This is mix I made for the FTOTZ club, for the wonderful derhay. The theme of the round was creating a soundtrack for a film that doesn't exist.

I decided on a little indie film, since they usually have the best soundtracks. This is a movie about four friends (male and female) who, in their youth, pledged to take an epic trip together in the distant future. When the time comes, they are all in very different places in their lives, but agree to reunite.

I love road movies, and movies about travel. I was going for a sort of hippie, lo-fi sound that evoked traveling on the open road and I wanted the music to reflect the fun of four friends on an adventure, while also acknowledging that they could never return to once was. So there had to be a streak of melancholy running through it all.

This mix is inspired by my favorite movie — "The Third Man" — which I think is a great travel movie. I guess my ideal vacation involves crumbling grandeur, dark alleys and a sense of unease. Seriously! But I need more than just zither music playing in the background.

Kind of gritty, kind of a poseur, occasionally brilliant.

Many years ago, my best friend and I made a pact that we would take the Trans-Mongolian railroad (Moscow to Beijing) together in the summer of 2008.

Now that date is nearing, and we are both confronted with some adult responsibilities we weren't expecting back then. Is the motivation still there?

Time for a Christmas present that drops a none-too-subtle hint! As a gift, it must also be something she would like and listen to (so, generally mellow and pretty).

Cause we're NOT too old for an adventure on the rails!

The highs and lows of an endless night on the town.

Music from warmer places!