Music, sah-weet music

Music has always played an important role in my life. When I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian or a DJ or both. I got my first record player at age 8 or 9, and my very first 45 was "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang. Ever since I can remember, I've made mixed tapes like a fiend (which morphed into mixed CD's thanks to modern technology). Much like John Cusak's character in High Fidelity, I believe that songs represent key moments in our lives. Some of them for me are:

"Wavelength" by Van Morrison.... my dad used to wear headphones and sing this loudly when I was a child. It reminds me of carefree days playing with friends in my backyard and exploring the town on our bikes.

"What a Fool Believes" by Michael McDonald.... played during my first time slow dancing with a boy at my friend Jennifer's party in 6th grade. He was one of my first crushes.

"Rio" by Duran Duran.... This was my very first concert. My friends and I were only 13, so we had to go with chaperones but I still remember how excited we were to see our "idols". One of my friends even fainted!!!

"And She Was" by Talking Heads ..... This was playing during my sweet 16 surprise party. My friend Paul also gave this album to me that night and I still have it today. Good times.

"Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy... In high school, one of the local radio stations would play this every Friday as school let out. My friends and I would blast it in our cars while driving home.

"With or Without You" by U2 .... I played this over and over after breaking up with my high school boyfriend of 2 years. It was pretty fitting for our relationship (oddly enough it was also played at the event I describe below).

"Father Figure" by George Michael... one of the songs featured at my high school friend's funeral who was killed by a drunk driver a year after we graduated

"It Ain't Over Til it's Over" by Lenny Kravitz.... this is one of Kyle and I's signature songs. It reminds me of our college relationship when we had a lot of ups and downs but knew we were meant for one another and it would all work out in the end

"We are Family" by Sister Sledge .... My sorority sisters and I would request this everytime we went out dancing. Total chick bonding song.

"No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley... Played at our reception, while the annoucer was introducing the wedding party. I still remember the nervous knots I had before walking in. Bob Marley is one of Kyle's favorite artists, so his songs always remind me of him

"Blue" by Eiffel 65.... Kyle and I first heard this in Germany while we were visiting our friend Chris there. We must have played this 20 times in the car during our trip. It will always remind me of Germany and car dancing!

"This Sorta Fairytale" by Tori Amos.... This was released the year Kyle and I were doing infertility treatments and had three miscarriages. It reminds me of loss, sorrow and wintertime all rolled up into one.

"Let Go" by Frou Frou... I first heard this in the movie Garden State (which is one of my all time favs). I felt like it represented a lot of my IF experience and I played it over and over while writing my magazine article which got published in "Infertility Times" last year (it's now called achieving families). It's a very cathartic song for me which still brings tears to my eyes


I could go on and on but I'll stop myself here (thank god, right??). It's just amazing how all these songs invoke specific memories each time I hear them. And how music really creates a mood - no wonder I love Gray's Anatomy so much!!

On a side note - I have a shoulder injury, a rhomboid muscle strain, most likely from overuse due to my crazy exercise schedule. I saw the doctor on Friday and she did some electrostim treatments and gave me muscle relaxers and strong anti-inflammatories. I go back on Mon, Wed, Fri from more stim treatments, but the good news is that she thinks I can still participate in the tri next Sunday! I just have to take it easy this weekend (NO swimming or weight lifting classes but I can still run and bike) and hopefully can try a little swimming again on Monday night.