My friend Allison and I were discussing our love lives this week. Mine is virtually non-existent with some interesting twists and turns, while she has recently acquired a boyfriend. I’ve only met him once, but he seems cute and delightful and perfect for her.

Allison is a work friend, so we see each other all the time and she’s quickly become one of my favorite people. Part of the reason for this is that she’s one of those people who doesn’t act her age. She’s 24 and unashamedly adores Miley Cyrus, American Idol and all things teen-pop. If something is happening in the world of pop culture, chances are Allison not only knows about it, but she already has tickets to the concert.

This week Allison made me a playlist, called Loni’s MoJo, to motivate me out of my romantic slump. It’s a fabulous playlist and I’ve listened to it countless times this week – not because it’s my kind of music (most of it’s not) but because every single song reminds me of Allison and her innocence and optimism. I can almost hear her thought process as she selected and placed each song in just the right spot. Listening to it makes me smile.

It occurs to me that that’s the thing about playlists (or mixed CDs or mixed tapes – depending on your generation’s media of choice): most of the time they really say more about the creator than the do about the music. I mean, yes, the songs on “Loni’s MoJo”  have a fairly overt lyrical theme, but in listening to them I can’t help but wonder how different my high school life would have been if I’d had an Allison in my corner encouraging my “mojo.” I have a couple of road trips coming up later in the summer and Allison has promised to make me a road trip mix. I can’t wait to see what that entails.

FYI – here’s the “Loni’s MoJo” playlist:

1. He Could Be The One – Hannah Montana
2. Dream Lover – Mariah Carey
3. Love Song for No One – John Mayer
4. I Want You – Kelly Clarkson
5. I’d Lie – Taylor Swift
6. One in a Million – Hannah Montana
7. Crazyboutya – Dave Barnes
8. Invisible – Taylor Swift
9. Things I’ll Never Say – Avril Lavigne
10. The Two of Us – ‘N Sync
11. If We Were In A Movie – Hannah Montana
12. Right Stuff – New Kids On The Block
13. Mmm Papi – Britney Spears
14. Let’s Get It On – Gavin DeGraw

If/when I’m making a mix for someone lately it almost always includes something by Pink Martini, M.Ward, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Warren Haynes, and some various others because that’s what I’m listening to most often these days. If you were to make a “MoJo” playlist for someone, what would be on it, and what would that say about you?