Music is very powerful. It regularly blows my little mind. Just hearing a snippit of song can get it stuck in my head for days. I can remember the lyrics to "The Gambler" even when I'm drunk. Hearing a familiar chorus can reduce me to tears.

The first time I noticed the effects it had on me was when I was in High School.

I was having a really rough week. Mum was in hospital. Coach had bitten off my head for my faulty technique. Dad had given me a guilt trips over god knows what. I was living by myself for the first time in my life. On top of all of that, I had assignments and exams to contend with. For an unbalanced teenager, that can be a lot to cope with. I wasn't coping as well as I could have.

Thursday, 3rd period. Chemistry.

Hides and I were passing notes that were long enough to classify as essays. At that point in time, I didn't want to be me. Hides kept listening, I kept pouring my heart out into the secret notes, passed along the back row.

Then Heidi passed me another note:
It was the lyrics to "I'll be there for you" by the Rembrants. ie: Theme song to Friends.

So no one told you life was gonna be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear.
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. But,
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour).
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before).
I'll be there for you
'Cause you're there for me too.

Nobody else understood why I started hugging Heidi in the middle of class...

To this day, I cant listen to that song without thinking of Hides and getting a strange lump in my throat. I doubt she remembers it. I dont really care.

That memory was proudly brought to you by my mid afternoon coffee break, Virgin Radio London, and "The Rembrants".