(Sorry, no links. At work.)

Let me set the scene. I'm at home. It's a Friday night, and I've had a rough week - meetings, client calls, sill office rivalries, and petty politics. My friends call me, say they're coming over, ask me if there's any food at home. I say sure, I'll cook something. I've been looking forward to this all day. I step into the kitchen and see dishes piled up in the sink. There's a lot of work that needs to be done here. I put on Loveless by My Bloody Valentine and get started. 48 minutes and 36 seconds later, as Soon fades out, bringing the album to a close, I drop my ladle in the sink, and look proudly at my masterpiece - a wok of ramen.

My friends come home. They're disappointed that all I've made them is Ramen, and shocked when I tell them I took nearly an hour to make it. One of them has called a few of his friends over. I hope you don't mind, he says, besides you should meet Rita, you'll like her, like like-like her. I say ok, I'm cool with people coming over, there's no beer at home, and frankly, the prospect of "like like-liking" someone seems very appealing. They all come over, Rita too. We're all having a good time. My friends have started trickling out; they all have to get back home. I'm left at home with a bunch of people I've just met, but oddly feel comfortable with. They want to dance; a copious amount of beer has been consumed. And I want to dance, especially with her. I play the album Settle by Disclosure. We all have a great time. I get nowhere with Rita; I'm too afraid to try. But hey, at least we all had fun dancing.

A few months after this, I decide to camp in the hills with a friend I made at the party. After a long day of trekking, and a night of conversations about space exploration, women, and the meaning of life, we decide to crash. Why don't we play some music, I suggest. Sure, he says. I put on The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld and we drift off peacefully.

Inspired by my trip to the hills, I decide to start on a novel. Trouble is, stupid work has come in from the office. I need to get done with it in an hour. I put on Chopin's Ballades and get cracking.