Someone's clinging to me, and it's bittersweet

Yes, I am a Mariah fan. You have to be to like Crybaby.

So my son does not like being dropped off at daycare anymore. He clings to my arm and cries. It's sad. I try to make my comings and goings as non-momentous as possible, but he still has a meltdown when I drop him off. It's hard on me, too. Any ideas, other moms?

Why I love Mariah Carey

Just found this old-school clip on YouTube of Mariah Carey singing Hero. It's a schmaltzy song, but she hits it out of the park, and the song has a lot of personal meaning for me. I remember watching this when it was on her Thanksgiving special and just getting goosebumps. Fifteen years later, I still do. She is just pure vocal talent.

Have a great weekend, everyone. We have a family obligation and some chillout time scheduled. And now, a message from Boo : Dadadadadadadada.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock

As I've done for all of her albums, I went out to buy the new Madonna album, Hard Candy, on the day of release. I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet, but I have to say: Other than leadoff single 4 Minutes, which I can't seem to get out of the ol' OCD head, none of the songs really stick with me. And Madonna's voice sounds particularly paper thin. I'm a huge fan, but I'm not crazy about the new direction this almost 50-year-old icon has taken for the last two albums. American Life was a piece of crap, but at least she attempted to get deep and took a chance. Madonna, I'm afraid your four minutes may be coming to an end.

Battle of the M's winner for April album goodness? Mariah. By a mile. E=MC² has not left my car CD player since it came out. Well, except for me to put in Hard Candy, but I'll be putting Mariah back in shortly.

Mariah's that chick I like

Been digging on Mariah's new album, E=MC². Yeah, it's a stupid title, and some of the songs are outright dumb -- Mariah isn't exactly out there redefining the theory of relativity, if you know what I mean. But her voice is still amazing, and some of the songs are a whole lot of fun. Like this one. She still looks damn good.

Yes, I am a dork for liking Mariah. Sorry, Dan. But I do. Always have. No one can touch her voice, and I give her mad props for writing her own stuff. Beautiful girl, too.

Baby shower and hangout time this weekend. And you?

My top 10 musical motivators

In the face of unspeakable sadness in the world -- insert your own example, because there are plenty to go around -- I thought I'd share the 10 songs that get my heart racing, my motivating revving and give me the strength to keep on fighting. Warning: Some major schlock ahead:

• Don't Rain on My Parade -- Barbra Streisand
• Hero -- Mariah Carey
• Everybody Hurts -- REM
• Break Away -- Kelly Clarkson
• Beautiful Day -- U2
• Lose Yourself -- Eminem
• Feel Good Inc. -- Gorillaz
• I Won't Back Down -- Tom Petty
• Alive -- Pearl Jam
• Better Now -- Collective Soul