"You'll Be Missed, Miss California"

November 8th through 12th of 2012 two of my dreams came true.  First, I got to spend my 20th birthday in the golden state of California and I got to see my all time favorite band perform live for their last show ever. Jack's Mannequin formed in 2004 when I was just 12 years old.  Three albums and 9 years later, Jack's Mannequin announced they would be performing their last show as a band on November 12th, 2012, in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theater. Being from the South Shore, the chances I had to go see him were slim to none, especially because his first show for that weekend sold out in less than ten minutes.  After the show for November 11th sold out so fast, Andrew McMahon (the frontman, writer, and lead singer) decided to add a second show on the 12th.  With a pounding heart I typed my information into ticket master and landed four tickets.  One for me, my best friend, her sister and her mother (all huge Andrew/Jack's Mannequin fans).  I did not think life could get any better.  Not only was I going to see the band live, I was going to do so in California.  $500 later, we were on a plane heading out of the cold and into the sunshine.  For the few days I was in California, we jammed as much sight seeing as we could.  Visiting Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and of course, Disneyland.  On the last night of our mini vacation was the concert I had been anticipating for 60 days since I purchased the tickets.  Being able to stand feet away from the band and hear them sing live was the best moment of my life thus far.  Jack's Mannequin's songs got me through some of my toughest years and their music puts my mind at ease.  Nothing can take the way I felt that night away and I would never trade that experience for anything in the world.