Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Papa, Don't Preach (1986)
If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) Madonna has sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Do you have any of her songs on your iPod/mp3 player/phone?

Nope.
Then again, I don't have an iPod either. I use Spotify and Sirius XM for music (and occasionally Pandora) and I surely have Madonna songs saved on Spotify. ...actually I just chceked--I do NOT have any Madonna! I'm a bit surprised. I do like some of her stuff. Not this week's song, particularly, but others.

2) When she first arrived in New York in search of fame and fortune, Madonna supported herself by working at Dunkin' Donuts. What did you order last time you were at Dunkin' Donuts?

I haven't been for a couple of weeks, but someone brought donuts from there to work on Thursday, so I had one. ...
OK, two!

3) Madonna and her first husband, Sean Penn, ended their marriage on New Year's Eve, 1988. Sam's New Year's Eves are never that dramatic. What about you? Do you have any vivid New Year's Eve memories you'd like to share?

Only a couple. One I was thinking about the other day: Sparky was determined to stay awake to welcome the new millennium. He was 7 (nearly 8) and he lasted till about 10 when he zonked out in the papa-san chair. I have a photo of him in his jammies that is adorable. (too lazy to go find and scan it in here tho)
The other memory I have is watching the countdown show on the Big City broadcast several years ago and realizing that both news anchors hosting it were WAY drunk and actually in danger of hooking up on the air. And these were not youthful people! It was funny, and horrible, and embarrassing.

4) Madonna admits she suffers from brontophobia, aka the fear of storms. Are you scared of thunder and lightning?

I've a healthy respect for lightning, but I don't fear it; I just take precautions. What I am afraid of is wind and "funny-colored" skies. That's tornado-brewing weather and I don't mess around with that at all!

5) Onstage during the 2015 Coachella fest, Madonna shocked the audience by planting a kiss square on the lips of much-younger rapper Drake. What's something that surprised you recently?

That was a very disturbing video to watch, by the way. {{shudder}} My Crazy Cat Lady coworker called in sick EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK, and didn't even have to provide a doctor's note yesterday (day 4). That's HR's rule, and it's in place at work because of her so we're all a little pissed-off that she doesn't have to follow the rules. And she's already taking vacation next week. So. Yeah. Meanwhile, other people were at work every single day even though they were not well; they at least showed up before we shooed (some of) them home. I've been dealing with this behavior from her for 20+ years. It never stops being annoying though for the most part, I've given up. Whining about it doesn't change it any more than whining about a cat not being a dog changes that situation.
On a happier note, I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when Beast told me he was getting up at 6:15 to go to Men's Bible Study this morning.

6) More recently, Madonna was at the center of a controversy because Prince fans didn't like her tribute at the Billboard Music Awards. They made themselves heard on social media. Was your last Facebook post or Tweet positive or negative?

Whatever. I didn't see her tribute, but people need to calm the fuck down about stuff like this. My last Fbook post is technically from GoodReads: a positive review of a book I just finished. And the one just before that is a funny medieval "interpretation" of a scene from Star Wars.

7) One of the things Sam's papa preaches about is car maintenance. He reminds her to check her car's air filter regularly, because a dirty filter can reduce mileage. Share your own car maintenance tip with us.

Uhm. I'm hyper-aware of running out of windshield-washer fluid. Otherwise, Beast takes good care of the cars. I need to get the oil changed--I've a light going on every time I start the car--but that's getting taken care of shortly as well. I don't really "do" car stuff, because I'm fortunate enough not to have to worry about it.

8) When she was growing up, Sam's father was often away on business. He always remembered to bring back the complimentary shampoos, conditioners and lotions from the hotels where he stayed. When will you next stay in a hotel (or motel, bed-and-breakfast or Airbnb room)?

We might spend a night next weekend in the city where Sparky's living, and where he (and we) went to college. He's moving apartments and the schedule is a little fubar so it might mean a night with the Holiday Inn peeps. After that, I'm not sure. Maybe nothing till September when we go to my nephew Jesse's wedding. Beast is traveling to his company's HQ this week, though, so he'll be hotelling it for 4 nights.

9) To celebrate Father's Day, Sam is giving away her father's favorite candy: LifeSavers. Would you prefer a roll of Wild Cherry, Butter Rum, Winter Green or Peppermint?

I'm tempted to say Wint-o-Green for the sparking, but I haven't had Butter Rum in absolute EONS! It sounds good this morning.