As a result of many economic forces, including my past compulsion to purchase new clothes at a whim, I have had to seriously curtail my spending. I'm living a frugal life right now. This has forced me to find joy in simplicity. If I want to enjoy my life, I have to find wonder and awe in simple things like caterpillars, butterflies and any number of things that were overwhelmingly exciting in childhood. And on this day in particular, I succeeded in doing such. Materials required: Dog, leash, iPod, great music, Fight Crew t-Shirt, Jordache Jeans, $5 gift certificate to Starbucks and a few bucks in my pocket. Music sets the tone. As I put in my earbuds, slam the front gate and hit play on my iPod, this is what I hear (all links go to iTunes or MySpace where you can preview/buy these songs): Bung by Midfield General off Sonic Velocity - Drum N' Bass & Electronic. Trust me, this gets me off to a great start on my trip to Starbucks which is really an excuse to get out of the house, walk the dog and hope that she gets tired enough that she will leave me alone in the afternoon. The next set of songs took me from my front gate, up Redondo Ave., past 3rd street and all the way to Starbucks on 7th and Redondo. Groove Holmes by The Beastie Boys off The IN Sound From Way Down, 19.5 by LTJ Bukem & Peshay off The Best in Drum and Bass, No Thang On Me by Snoop Dogg Feat. B off R&G (Rhythm & Gangsters), Partymadchen Gefoltert by Stereo Total off Do The Bambi, Bring It by Peshay off Fuzion, Pow by The Beastie Boys off The IN Sound From Way Out. After I found a chair to tie the dog to, I head into Starbucks. Just then, Madness by Killing Joke off What's This For! came on. Even though I know some people will think I'm rude for ordering with my headphones on, I don't care. As I ordered, I asked myself, "Am I talking too loud or not loud enough?" Then I thought to myself, "What do I care if the barista likes me or not?" I go outside and sit on the cushy outdoor furniture in the breezeway. I crank up my iPod, and eat my sandwich. Here's what played in my ears as I chewed. Sajanna by Badmarsh & Shri off Signs and Holiday in Cambodia by Dead Kennedys off Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death. Right about now, I'm feeling strong, I feel like I'm reconnecting with my youth. I've had a breakthrough moment. For the first time in 20+ years I swear to God I heard the lyrics more clearly than ever. Jello Biafra utters the words "Right Guard will not help you here" right after he says, "It's time to taste, what you most fear". I never realized that is what he said. Fascinating. I'm feeling Gal VanIZed big time now. I am grooving to tunes like All Rights Reversed (featuring Klaxons) by Chemical Brothers off We Are the Night and We Shall Overcome by Mahalia Jackson. I'm refelecting and thinking: Oh Yeah, as I hear the empowering words of Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire and sit on the Starbucks patio furniture, chillin' with the dog. More cool songs commence: Oh Yeah by Stereo Total off of Juke-Box-Alarm, followed by Since I've Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin. Meanwhile, I'm sippin' a sour/sweet fruit smoothy from Starbucks. It's a berry/grapefruit italian iced blend and it tastes good. In fact, after my first sip I had a serious brain freeze. I would recommend that you sip slowly to avoid that experience. After leisurely chewing the last bite of my Turkey Avocado sandwich, I get the dog and start walking as I hear these tunes: Distortion by Monkey Fist off Between the Lines and Finger Lickin' Good by Beastie Boys. I finished off the walk and came in the front door listening to The Gentle Rain (RJD2 Remix) by Astrud Gilberto off Verve Remixed 3. This great little getaway cost me about $3.65 and it was well worth every penny. I guess if you count the cost of songs at 99 cents a download, it's really $20.48 but the great thing about my music is that I can play it over and over again, anywhere I want for the rest of my life. To me, music is important and valuable so the investment is miniscual compared to the price of discontent and boredom.