Because a CD Sometimes Doesn't Cut It.

I love music.  I've always had fun listening to music to bolster any mood I may be in. I'm a girl, and an emotional one at that, so I use music to indulge my sad moods sometimes. I listen to it to perk me up. I listened to music during my plan times when I was a classroom teacher.  I listen to it constantly with Felicia to keep her happy, to dance with her, and to calm her.  We listen to music just about any time we can.

A few years ago, I stumbled across a music website called www.pandora.com. You go to the website and type in the name of an artist, song, or genre you like.  The website will then create a "radio station" for you to listen to that will include the artist/song/genre you like along with others you might enjoy as well.  For example, if you enjoy the band Chicago and type that in to the website's field, your radio station may include songs from other similar bands such as Doobie Brothers, America, or Bread. It will come up with some bands you might not have listened to before, as well.  

However, in the past year I have recently stumbled across another new-to-me music website named blip.fm. This is a website where you get to be the DJ- you have full control over what songs you listen to.  Anyhow, when you find a song or music video you like (the site draws their music from other websites such as grooveshark and youtube), you 'blip' it. Your blips can earn you 'props' from other DJs, and if you find a DJ with similar music interests who 'blips' songs you enjoy, you can become a 'listener' of his. I now have a long stream of songs I've blipped that I can turn on anytime and listen to. You can also listen to another DJ's station if you prefer. If you just want to listen to a certain band, you can use a tuner function so that the website will play any recent blips from other DJs who are listening to that band. 

It's a great way to listen to music around the house or at work (if your workplace's server hasn't blocked it)! Felicia's current favorites to listen to around the house include "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies, "Can't Buy Me Love" by the Beatles, and "The Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy. 

I'm hoping to cultivate a love for the Rolling Stones in her next.