Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Fortune Faded (2003)
... Because Janelle suggested The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The song begins with a chess reference. Do you play chess?

I have played chess, when I was teaching Sparky to play. But that was a long time ago and I've never played 'competitively.' Strategy games of this sort don't really do much for me.

2) The lyric also mentions losing altitude. Often airline travelers complain that their ears pop as the plane loses altitude. When you fly, does this bother you?

It doesn't bother me, but I'm very aware of it happening because I know what it feels like if that pressure isn't released, and what could happen to my ears. I actually kind of enjoy popping my ears. My dad lost his hearing in one ear because of some air pressure issues in a training flight before he was meant to be shipped overseas during WWII. Thank God--he was Stateside for the remainder of the war! [And mostly deaf in that ear for the rest of his life.]

3) Four of the original members attended the same school -- Fairfax High in Los Angeles. Fairfax High's mascot was The Lions. Do you remember what your school team (grade school, high school or college) was called?

Grade school was the Chargers. Junior high was the Panthers. High school, as I'm sure I've mentioned here before, was Pirates. And college....well, I'll just say that I went to the first college founded in the state, over 150 years ago (now) and our mascot was all about that. Ridiculous. I mean, I get it, but ... not overly cool for students.

4) The band has appeared on The Simpsons. Which is your favorite character from the long-running Fox cartoon show?

I haven't really ever watched the show. I know--this is hard to believe. It's like someone who has never actually watched Star Trek.

5) Bass player Michael Balzary, or Flea, cofounded The Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit educational organization for under-privileged children. Share a memory from music class in school.

The one that sticks is an idiot boy in my 5th grade class turning around and saying, "WHY are you ACTUALLY SINGING?!" Well, because music class? Apparently, singing -- in music class -- wasn't cool. So I stopped doing it. As I recall, the song Mrs. Logan was playing was "Get Along, Little Dogies." Incidentally, having checked his Facebook profile, this guy is, some 45 years later, still a little jerk.

6) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have played at massive outdoor festivals all over the world. Do you enjoy listening to concerts outside, under the sun or stars? Or do you prefer air conditioned indoor comfort?

This is a bad week to ask about a/c. It's so freakin' humid that I literally sat at my desk yesterday morning after I got to work sweating in my chair...with feet and hands turning blue from the cold air. I'll take inside venues over outside any day, though I have no big intentions to ever go to another concert. Too many people in one place : {{shudder}}

7) Red bell peppers are used in Giada De Laurentiis' popular Italian sausage, pepper and onion recipe. Would you prefer to have your portion served in a bowl or as a sandwich?

Hah. I'd be eating it with a fork, so a bowl/plate would be better.

8) Red cayenne peppers are very hot. Do you enjoy spicy foods?

I enjoy them very much. The first time. Subsequent reruns, however, are not terrific. I don't eat much spicy stuff anymore...unfortunately.

9) Random question: Are you a spender or a saver?

Intrinsically I'm a saver. Or a cheapskate. Take your pick. But I'm also a bit spendy in certain areas where I simply lack any sense of control. I shouldn't really carry cash, to be honest. Spending with a card still means Big Money to me and I won't do it for most little purchases. I tend to stop buying things if I don't have cash on me.