A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Good morning Kogs and Kossacks in Dailykosland!
Let's start the working week with a Moral Monday.
What do you use to listen to music?
If you follow technology and gadget news, or if you are an audiophile, you know that Sony is bringing back the Walkman in digital form for a $1,000.00+ price tag.
I'm old enough to remember how exciting the first walkman was—being able to take music with you and hear that sound coming right from the middle of your head... fantastic. The only way to have that experience before then was to lie in bed with my speakers on either side of my head (singing along at the top of my lungs...!), but the record player was too far away to reach, to skip songs or repeat songs at the touch of a button as the Walkman allowed you to do.
And of course that also means I remember the record player. Mom had a hi fi and I had a portable record player that was the size of a medium suitcase with detachable speakers. I even have vague memories of my aunt's hi fi and her collection of 78 rpm records. I had a tiny portable record player that my babysitter's husband used to keep borrowing from me to take to the swimming pool and impress his young girlfriends.
I was an early adopter of the 8 track player. I'm not sure where I got it from—did my mom buy it for me? What I loved about it was being able to record music directly off the radio and get songs for "free". That horrible loud CLACK as the program changed from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 set my teeth on edge but I put up with it in exchange for having all my favorite singles without having to buy them.
The 8 track didn't last, of course, and I went back to vinyl, since the sound quality of cassette players was pretty bad unless you wanted to carry around a gigantic boom box looking like a teenager from the wrong side of the tracks.
But when the Walkman came out, i LOVED it. I was never without it. My knapsack always had half a dozen or ten favorite cassettes clattering around in the bottom.
I was never a fan of the CD Walkman. If you walked too fast, it would skip. The only good thing about it was the ease of repeating a favorite song endlessly. The sound quality of CDs was great, but the portability never worked very well. Even my high end CD Walkman used to skip all the time.
My best friend gave me an mp3 player one Christmas but I never took it out of the box. I still don't know how mp3 players work.
Just when I was about to break down and get an ipod, the same friend sent me an email asking if I had ever heard of Grooveshark.
This was a revelation, because when I got my first cell phone I remember being told I could use it "like an ipod" to listen to music. Why in the world would I want to listen to music on my PHONE? I said to the salesman like an old fogy. But now that is the way I listen to music the most often. I have over a hundred playlists on Grooveshark, a set list for every mood, and hear them on my phone thru my Urban Ears headphones (I like them better than Beats and they cost one quarter the price).
I went through an iHeartRadio stage for a while, listening to good stations from all around the country, and had a great time last year listening to their All Beatles weekend for the 50th anniversary of their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. But I deleted the app after they aligned themselves with Limpbaugh and helped push progressive radio off the air in L.A.
The only music I hear on the radio is while I am in someone else's car, or waiting in a store with a radio playing. After being blissfully unaware of popular songs for years, now I get to hear them ad nauseum while on the treadmill at the gym.
If I could afford it, I'd totally be one of those throwback people with a custom turntable and an awesome vinyl library. I still have a bunch of mom's old albums and 45s—too scratched up to be worth anything or worth listening to. I'm just keeping them for sentimental value.
I have hundreds (maybe even a couple of thousand) unmarked cassette tapes sitting in boxes in my bedroom and my storage closets. Can't bear to part with them without knowing what I am throwing away. Somewhere in there are answering machine tapes with my mom's voice on them. Somewhere in there are tapes of me playing the piano and singing my original music the one and only time I did that in public. When I had mom's 1990 Buick, it had a great sound system and a cassette player—I haven't listened to cassettes for personal enjoyment since that car died. There is a cassette/CD boombox at my office that we use for background music at special events, and sometimes the office manager puts the radio on the boombox when she is there by herself.
I gave away almost all my CDs, although friends who are still at that audio stage still send them to me as gifts from time to time. The only way I could listen to them would be on my computer, which is a little bit of a pain, and not at all portable(!)--I need music on the go.
