Private moments

My favorite part about mixes is their intimacy. Yes, the music is often wonderful--and hearing new, good stuff is a bonus. But the real beauty of these things is the private moment I get to share with the creator of the mix. The art of a good mix requires concentration and planning--the coordination of sounds and syllables, the rhythm of syncopation, the pattern of meaning. To put together a mix is to give other people a slice of your life. How were you feeling on the day you mixed the CD? What were the thoughts at the forefront of your mind? In which part of your house were you sitting? Were you eating cereal of drinking whiskey? From the mix, I get a notion of your position, literally and metaphysically.

And it's a gift. It's even better than peeking into your medicine cabinet. We are so far from each other most of the time, but with these collections, we get to sit next to each other one more time. And we dance together around my living room. Or we cry a little in the car. Whatever. It's gorgeous. And it's my favorite part about mixes.

So, thanks, all y'all, for sharing. It's always a pleasure dancing with you...