I’m sitting here listening to Dave Barnes’ latest album, What We Want, What We Get. I’ve heard of Dave Barnes but it wasn’t until about 4 days ago while listening to Nashville’s independent radio station, Lightning 100, that I heard his song “Little Lies,” and decided I must hear more. Not a life changing song by any means. A catchy little ditty. On an album full of wonderful music.
By the way, if your city has an independent station (like I said, around here we have Lightning 100, which does much to alleviate the void left in my life when I moved from Minneapolis and The Current) I really, really recommend tuning your radio to that frequency. There’s so much more variety and while you’re still going to hear the better of the music that’s popular at the moment (and some older stuff too), you’re also going to hear stuff that’s out on the fringes, that may very well shape the direction popular music will take (god willing!) if the right people up sit up and take notice.
I digress.
Dave Barnes is setting the tone for today.
I’m sitting at my computer this morning turned afternoon taking care of housekeeping-y things, something I put off and then put off again more often than I care to admit because, well, I sit at a computer 40 hours a week taking care of other people’s housekeeping-y things and even though I find value in doing this stuff for myself, most of the time I’d rather not even glance sideways at my computer anymore. It doesn’t help that it refuses to run 75% of the time. I need a new one.
But that’s where this whole update comes in because I’ve had a direction in mind for this space for quite awhile and there are a few things getting in the way, mainly the fact that I really need a newer computer that runs, and while I’ve got the cash to buy one, I don’t have the cash to buy the one I want.
So this is where I tell you that I’m putting the donation button back up on the side bar. (If you don’t see it yet it’s because I’m writing the post before making any actual changes… but it’s coming.)
I’m not going to beg you for cash and I’m not desperate for it. But the fact is that I’ve got some good music up here, free for the taking, and while my expenses around here aren’t huge, it would be nice to offset them just a little. If you’ve downloaded or if you want to poke around and decide you like something you hear, that is when I’d ask you to consider dropping a few pennies in the pot. Why?
Because I want this website to become a place for my music. I want, if I never do anything more with my music in this life, to be able to have the means to sit down and write and record and just post stuff to share. I’m not concerned with fame or fortune. I don’t want the job I have now forever, but I don’t think what I NEED in my life is to make my living from writing or singing. I wouldn’t hate it if that happened, but it’s not something I’m actively seeking at this point. That, however, does not change the fact that when looked at scientifically, 1 Courtney Olson = 1 part caffiene, 3 parts sunshine and 4 parts music. It’s something I do and I want to share it.
The fundage would go toward a Macbook (maybe a pro), a microphone, and the programming to make it all work together. The built in webcam won’t hurt my feelings any either, as it will make fun youtube videos MUCH more frequent.
I don’t want you, at all, to feel obligated. The music is free to take because for the most part, it was free to make. But if you do help me out, it will be an investment. And I will appreciate it greatly.
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So, if I’m taking this site to a fully music kind of level, will all of the personal writing you’ve come to know and (maybe) love disappear?
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t even do much of that around here anymore. I can’t say it will go away completely, but just judging on the way it has been lately, I’d say we’ll have more music. It’ll still be personal. Just more… audible.
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Has your life ever taken a new direction that caused your blog to completely change along with you? How did that transition work out for you? Let me know.
While I know there are more recent posts, I had to drop a comment on this one because it pertains to the situation in which I’m living now. I talk a lot about work and being busy, but it really is the case. I am finding more and more that if I want to participate in the blogosphere I actually have to plan for it instead of it being the go-to when I log in to a computer.
But it’s that schedule with interwebs that keeps me in touch with the people I have grown to become friends with (eg. you), and that kind of scheduling is worth it.
Now, if only I could apply the same things to music…
good to hear that you’re coming up with a plan to be making music and sharing it. i’m sssoooo okay with that, not gonna lie. i have been, and probably will continue to, miss the word updates but i guess there are other forms of communication for that, aren’t there? good luck with everything, dear. whatever you decide to do, you will be great at it, i just know.