YESSS!

So last time I mentioned the almighty MIX TAPE as one of the many things I'm grateful for. Tonight, I introduce you to something a little more personal. Another two-word combo, I now bring you my very own...

NOSTALGIA TUB!!!

Wait.

Waitaminute.

A nostalgia what?

Like, an old-school bathtub?

Or a bathub of magical memories?

What is this you speak of?

Marisa. Come on, now.

Nope, I don't mean a hope chest!

My "Nostalgia Tub" is a large plastic bin in which I store birthday cards, photos, small gifts, mix CDs (it all comes full circle), love notes (I'm not a TOTAL wallflower), programs from shows I've been in, journals, and other souvenirs from yesteryear. As I glance over at what I've unearthed, memories are all over my bedroom floor!

There are the wallet-sized dance school photos, bumblebee outfit included; my Travelcuts package for my flight to Europe in freshman year; my interview with the Globe and Mail on sexual harassment; an email from brilliant playwright (and now Beverley Hilly 90210 script superviser) Sean Reycraft praising a performance of mine at UTM; half-finished photo albums and scrapbooks; certificates of leadership achievement; cards for every kind of occasion you can think of; haikus from first loves, drunkenly scribed letters from thirds and mixed CDs from all others; an abundance of cheeky photos featuring close friends from high school that I'm sure they'd like to see burned, etc. etc. and so on.

Let's face it: Living in the past doesn't do much good. I keep my *giant* tub hidden away in my closet where it proves less distracting. But even if the past isn't a healthy place to stay, it sure is neat little vacay spot. Afterall, these memories and moments are a compilation of 24 years! They serve as a history to who I am, how I've gotten here, and what I've learned in my relatively young life. They chronicle the fresh beginnings of friendships, the highlights of loves, and the joys of being a blissfulyl ignorant young adult. They represent my best days while reminding me to be cautionary and realistic (not all those friendships and loves lasted). They are a handful of answers to the sometimes growing uncertainty I have about myself, and they will always remain a constant reminder of some beautiful experiences and valuable lessons.

By tomorrow morning, I'll haphazardly throw everything back into the tub and hide it back in the closet, but for now, I think it's totally acceptable to let me mind wander back a decade or two.

Although, I really should burn that bumblebee photo.

<3,
m

The Art of Mixing

First off:

I'M ALIVE! I'M ALIVE!

It has truly been a crazy-busy-fabulous month. No excuses for lagging in the updates but I must say, for the most part, I am in a great place right now. A great, reDONCulously busy place.

And what better way to celebrate that (and the first day of June! JUNE! ALREADY!) than with a much, much overdue post.

But what to be grateful for? Catching up with fabulous friends? Spending the hot afternoon hours dining on patios? My new-found addiction to Hip-Hop Abs?

Nay. For this post, I indulge in some nostalgia.

Ladies and gentlemen - well, mostly ladies- I bring you...

THE MIX TAPE

Or mix CD. Or mix USB key, what have you.

I adore mixed CDs; not just because of the expected assortment of talent nor solely for the purpose of rocking out in my weekly bedroom dance parties, but because they represent something truly awesome. Often gifts from friends and lovers, they are the product of of careful consideration, compassion, and true talent. For creating the perfect mix CD is an artform, you see. There's a certain formula needed to create a consistently fun flow while adhering to the theme. And yes, there should always be a theme. Whether it's a clearly stated "MEN ARE POO GIRLFRIENDS ARE FOREVER LISTEN TO THIS CD AND LET'S DANCE!" or a more subdued "I-made-you-this-mix-in-the-pretense-that-we're-friends-but-I-snuck-a-lot-of-Dashboard-on-it-so-maybe-we-can-be-more-than-that?", mix CDs are pop culture envoys.

It's always great to go back and listen to old mix CDs and pinpoint exactly where I was in life that would influence me to choose the songs I did. Junior High mixes were always short and full of bubble-gum pop, just beginning to test the fine artform of mixing. High school CDs were when I hit my stride, dabbling in hard rock, indulging in more bubblegum pop, but mostly sticking to airy folk and even some misundertood emo - if there was anytime for a musical smorgasbord, it was high school. University mixes were often replaced by iTunes playlists, carefully vetted to create the perfect mood and ambience for parties or messages for friends. And now, after "mixing" for about a decade, I feel like I've got a good grasp on creating the perfect mix and introducing my friends/reminding myself of the fabulous musical talent out there.

In fact, I'm in the mood to make a mix tape right now. Should I feel stuck, I could always wander over to http://www.kempa.com/articles/tape/ and remind myself of the finer points in the "Art". I've also been a longtime fan of Tiny MixTapes (http://www.tinymixtapes.com/mixtape/are-we-ever-going-be-more) where you can submit a theme/quote/question/ANYTHING to inspire you're own personal mixtape. These seem to range from "Your Favourite Songs From When You Were 13" to "A Clown's Existential Breakdown". AMAZING.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to mix it up with something along the lines with "Songs To Party Down To While Your Cat Is Snoring On Your Duvet". I bet I could find a lot of appropriate songs for it. No lie.

<3
m