Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Sixteen Tons (1955)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) 16 tons = 32,000 pounds, because there are 2,000 lbs. to a ton. Without looking it up, do you know how many ounces are in a pound?

Yup. 16. Because, babies.

2) The singer describes himself as having "a mind that's weak and a back that's strong." Think about yourself. Which feels more powerful today, your body or your brain?

I'd say it's a wash. I'm still waking up.

3) The poor chap in this song has money troubles. Are you good at sticking to your budget?

Yes. I'm pretty cheap.

4) Tennessee Ernie Ford snapped his fingers as he recorded this song. It's been said that while it's possible to snap your fingers of both hands, the noise is louder with your "dominant hand." (So if you're a rightie, the finger snap will be louder with your right hand.) Try it yourself. Did you find this to be true?

Sounds is about the same, but the timbre is stronger on the right; it's more controlled. Never thought of finger-snaps having timbre....

5) Mr. Ford appeared as "Cousin Ernie" in three episodes of I Love Lucy. What's your all-time favorite sitcom?

I like a lot of the 60s ones: Gilligan's Island, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie. To be honest, the only one after that I can remember scheduling my time around was M*A*S*H. I haven't watched proper sitcoms in ages; the laugh-track makes me want to hurl, and the humor is dumb. Oh, I did like Family Ties back in the day.

6) Tennessee Ernie took the money he made from his performing career and invested in a California cattle ranch. Think back to the last beef you ate. How was it prepared?

I can't even remember the last beef, so it was probably a burger.

7) Mr. Ford passed away at age 72 in 1991. That year, Dr. Seuss also died. What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

Oh the Places You'll Go although Jesse Jackson's reading of Green Eggs and Ham has a very warm place in my heart.

8) Gene Roddenberry also died that year. Mr. Roddenberry is best known as the creator of Star Trek. Who is your favorite Star Trek character?

Picard. No contest. Of TOS, probably Scotty or McCoy.

9) Random question: We're having smoothies. What's your favorite?

I can't get past the texture of these things, so I'll just have water, thanks.