The 'New Job' Playlist

Driving home from work today it occurred to me that I require a new playlist. Specifically, I need a 'new job' playlist. And I need it STAT.

I've spent the last week listening to a strange combination of faves: Kate Campbell (folk), Shane McAnally (country), the GLEE soundtrack, and the Gabe Dixon Band. They're all great, but they're all lacking a theme or tone that makes them suitable for my new playlist. I need songs that say, "Look out world, here I come!" Songs about optimism and strength. Songs that inspire, excite and motivate!

So here I am, a week and a half from starting a new chapter of my life and my career, and I'm reaching out to you to help me develop this list. Let's work together to create an awesome 'new job' playlist that energizes, gets my blood pumping, and hell, is searched for enough on the Internet that my web stats go up (at least a little). What? I'm a multi-tasker!

Send me your songs, people!

Under Consideration - Updated 4/21/10:
- 9 to 5, Dolly Parton
- River of Dreams, Billy Joel
- It's My Job, Jimmy Buffet

Under Consideration - Updated 4/22/10:
- Would I Lie to You, Eurythmics
- Money for Nothing, Dire Straits
- She Works Hard for Her Money, Donna Summer
- I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown
- Take This Job and Shove It, Johnny Paycheck
- Dancing Queen, ABBA
- Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, James Brown
- Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), Harry Belafonte
- School's Out for the Summer, Alice Cooper
- Independent Woman, Destiny's Child
- Manic Monday, The Bangles
- Movin' On Up, Theme from The Jeffersons
- Be Here Now, Mason Jennings
- Sex on Fire, Kings of Leon
- Soul Sister, Train
- I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor, Arctic Monkeys
- Everybody Wants You, Billy Squier

Under Consideration - Updated 4/23/10:
- I'm Alright, Jodee Messina

Under Consideration - Updated 5/1/10:
- Right Here, Right Now, Jesus Jones
- Suit Yourself, Kate Campbell
- Bang on the Drum All Day, Todd Rundgren
- It Don' Matter, Donavon Frankenreiter

Final New Job Playlist!
- Movin' On Up, Theme from The Jeffersons
- She Works Hard for Her Money, Donna Summer
- I Got You (I Feel Good), James Brown
- It Don' Matter, Donavon Frankenreiter
- I'm Alright, Jodee Messina
- School's Out, Alice Cooper
- Right Here, Right Now, Jesus Jones
- Money for Nothing, Dire Straits
- Day-O (The Banana Boat Song), Harry Belafonte
- Independent Woman, Destiny's Child
- Would I Lie to You, Eurythmics
- Everybody Wants You, Billy Squier
- Suit Yourself, Kate Campbell
- River of Dreams, Billy Joel

Learning the Accordion

Learning the accordion is hard. Difficult. Nearly impossible. I am trying to learn the piano accordion in part to honor my recently deceased grandfather who was a Master Accordionist. Yes, a "Master." Gone are the days when one could be a Master at almost anything, but up until October 2009, my grandfather, Anthony "Val" Costa, taught and performed accordion for many after some 70 + years of playing. My dad, Alan Anthony Costa, also taught and still plays the accordion, so how better to honor my family than to give this instrument a shot?

So late last October, I decided to bring one of his 12 bass "learning" accordions back to Baltimore, and although I couldn't pick it up for a few months (it just made me too sad), I finally started playing in January and decided to learn what I could on my own.

Now I think it's important to note here that I have not practiced as much as my grandfather and dad would have me practice; It has been sporadic. But I am recommitted to learning this instrument, and this morning I picked it up again for the first time in weeks and decided to try my hand at playing the bass (the side with the buttons).

Here is a short video showing what I accomplished today. I am pretty darn proud. It's a tiny, teeny, itty bitty step, but it's a step nonetheless. Enjoy. :)