My emotional state was all over the map today. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary happened, I just went from feeling motivated and happy this morning to freakishly ecstatic when I saw Brad at lunch to irritated and angry this afternoon to suddenly overcome by tears when a Bruce Springsteen song came on Radio Paradise just before I left work. It wasn't even Thunder Road, it was called Jungleland - I don't know if I've ever even heard it before. The entire song isn't really very good, but the intro is tinkly slow piano, sort Thunder Road-esque. It made my throat close up and I had to close my eyes and just sit there for a minute to maintain my equilibrium. Then a really long sax solo broke the song's spell, and I had to roll my eyes (which means they couldn't have been filled with that many tears) because - sax? Ugh. How Richard Marx of you, Bruce.

Speaking of music, my new favorite online radio station is AccuRadio's live stream from Martha's Vineyard, MVY Radio, which is labeled "eclectic adult alternative." Radio Paradise is also some form of eclectic adult alternative, the genre that I suspect is becoming the easy listening music of my generation. Instead of Lionel Richie and Kenny G (I said NO SAX!), we'll be tuning in to the smooth sounds of The Lemonheads and Belle and Sebastian with a little Blondie thrown in for kicks, and our kids will roll their eyes and turn up the iPods that will be surgically implanted in their earlobes by Steve Jobs clones. The ungrateful little snots will also probably be wearing CBGB's shirts, with no sense of irony, I'll bet.

Speaking of implanted iPods, why don't I have one yet? No, that's not the question I was going to ask. Speaking of iPods, have you heard about the new Mac mini? I am not a Mac person, but man - that cute little lunch box size computer might change my mind. I've never really been freaked out by advances in technology, but Apple is moving so quickly that it's weirding me out a bit. I mean, the iPod is basically the coolest invention ever, and now it totally seems normal. Camera cell phones are freaky too. I mean, my sister just sent me a picture from her phone of her living room (covered in paper and clutter) with the caption "HELP ME!" That's insane! Seriously! (The picture, not my sister. I think.)

You know what I've always wanted? My own Personal Life Soundtrack Bubble™. Back in junior high, my BFF Tory and I dreamed up this elaborate idea - how cool would it be if you could have your own life soundtrack playing at all the appropriate moments, surrounding you in an invisible, sound-proof bubble? Here's how it would work. You are walking to school; it's a chilly but clear morning. Beta Band plays Squares for you as you stroll. When you are waiting in line you'll listen to Billy Bragg and Wilco sing California Stars. When you are sad, the bubble will soothe you with Jack Johnson's Gone Gone Gone, or maybe Patty Griffin's Long Black Limosine, if you feel like languishing in your sorrow for a while. Feeling a little sassy? Apple Juice Kissing by Dee-Lite followed by Bow wow's I Want Candy, of course.

When you're getting ready to go out, you'll hear She's Like a Rainbow by the Rolling Stones, Brass in Pocket by the Pretenders, and Come On Over by Christina Aguilara (but you won't tell anyone about that, okay?).

Sometimes, when you least expect it, Dear Jesse by Madonna will play, and you will smile. If you are standing in the same room with the boy you have a secret crush on, Close to Me by the Cure will swell unexpectedly. When you get to kiss him for the first time, it will be I Melt with You, and then (if you're lucky), Our Way to Fall by Yo La Tengo.

If that boy later breaks your heart, you will walk away from him and the 13th Floor Elevators will play You're Gonna Miss Me. When you get in your car and pull away, you'll probably hear Dry Your Eyes by The Streets.

The best thing about the Personal Life Soundtrack Bubble™ is that you can share it, or not, depending on your mood, just by thinking about it. No buttons to push, no headphones to put on. You meet up with a friend and ask, "Hey, what's playing for you right now?"

"Oh, you know, a little Badly Drawn Boy. Silent Sigh has been on repeat for a while now. Wanna hear?"

"Um, ya," you say, and just by agreeing, your friend's invisible soundtrack bubble will merge with yours for a minute, long enough to hear Damon Gough breathe all heavy-like.

The only downfall I can think of is that eventually the hacker geeks of the world will figure out a way to spy on what other people are listening to, without their consent. This will blow over quickly, though, when they realize that three times out of five, the guy sitting next to them in the coffeeshop is actually listening to Andrew WK. There are some things you just don't need to know.

I'm telling you, way back when, I never would have thought this was possible. Steve Jobs, listen up. This is the future of music. I'm counting on you.

Lucy loves you |