700th Post: My Record Collection Has Never Been So Stallionistic.

Before we get into the usual breakdown, I wanted to mention that I finally made it to Portland's sort-of-new 99 Cent Records today, after months of not making it happen. Among other gems (including Naughty By Nature's first LP), I found the Stallion record that you see up top there, which I've been on the lookout for ever since I found the first Stallion LP a few years ago.

Don't let the name fool you: not all of their records sell for 99 cents. But a lot of them do. The Stallion record cost me three bucks, which I was happy to pay. Anyway, just wanted to say that it's a cool place worth checking out, and the guy who runs it was super nice. I'll be going back soon.

Now, on to the stats!

The past and current numbers breakdown, as it relates to CDs vs. vinyl:

At my 200th post, the score was 116-84; roughly 58% CDs to 42% vinyl.

By my 300th post, it was 179-112; about 61% to 39%.

At post 400, it was 217-156, which sent it back to 58% CDs and 42% vinyl.

At the ever-impressive 500th post, the tally was CDs: 250, LPs: 211. That breaks down to 54% CDs, 46% vinyl.

When we reached the 600th post, vinyl had finally overtaken CDs, by a score of 272-266, or 51% LPs, 49% CDs.

Since then, things have remained about the same, with vinyl gaining a little bit more, thanks to me replacing more of my CDs and going back and adjusting the entries. (Yes, I'm meticulous with this shit.)

The score as we sit right now is 311-302, keeping things at 51%-49% ratio with, as I said, LPs leading the charge.

I know that I own about 700 LPs, so we're still not even halfway done, even though the alphabet would suggest otherwise. The S's are going to take three months, methinks. Minimum.

Categories have remained basically the same, though 2000's hip hop has now over taken 2000's rock for the coveted third spot. And, we've got a new one: 2010's rock! Look for more from this decade in the future.

And thanks for reading again. You know how I have to take breaks from this thing here and there to reinvigorate myself. I'm feeling pretty good about it right now, so keep checking back. Now on to the Q's!

600th Post: The Tide is Turning.

This is not a picture of my actual turntable, but this is the same turntable that I have. I've owned it for years, but for much of that time it's been in semi-working condition and I haven't been using it. The left channel would always cut out, and it made listening to my LPs an exercise in frustration. I finally got it back from the repair shop after a lengthy stay there (think I might have mentioned this before), and it sounds better than ever.

Not sure why I'm mentioning this. Guess I'm just excited about it. It's definitely given me a reinvigorated interest in playing my records, and that's not a bad thing. For anyone interested, it's a Marantz 6100. Fully automatic, and really nice looking. I'm happy. So that's that.

The past and current numbers breakdown, as it relates to CDs vs. vinyl:

At my 200th post, the score was 116-84; roughly 58% CDs to 42% vinyl.

By my 300th post, it was 179-112; about 61% to 39%.

At post 400, it was 217-156, which sent it back to 58% CDs and 42% vinyl.

At the ever-impressive 500th post, the tally was CDs: 250, LPs: 211. That breaks down to 54% CDs, 46% vinyl.

As you may know, because I've mentioned here a few times, I'm always in the process of replacing my CDs with vinyl copies of the same album. I then sell the CD versions and put the profits towards either more records, or - currently - seasons of The Sopranos. So, not only have I been buying new records, but I've been losing some of my compact discs. I spent some time and went back and changed the posts where I now have the LP copy of something that I had the CD version of when I originally posted. The numbers are up to date.

And for the first time since I started writing this blog, LPs have overtaken CDs.

The score is now 266-272, with vinyl holding onto a six-disc lead. 49% CDs, 51% vinyl. And that's rounding the decimals up.

Everything else stayed relatively the same. 90's Rock is still in first, followed by 90's hip hop, with 2000's rock barely edging out 2000's hip hop. 70's rock is still ahead of 80's rock, but only by one album.

Possibly most impressive: I've made 600 posts. Yikes. And we're just starting out on the P's. Still a long way to go.

500th Post: Take That, Society.

Yes, I've somehow stuck with this.

So, let's see where we're at. Alphabetically, I'm close to being halfway done. But I anticipate the "S" and "T" categories to be hefty ones, and I'll have more Z's than you would think, on account of all the Zappa. So, I doubt I'm actually halfway done. And if I intend to get into soundtracks and compilations (which I'm not promising), then I'm definitely not halfway done. Either way, I'm excited that I've come this far. And I'm feeling pretty good about it going into the new year, so I'm going to keep at it as long as I can. I know I slip some days, but I try to make up for it, and I usually do.

Let's break down the stats.

By my 200th post, the score was 116-84; roughly 58% CDs to 42% vinyl.

