In Seattle in the early 80s there used to be a tiny record store downtown (it shared space with a skateboard shop) run by an English guy who also happened to have a weekly show called "Life Elsewhere" on a small community radio station, which I listened to quite a lot. So Norman (that was his name) hooked me up with the 7" of Ceremony, knowing that I had become quite rabid about Joy Division. At the time I was only vaguely aware that the former JD members had formed a "new" group. So it must've been spring of '81, when I brought that record home and first heard New Order in my bedroom, on my cheap stereo. I immediately loaned it to my fellow post-punk crazy friend at school, and he returned it to me with his fingerprints all over the gold cover!
If it weren't for Norm and his record store (which I had only stumbled on one day, as it was by my bus stop home to the 'burbs) who knows what sad turn my life may have taken. 
I think I'll just go have my cocoa as well...
