Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Waking Up in Vegas
Thanks to Cat. [me!] for recommending Katy Perry

1) As she sings about her night in Las Vegas, Katy wonders if she "got hitched last night dressed up like Elvis." Tell us about the last wedding you attended.

I... think it was a couple of years ago: our church secretary's youngest daughter--who was in our youth group the first year we were leading--got married. After the vows were said, the groom surprised her by singing a really lovely song to her. I didn't even know he was such a good singer!

2) Whenever Crazy Sam visits Las Vegas, she stays at the Paris Hotel and Casino. Have you ever been to Las Vegas, Nevada? What about Paris, France?

I have been to Vegas several times, and actually the last time I was there we stayed at Paris the first night. It was a very nice room, although the public areas are a bit ... rococo. Good crepes for breakfast, though! I haven't been to France. It's the one [western] European country I've zero interest in visiting.

3) Do you enjoy gambling? Have you had any success at it?

I lose with appalling regularity, but it's only money, and I only play (video poker) in Vegas.

4) Las Vegas is served by the RTC Bus Service and the Vegas Monorail System connects many of casinos on The Strip. When was the last time you rode a bus or a train?

We took the CTA bus in July when we were doing our anniversary getaway. While riding, we ended up chatting with the people next to us who were from Sheffield. England, that is. Turns out, the wife went to uni in the town where my sister Jean is buried. That was a weird moment....

5) It's not unusual for the mercury to hit 100º in Vegas in August. Which are you more comfortable in -- extreme heat or bone-chilling cold?

I don't mind Las Vegas-type heat (though 100 is getting close to unpleasant) since at least you sweat. However, it's much easier to deal with cold since you can at least put on more clothes. Still, given the option of freezing or baking, I'd pretty much rather bake.

6) As a little girl, Katy Perry sang nothing but gospel. Do you remember any church songs from your childhood?

Remember two things: 1) I went to Sunday School/Bible School from birth through high school, and then worked as the Christian Education intern two summers in college (so I taught Sunday School to all the kids all summer); and 2) You asked:

"This Little Light of Mine", "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" (omg, I just "listened" to the lyrics--how cloying!), "Sunshine Mountain" (what is with sun?), "Jesus Loves Me", "Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord", "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart" (WHERE?),  "Deep and Wide", "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See" (easily the one I hate most now), "Stand Up, Stand Up, for Jesus", "Rise and Shine", "Children, Go Where I Send Thee", "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", "Father Abraham", "Jacob's Ladder", "Jesus Loves the Little Children", "Give Me Oil in My Lamp", "If You're Happy and You Know It", "The B I B L E", "Rejoice in the Lord Always", "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock" (my favorite, I think), "Zaccheus", "Rejoice in the Lord Always", "Praise Him, Praise Him, All the Little Children", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", and of course the songs we learned the books of the Bible to.

7) [Katy] made her film debut as the voice of Smurfette in The Smurfs (2011). Who is your all-time favorite cartoon character?

Mighty Mouse is pretty high on the list. So is Underdog. And my favorite paper cartoon character is Opus by quite a long margin.

8) Do you consider yourself a picky eater?

Not really, though if I really don't like something, I simply won't eat it. I'd rather go hungry, which is just fine with me (and for me, probably!)

9) You receive an invitation to a party that starts at 7:00 PM. When will you arrive?

Somewhere between 6:50 and 7:10. I live in the midwest where "7:00 Start" means just that. If you're late, you lose.