my vinyl and a question about garbage

Several months ago when my dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, without thinking, I blurted out: “a stereo system!” Not that I didn’t. I’ve wanted a nice stereo system, with speakers and a receiver and all for a long time now. No self-respecting music lover should have to listen to music out of laptop speakers. However, I felt guilty immediately after making such a grandiose request. My dad is an all-or-nothing kind of guy, and I should have known that if I asked for a stereo, I wouldn’t get a few pieces in gradual installments, or half the money for a stereo. I should have known that if I asked my dad for a nice stereo system, I would get a FUCKING BAD ASS sound system with a turntable and 6-disc changer. Thanks, Dad. =)

So lately I’ve been spending my spare time rifling through used LP racks or daydreaming about which Goodwill might have the best selection (is there a St Vincent de Paul in Louisville that I don’t know about??). The other day I got 8 or 9 LPs for $4.50, including Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, Carly Simon’s No Secrets, Harry Belafonte, James Taylor’s Greatest Hits, the Mamas and the Papas’ Deliver, the Go Go’s’ Beauty and the Beat, and the Beach Boys first concert (quiet, you. not a fucking word.). I love my stereo and it’s on pretty much all the time now. Sorry, TV.

On to my garbage question. For obvious reasons, it would not be a good idea if everybody just dropped their trash onto the ground when they’re ready to dispose of it. However, in an age when littering has become so taboo, and people are wrapping everything under the sun in plastic and not composting, is it possible to reach a point where it might actually be beneficial not to bag trash? If you consider the average American, and the fact that he’s most likely going to toss the banana peel, the newspaper, the coffee filter etc into the trash, might we ever reverse our stance on litter? I know in a perfect world, everyone would compost, dramatically improving the situation, but that’s not likely to happen. While certainly more convenient for carrying and better smelling, isn’t bagging up garbage hurting things more than it’s helping? Could this problem be alleviated by metro government distribution of in-home garbage cans and more frequent pick-up? Just some thoughts. It all occurred to me when I tossed my egg shell out the window onto Taylorsville Road this morning en route to work.

I’m pretty sure asphalt isn’t permeable to egg shell.

EDIT: I can’t believe I forgot the best one… Music to Strip By. For a quarter at Half Price books. That is why you always check the clearance rack.