Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

I could not really begin to explain how this playlist got crafted in my head this week. I guess the best explanation is to blame my I-Pod. I think of a song....dial to it.....sing along....another one pops in my head.....I dial again.....the progression doesn't always make sense....it just happens! I guess you could best call this a little bit hip-hop/dance/R&B......whateva! (BTW, Little Boy is now saying "whatever!" in a very cute sing-songy kind of voice. Since he's not an obnoxious teenager yet, it's very cute!) On with the list....... Hip Hop Lives (KRS-One featuring Marley Marl) Empire State of Mind (Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys) Telephone (Lady GaGa featuring Beyonce') Paper Planes (M.I.A.) and the inspiration for the title of this post Turn Off the Light (Nelly Furtado) Day 'n' Nite (Kid Cudi) Ms. Jackson (OutKast) Move Your Feet (Junior Senior) Sexy Boy (Air) Swass (Sir Mix-A-Lot) Umbrella (Rihanna featuring Jay-Z) Cars With the Boom

I did something I never thought I'd do last night. Well....two things. First, I watched my inaugural episode of Dancing with the Stars. After all these years of hearing what a great show it is from friends and my sister, I gave in. But I hafta say, this is the first season that had a cast I really wanted to see dance. I mean, c'mon, The Situation? Margaret Cho? Michael Bolton? How could I not? So I'm shocked that I watched and even more shocked at how much I liked it. Halfway in I started yelling to my boyfriend (far from this spectacle in the other room) that I could see why people liked it so much. Seeing celebs out of their element and vulnerable (but not in a trash mag caught without make-up kind of way) is very sweet and fun. You can tell they're really trying hard and you can easily see which ones are having fun. So after my initial drive-by just to see what's up.....I realized I was digging it. So I guess I actually did three things last night I n

I recently realized one of the best things about being "less involved" these days (aside from the obvious ability to sidestep a good bit of annoyance and aggravation) is having more time to read! I can't even describe how nice it is too look at the odd afternoon or evening and say "wow.....I don't have any chores to do.....I think I'll read!" I recently finished Elie Weizel's Night and yes, I'm embarrassed to admit it took me this many years to get it read. It's such a moving book, and one I should have read a long time ago in school. I quickly finished Anita Shreve's Testimony . And I do mean quickly.......I read this book in 24 hours! And sheesh I read and love everything by Shreve, but I think this was the most engrossing I've come across ever. I have since moved on to Richard Wright's The Outsider and am loving it as much as his Native Son which I tackled last winter. I feel so bad that it took me this long to discove

Before..... During......... Still during...... After....... Honestly, one of the best shows I've seen in a while. The Pixies looked great, sounded great and seemed to be having a good time together. E-Roc and I had so much fun together and were really happy when we moved up higher in the auditorium and had about 4 full rows to ourselves! I danced and screamed and felt my voice start to crack around about "Hey" but managed to hold onto it through "Gigantic". The graphics on the screens behind the band were fun and creative, and I just really dig that kind of thing. Black Francis can still scream it out with the best of 'em and everyone in the band was tight and on their marks. The crowd response was great, and we even saw some friends on our way out at the end. A truly great night of music and fun in Charlotte, NC!!!! And p.s., it's totally okay that Kim didn't call me. She is still the most rockin' chick I know!

Excited does not begin to describe how I am feeling about The Pixies show tonight at Ovens Auditorium! I can't remember the last time I was this super-psyched about a show....maybe NINJA in 2009? The Police in 2007? I don't know...but it's a big deal! I'm always excited to catch a band as an adult that I was just a little too young for the first time around. Doolittle came out when I was 14, and I didn't really make my way to The Pixies until I was in my 20's so this comeback is perfect timing for me! (Of course, admission of all that does shoot down my whole pretending to be 27 identity, but I'll just leave that alone for tonight.....) Anyhow. I realize there are plenty of peeps out there who aren't familiar, but what is this very blog always telling you? Dig deeper, my friends! Without The Pixies you just need to remember we may not have ever had the "loud quiet loud" phenomenon and without that we may not have ever had Nirvana and wit

It seems like a lot of the great songs written for sons are from fathers to sons, but us moms can certainly appreciate them. These are some of the best songs out there that remind me of my boy. I would encourage you to make your own list and listen to them together. Your son will grow up loving them like mine has. And I will note, that many of them may not at first seem like songs written to or for our sons, but when you give them a listen with that in mind......you will clearly hear the sentiment..... Beautiful Boy by John Lennon Loves Me Like a Rock by Paul Simon The Best Day by George Strait Moon River by Andy Williams Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble When I Grow Up (To Be a Man) by The Beach Boys Our House by CSNY Blanket for a Sail by Harry Nilsson Broken by Jack Johnson Into the Mystic by Van Morrison Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell I Wish I Could Be Like You by Asylum Street Spankers In My Life by The Beatles

Read my Facebook/MySpace rant over here today.

Since I kinda feel like it's my job to get my readers in on the ground floor of good music, here's my latest infatuation: The Carolina Chocolate Drops ! Look at this video first , and you won't be able to stop there! I feel kind of embarrassed that I had to learn about them from Dan Zanes on Kids' radio when they've basically sprouted right here in my home state. But hey! It don't matta how you get there.....just get there, my peeps! My other infatuation lately? The Red Tent by Anita Diamont. Since this book came out in 2001 I am obviously waaay behind on it's miraculousness as well, but I'm soooo glad I found it now. If you think you won't like it because it's rooted in Biblical passages (like me) get off your provincial lily pad and read it anyway! Seriously, one of the best books I've read in a while, and I have actually been amazed at how it has captured me. In other news, I am recovering from an icky illness that seems to have on