Hard Times Ahead

[Don]

For many years now I have been acquiring recordings at a frequent pace (many dozens per month).  But it now comes to an end as my excess funding has evaporated.  Although I am quite sad about it, I have started to have a different mindset about the matter.  For example, I pared down my "to get" list from 60 items down to 10 - feeling even sadder.  However, I licked cancer so I figure I can overcome this little crisis.

[Harry]

That must be hard Don to let go!
I am sure that I know what you feel, for it would hit me hard too.
Just thinking about the fact that I had to cut back cd buying, makes me feel sick.
And I buy far more than a dozen per month.
You conquered cancer and that is a miracle, and in the face of that, the loss of cd's is minor indeed.
All will be well, you live right?

[Don]

That must be hard Don to let go!
I am sure that I know what you feel, for it would hit me hard too.
Just thinking about the fact that I had to cut back cd buying, makes me feel sick.
And I buy far more than a dozen per month.
You conquered cancer and that is a miracle, and in the face of that, the loss of cd's is minor indeed.
All will be well, you live right?

As right as possible.  With my trip to Europe looming ahead, I've stopped smoking.  Although feeling pissed off, I am taking pride in my cessation.

[DavidW]

For many years now I have been acquiring recordings at a frequent pace (many dozens per month).  But it now comes to an end as my excess funding has evaporated.  Although I am quite sad about it, I have started to have a different mindset about the matter.  For example, I pared down my "to get" list from 60 items down to 10 - feeling even sadder.  However, I licked cancer so I figure I can overcome this little crisis.

I've cut down on my cd buying significantly as well.  My trick is to enjoy what I have, instead of thinking about what I don't have.  It may sound trite, but sometimes trite is true.

My life doesn't resolve around listening to classical music anymore, I just do it when I'm in the mood so it's much easier for me than it would be for others.

[Don]

I've cut down on my cd buying significantly as well.  My trick is to enjoy what I have, instead of thinking about what I don't have. 

Yes, that's the way to do it.  The most important thing is that I already have a large collection of recordings of Bach's music.

[Harry]

A bit of topic, so forgive me Don, but David  is your avatar the actor, Michael Kitchen, from the beautiful series "Foyle's War". ?

[71 dB]

For many years now I have been acquiring recordings at a frequent pace (many dozens per month).  But it now comes to an end as my excess funding has evaporated.  Although I am quite sad about it, I have started to have a different mindset about the matter.  For example, I pared down my "to get" list from 60 items down to 10 - feeling even sadder.  However, I licked cancer so I figure I can overcome this little crisis.

I try to enjoy as much as possible of every CD I am able to buy.

[DavidW]

A bit of topic, so forgive me Don, but David  is your avatar the actor, Michael Kitchen, from the beautiful series "Foyle's War". ?

Yup!  It's currently my favorite series, hence the avatar.   As a series Bogey and I were working on our favorite detectives for awhile, I think he's moved back to Bogey though... but I'm not quite through.  I've been reading plenty of Dexter novels, and will make Morse my next avatar.

[Harry]

Yup!  It's currently my favorite series, hence the avatar.   As a series Bogey and I were working on our favorite detectives for awhile, I think he's moved back to Bogey though... but I'm not quite through.  I've been reading plenty of Dexter novels, and will make Morse my next avatar.

I have all the Morse detectives on DVD, and also the Foyle ones.
Morse is my alltime favourite.

[karlhenning]

As right as possible.  With my trip to Europe looming ahead, I've stopped smoking.  Although feeling pissed off, I am taking pride in my cessation.

Bravo, Don!

[Don]

Bravo, Don!

Thanks.  I still find myself putting my left hand to my mouth as if I've got a smoke in it.  It's amazing what a strong habit it became (of course, over 40 years of smoking brings about these effects).  Do I hear JUMBO?

[beclemund]

Acquiring recordings at a pace of "many dozens per month" for a sustained period should leave you with a sizable volume of works that have not been appreciated or have been under-appreciated. So the bright side is, with a slower accumulation of items, you can contribute more time to exploring those items you  already have more fully. 

