HCU.
:: head explodes ::
Lol yes I have MANY thoughts (we just did our weeding lists for 2023 and I’ve got some stuff to pull! Not so much as SJ, though, because I’ve beat my collection pretty hard over the years).
I have to admit though, I’m also not as mindful as I should be with my digital files. I’m planning on getting a new laptop in the nearish future and I think that’ll be a good time to do some purging (am I going to look at my undergrad papers? Ha no). But then I think about how my work email is organized and the library shared drive, and that is mindful, if not always as efficient. So I need to apply that to the rest of my digital life.
And I think, being a millennial means we have these weird quirks about analog versus digital. Like I don’t actually trust streaming so I still buy all my music from iTunes - then it’s DRM-free and I can copy the file as much as I want, on all of my devices. Conversely, I don’t own any CDs anymore. But I do buy DVDs and Blu Rays of my favourite movies and shows. It’s a weird place to live.
I miss the thoughtfulness of buying music. I do get that if I buy vinyl (which is like once a year?) but then again, I like the ability to try out so many new artists via streaming.
Your tweets on purging stacks has made more open to getting rid of books. I never did before but I think I just needed a librarian’s permission 😅
I’ve had people ask me what to do with their old books (like encyclopedias) or books that aren’t in good condition and the answer is always throw them out. You don’t have rare books! This is the age of the mass-market paperback! If they’re in like new condition and relatively new (like last ten years), sure, try to donate them. But otherwise? Nah. Thank them and toss.
I too did not think you could just get rid of books prior to being a working librarian but you need to get real comfortable with it real fast, or your collection and users will suffer. So you learn to deal, ha.