I Miss Harmony House Records

Actually, I miss record stores in general. Time was, you could go to a good record store, and get just about anything musical that you wanted. Rock, country, classical, jazz, blues--you name it. Then, half of the enjoyment was going out and finding what you wanted; and, if you were lucky, you'd find something you didn't think to look for. 'Impulse buying', as it were.
Plus, the IMPORTS! Sure, you might get that album recorded at Budokan in Japan at K-Mart, but at a *Record Store* you'd get that album FROM JAPAN-complete with Japanese liner notes, and maybe a booklet! Top THAT, Blue Light Special! In fact, that's how I came across Slade and Mike Oldfield: because I was in a store, looking for something else.

Nowadays, though, you can get music at home, without ever stepping out of your door. Discovery of an artist or an album you might not have come across except on radio or in a store has given way to convenience. People download music--legally and otherwise--for no other reason that, "Because they can". Most don't even burn the music to CDs; just keep it on their hard dive, flash drive, iPod, etc. They don't care about the album art or the interesting info the liner notes might have-the Music is All. Who needs the Eye Candy? I want the Ear Candy.

People carry 15,000+ songs on a thing no bigger than a Starburst candy, and yet they're missing out on the info concerning it.

I kind of feel sorry for them....

Blue Light...Extinguished

You know, everyone has fallen on some hard times lately; not only people, but businesses, as well. Especially retail. A lot of shops, stores, and shopping malls have closed down, adding to the vast unemployment going on throughout the country. And while I'm always sympathetic to people losing their jobs, I'm especially saddened by the recent closings of some local K-Mart stores.

K-Mart seemed to be in business forever; in fact, I really can't think of too many people who haven't shopped at one at some point in their lives. In fact, I myself have gotten a lot of things from them throughout the years: back-to-school clothes, toys, books, records (yes, LPs), watches, snacks, everyday and work clothes, bedding, kitchen utensils, you name it. K-Mart ended up being something of a punchline, but for a while, it was a great place to shop.

Now, word's come down that a few local ones---on top of others in the State---are slated for closing. The ones near me, have been there for I don't know how long. Plus, a friend I've known since high school worked at one for *YEARS*, which adds to the sadness. The biggest WTF?! , though, is the fact that while the employees are being let go from these stores, they can apply to OTHER stores, and *if* they are accepted, they have to start at the bottom of the pay scale. Again.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

Someone told me, that since SEARS 'merged' with K-Mart, they wouldn't be surprised if SEARS took a hit sometime soon. Wouldn't surprise me in the least...