After losing everything on my hard drive last weekend, my iPod has only been a cruel reminder of the volumes of music that once occupied my beloved MacBook. Yes I have most of the purchased music backed up and I will eventually have to dedicate a day of my life to ripping all of the music back onto my computer.

Today is one of those days in Destin that, after the stifling heat and similarly suicide-inducing summer traffic have gone, remind you why you and others love living here.

Heading out on the road this weekend to the most magical place on Earth for a little R&R and I thought I’d break out a decent road trip playlist.

1. Cold War Kids - Hair Down - Robbers & Cowards

2. The New Pornographers - Use It - Twin Cinema

3. Shout Out Louds - Very Loud - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff

4. My Morning Jacket - Off the Record - Z

5. Silversun Pickups - Little Lover’s So Polite - Carnavas

Finding cloudy, cold weather music on my iPod is becoming more of a challenge. This morning, the sun was shiny, the autumn wind was refreshing and sweater-enducing — it felt like Heaven. I was ready to lay down a playlist of “Here Comes the Sun” and light, poppy songs from The Shins, The New Pornographers and Shout Out Louds. The weather had other plans for today’s playlist. The clouds have rolled in.

1. Nada Surf - Your Legs Grow - The Weight is a Gift

2. Keane - Try Again - Under the Iron Sea 

3. Death Cab for Cutie - Company Calls Epilogue - Forbidden Love EP

4. Matt Nathanson - Bulletproof Weeks - Some Mad Hope 

5. Radiohead - (Nice Dream) - The Bends 

Destin is beginning to look and feel more like Seattle everyday. A (finally) cold and blustery autumn day in the Panhandle makes me want to stay in bed and watch Scrubs and re-runs of Rescue Me all day. Here’s a playlist that reflects that sentiment.

1. The Beatles - I’m Only Sleeping - Revolver 

2. The Format - On Your Porch - Interventions and Lullabies 

3. Fiona Apple - Not About Love - Extraordinary Machine 

4. Coldplay - A Whisper - A Rush of Blood to the Head

 5. Jim Croce - New York’s Not My Home - Have You Heard: Jim Croce Live