Trigger

I listened to the self-titled Third Eye Blind CD on my way into work. (Yes Michael, you can have it back and yes, it was in a case and no, it's not scratched.) I know the words to every song. It was the CD I played on repeat in my CD walkman during a trip to the Jersey Shore. It was the CD I bought for all my friend's birthdays and the CD that makes me think of overnight bus rides during my trip to Australia.

The trip down memory lane got me thinking about other music that represents a certain time for me. There was Green Day's Dookie, the first CD I ever bought myself in sixth grade. This followed the first ever bought for me, TLC's Waterfalls, but we don't need to talk about that.

Eighth grade brought Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, for when I was angry or just felt like being moody. This was followed by the girl-power anthems of Meredith Brook's Bitch single (we changed to words for a summer camp song..."I think farm's cool, you grow vegetables, and when they're grown you eeeeaaat them!") and I was a Wannabe for the Spice Girls. Marcy Playground's Sex and Candy, Semisonic's Feeling Strangely Fine and Savage Garden (another one we can forget) were all played at top volume as I danced around my bedroom.

Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit and Jay-Z's Vol 2...Hard Knock Life corresponded with wanting to break up with my boyfriend and spread my wings.

I bought Dave Matthews Band Crash because a boy I liked was a big fan. I could never get into it and packed it away for years until I met Michael, also a DMB lover. Since then I've really grown to like them on my own. I guess it took meeting the right boy.

Speaking of the right boy, Counting Crows' August and Everything After is the CD I associate with Michael. Always one of my favorites, it became the soundtrack to the long drives and talks into the wee hours of the morning that our relationship was built upon.

I love how music can trigger memories.

Bet you have Meredith Brooks stuck in your head now, don't you?

Shuffle

Put your iPod on shuffle. Write about the what the songs remind you of. (I've done this before, but it's cool to see what comes up.)

Everytime- Britney Spears: First of all, yeah, I know. Britney Spears. But for some reason I like this song. When I used to work at the beach we'd have the radio on 92.3 all day and would count how many times this song would come on during an 8-hour day. A lot. Like 12 times or something like that. Actually, it's a wonder I still like this song

Breathe-Telepopmusik: That car commercial where they're all dancing around robotic-like and that one girl has a cool hat. Mitsubishi? I can't remember. This song is a really good car song on a rainy day

Two Step (Live)- Dave Matthews Band: My favorite version of this song. Probably the first DMB song I ever loved and always will.

We Trying To Stay Alive-Wyclef Jean & Refugees: Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion! They do this stupid dance in the club and it always makes me laugh.

Push-Matchbox 20: My very fist concert ever. It was at the Poughkeepsie Civic Center and I wore a yellow, blue and white striped tank top. There were so many people and I remember at the end of the night I figured that half the sweat on me wasn't mine. Ew. I also caught the guitarist's pick until some big ugly girl grabbed it out of my hand. Abby jumped on her back and started yelling at her, but the pick got lost on the floor.

Perfect Blue Buildings-Counting Crows: When Michael and I first started talking we would send each other music we liked. I had always liked Counting Crows but usually skipped over this song for some reason. I really listened to it the night he sent it to me and loved it. Makes me think of him

Return to Innocence-Enigma: Remember the CD that was always for sale on TV? Pure Moods? They would play this in the background. And P.S. I think Michelle owns this!

*Big surprise: spell check doesn't recognize Poughkeepsie.