Saturday 9 x 3

(Link in meme-roll)
Johnny Angel (1962)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, a girl sings that she'd rather spend a quiet evening at home than go out on a date. How about you? Do you enjoy quiet time? Or do you prefer keeping a busy calendar?

I would always prefer to stay home, which doesn't preclude a busy calendar by any means. I seriously feel like I have no time for anything much fun lately. Exhibit A: being 3 weekends behind on all the memes!

2) She dreams of how her life with Johnny would be. What did you most recently daydream about?

Being in the mountains far away from adulthood and winter.

3) Shelley never considered herself a singer and is more comfortable acting. A costar on The Donna Reed Show, she was pressured to make this record by the show's producer, who wanted extra exposure for the show by having this song on the radio. Tell us about a time you ventured outside your comfort zone.

I went to the Soviet Union on a dare in college. I was terrified the the whole flight overseas--I'd been overseas, it was the destination--but I can't tell you how glad I am now that I forced myself.

4) Elvis said she was his favorite leading lady, and she appeared with him in three films. What qualities do you appreciate in a coworker?

Humor, hard work / attention to detail, kindness.

5) She met her close friend and fellow teen star Annette Funicello when they were 12 and attended the same Catechism class. What do you recall from your middle-school years?

Being embarrassed every day about ridiculous things. I do remember my math teacher making me keep my hand up in the air for like 10 minutes after I colored the whole palm black with a Magic Marker. The other sort of timely thing is that I had a crush on a guy named Larry when I was in 8th grade (he was a year ahead). I am friends on Facebook with him--really barely acquaintances IRL--and he posted for the first time in months today. Because he just got released from jail. So ... dodged a bullet there maybe?

6) After The Donna Reed Show, Shelly went on to a recurring role on One Day at a Time and was twice nominated for an Emmy for her work on Coach. Her husband is Mike Farrell, who played BJ on M*A*S*H. Which of those four sitcoms would you enjoy binge watching?

I don't really like binging--I get bored after a couple of shows because really they're all the same (with some notable exceptions). Having said that, I'd sit through a few hours of ODAAT or MASH any time!

7) In 1962, the year this song was popular, is also the year Jack Nicklaus began his successful pro golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Watching it on TV?

We watch golf, because Beast loves it. I wouldn't ever choose it for myself. I think I'd enjoy playing golf if I were any good, but I'm too competitive to deal with all the randomness and luck of the game.

TWO Random Questions (especially for Harriet):
8) A 2013 study said most Americans will have 12 romantic relationships in their lifetime. Does this mean you've had more or less than your share?

Less. Although how does one define a "romantic relationship" anyway?

9) It's closing time at the mall and you find yourself accidentally locked in a toy store. You call the police and they say someone will be there in about half an hour to rescue you. While you wait, will you play with any toys? (If so, which ones?)

Of course, but seriously: a half hour? Why call? I'll just play all night, sleep with some of the teddies, play with the Lego and board games, and hang out in the bathroom around opening time till it's safe to leave. I promise; I wouldn't even steal anything!!

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I'll Be There (1992)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Mariah pledges to "have faith in all you do." Have you recently given someone support or a pep talk?

I do this regularly at work: "You can do this; it's not as hard as it sounds." is a common refrain with people online for the first time. Yes, there are still people who don't 'do' computers! Coworkers, same, though the topic is usually more along the lines of "stand up for yourself!" since I work with a lot of people like me who are terminally co-dependent. And of course Beast needs lots of validation post-surgery; he can't use his left arm for much, and his back is still FUBAR, as is his shoulder. He feels like a drain on resources (his view, not mine), but he's really doing pretty well considering the level of pain he's experiencing all day.

2) Mariah was at the center of a controversy in Times Square on New Year's Eve when she had audio problems and claimed she could not perform. Times Square is at the busy intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. If we went to the busy intersection nearest your home, what would we find? (A store? A church? McDonald's?)

The nearest actually busy intersection to my house is just 2 farm fields, a house and a horse farm. The busiest intersection in the city where I work is probably the one with Walgreen's, McD's, a gas station and a strip mall on the corners.

