Aimee Mann has been one of my favorite artists since the early 90’s (before that, too, if you can’t Til Tuesday).

I’ve featured her, and her music, many times throughout the years on lyriquediscorde, and have put together a few Top 10 favorite lists, as well (never an easy task). I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her play live over the years, too. This past Friday was the latest Aimee-live experience when my friend Jackie and I went to see her open for Jason Isbell at the beautiful Greek Theater, in Los Angeles.

One of the songs she performed last Friday was “Longshot”, track one from her 1995 album, I’m With Stupid. I’ve always enjoyed the song and the album, but for some reason, it didn’t hit me hard until I heard it live this past week. Now I find myself wanting to hear it a few times a day. Its safe to say that the next time I put together a Top 10 Aimee list of favorite songs it will be making the cut.

I had a rough night and a subsequent rough sleep. Anxiety and upset are not great friends with insomnia. I’m feeling a mix of exhaustion and raw emotions because of it. That said, I try to face each day with hope, and an ongoing list of the things in my life I’m grateful for. It doesn’t take all the pain away, but it helps. I believe strongly in choice, in perspective, and in remembering and acknowledging the good in life. Life is short, despite how it may sometimes feel, and love, family, friends, music, coffee, books, sunrises, a crazy cat who acts like a dog, playlists, stories, memories, some TV, sleepy-eyed sons who still make you laugh on the way to school, bosses who call you on your commute in to tell you they think you are doing a good job, texts from a friend asking how are you, and really wanting to know, red lipstick, good routines, and writing – they are part of what makes it all better, even on the mornings after a rough night.

If the good list outweighs the bad, well that’s something pretty damn good. Everything else can be dealt with, or set aside, or conquered, or survived. If a challenging life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me this.

I don’t have all the answers, I’m worried about a lot of things, and my heart hurts today, but I have so many things to be thankful for. So yeah, I’m acknowledging and remembering, and am grateful.

“Long Shot” by Aimee Mann
from the album, I’m With Stupid (1995)

“And all that stuff,
I knew before,
just turned into,
please love me more.”

“Long Shot” (live, Dallas, 2018) by Aimee Mann
(not the show I was at, but earlier this year)