Finally, I never got the appeal of iTunes. Maybe I'm just AppleTM-averse.
Many years ago I used to play the piano and write what I called "little songs" that I would only sing for myself when I was alone. Simple chords, simple melodies. I liked them, but was embarrassed to play them in public. I never played the piano when my roommates were home. I very very rarely played the songs I wrote for anyone else, although I got a very positive reception every time I ever did. One college-era friend who plays the guitar much better than I will ever play the piano, figured out the guitar chords to one of my songs and used to perform it live at her coffeehouse gigs. Only a few friends have ever heard more than one or two of my compositions, and only one was there on the one night I screwed my courage and went to an open mic night. Thanks, Didi. And Carl, wherever you are, if you still have that tape of songs I made for you in the late 80s, I'd be thrilled if you sent me a copy.
I haven't written a song in about 20 years.
Even though I have no piano now, and have forgotten how to play most of my songs and none of them are written down (I might have chords in some old journals, but I can't find those either!) I still sing them unaccompanied sometimes just for my own enjoyment. It drives me crazy when I can't remember words to songs I actually wrote, but I wrote them so long ago.
When I am in a good mood, I break into song at the drop of a hat. People around me can always tell when I'm depressed because I am not singing. They can tell when my mood lifts because I start absentmindedly singing again (under my breath without being aware of it). Listening to myself sing is very personally nourishing. Sometimes it's my favorite way to hear music.
How do you listen to music? Do you have a turntable, luxury or otherwise, and decades worth of vinyl to choose from? Still listening to cassettes on an old component stereo system? Is there a 5-CD changer in your car? Have you gone all digital, with iTunes or Pandora or Spotify or any of those other online/app systems? Do you listen to music on the radio through an actual device called a radio? Do you get music on line from a radio station hundreds or thousands of miles away?
What do you use to listen to music?
start up soundtrack
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) (Dead or Alive) by 80's Platinum Hits on Grooveshark
Listen To The Music by The Doobie Brothers on Grooveshark
Make Your Own Kind Of Music by Cass Elliot on Grooveshark
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by Sara R ♥ for Koscadia
The Koscadians welcomed Ojibwa and navajo to Portlandia. Ojibwa blessed some quilts for the Community Quilt Project and a delicious pot luck was enjoyed. All edifying for the holidays.
Here's one photo:
Seated L-R: Sara R, winglion & loggersbrat
Standing L-R: Angie in WA State, also mom of 5, Drewid (hiding), BOHICA, watercarrier4diogenes, Ojibwa, exlrrp, llbear, navajo, Ozawa and ozsea1
Please visit Sara R's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Koscadia by sending a Kosmail to Sara R.
by Thinking Fella ♥ for Four Corners Kossacks
There are meet-ups and then, there are EPIC meet-ups. The current designate always upstages the previous one. And that is precisely what Thinking Fella has done with this event. We were all green with envy when he announced it with just a few short weeks notice. He had a fantastic turnout anyway. Try to top this event. With 58 scenic photos of gorgeous Colorado and wonderful Kossacks, Thinking Fella showed us who's boss when it comes to meet-ups. He holds the trophy now. Who wants to take it away from him? Throw your gauntlet down at any time.
It's important to note that this terrific diary inspired 8 more people to join the Four Corners Kossacks. Again, Thinking Fella knows what he's doing. High five, buddy!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Mr. & Mrs. Unknown, Mr. & Mrs. unfangus, Lucytooners with her hands on Mr. Lucytooners shoulders, Tom Morrissey, Allison Morrissey, Thinking Fella (rear), HeroMachine (kneeling), Kim (in hat) & her partner Nan (in train), Darcy (in front of Kim) ERRN & Mr. ERRN (kneeling), and Dr. lurker & Dr. lurker (both standing)
Please visit Thinking Fella's diary for a zillion MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Four Corners Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Thinking Fella.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, January 17th
Denver Kossacks! Come Meet Other Progressives!
