Everybody's got a hobby. Sometimes hobbies can be even more fun when you begin to share them with someone you adore.
When I was in high school, I played in various punk & pop-punk bands. As any kid with a ton of music nerd friends would be, I was eventually lured into collecting vinyl. Over the years, I've seen my collection grow from a couple of PVC discs to a colorful archive of my musical personality. I've got some classics, & some embarrassing ones, too.
Over the summer, A & I were gifted a late-70s record player with accompanying speakers by her grandfather, "G-Dad Reynolds." While the player was worn-down and beyond repair, the speakers still worked like a champ. I was so in love, that I upgraded my old record player to one compatible with these beauties.
Since I met the gal, I've dragged A along with me on record store digs. From our earliest dates to Mojo Books & Music in Tampa to as recent as our roadtrip to Gainesville, my little #1 has stuck by my side as I picked through each & every record in every store we've gone to together. Just as my old Crosley player needed a new home, it seemed that she finally caught the itch.
As soon as A introduced my old record player to her loft bedroom, she started a collection of her own. What once started as a solo activity has seen our weekender luggage include a bag full of records. Not to mention, A's new obsession has led to some adorable fangirl moments (re: meeting Mish Way at Pre-Fest).
A's amazingly vast musical palate includes anything from quirky one-hit-wonders & 80s jams to contemporary classic punk rock (that's my girl). However, she often can walk out of a store with four records to my one. Some of her recent grabs include Styx, Ramones, Tone-Loc & Madonna.
It's so much more fun to walk into a record store with a pal who's just as excited to be there, to compare findings and to sit & listen to them together than it is to do it all on your own, especially when you already have for years.
But it's easy to share something you love so much with someone that you love even more.
Love,
J
**Above are some photos from our Veterans Day trip to Daddy Kool Records in St. Pete, one of our favorite places, & a small sampling of favorites from our collections.**
"Why are you guys going to Gainesville?"
Better yet, why are we going to Gainesville on a UF game day? Some things are better when they're not so planned out.
Friday afternoon, I sent a text over to my lady telling her to clear her schedule for a road trip on Saturday. We didn't know where we'd go, we didn't know what we'd do when we got there. All we wanted was a day away from the hectic fall semester, together. A & I settled on Gainesville. Not too far, & we hadn't been there together yet.
Always inquisitive, A made the drive fly by by keeping my mind occupied answering surveys from Tumblr. Before we knew it, she asked me who I last talked to on the phone four times & suddenly we arrived! Thanks Tumblr!
We wound up in Downtown Gainesville in the cutest little shopping district filled with vintage shops & record stores (hallelujah!!). A scooped a new pair of bold black sunnies from Wolfgang, I walked home with a live Black Lips record from Hear Again. Who doesn't love a souvenir?
We roamed the streets, hardcore. Who knew Gainesville was so hot? We walked up to the UF campus, which was mobbed with blue & orange toddlers and alumni. Not ones for school spirit, A & I ducked into the nearest Krispy Kreme for some sugary salvation. Phew. Close one. It was, however, hilarious to compare a school with a spirited, talented football team to our modest USF squad. (Editor's note: USF actually won this weekend's football game. #MIRACLE)
On our walk back to the car, we stopped for a quick bite at Relish, where we split a delicious cheeseburger. I did not know that one could put different condiments on separate sides of a burger, but apparently it can be done.
One of the recurring survey questions on the drive home was "what was the best part of today?" My answer is, confidently: spending the day wanderlusting with my best friend. Driving to a new city, roaming the streets aimlessly while sipping coffee & tea and checking out little indie shops & taking pictures of such a beautiful girl separated me from reality for a short while. For once, I wasn't consumed with school or responsibilities & was able to stop & enjoy life today.
Thanks A, for always being my little travel partner.
Love,
J
