Old School

Michael J. Nelson was right.

My friend Matt bought a remarkably expensive set of speakers. He invited me to listen to them, and I have to confess they're very, very impressive. If the hallmark of a good set of speakers is how accurately they make the audio sound like it's live, these things scored a ten out of ten.

Ever since, I've been urging him to throw a vinyl party. The round spinny kind, not the fucked-up kinky Harold and Nadine kind. This kind of thing is simple. Invite some friends over to bring along an old album or a bottle of wine. Bring in several seating options and just spin some records all night.

We still stay in touch. He never had that party.

Last night, Monk hooked up his phonograph and played The Shins' Oh Inverted World. Michael J. Nelson was right. It has a warmer sound.

This afternoon, I put on an old Aerosmith album, Toys in the Attic, and I marvel at how great it sounds. It sucks that I have to rebuy all my favorite albums. Again. So be it.

As though this weren't enough, Monk has also obtained a laserdisc player for the express purpose of playing the complete Star Wars trilogy that he found the other day. Now I find myself watching the theatrical, Han-shoots-first, no-bullshit-midiclorian version of Episode IV. I do this while enjoying a fine Oregonian red with a very smooth flavor thanks to my new Romanian decanter.

Best $20 I ever spent.

Laserdiscs, vinyl records, and decanted wines. I've become the swanky, sophisticated guy that every woman from the mid 1980s wanted. Smurfy. I'm now the sort of guy who could drink whiskey with Boesky or have cookies with Milken.