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Is music part of your Thanksgiving holiday? Will you be battling dad for control of the family speakers? Or is it a war between the siblings?
I've been thinking about how different these decisions are in the 21st century. When I'd visit my parents long ago, pre-iPod, I was at their mercy. The choice of music for the family gathering was often some generic radio station or even cable TV's "The Music of Your Life" station, which was never the music of my life. But with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra or Benny Goodman, my mom's choice was always a fine compromise.
These days, bringing music to a house full of family or friends isn't about how many records you can carry in your arms. With Spotify, Pandora or a pocketful of music, everyone at the party has their own favorites within reach. So, this Thursday there are many ways this could play out.
What happens when the music starts to drive you up a wall? Maybe it pales in comparison to how your folks (or your kids) drive you up a wall, but that said, it's time to come up with a strategy. How will you deal with annoying music when you're holding a pocket full of music that is lovingly yours? Of course there's a chance all will be peaceful and memorable — I'd be happy for someone to tell that story too.
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