I Want You To Know

That I'm happy for ME

I wish nothing but

The best for poor Shawn.

If you knew me senior year of high school and spent ANY time in my car you either listened to Gangsta's Paradise or Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. I still hold that as my all time favorite album in the history of all music. Ask who my favorites are and I will tell you without hesitation:

• Alanis
• Fiona Apple
• Jimmy Buffett
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• *NSync

1996 high school grad party. Take note of the
super short hair and the shirt.
It will be referenced at the end.

I'm lucky enough to have seen all of these artists multiple times. Heck, just last month I actually talked to BBVD! Jimmy and I had a moment at his concert in 2010. I thank my coconut bra for that one. Fiona's guitar player used my pen. Don't even get me started on my Joey Fatone in Disneyland story! And then there is the goddess known as Alanis Morissette! I love her.

Jagged Little Pill came out and I instantly bought the CD. My mom will vouch for this fact.... every morning I woke up, went to the living room to crank up Disneyland's Fantasmic soundtrack. Then when that ended it was time... time for Alanis!! Every. Single. Morning. I love her.

I remember my mom brushing her teeth and coming out, toothbrush in her mouth, hands free and trying to ask, while making the hand motions, if she just said "scratch my nails down someone else's back". Yes, Mom, she DID say that... and so much more! I love her.

Notice my giant head on the screen behind me.
And that super short hair. But I got a trophy!

I found myself in Portland for the FBLA state skills competition. I had won the regional stuff so it was now the big leagues. Ha! I had done my competing and it was time to just chill. I learned Alanis tickets were going on sale the next morning. While everyone else was sleeping and getting ready for the awards ceremony I was up and standing in line at the Lloyd Center mall. All of us in line were given a raffle ticket. That then determined the order we stood in. I think I was number 12. I scored what felt like pretty awesome seats, especially since I was just some high school kid and we did all of this pre-internet! I felt like a winner... and then went to the awards ceremony where I won first place in my competition!

Earlier that year I chopped off my long hair. After that Alanis concert I completely regretted it. Her hair was so long and awesome. Hence, the long hair I still have. I love her. 

My second Alanis concert found me even closer to her greatness. I had General Admission tickets for the floor. I still have my wrist band. I was behind a couple that kept making out and one of them was really tall, so I had a hard time seeing. Lesson learned. Garbage was the opening act. They were so awesome that the next day I went to the store and bought both of their CDs. Shirley Manson was the epitome of cool. 

When I lived in Florida I was at the Virgin Megastore ALL THE TIME. Every Alanis import that came in I had to buy. I was looking at my iTunes the other day and just what I have in there ... 21 albums. They aren't all in there either. I love her. 

Ever had to deal with me and karaoke? You KNOW you heard me sing Alanis! (And if I had more than 1 song you probably got some of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 or Fiona Apple's Criminal.) 

Well here we are, 2019. Next year JLP will have its 25 year anniversary. Twenty-five beautiful years! And Alanis is going on tour. Where is her tour starting? The Pacific Northwest!! Who signed up for the pre-sale code? This girl. I couldn't concentrate at all. I was logged in and ready. I found myself in a virtual queue. That made me sweaty. I am a pro at buying good tickets, this made me edgy. It took about 4 minutes and finally I was able to buy mine. I clicked on the tickets in the 3rd row. $399.00?? Um, what??? It killed me to not buy them. Tickets were going FAST! I made the executive decision, clicked on my seats and BAM... I'M GOING TO SEE ALANIS AGAIN!!! 14th row instead of 3. I can live with that! I love her!

I'll be at the opening night of the tour! And who else will be there? Garbage! It's all meant to be! And actually, now that I think of it, when I was at my first Alanis concert my mom and her friend were shopping while waiting and her friend bought a CD. Wanna guess whose? Garbage!

Now there is the issue of my date. Shawn. Oh boy. I remember my mom being my date for Fiona Apple once and she just sat there so confused at all of us younger women and our love for this angry, skinny girl. I can only imagine what Shawn is going to think, see and feel when I am once again reunited with my favorite. I wonder if I can crash diet and fit in my "I'm sick but I'm pretty" tank top that I got in 1996?? Probably not. In conclusion, I LOVE HER!!