I acquire recordings at a rate of many dozens per year and still I can never find the time to fully examine each recording as thoroughly as I should. If, however, you're unable to fully sate your music appreciation jones, you may want to see if you have a local library that lends compact disks and DVDs.... or look to the commendable Classical radio thread for streaming music options.

[Grazioso]

How is not being able to buy a bunch of CDs every month a crisis? Why not be thankful for the ones you have and take the extra time to really enjoy them? You do enjoy the ones you have, right?

[dtwilbanks]

Enjoy your collection, Don. I'm sure it's an extensive one.

[71 dB]

How is not being able to buy a bunch of CDs every month a crisis? Why not be thankful for the ones you have and take the extra time to really enjoy them? You do enjoy the ones you have, right?

It's the "table effect". When I buy new CDs I keep them on my table under my eyes for some time. Then I make room for them in my bookshelf and they "disappear" among my other CDs. So, the "existence" of new purchases is stronger than older CDs.

I have to say I have found my classical CD collection again thanks to the fact that I have to limit my purhases. Getting interested of new things is the problem. Lately I have been interested of organ music, Spanish music and opera DVDs. All of these are something I didn't have much so I need(ed) to buy. Perhaps buying new things is about killing interest? We keep buying until we get bored and then we find new interesting things and start buying those?

[E d o]

Sometimes wanting is better than having. Appreciating what we have is a virtue.

Do take advantage of your public library. It's a great resource. Most do inter-library loans from other libraries in the county/region. Usually there is a separate county catalog that one can access on-line. Visiting nearby libraries that will take your branch's card is fun and can make a person feel like a kid in a candy store where all the candy is free. A great way to discover new things. You can give back too by donating CD's that you no longer want.

[Bunny]

Thanks.  I still find myself putting my left hand to my mouth as if I've got a smoke in it.  It's amazing what a strong habit it became (of course, over 40 years of smoking brings about these effects).  Do I hear JUMBO?

Congratulations on licking cancer!  Giving up smoking is the best thing anyone can do for their bodies, but it's very hard and the rate of recidivism is very high.  It's a constant struggle even for me.  I quit smoking more than 30 years ago and sometimes when I dream, I've still got a cigarette in my hand.  It's probably one of the hardest addictions to lick because the craving is so subtle, but it's possible. 

I too have been making an effort to buy fewer cds.  For me the breaking point came when Harry said that he had to move to a larger house because of his collection.  I live in Manhattan, and finding a larger apartment would mean spending millions of dollars.  I would rather not have to find new digs, so I'm keeping what I have and only buying the very best of new things and perhaps a well priced item that's gone OOP that I see at a very reasonable price.

[71 dB]

Sometimes wanting is better than having. Appreciating what we have is a virtue.

True, but wanting leads often to having. 

I try to appreciate what I have. The more I can appreciate the better purchase.

Do take advantage of your You can give back too by donating CD's that you no longer want.

The Elgar Society encourages people to donate Elgar CDs to libraries. I haven't donated anything. 

Btw, Elgar Society's webpages must be the most stone-aged there is!

"- best viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer;
Warning! If you use Mosaic, or Netscape version 2.0 or earlier,
you may experience difficulty with some background colours."

[71 dB]

I think I will cut down buying classical CDs for a while, perhaps year 2008. I have recently got into Tangerine Dream an because the output of that group is HUGE I need to allocate funds for them. I have hundreds and hundreds of classical CDs. Why not listen to them instead of buying more? Tangerine Dream is the kind of music I don't have much yet.

[Grazioso]

I think I will cut down buying classical CDs for a while, perhaps year 2008. I have recently got into Tangerine Dream an because the output of that group is HUGE I need to allocate funds for them. I have hundreds and hundreds of classical CDs. Why not listen to them instead of buying more? Tangerine Dream is the kind of music I don't have much yet.

I recommend Ricochet and Poland: The Warsaw Concert for some of their best classic material and Lily on the Beach for their late work, never mind all the film scores they created as a group and individually.