Collectioning

Some things you just feel you're meant to do. Usually they're irresponsible in some way. Or at least, my impulses usually feel irresponsible in some way. Generally that's because my impulses involve flitting off somewhere and avoiding adult behavior. But I figure, what with modern science and all, that I most likely have a really long time to be an adult. And there's no point in being a really boring 80 year old. That won't do.

So my most recent "meant to do" was my interrailing trip. I had a month-long train pass and since it was ridiculously expensive I was on the move pretty much the entire month. I wandered around France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Slovenia and Italy, and I did it alone. It was a big step for a sheltered girl from Bellevue who normally doesn't even go into Seattle by herself. I'm pretty sure my mum was hyperventilating for the entire month.

Now, that's a pretty big stretch of space, even considering that nothing is that far away once you're on the continent. I logged a lot of train time. I became very attached to my ipod. It was one of those first generation neolithic bricks, so it only had about two hours of battery time. That meant that on every leg of my journey I inevitably had a really traumatic parting with my music; I dreaded that empty battery/hazard sign picture the way most people fear the apocalypse. Ok, not really. But I was sad every time.

The ipod helped me with my touristing, too. I am one of those sketchy tourists who tries to blend in as much as possible, furtively ducking into alleyways to peek at a map, and shunning typical American dress (helpful hint: wearing running shoes with jeans is essentially the same as wearing a neon sign in the shape of an American flag). But the natives, I noticed, usually walk with a purpose around their city with their ear buds in. And since I'm a huge poser, I did the same thing. I was lost around 90 percent of the time, but it was worth it because it made me seem more French/German/Danish/whatever. A real live Dane even asked me for directions in Copenhagen (!) so I know I at least looked legit to that dude. And if you're thinking that I kept the ear buds in even when the battery was dead, you are totally right (I told you I was a poser).

Since I was on the move and homeless for a whole month, I didn't have any access to new music; I listened to the same things over and over and over. The songs were my souvenirs, in a way. I mean, obviously I still bought stuff, but since my trusty green backpack was bursting at the seams, I had to catalog my trip in a way that wouldn't take up any space. And I like looking back on these songs, because now I'd listen to an entirely different playlist (I'll put up a then and now).

Here's what I listened to:
3 x 5 - John Mayer
Into the Dark - Ben Lee
California Stars - Billy Bragg and Wilco
Vienna - Billy Joel
Mambo Italiano - Dean Martin
(Night Time is) The Right Time - Ray Charles
Father and Daughter - Paul Simon
You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
Try Not to Breathe - R.E.M
The Tower of Learning - Rufus Wainwright
Different Names for the Same Thing - Death Cab For Cutie
Swallowed in the Sea - Coldplay
Sing - Travis
When I Laugh - The Glands
Look After You - The Fray
Rebellion (Lies) - Arcade Fire
Father Figure - George Michael
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens

Now I'd listen to:
Brothers In Arms - Dire Straights
Jenny Don't Be Hasty - Paolo Nutini
La Femme Chocolat - Olivia Ruiz
Shhh - Donora
Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Feelings Show - Colbie Caillat
I'm Hit - Greg Laswell
Merry Happy - Kate Nash
Be Gentle With Me - The Boy Least Likely To
The Hat - Ingrid Michaelson
More Time - Needtobreathe
The Galway Girl - Steve Earle
We Get On - Kate Nash
Last Train Home - Ryan Star

Hey Lloyd - Camera Obscura
Not the Same - Ben Folds
I'm Amazed - Greg Laswell
Love You Till The End - The Pogues

Ok, so I tried to figure out how to upload the mixes so people could download them, but I'm not that smart. So I burned the songs to a disc instead. Let me know if you want it!