A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to this Blog Post

I’ve taken on a big project this summer.

A big, dusty-and-probably-mold-sporey, sometimes-emotional, sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-excruciatingly-boring and always-guaranteed-to-result-in-a-headache project.

Remember how my parents moved from my childhood home last spring? Well, I’m selling off their extensive record collection. I haven’t gone through everything yet but I’d estimate we’re talking about approximately 400 records, maybe more, dating from 1919 (the oldest I’ve found) to when records were dethroned by the almighty compact disc. Obviously, my parents were born after 1919. So, this collection is actually bigger than they are. My late grandmother’s stash is in there, too. As well as some that may have belonged to her mother (my GREAT grandmother). And, of course, my brother and I threw a few in from our collections back in the day. I think I saw ‘Seven and the Ragged Tiger’ in there somewhere. (Bonus points to the first commenter who can name that artist … without Googling it. We’ll just have to rely on the honor system here.)

The point of this post? Does there really have to be a point? Well, normally, I’d say no but I actually have two points for this one. Yes, I said TWO. Even though I’m only charging for you one today. (You’re welcome.)

(1) To any and all interested … I will be posting a full list of all titles and artists in this massive collection in the near future. I’m not a very savvy salesgirl so, if you team up with a partner, one of you can probably steal from me while the other distracts me with a bunch of stupid questions. I’ll go into more detail about the low-tech manner (make me an offer) I’m going to handle everything soon. Then, after a bit, I’m turning everything over to a good friend who handles these sales on eBay and other online marketplaces. He’s the bomb at this kind of stuff. But I just wanted to give you guys (many of whom have asked me about it specifically) first crack at everything.

(2) A funny thing happened on the way to this blog post. (There’s that title again.) My parents, Dave, the kids, even the pets have been very patient as I sift through box after box of my family’s audio memories. It takes time making sure these LPs aren’t warped or riddled with scratches. (Yes, I am that ethical.) And, as such, they’ve all had to put up with their share of Herb Alpert, Judy Garland, Boz Scaggs and Michael Jackson (to name a few) blaring through the house on an old, borrowed record player for weeks (months). Along the way, they’ve found various ways to occupy themselves (ignore me) and power through (survive). Just yesterday, I saw Vivien and Milo doing a beautiful job at keeping themselves busy only three feet away from the phonograph. (That means record player, young people.)

These shenanigans went on for about 10 minutes, all to the musical stylings of Barbra Streisand.

Anyway, it’s been an interesting (emotionally and physically taxing) job and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it (gotten leg cramps from sitting on the floor in indian style for hours at a time). Please be on the look out for the post listing all of these records soon. And, if you know any other fans of the gramophone (Geez! Why are there SO many ways to say record player?), please pass this list along to them when it comes out.

Thanks, guys!