Becky's Greatest Hits Vol. II

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.....

  Okay, so y'all know I'm always late to the party.  This series originally debuted on the History Channel in 2018, but I only just discovered it on Hulu.  Look.....I never claimed to be John Fremont, okay? I don't know what it was about school history back in the 80's and 90's, but I don't remember much about what happened in America after the Civil War.  Or in the period between the American Revolution and the Civil War.  Especially if it happened on the West Coast. Geez.  My history education is pretty poor now that I think about it.  Most everything I've learned has been through reading and documentaries.  All I know is the voices of Campbell Scott and Peter Coyote sound like old friends at this point.   And I'm as shocked as anyone to realize I am now enamored with Kit Carson. Kit Carson.  A man known for his aggressive violence and fearlessness.  Also known for his intelligence and skill as a trapper and trail finder....

(Originally published 3 months after Anthony's passing.  Today marks 5 long years since we lost him.) I didn't write about Anthony Bourdain's death back in June.  Mainly because I wasn't spending much time blogging then, and more importantly, I didn't think I could.  Besides, his passing was talked to death on the news and in social media.  During the same week, Kate Spade also committed suicide.  If you put those together with Chester Bennington, Robin Williams and Chris Cornell from the last few years, it felt as if the brightest of our stars were blinking out everywhere.  Now with a few months in perspective, I can think on it and offer one more tearful tribute.  And I can imagine Chef Bourdain saying something like "great, Becky....the world really fucking needs that!"  But here is it anyway, Tony. The announcement of Anthony's death came to us on June 8th.  That was a Friday and my 16 year-old son's last day of school....

 I thought Bama Rush was going to be an insipid, brain-dead watch for me to wind down my week with.  It may even give me a laugh as I recalled my own short-lived sorority days. I was so wrong.  This documentary is quite insightful and lovely.   And scary.  And sad.  And painful. First off, some background of many things I had no idea about: *Rushing today is nothing like it was in the 90's when I was in school.  Young ladies sometimes actually choose their colleges based on sorority options. *University of Alabama's rushing activities have become very popular on TikTok in the last few years with the hashtag #bamarush.  Apparently all kinds of people (except me) have been following this with devotion. *There are consultants available to help young PNM's (Potential New Members) achieve a bid from their preferred house. *The use of iPhones has dramatically changed everything we once knew about college life, Greek life....and well.....life in gen...

Kathy Valentine is a great storyteller.  I have read very few memoirs in which a person could truly tell a story from such an unemotional, honest level.  It makes for a great read as you travel with the narrator through their catharsis.  And Kathy definitely had a lot of those!   As she walks us through two abortions (one at the tender age of 12), her early drug and alcohol use, both a fun and tumultuous relationship with her mother, her sobriety.....it's really a lot to take in!  But Kathy is not one for rest or self-pity.  I guess the most heartbreaking thing of all is how much she just really, really wanted to be in a band.   Thus the title of the memoir. Her famous name-dropping from the Vaughn brothers to The Police to Clem Burke and Carlene Carter also adds a lot a spice to a tale that never winds down to boredom.  (Kathy was friends with Rob Lowe.....whaaaaatttt????) I actually think there's a few different kinds of fans that love...