An Ode to the Mix Tape

Does anyone remember the movie High Fidelity? You know - the movie where John Cusack, a record store owner, lists everything, including his last five breakups. He talks music, relationships, maturity and commitment (with a few pearls of wisdom - and some 'slamming' dance moves from Jack Black).

I haven't seen the movie in a while, but it has left me wondering about a few things... things like- what happened to dating, what happened to romance, and most importantly... what happened to the mixtape?

Things just aren't the same anymore... maybe I am 'old school' (or just plain old) but while globalisation has brought us closer together, modernization and technological advancement has pulled us further apart. People don't really talk anymore, everything is about speed and convenience and no one knows how to express themselves.

We talk at each other instead of to each other, we don't listen, we breakup over sms, we order takeout because we couldn't be bothered to spend an hour in the kitchen cooking something cheaper (and most likely- healthier), we don't feel productive unless we are doing five things at the same time and we can't relax until we are doing nothing.

Which brings me back to the mixtape... creating a mixtape was a process, and the end result was art. Hours were spent choosing songs from records, CDs or in my case waiting for your favourite song to play on the radio (... oh- the shame!). It was about waiting, patience, perfection. No quick solutions, no instant gratification- just hard work- but it was worth it.

Joel Keller, in his 2004 article, "PCs killed the mix-tape star", talks about his experience:

"I miss the way I used to make mixes. I'd sit in front of my tape deck, with a stack of CDs or records on one side of me, and a beverage (adult or otherwise) on the other, and spend a couple of hours or more finding just the right combination of songs to put on the tape. The levels would all match; loud songs got softened and soft songs got a boost. I would attempt to take the mix right to the end of the tape; I'd spend over an hour finding that perfect minute-and-a-half song or snippet that would fit musically with the rest of the mix."

So today's version of the mixtape? An MP3 CD? Seriously? We drag a couple of songs into a burnlist, click a button and voila... a compilation is born? Sounds easy, but its just not the same. Its not a process... its a procedure. Drag. Click. Burn.

And who needs an MP3 CD when you have an iPod... forget 20 favourite songs, try 10,000 songs. 10,000 song you will NEVER listen to. So..? My suggestion? Find the 20 songs you will listen to, follow the rules... and then... then... make a mixtape (ok fine- a mix CD if you will)!

You might also want to read this or this, watch/listen to this and definitely look at this and this.

My Kind of Camping...

I get teased a lot because I don't like camping.

I really don't understand it... when you go on holiday isn't it supposed to be relaxing, rejuvenating and calming? What is relaxing about not having electricity (didn't we enjoy enough electricity free days with the Eskom power cuts)? What is relaxing about having to walk anything from 100m to 500m to a toilet (sometimes at night, sometimes in the freezing cold/rain)? What is relaxing about having to prepare your food on a chopping board that might or might-not be covered in sand or bark, whilst sitting on a plastic chair? What is relaxing about sharing a bathroom space with people you don't know? What is relaxing about sleeping on the ground?

I think you get the picture- I don't like the idea of camping. 

Glamping on the other hand... (yes, I know- the word glamping is lame) is something I can do.Give me supersized luxury tents/trailers with queen-size beds, feather down duvets, gas heaters in the winter, lanterns in trees and fairylights, en suite bathrooms with 2-ply toilet paper and electricity so I can read at night/ charge my cell phone/ watch a movie on my laptop/ dry my hair. And then throw in the perfect amount of nature, maybe a lake, some beautiful views, lots of trees... and then... then I will go camping.

Glamping is huge in the U.S, but until now I haven't seen many places in South Africa that do it (properly). Then this morning I get an e-mail- my lovely friend V, in an attempt to get me to enjoy 'the great outdoors', sent me some links to South Africa's version of luxury camping... (well done on finding these V, but don't think I don't see what you're trying to do here... there better be a buffet breakfast involved)!

The first 'camp-site' (and my favourite) is the Old Mac Daddy (part of the Daddy Group that gave birth to Daddy Long Legs and the Grand Daddy). Situated on the slopes of the Elgin Valley, Old Mac Daddy adds a contemporary touch to traditional camping- Airstream Trailer Suites (with themed rooms).

"Part wholesome caravan park, part designer farm lodge, Old Mac Daddy Trailer Hotel is a new chapter in adventure, escapism and pure relaxation."

You can choose one of their themed trailer suites, lakeside suites, the honeymoon trailer or the Daddy's Villa for larger groups. Additional features/facilities include a deck pool, the barn (communal area with fireplace, library, restaurant and bar - Grolsch on tap!), dam and mountain bike trails. Prices range from R475 to R1,750 (per trailer sleeping two- until January 2011) and include a continental breakfast for two.

Trailer suites nestled on the slopes of the Elgin Valley

Stylish and cute... I like it!

If Old Mac Daddy isn't quite your style, and you are looking for something a bit more traditional then you will love the Elgin Hills Luxury Tented Camp. The tents have double/queen sized beds, crisp white linen, gas heaters for chilly nights and an en suite bathroom. There is a lapa on site, with  communal lounge (and DStv) and kitchen (with gas stove). During the day you can hike through the eco-trails that ramble through the stunning estate and for those who prefer to have a drink and soak up their surrounds- you can wander down to the river and enjoy a sundowner cruise on their barge. Prices range from R470 (per person) upwards and are valid until April 2011.

Luxury tent complete with double bed and en suite bathroom

Not everyone is a fan of glamping. What do you think? Old school camping, in sleeping bags with communal bathrooms or luxury tents with all the creature comforts and a bit of nature on the side?