Happy birthday Alice.

I've been carrying a torch for you for over thirty years now. I have never wavered in my love and admiration and I never will. Even though you were at a low point with "Da Da" and "Zipper Catches Skin", I knew you'd rally and rally you did with "Constrictor", "Trash" and "Hey Stoopid". Thank you for the wonderful song you wrote for me. "Dangerous Tonight" will always be my favorite for that reason. There is nothing better to pick me up when I'm feeling low than to put some of your music on and jam to it. I know all the lyrics to all your songs by heart. The length of time since I listened to a song doesn't diminish its impact on me or my ability to recall those lyrics. I cry nearly every time I hear "Quiet Room" because I know the pain you must have been in at the time.

I've said many a time to many a person that the test of whether or not I'm able to come back out of a coma is to put headphones on my comatose body and play either "Welcome to My Nightmare" or "Billion Dollar Babies". If that doesn't produce any appreciable activity on EEGs, pull the plug; I'm not there anymore.

I look forward to the next thirty years of my life with several more tours to attend when you come to my area and a few more CD releases. You're not dried up by a long shot, honey. May your family make you proud and your golf game continue to improve.

I love you to death.

Yours in utter devotion,
Susan