3) Her nickname in high school was Mirage because she cut school so often. Did you ever play hookey?

I can literally remember every single time I ditched out of school. Both were in college.

4) Mariah doesn't apologize for spoiling her dogs, who have been known to travel by limo. Do you know anyone who treats his/her pets like people?

I try to assume that all my pet-loving friends are perfectly normal. But there is one friend that I'm pretty sure is clinically insane about her dog. ;-)

5) Mariah has something to fall back on. She studied cosmetology and worked as a hair sweeper in a salon. When you get your hair cut, do you socialize with the stylist?

A "hair sweeper" is an actual job title? Wow, I have skills I had no idea I had! My hair person is a friend, so yeah. She and I have been discussing for years life as wives of alcoholics. Her husband died--at 45ish--last year from that. Mine is still around, so far.

6) When married to her first husband, Mariah went vegetarian. Tell us about last night's dinner. Would it qualify as a vegetarian meal?

Nope. I had leftover KFC chicken and biscuits.

7) This week's song was introduced by The Jackson 5. Think of your favorite Michael Jackson song. Did he record it solo or with his brothers?

My favorite MJ song is "Man in the Mirror" so alone. However, I also really enjoy "ABC" with the whole gang.

8) In 1992, when this song was popular, The Mall of America opened. Located in Minnesota, it's the biggest mall in the nation, with more than 400 stores. Think about the last thing you purchased. Were you shopping out of necessity, or for fun?

Necessity at Aldi's Thursday after work. I don't shop for fun. {{shudder}} Unless you count Amazon Subscribe and Save which I did this morning, but again that was things like laundry detergent and toilet paper.

9) Have you ever shoplifted? (Don't worry. We won't tell.)

Yes, but the statute of limitations has expired at least 5 times since then.

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Magic (1980)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This 1980 video depicts Olivia Newton-John as a performer in small club. For the past few years, she's been performing regularly at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

Yes. I actually love that place because it's just full of Teh Weeeirrrrd! I go for the "show" along the sidewalks of the Strip. It's free and way more entertaining the anything in a theater!

2) Many tourists who want to get away from the glitz of Vegas travel less than 20 miles to visit Red Rock Canyon. This national park is known for its hiking trails, which provide a view of the desert flora and red rock peaks. Tell us about a time you were impressed by natural beauty.

And I love this place most of all. We try to get there every time we are in Vegas because it reminds me so much of home. If I could live anywhere, that would be on the top 10 list. To answer the actual question: I find nature beautiful in small and large ways almost daily.

3) One of the best-reviewed restaurants in Las Vegas is Andiamo Italian Steak House. When you order a steak, how do you request it be cooked: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well done?

Medium to medium-rare.

4) Olivia Newton-John's father was an officer in MI5, the UK's secret service. Sam's most recent encounter with the law didn't have much drama or intrigue: she asked a cop for directions to the highway. Tell us about the last time you spoke to an officer of the law.5) ONJ was awarded the OBE -- Order of the British Empire -- by Queen Elizabeth in honor of her contributions to the arts. Here's your opportunity to boast. What is something you've done lately that you received praise for?

I've had a lot of people, including Beast, tell me they don't know how I deal with "home life" right now over the past year or so. Is that praise? I don't really live for praise, though it's nice when it happens.

6) A breast cancer survivor, Olivia helped found a cancer center in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. When you think of Australia, what comes to mind?

Kangaroos. I haven't ever been there, so what can I say in my defense?

7) "Magic" was one of the top-selling records of 1980. Also that year, Post-It notes debuted. Do you enjoy shopping for office supplies, or do you consider it a chore?

OMG--I have am a totally office-supply whore! Pens! Paper! Calendars! It's an out-of-body experience for me in those stores.

8) In 1980, the NASA space probe returned the first photos of Saturn back to earth. Do you believe intelligent life forms from other planets are trying to learn more about us?

I think there is intelligent life besides us in the universe. I don't think they have the slightest interest in us.

9) Random question: Are you more confident in your looks or your intelligence?

Intelligence.