"Hey, look what I found!"

Since my favorite pastime is hunting for used vinyl, I thought I'd post a picture of a recent killer find I purchased from a thrift store in Fullerton. Now, I'm not usually looking for anything in particular when I'm browsing, it's really the hunt I enjoy most. I might find some great music, some interesting cover art, or a poster or picture sleeve missing from something I already own; and there's always the hope that I'll discover something rare or unusual; but on this day, as I thumbed through the dusty stacks of worn out Montovani, Streisand and Neil Diamond records, not much looked good until I spotted those bold gold characters on the textured tan case. A quick exam revealed the clincher: no damage, not even minor.

Since I don't read Japanese, its release date or any other basic details remain a mystery. However, the one thing I could read, Toshiba, cued me immediately to expect exceptional quality. So what is it then? Here's what I know--it's a 3 record set of vocal, dance and instrumental music played on traditional Japanese instruments by a provincial or county orchestra. The music itself is quite startling. The Japanese are very much into the dark subtleties of discordant music--much the same as we Westerners are into the sweetness of close harmony. Listening to the vocal sides, I'm amazed at how the singers can blend their voices into something that can only be described as Divine Dissonance. This is deeply mystical music and not for the faint of heart. The sounds seem to emanate from an ancient sensibility that has little connection to anything in the modern world.

Whomever designed this box set did an excellent job. Great care went into every detail of its construction: nice heavy card-stock sleeves, large booklet with color pictures and text, 3 records pressed on red virgin vinyl, and the aforementioned textured tan case with gold lettering to keep it all snug and well protected. I can't imagine what it must have cost new, but judging by the fine quality, I'm sure it was expensive. My guess is that the original owner purchased the set on a whim, and after one listen, discarded it. Sad for him, good for me!

Happy HNT everyone!

Well, this is me at work--feet up, sipping a cold one (diet coke, usually) and calling clients. My office is in the San Fernando valley, but I'm mostly in the field, and that suits me just fine. My job takes my into homes and businesses from Westlake Village in Ventura county to Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills; to Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach and Newport Beach; to Fontana, Montclaire and San Bernadino; to Culver City, Harbor City and even La Habra Heights. It's a lot of driving, but hey, it gets me out of the office!

Anyway, this is where I write all of my estimates and invoices, (check my bio for my thoughts on that), where I haggle with insurance adjusters, and where I blog. So I thought it would be appropriate to show you where all this creativity is produced.

If you will, please show my where you produce your best work, where ever that may be, and tell me what inspires you to get on the computer every morning.

Thanks for stopping by and have yourself a wonderful day. -SSS