It's never too early:

to introduce my son to Nine Inch Nails.

I am sick of children's programming. That's all I can watch with my son. He gets all fussy when I turn to my favs, such as The History Channel, Science Channel or BBC World News. Foreign films? Yeah right. Masterpiece Theatre? Bullshit. American Idol? Not even. He insists, Piiinguuu!!! or more Paz??? or more Pucca??? Fucking-A -- why did I introduce my child to television? I know it's illegal to blindfold my kid till he's five, but it's impossible for me to get my requisite dose of boob tube culture -- how the hell am I supposed to keep up with the Nielsens? It doesn't help to put him down early, because by that time, I'm ready to conk out too.

Now we're doing R-and-R out here in MD. I say, the chips are down -- Mommy gets to watch what she wants to watch. I'm gonna friggin' watch this Nine Inch Nails concert even though you want to watch cartoons. No, this is not "If You're Happy and You Know It." This will do you some good, honey -- you get an early start on aesthetic/music appreciation. Can you say industrial?

(It was a good concert by the way, but a lot similar to the one I saw at MSG in 2000.)

LushMommy's "Retirement" Dinner

Ruby and me.

Ruby and my son, too cool to be awake.

Choosing my karaoke set.

No one took pictures of the actual singing. Oh well.

*Thanks to Ruby and Skip for rocking out with me. Also thanks to my son's father and my son for braving the cold to represent.

I've got my eyes on you: "Idol" Chatter

My favorite contestant, Season 6, so far: Blake Lewis. I didn't like him at first because of the ridiculous overuse of gel. But he won me over by choosing a Keane song, "Somewhere Only We Know," which is currently on heavy rotation on my jukebox. All he has to do is stop looking like he's from a prefabricated English boy band, and I'll keep vigil over the busy signals to vote for him.

My second favorite is Phil Stacey, who is so cute with a hat on (without one though, he looks a little Vulcan/Nosferatu; he's no Daughtry when it comes to a shaved head). Up close, he also appears much older than he does on his Idol profile. He's a decent singer and has charisma, so hopefully he'll stay on long enough to grow a bit of hair on top.

Of the women, alas, I was at mass for Ash Wednesday, so I missed all but the last half hour. Who I'm happy I saw: Gina Glocksen. She rocks. I'm a bit bothered that none of the judges liked the beginning of her performance, which I thought was moody and affecting, and a modern, edgy update to a Celine Dion song. Who I'm disappointed I didn't see: Antonella Barba, who is hot (girl-crush alert!) and has a great exotic look. I like the fact she isn't a trained singer.

Who I think should go from the men's side: Rudy Cardenas, who (no hate mail please) is so gay and hackneyed, and Sundance Head, who is so unhot and gave a dreadful Meatloaf-like performance. It wouldn't be fair for me to judge the ladies. We'll see tonight who makes the cut...

We know you like music—

But must you blast your iPod so loud that everyone in a 3-feet radius around you on the subway can hear it through your earbuds?

And please do not sit next to me if your ears are bleeding.

Thank you.