I’m proud to announce that I’ve finally put the finishing touches on my ANNUAL HOLIDAY MIX!

For those who may not know, this is like my holiday card; it’s my cheesy tradition that I do ever year where I let myself get sentimental.  I’ve been doing it since my senior year of high school, when I named it “Seasons of Love” after the song from RENT.  (There’s too much to say about that now, so I’ll pass.)  Don’t worry: it’s not actual holiday music. I originally thought of it as a mix of music that would “evoke the spirit of the holidays” (words of a 17 year old), specifically “love songs and lullabies.”  It’s the romantic in me.  Well, it’s evolved over the years, but still fits roughly into this theme.  I think I’m officially out of my “over-investment in folk” (as Anne called it).  I’ve stopped stealing all of my music from Logan.  You will not find Dave Matthews Band on this mix.  Like last year, there are a lot of Torch Songs (or Torch Songs light).  And in some cases, it’s even gotten a little more upbeat.  Last year’s also felt more political, but maybe that’s just the mood I was in then.  Basically, it’s music I’ve been listening to this year or music that I wish I were listening to more often.

This year, I decided to also put together a bonus dance mix.  Really, it was an excuse to continue my unexpected devotion to Lady Gaga and to proselytize on her behalf.  I like the regular mix to be something you could fall asleep to (it’s often my plane music), or help you get your work done, or play in the background of a dinner party.  But sometimes you just want to shake it to the ground, especially to the love songs that would otherwise break your heart.  ANYWAY!  I did it in 2004 (I think) and one of my professors told me she worked out to it at the gym and it made my day.  (I hope you’re still on this list!)  So it’s time.