Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

 Sometimes it's hard to know how we came to love the the things we love.  And other times it's really clear. I knew I loved the movie "The Age of Innocence" from the first time I saw it as a teenager.  Maybe it was DDL , maybe the gorgeous costumes or that phenomenal Scorsese snap that the film seems to have.  (The close-ups of handwritten notes.....the scenes through gauzy lace.....when Newland SMELLS the handle of her umbrella and KISSES her shoe!!!!) But I digress. And sure, sure.....I loved the 1997 version of Titanic with Leo and Kate.  (And no, y'all, she COULD NOT HAVE moved over.) And though I was late, I jumped right into Downton Abbey as well.  Now I watch HBO's The Gilded Age.....because well.....I think I signed a waiver or something along the way.  (Kidding.  Or am I????) But truthfully, it was all loooooong before all of this media.  And I think it has a little something to do with being a North Carolina girl. As any true Gilded...

 "Tractor company?  Does your husband work there?" "No, dude.  I work there." "Oh.  Wow.  Okay." Actual conversation with guy I met at the fair asking about the company t-shirt I was wearing that advertised said tractor company.   As a woman who has worked in the administrative, creative and retail side of construction for over 15 years, sometimes I forget that the world doesn't always think like I do, and gratefully neither does my industry.  This isn't a statistical kind of blog, but I can tell you that more and more women work in construction than ever before.....and not just in office jobs like me!  Women are driving, repairing and operating heavy equipment.  They advertise it, sell it and negotiate pricing for it.  They own companies that use it and teach other people how to use it.   Women.....gasp!  Get their hands dirty now! (But to be fair whilst at the fair, I saw another man employed by the same company as ...

 When you're single, everyone has advice for you.  Especially people who haven't dated in over 20 years.  Boy, are they full of it!  Advice, I mean.  Of course, that's what I mean. I never really felt like I had trouble dating when I was younger.  I liked a boy, he liked me, we went out.  Or either he didn't like me, I pined over him for 6-8 weeks then met a new boy.  It didn't feel that hard or complicated.  You spent time together, got to know one another, found activities you enjoyed doing together, checked on your chemistry and then boom!  You had yourself a relationship. I'm not trying to make light of the tricky business of finding love.  Not at all.  On one hand, it's an absolute goddamm miracle that you can find a kindred flame in a whole other body.  And someone who looks and smells good too!  It's one of life's greatest beautiful accomplishments. Rufus Wainwright said it best (of course he says so many thing...

 The closest thing to a church or a sacred space I've ever had is probably one of three places: my backyard, my house and my local public library.   It might sound crazy, but those really are the favorite and safest places of my life.  And it's funny.....I didn't even realize how much the library meant to me until recently.   I've been lucky enough to live in the same town and going to the same library all my life.  I remember my uncle taking my big sister and me to get library cards.  I was probably about seven.  I remember the first book I checked out: Robert the Rose Horse. Since then I've studied there, worked on term papers, gone to book sales, taken my son there, had quiet time, and maybe even cried there a time or too.  I remember once asking a guy I met on Bumble to meet me there for our first date.  I thought it would be cute to say we met at the library.  It didn't work out, but I still remember that date and the meet...

Resharing this classic Barbie post in light of the current movie phenomenon.  I haven't seen the film yet, but I absolutely plan to as soon as possible! (Inspired by this previous post here  and this one as well.)  Peaches 'n Cream Barbie was so beautiful!  I loved her dress and styling her hair! Crystal Barbie's hair wasn't as easy to style, but I loved her iridescent gown.  This one was called Great Shape Barbie....working out was a real craze in the 80's. The Western Barbie was not my fave, but country western wear had a thang in the early 80's. IYKYK, am I right? And this was the plastic case we carried them in! I was a  child of the 1980's.  Most of these Barbie dolls were introduced between 1981-84. Since then there have been many strides made in Barbie dolls of different nationalities, levels of ability and careers.  I think it's fabulous!  While her proportions may be impossible to attain, may Barbi...

 I will readily admit that I have really gone back and forth on my feelings about the S&TC reboot, "And Just Like That".  I absolutely HATED the first season.  I was so shocked when Big died, that I honestly cried out "goddamm!" And at first, I was really mad about this unexpected plot twist.  Until I remembered what Carrie is all about.  Carrie is about chasing love and finding herself.  Carrie is about self-reflection.  Carrie, like the infamous Don Draper, is about ennui.   (Quick aside, do you think Don Draper is a little bit like Mr. Big?  Discuss.  Then imagine Carrie with Don.  It's not a tough leap if you think about it.) But on with our story here.  Carrie is a thinker.  She's always up in her head.  If she's happily married, that's hard to do.  What kind of content do you have to play with?  Carrie chasing after something she can't have is all we know.  Even in the S&TC movies....

  Once I took beside a well of many words My house is full of rings, and charms, and pretty birds Please understand me, my walls came falling down There's nothing here that's left for you But check with lost and found

  There I was in uniform Looking at the art teacher I was just a girl then; Never have I loved since then

  Don't you ever say I just walked away I will always want you I can't live a lie, running for my life I will always want you....

Yes yes, ya'll.  This still exists: Eff the 90's I recently found this after trying to prove to a coworker that I USED TO BE a snarky music writer.  Finding this was like a hidden stinky prize inside an old gym bag.  It may also be the only "child" my ex and I can claim together.   Grab a Zima and come snark it up.  You know you want to.....