Calyx Design

One gloomy December a few years back I was struck by the realization that I simply do not like Christmas.

A bitterly disappointing love affair might have had something to do with that, but the truth is that despite decades of cultural marination in the year-end hullabaloo, I’d never liked it. Rather than joy, inevitably what I felt was … melancholy

To, uh, “celebrate” my experience of the happy holiday that year, I put together a CD of sad and spooky songs and mailed it out in lieu of Christmas cards — the first Somewhat Mournful Seasonal Assortment.

One season led to another, and eleven years later the tradition persists. The strangest thing is how I’ve come to be able to recognize a song as a Mournful candidate pretty much instantaneously!

But choosing the music is only a part of it. I’ve discovered that the annual process of creating these things (and the handmade aspect is important) has become a ritual that I really look forward to. Noticing how my approach to design has evolved, thinking fondly of my friends on the mailing list — it all goes into getting a little Mournful every year a meditative and satisfying pleasure.

Anyway. Here’s eleven years worth, all in one place. Enjoy …

psst — I’ll be updating this post yearly.

» 1999 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2000 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2001 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2002 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2003 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2004 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2005 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2006 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2007 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2008 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2009 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2010 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

» 2011 track listing  |  iTunes cover art

This entry was posted Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 5:45 am and is filed under BLOG. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.