Do you remember making mix tapes for people?  It was one of my very favorite things to do.  I remember carefully pausing and starting the cassette recorder and trying to time the drop of the needle on the vinyl and the space between the songs.  I am just thinking that I may be revealing my age too much at this point with words like "vinyl" and "needle".  Anyway, CD's made it easier in some ways and now playlists and itunes make it really easy.  I have to admit that I do miss the old days sometimes.  It seemed more heartfelt when you had to write out all the songs on the little cassette tape, gather up loads of records or CD's and sit for hours making it all happen.  I would get deep into my music collection, consider all the songs and their order on the tape, make a cool insert with the song names and create something special for a specific person.  

Of course, the mix tape also has its not-so-pretty side when it is like the break-up mix tape or the you just broke up with me mix tape.  My personal favorite mix tape is the I like you and I am flirting with you via this mix tape.  A few weeks ago, Steven and I saw Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist.  It's great and it pays homage to the mix tape in a big way.  Another movie that did that was the John Cusack flick, High Fidelity.

So, because I love that you guys keep up with me and what I am doing, I am creating a playlist for you today.  Here is a list of songs that in some way define me, songs that I love and songs that I think you will love too.  I wish that I could make you all cool handwritten cassette inserts or groovy collaged CD covers to complete this little playlist but, alas, we are all so far away.  Use your imagination, fill in the blank spaces and enjoy...from me to you.

The Story, Brandi Carlisle (The Story)
Step Inside this House, Lyle Lovett (Step Inside This House)
Better Together, Jack Johnson (In Between Dreams)
I Don't Like Mondays, Bob Geldof & The Boomtown Rats (Great Songs of Indifference)
Angie, Tori Amos (Crucify EP)
Dream Lover, Bobby Darin (The Ultimate Bobby Darin)
Stop This Train, John Mayer (Continuum)
Tonight I Wanna Cry, Keith Urban (Be Here)
Into The Mystic, Van Morrison (Moondance)
If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out, Cat Stevens (Gold)
Be Mine, David Gray (Greatest Hits)
Lenny, Stevie Ray Vaughan (Texas Flood)
On The Nickel, Tom Waits (Heart Attack & Vine)
Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley (Grace)
Spanish Eyes, U2 (The Joshua Tree Deluxe Edition)
Don't Dream It's Over, Crowded House (Recurring Dream)
Head On, The Jesus & Mary Chain (Automatic)
Death or Glory, The Clash (London Calling)
Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)

Go listen, tell me what songs are your favorites and maybe even send me back a "mix tape" of your own.