He collects things. Music. Alphabetizing, then by release date, and another section for frequently-played. Another collection that includes much of the same items of first one but in a different format, and some other items. Another whole set that goes in the car—those are the mixes of the first two collections, arrangements to complement various kinds of days and moods. At first I guess it was kind of Dick Clarky. But at the height, the collection(s) included Fleetwood Mac, Led Zepplin, Santana, Credence Clearwater Revival, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Jethro Tull all on the frequently played list. He makes a point to have everything in order of release by the ones he likes best—those need to be complete. I hated the Jethro Tull—I needed the word cliché but I didn’t have it yet. I watched mostly, cuz I was a very little kid. But I got to pick too, make suggestions. I always liked that one about being crazy on the lawn by Pink Floyd, so he let me have the poster with the triangle. I liked some sweet stuff too that he didn’t like so much. So the Linda Ronstandt was sort of mine. Blue Bayou.

"stop right there", 8.2006

I remember this all suddenly when Petty covers “Oh Well”. It was like falling down the hole to wonderland, and the hole is lined like the insides of a geode rock. I go by my father as I fall. I can’t see the moment I am in. I can’t see past it.



“When I get to the bottom of this hole, I’m desperately wanting Eddie Vedder in a rabbit suit” playlist:

tom petty - walls
pearl jam with ben harper- another lonely day
beth orton – concrete sky
george michael – waiting for that day
Johnny - I Still Miss Someone
the jayhawks – love hurts (oldies cover-nazareth?)
linda ronstadt – blue bayou
ron sexsmith – whatever it takes
fleetwood mac – oh well