Oh, I am just the saddest ever. I honestly cannot believe that Michael Jackson is dead... I really just can't stop thinking about it. Mark and I were up until 1:30 in the morning watching old MJ videos on MTV Jams and I'm listening to him nonstop right now on Kiss 108- he was just so good.

Michael Jackson was an enormous part of my childhood. The videos we have of Bekka and I dancing to Beat It and Billy Jean (it was never Becky Jean- sorry Bek), the pictures we have of us baking cookies in oversized shirts with his face on it, the MJ microphones we used to sing into, the bust of his head (yeah, you read that right) that Vo made me, crying over Thriller (so scary!), choosing him to write a biography on in English class and getting laughed at.... like probably everyone in the world right now, I have a million memories involving someone I'm never even met.

MJ STORY: My family and I visited California for a wedding when I was 15 and Bekka was 12. I had just bought the HIStory album and to say that I was obsessed is putting it mildly. I barely spoke to anyone as we drove up the PCH. Headphones firmly lodged in my ears, I was completely devoted to my Discman... to Michael. Anyway, at one point during the drive, Bekka timidly piped up that she would love to hear a couple MJ songs and maybe could she borrow my Discman? WHAT?! I, naturally, was horrified that she would even attempt to separate me from my beloved and responded in the most logical fashion possible. I made her list 3 (maybe 4- I could have been feeling generous) songs that she wanted to hear and told her that she wasn't to listen to any songs she hadn't listed. I then asked her to bark out the window like a dog. She did...and I think she'll tell you it was worth it.

Michael Jackson was an easy target and whether or not you believed any of the several rumors that continuously swirled around him, the impact that he's had on music is in immeasurable. He created the blueprint to pop music and I can't think of one current musician who can claim to not have been impacted by his visionary instincts. Michael Jackson had a lot to work against, but he loved what he did and, more importantly, was perfection as a performer; I respect every choice that he made (well...maybe not the baby dangling- that can get dangerous).

I just love, love, love him and only regret that I will never get to see him in concert.

Just for fun, here are my five MJ faves: Keep it in the Closet, Remember the Time, Human Nature, I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Scream.

Please bark for Michael Jackson.

Love, Sarah

CDs for Life!!

If you could only listen to five cds (not burned mix cds) for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Here are mine:

1) Amos Lee: Amos Lee
2) Gavin DeGraw: Chariot
3) *N Sync: *N Sync (or No Strings Attached! Can't decide!)
4) Garden State Soundtrack (Sorry Mark!)
5) John Mayer: Either Continuum or Room for Squares. Can't decide on that either!

Now, you might be like, "Whaaat? Becca, some of these aren't artists you are obsessed with!" This is true, but they ARE cds I could listen to over and over and over again. *N sync and Garden State are pretty self explanatory. We all know how much I feel about them!

But while most of Chariot did not get radio play, it is an AWESOME cd. (I must give a shout out to Sarah for introducing me to it!) Favorites: "More Than Anyone," "Belief," "Chariot" and "Nice to Meet You Anyway."

Same with Amos Lee. Just put that cd on and let it play! Favorites: "Colors," "Arms of Woman" and "Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight."

As for John Mayer, oh man, I just love that guy. I know some of his lyrics can be a little cutesy and whatnot, but boyfriend can compose a good tune! That's why it's so hard to choose between Continuum and Room for Squares...some of my favorite songs are on each! Favorites: "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "The Heart of Life," "Dreaming with a Broken Heart" (on Continuum) "Neon" and "My Stupid Mouth" (on Room for Squares).

But

really. What would YOU choose?

What's the Rush(ian?)

Well, I've just made an appointment with a Russian hypnotist. I have had it with my nail biting. I just tried to eat a banana and my hands stung. And then I tried to wash my hands after the banana and they stung even more. And I'm like, wassup?! Can't a girl eat fruit and touch water anymore? I can't control myself and I have Michael Jacksonized myself (band-aids) for too long... it's getting ridiculous and embarrassing. But I'm not blushin', bring on the Russian! These E.T. fingers need a little decoration.

Apparently he's some small man who Russian-ly rambles on and on for two hours, growling at you if you fall asleep and barking compliments at you if he likes you. It's a group sesh, so I'm actually looking forward to weeding out the sex addicts and judging the people with paralyzing fears. I've heard it's mostly smokers, though...booooring. Then, I guess, I get a one-on-one where he breathes on me and "heals" my addiction. I'm all set with people unleashing midget, foreign air directly into my face, so hopefully he'll stock up on breath mints.

Either way, I am sick of getting distracted by an appetizing hangnail while I'm trying to look at my beautiful ring. I'm sick of showing the ring off with a fist to hide my mangled nails. I'm sick of looking like an animal while I gnaw at my hands. August 1st. It's going to happen.

Oh MAN, how could I have not talked about this yet?!

KEVIN YOUKILIS WAS ON NEWBURY STREET, OUTSIDE MY BUILDING, ON MONDAY!!!

A coworker was getting out of her car when she saw him, so she called out, "Heyyy Youk! Nice game yesterday," whilst making a bizarre bowling/tree cutting motion with her arm, pointer finger outstretched. I was far too flustered to make fun of her when she told me, but believe me, I made up for it later.

Anyway, he had a little boy with him (most likely Enza's) and he was apparently hugging him and throwing him up and down and making me love him more than I already do (I know, I didn't think it was possible either). My coworker said it was adorable and he was really nice.

(Sidenote: another coworker actually tried to top this amazingness by saying that her friend saw David Spade coming out of a burrito place last Saturday. Ooooh, score. An all-star, gorgeous slugger or a miniature, unemployed woman? Nice comparison!)

I, meanwhile, was wild-eyed and sweating profusely, contemplating which was more important: a celebrity sighting or my job. You have no idea how difficult this was. I couldn't leave my office because I was in the middle of a program that bills hundreds of thousands of people for their gym memberships...but Kevin Youkilis was standing outside my building. But I didn't want to mess up the system and get in trouble...but Kevin Youkilis was standing outside my building. AND I was wearing a dress that day! Hellooooo, meant to be moment!

But I didn't go outside. And I still have my job. And I did leave work that night and sashay my fat ass up and down Newbury St...but he was already gone :(