Buyer's Remorse

"What do you think?"

"I think it sounds pretty good."

"Nancy?"

"I agree, I think it's great! Just fabulous!...but...do you think we could take one more crack at my vocal part in that last section?"

And that's how it went Tuesday evening. In fact, that conversation was pretty typical of how the CD recording has gone most evenings since we began six weeks ago. It's called "the cringe factor". No matter how often people tell you you sound great there's always something that bugs the daylights out of you. At some point, of course, you have to say "This is us. Now, let's see what the world has to say." And so we will when the CD comes out early in the New Year.

Between now and then, of course, we encounter the Christmas holidays. Once again we'll run the gauntlet of downtown retail stores, endless Christmas parties and gift giving. All of which reminds me of an eminently sensible suggestion made a few years ago, one that is both economic and easy on the environment: buying consumables. Chocolate goodies, flowers, organic foods, a really great bottle of wine, scotch or brandy - they all make great gifts. Best of all they are out of your life in short order. Eliminating or at least reducing the endless paper and shrink wrap relieves the pressure on the landfill and just as importantly cuts down on the inexhaustible clutter filling our shelves, mantle pieces and basements. A good resolution to entertain prior to the New Year and one I confess to not entirely living up to. But any kind of progress is still progress.