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Common Grounds
44th & Vallejo • Denver
ORGANIZER: Send Leftcandid a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Leftcandid
2. ColoTim
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DENVER: Join Us At Caffeinating Liberally, January 17
Saturday & Sunday, January 17-18, 2015
Dkos Asheville 24-hour Meet-up
This is what community is about; sharing, giving, creating together. And this is what being a progressive is about; working for social, economic, and environmental justice.
Each day we start from where we are now; and we move forward from here. -davehouck
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...we have built ourselves a network of like minded brothers and sisters who are in this fight for life. A place we can come to find inspiration, power, solace and community.
-randallt |
TIME: 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday
LOCATION: Crown Plaza Resort Asheville
One Resort Drive • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. LamontCranston
8. Otteray Scribe
9. Joy of Fishes
10. DawnN
11. Burns Lass
12. Mary Beth
13. NBBooks
14. NBBooks's guest
15.
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Maybees:
IamGumby
smiley7
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Open Thread
Saturday, January 17th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kos Meet-up with Meteor Blades, Joan McCarter & navajo to Connect, Unite and help plan Action for 2015!
TIME: 12:30 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant Executive Room
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
Private room reserved MAX OCCUPANCY: 40
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. Joan McCarter
3. Meteor Blades
4. Eagle Of Freedom
5. PennyGC
6. Momomia
7. Momomia's friend
8. doingbusinessas
9. Smrichmond
10. capt snagger
11. bleeding blue
12. John Crapper's SO
13. Ryan P - guest of JC
14. Kitsap River
15. Charles Curtis Stanley
16. jessical
17. seabos84
18. Basilia
19. mharges
20. LarisaW
21. N in Seattle
22. Creosote |
23. eagle keeper
24. Piren
25. jgoodfri
26. ratcityreprobate
27. Andrew V.
28. Assaf
29. cinnamon68
30. Gemini13
31. ActOnClimateNow
32. navajo
33. Grey Fedora
34. James Wells
35. Monique Teal
36. RonK
37. Noemi Maxwell
38.
39.
40.
MAX OCCUPANCY: 40
Maybees:
Angie in WA State
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Latest diary: S&PS Kos Welcomes Meteor Blades, Joan McCarter and Navajo to Seattle Sat. 1/17/15!
Saturday, January 24th
LA Kossacks Monthly Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send susans a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. susans
2. Shockwave
3. Otoelbc
4. Joshua Bloxom
5. Chiwere
6. jakedog42
7. 714day
8. Joe Bacon
9. Frank Vyan Walton
10. KatSkahnne
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Maybees:
Brecht
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Latest diary: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County Meetup January 24, 2015
Saturday, February 28th
Texas All-State Meet-up with Meteor Blades, Denise Oliver-Velez and navajo
Please come for an afternoon of camaraderie and progressive strategizing with Big Orange flavor!
Lunch and Seminar c/o Daily Kos
TIME: Noon - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Max's Wine Dive
"Fried Chicken and Champagne... Why the Hell Not?"
207 San Jacinto Blvd • Austin, near convention center
Happy Hour First drink c/o Daily Kos
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: CRAVE
340 E. 2nd St (around the corner from seminar) • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send nomandates a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. nomandates
2. Chrislove
3. Meteor Blades
4. Denise Oliver-Velez
5. navajo
6. johnatx
7. mrs johnatx
8. Blood
9. cosette
10. anotherdemocrat - Vege*
11. bastrop
12. Warren Pease
13. Patience John
14. noteaforme
15. blue armadillo
16. RLMAC
17. TexMex
18. JC Dufresne
19. TexasLibertine
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Maybees:
1. politik
2. Mr Pea
3. texasmom
4. texasdad
5. BlueMississippi
6. MargaretPOA
7. suesue
8. BlackSheep1
9. PDiddie
10. scott5js
11. Deja (+1-2)
12. boadicea
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* Needs vegetarian meal
Latest diary: Planning for TexKos Spring Meet-Up 2.0: We need your input!
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.