From Learning To Love You More assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past.

"Advice to Jess at Fifteen"

1. Don't date Celine. Yes, she's very attractive and a good kisser, but you won't ever have much to talk about. Instead, date Alyza. She's incredibly passionate about her art, even if she's not very good at it (not yet, at least), and you'll have much more in common.

2. Spend more time hanging out with the smart kids. Don't seek an escape from the boredom of suburbia by surrounding yourself with potheads and highschool dropouts.

3. Keep your room a little cleaner, and don't hit snooze a hundred times. Your mom is overworked and scared to death of you and your future. Give her a break.

4. Take all of your mom's vinyl and store it somewhere safe. Mark the box "DO NOT TOUCH" with a big marker. Tell your mother you've taken her records and she is not to discard them or pawn them at some tag sale. 

My playlist at age 15, as I recall it: (it ain't all pretty, folks)

1. "My Girlfriend's Shower Sucks" - Goldfinger, 1996, Self Titled

2. "Speaking Confidentially" - Cowboy Junkies, 1996

3. "Not a Pretty Girl" - Ani DiFranco, 1995, Not a Pretty Girl

4. "Right Now" - Naked Aggression, 1995, Compilation: Punk Sucks

5. "Death in the Park" - Archers of Loaf, 1995, Vee Vee