1980: I bought my first 45 (that’s right, it was a record, and a 45 at that) when I was in 6th grade. It was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts singing “Put Another Dime in the Jukebox”. I played that record again, and again, and again until my older sister was screaming from her bedroom for me to shut it off. This is also the year I bought my first LP which was “80’s Rock” and included such hits like “Chaka Khan” and “Brass In Pocket” by the Pretenders.

1986: I was sixteen and well entrenched in “alternative music”. My favorite movie was “Pretty in Pink” (totally thought she should have gone with Duckie. I would have) and I owned the sound track. I also owned every album by Howard Jones (or HOJO as we liked to call him back then). I wrote into Tiger Beat magazine about my love for “The Fixx” and “Echo and the Bunnymen” – oh yeah, I was edgey.

1988: I graduate from high school and hair bands are at their peak. Although I never was a fan of such “trash” I can’t help but think of my high school days whenever I hear anything by Poison. I also fall in love for the first time and my boyfriend sings to me “Lady In Red” by Chris De Burgh. Years later he will come out of the “closet”. Doesn’t matter though since I still think of him when I hear that song.

1990: I meet my best friend Kym. Every success or break-up is met with a drive in my yellow Geo Storm singing to Mariah Carey. I still know every word in her debut album.

1991: Next door neighbors in college are big Red Hot Chili Pepper fans and play their albums all day and night. They seem odd and edgey at the time but in less than five years will be considered main stream. The band, not the neighbors.

1994: I suffer the worst break-up of my life. Spend months depressed over my lost love. I become enamored with No Doubt and Tracy Chapman.

1996: Rebound relationship with cute, younger guy. He introduces me to Matchbox 20, Barenaked Ladies, and The Dave Matthews Band. Short relationship but great musical tastes – I still listen to every one of those bands.

1998: I move to Texas and venture into country music. Now I’m singing along to Garth Brooks, Wynonna Judd and the Dixie Chicks.

2000: David takes me to my first Barenaked Ladies concert. We also get to meet Harry Connick Jr. that year. He introduces me to a whole array of artists from Jengo Reinhart to Dee-Light.

2004: Lucy is born. “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
2006: Max is born. “Arms Wide Open” by Creed (David just said that it was “unfortunate” that Creed is part of my life soundtrack – I’m choosing to ignore him)

2009: My life is so full and rich now that no one song, group, or artist could capture this stage in my life. Perhaps I’ll look back and remember listening to Tom Chapin with the kids or Raffi. Perhaps I’ll think of going to the John Mayer concert with David or Norah Jones or the multiple Barenaked Ladies concerts we’ve now attended. Up to this moment my life seemed to only focus on one note at a time and now it is too full to have that luxury.