Ever since we graduated from college in 1998, me and a small circle of friends have decided to make a compilation of our favorite songs for the year. Which nicely dovetails with my habit of remembering events according to what song was playing at the time.

As the state of pop music degenerates, as the radio waves and MTV become barren wastelands, as my ability to purchase CDs decreases, and as Napster shuts down, my playlist has become more and more populated with worthless ear candy. It’s really only the bizarre associations with fond memories that make them worth mentioning.

• 2000

  Lost, lost. No name, no business, no Precious, nothing. Only empty.

• 1999

  A journey. Angels. And the voice of the wind.

• 1998

  Memories from the corner of my mind.

• 1997

  I promise I'm over it now. But I'm still alone.