Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (1984)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song was inspired by a note WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley left for his parents. He accidentally wrote "go" twice. What was the last handwritten note you left for someone?

I write notes to people at work all the time. I'm pretty much certain there's no way around a handwritten note once in awhile, even with text and IM and email. Sometimes you need to put something WITH the thing you're talking about -- in my case books than need specific attention.
Also, an aside: back when this song was on the radio all the time, I worked with a dear friend named Ian who was from England and of Portuguese and Irish descent. We always teased him because he really had a whole George Michael vibe going, in looks and general coolness. We all were living in the same house together as workmates, about 10 of us, and one morning he left me a note saying "Wake me up before you go-go, Ian" with musical notes on it. I still have it somewhere. I've, sadly, lost track of Ian himself, however. :'(

2) Born Georgios Panayiotou, George Michael was the son of the Greek restauranteur in East London. When you think of Greek cuisine, what comes to mind?

Light & flaky dough, fish, amazing sauces, street gyros, baklava. I so wish I were in Athens or Ydra right now.......

3) He was a terrible driver and admitted his license was suspended a number of times. Have you ever lost your license?

Nope. I've had precisely 2 traffic tickets in my life.  There have been a lot of other times I skated away with only fear and a guilty conscience to keep me honest, for which I'm very thankful.

4) WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley, on the other hand, is a talented driver who got to live his fantasy by racing Formula Three in Monaco. There are companies that sell racetrack driving experiences that allow you to spin around the track at dizzying speeds. Is this something you like to try?

YES!! This sounds absolutely terrifying, and fun.

5) In 1990, Frank Sinatra famously gave George Michael advice. Ol' Blue Eyes told the younger man to enjoy his fame, to remember all those lean nights traveling from gig to gig by bus and, now that he's successful, "loosen up and swing, man." Who last gave you advice? Did you take it?

People give me advice at work all day, every damn day. I don't listen to most of it unless it's just plain weird. I can't think of anything from yesterday beyond the usual demand that I have a good weekend. lol

6) Mr. Michael's neighbors have reported since his passing that he seemed to live rather quietly, and that they usually saw him when he was out walking his three dogs. Tell us about the last time you spoke to one of your neighbors.

It's winter in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. The only reason I know I have neighbors at all is that their cars go in & out of the driveways, and the snow gets shoveled. Oh and the dogs are let out & back in.
Actually, within about six weeks in late fall we got new neighbors, and I haven't even really identified one of the households' people for sure yet. They are literally one house over and across from us, but it's been brutal and there are no reasons to go outside and be social this time of year.

7) Fansites tell us that George Michael's favorite cereal was cornflakes. What breakfast cereals are currently in your kitchen?

Off-brand Froot Loops and Cinnamon Toast thingies and some muesli-ish stuff for my family members when they visit. Technically, only the former is in my kitchen; the others are in the pantry. The muesli probably needs to be pitched.

8) In 1984, when "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" was popular, Murder, She Wrote premiered on CBS. Today it's still seen in reruns all over the world. Are you a fan?

Nope. I mean, really, she lived in a tiny little town and people dropped dead around her for 12 seasons. Wouldn't that be a tad bit suspicious in real life?

9) RANDOM QUESTION: What's your secret to a good night's sleep?

Melatonin, exhaustion, and earplugs.