George says that we consumers need to get out there and do our thing to keep the economy alive through these troubled times. Well, never let my patriotism be questioned: I’m always willing to do my part.

Some superkickassgroovy tunes have driven me back to the world of vinyl. It seems there are some things that are just too cool for the American megacorporations to put onto light-reflecting thermoplastic, and we need to import the big floppy records from Europe to hear the best tunes. (Example samples: Bahia LP and Wagon Cookin’.) Fortunately, my good parents were passing through town and I asked them to portage my old turntable from the long-abandoned stereo set up here on their way, and they kindly obliged.

Sure enough, the stylus had seen better days, and I figured, after 16 years, why not treat the thing to a fresh needle? Of course, who still services turntables around here? Certainly not our Best Circuit City Sam’s Buy megastore, no sir; gotta get to the official music store, for DJ’s and audiophiles alike. When I walked in and held up my sad little stylus cartridge, the expert dude automatically knew, “Nope, I’m not gonna have that. How old is this thing?”

After discussing my technological options, he directed me in the near-term to the Radio Shack around the corner. “I remember getting a needle there once upon a time for my grandmother’s record player, before she passed away.” Thanks for dating the equipment, pal. Into RadShack I go, once again proudly producing my archaeological stylus. But like the old feller in O Brother Where Art Thou, “I can order the part for ya, have it in a couple o’ weeks,” quoth he.

Two weeks? Hmmm, two weeks. Party’s in 4 days. Got three shipments of vinyl coming. Two weeks.

So this morning I listened to my brand-new Wagon Cookin’ 12″ on my brand-newer turntable. Hey, it was on sale! And I’m just doin’ my part to keep the wheels a’turnin’. Can’t win the war against terrorism if we don’t defend capitalism, now, can we?



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