What a week.
It is the beginning of September, which means it is back to school! Our youngest is now in grade one, meaning all three of our kids are in school full-time for the first time. He loves it so far. Our middle son is starting grade four and now gets to be the responsible elder brother; making sure they both get to school and back home each day Mom or Dad aren’t there to pick them up. Our eldest is now in sixth grade and going to a new school for the first time since she was in kindergarten. She is taking a school bus regularly for the first time. Frustratingly, her bus stop is two or three neighbourhoods away and across Deerfoot Trail, meaning we have to drive, dropping her off and picking her up from the stop each time. It almost makes the concept of bussing to school pointless, except she seems to enjoy the independence it gives her.
Compounding this wild logistical nightmare is the start of Hockey and Ringette tryouts. That means Mom and Dad are chauffeuring the kids and equipment to the rinks – often two or more rinks – at the same time in one day between the three of them. During this, we are also attempting to get those all-important volunteer hours done for the leagues and teams. Occasionally, the stars align, and we get to sit and watch one of our kids as they skate and stick handle through required drills for a few minutes here and there. But not often, and definitely not together as a family.
Don’t let me leave you with the impression that I am staying atop of all of this chaos of crashing waves and deep, churning ocean like a nimble and competent surfer. I would be washed up by the tide and all covered in seaweed and sand if it wasn’t for my wife. Thanks to her, our family manages to mostly stay afloat.
We aren’t the only family in the midst of this madness-inducing schedule. The other parents we see at the bus dropoff and the rinks can attest to that. Maybe the teachers will strike or be locked out sometime soon, and then we could just jog through our lives at a steady pace for a while. Right?
To mix metaphors and to clumsily stumble into a segue: It is difficult to tell if life is a sprint or a marathon sometimes.
But enough ranting. How about some music?
I have been a fan of the punk/electro/disco amalgam that LCD Soundsystem creates since their self-titled album was first released back in 2005. The first song on disc two of their debut, called Losing My Edge, sums up my feelings about adulthood better than any other piece of art or media that I can think of.
Anyhow, when it comes to this band, I’ve read all the pamphlets. I’ve watched the tapes. I haven’t seen them live, but I have watched plenty of videos of their live performances which tend to be ironic, unwound, and manic at the same time. Just like their music.
The album from LCD Soundsystem that I am picking for today is a bit different, though. It was originally subsidized and released by Nike. What is a shoe company doing releasing music. Weird, right? 45:33 was part of a series of releases that Nike helped finance to give people soundtracks to run to, and work out with. Not a bad idea really. Artists that released albums for this officially unofficial concept series included Aesop Rock, The Crystal Method, Simian Mobile Disco, De La Soul, and more.
As part of this project, LCD Soundsystem’s 45:33 is mixed to be one 45 minute long track, full of highs and lows and small shifts in tempo and beat to make it all feel like a long run. I am not a runner. I do enjoy walking to it, though. Or listening to it while I read.
The tracks meld and blend together like a great dance mix. They contain just a sparse and scattered lyrics. Mostly, the music and rhythm is just allowed to flow. I find there is something calming about that, which is great for when your life is full of pandemonium and disorder.
Cheers,
Evan
Bonus Viewing – LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great (Live on Austin City Limits – Web Exclusive) on YouTube