I got really nostalgic the other day listening to an Ani Difranco cassette tape in my car. I haven’t listened to her in years, but I still remember every single word, every inflection of her voice, every little warble and giggle. I found myself singing at the top of my lungs with a big grin on my face, my voice cracking, on the verge of sentimental tears. I remembered the concerts, being surrounded by hundreds of singing women, feeling that surge of energy and love and pride in my chest, feeling like anything was possible.
It was so easy to fall in love with things back then. Not that I don’t any more–I’m reading Cormac McCarthy’s The Road right now, and I can’t stop gasping out loud while reading it on the train to work, and I can’t stop telling people how in love I am with it. But it seemed like I fell in love so much more often when I was younger. Was I just easier to impress? Was I less jaded and cynical? Were things really that much better? I don’t know. All I know is I’m glad I had a little Ani blast from the past in my car the other day, and I’m grateful for all the amazing stuff I got to discover as a teen. I know I meant it every time I exclaimed “This is the best _____ ever!” And I’m positive all my little obsessions back then have a great deal to do with who I am and what I love today.
In no particular order, here’s some stuff I know I called “The best ____ ever” at some point during my teens and early twenties.
- Ani Difranco
- Tom Robbins
- Anne Sexton
- Elliott Smith
- wearing jeans under dresses
- My So Called Life
- The Grateful Dead
- Girl, Interrupted
- Heathers
- Pump of the Volume
- The Pump of the Volume soundtrack
- Gregg Araki
- the album Hips and Makers, by Kristen Hirsh
- the album Black Eyed Man, by Cowboy Junkies
- Dan Savage
- Harmony Korine
- PJ Harvey
- Brave New World
- Atlas Shrugged (I’m sorry!)
- sloths
- Pablo Neruda
- coffee
What’s on your list?
THE ROAD is definitely on my list.
I absolutely love my so called life, that show was amazing. i was so happy to watch all the psiodes and i was sad when it eneded. i fell in love with the show after it was cancelled, and i wish it wasnt it was excellent. i wanted to let you know, you can watch all the episodes of my so called life at http://www.hulu.com and in the search box type in my so called life. the show was amazing, wish shows today was that good! also, im excited to read you book beautiful!
Ashley, I think I’ll watch all the episodes again on hulu. Thanks for the idea! I still have them all recorded on VHS tape, but I haven’t tried watching them in years. I bet the quality is horrible.
I hope you get to watch them, this show was the best!! you can also watch the episodes on youtube- here is the link to watch the first episode- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzSYplxcpr8&feature=related . hope you have a wonderful christmas and a blessed fabulous new year!
so far reading your blog i have learned that we are the same age and our lists are 11/22 the same.