By my 300th post, it was 179-112; about 61% to 39%.

At post 400, it was 217-156, which sent it back to 58% CDs and 42% vinyl.

Now, the score is CDs: 250, LPs: 211. That breaks down to 54% CDs, 46% vinyl.

I told you LPs would start making a push, and they have. This upcoming Mothers of Invention section is going to push it even further. Still, I'm curious to see how it'll all work out. I know you probably don't really give a shit about the media on which my music was pressed, but it's fun for me. And I'm still working on replacing my CDs with LPs. It's a tedious and expensive, but it's also really fun.

Top Genres: 90's rock is still in the lead, with 90's hip hop reclaiming its rightful slot in second. 2000's rock moved up to third, with 2000's hip hop barely trailing it in fourth.

70's Rock: Ahead of 80's rock now. Interesting... I blame Led Zeppelin.

In other news, I was able to rent a copy of Uncle Meat, the Mothers of Invention movie. I am going to go watch it now. Pray for me. And look for a review of it later this week.

400th Post: Assessment Time.

The big 400. Not bad. That break I took was a good move, and now I'm right back in the thick of this damn thing. Let's break down the findings, even though I'm beginning to realize this is only for my personal benefit.

CDs are still leading vinyl, and now the numbers are 217-156. To review:

By my 200th post, it was 116-84; roughly 58% CDs to 42% vinyl.

By my 300th post, it was 179-112; about 61% to 39%.

Now, we're right back to 58% to 42%.

The numbers aren't budging much, but I still think things might sway a little towards vinyl in the coming months. And years.

Top Genres: 90's rock and hip hop are back to commanding leads, with 2000's rock and hip hop being the next two in line. I expect these numbers to stay steady.

80's Hip Hop/Rap: Not nearly as strong a showing as I would like to see.

That turntable up there: It plays LPs with a laser and goes for about 15k. Looks like I know what I want for Christmas!

One Year.

Yup, it was May 22 of last year that I made my first post.

Since then, aside from a week that I took off in the summer, I've posted every day. Not bad. I'm glad I've stuck with it. And I'm only a quarter of the way through (alphabet-wise, though I bet it's much less than that).

Sadly (for my brother, mostly, because I think he's the only one who reads this), I'm going to use this opportunity to take a little break. This blog takes up a good portion of every evening for me, and lately, I feel like I've been neglecting other stuff that I need to be doing.

Not only do I have my own band to promote, but I'm getting married in two months, and shit's getting a little major with that. So, I'm not giving up on this blog, but I'll probably be posting a bit less frequently from now on.

I gots to handle mine. You understand.

300th Post: Another Quick Assessment.

Crap yeah, I'm sticking with this thing. It just goes to show you: I have more drive, determination, and sticktoitiveness than you ever will. Suck it, society.

That shelf up there claims to hold 300 records. While I've done 300 entries, I haven't quite covered 300 albums yet, but pretty close. It doesn't really look all that impressive...or maybe it does. I can't tell. Either way, I think it sounds like a lot. And we're only to the H's. Not even a third of the way done. Yikes. And I think the R-S-T section of the alphabet's going to be a long ride. And if you think I'll be breezing through the Z's, you haven't seen my Zappa collection. But I digress.

Let's see if the stats have made any significant shifts:

CDs are still leading vinyl, and now the score's 179-112. So, on my 200th post, my collection consisted of 58% CDs and 42% vinyl. Now it's about 61% to 39%. I predicted vinyl making some headway, but it hasn't yet.

Top Genres: They've switched up a little bit. 90's rock is still in the lead, but 2000's hip hop has jumped ahead of 90's hip hop (barely), and 2000's rock is now alone in fourth.

80's Rock: Looking like it might become a contender. Keep an eye on it.

That girl showing off the record shelf: Yahtzee.

200th Post: A Quick Assessment.

Holy crap. I'm 200 posts into this mad experiment already. And I have to say, this has been an exercise. But, it's been fun, too. And it's far from over.

So, what do we know?

Well, I'm almost through the D's, which is the fourth letter of the alphabet, putting us roughly one sixth/one seventh of the way through (or about 15%, if my math isn't too screwy), at least alphabetically. So, at this rate, if these trends continue, I've got about 1100 albums left to do, which would take me almost exactly three more years.

Yowsa.

The breakdown so far (check the tags on the right for reference):

CDs are leading vinyl 116-84. That sounds about right, though I think vinyl will make up some ground as we move forward.

Top Genres: 90's rock is in the lead, followed closely by 90's hip hop, with 2000's rock and 2000's hip hop tied for third. That also seems about right.

80's Pop: not making a strong showing.

So, really, no big surprises so far.

I press on.