Saturday, January 30, 2021

Saturday 9 x 2

(Link in meme-roll) 
Why Did I Choose You? (1965) 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here

1) In this song, Barbra Streisand reassures her lover that, if she had it all to do again, she would still choose him. Tell us about a decision you've made that you never, ever regretted. 
Despite weeks of homesickness freshman year, I never actually regretted going to college so far from home. It was the only decision I could make to save myself from stagnation.
2) The music was composed by Michael Leonard, who studied classical music at Julliard and the Handel Conservatory of Music in Munich. Do you often listen to classical music? 
Not much. It tends to make me sleep, or else I fall too deeply into listening to parts and replaying and crawling inside it. 
3) The lyrics were written by Herbert Martin. He taught music in the NYC public school system and during the summer worked in summer stock. That's how he met and began collaborating with Michael Leonard. Tell us how you met someone important in your life. 
See question #1. Some of the best relationships, long-lasting ones, of my life started at college, including meeting my now-husband. Almost all of them were distinctly driven by chance and being aware in the moment of the goodness of people.
4) Ms. Streisand was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class at Erasmus Hall High School when she was only 16. One of Barbra's classmates was Neil Diamond. Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?
"America" is meaningful to me. Aside: I saw on Facebook this week that he is now 80! Unreal. 
5) While she didn't go on to college, she continued her education by attending two different acting schools simultaneously. Did you enjoy being a student? 
I was an excellent student: attentive, a sponge for info and meaning, good at tests, quiet, well-behaved. None of these things have been particularly useful as a functioning adult except maybe the attentiveness and understanding meaning (rather than surface information).
6) Barbra and her first husband, Elliott Gould, shared a New York apartment over a 5th Avenue restaurant called Oscar's Salt of the Sea. Elliott originated the role of Trapper John in the movie M*A*S*H. On TV, the role of Trapper was played by Wayne Rogers. Can you think of another role that's been played by more than one actor? 
Aunt Viv. Darren Stevens.
7) Oscar's Salt of the Sea has ties to Sesame Street. Jim Henson loved their food and was amused by how inhospitable the owner, Oscar, could be. That's how Oscar the Grouch got his name. Which is your favorite Muppet?
I am developing a deep understanding of Oscar, but I feel mostly like Grover, which is an old family (first) name too. 
8) Back to Barbra ... She is a successful recording artist (nominated for 45 Grammy awards, winning 8) and an Oscar-winning actress, but she's suffered career disappointments, too. In 2010, she read the book Hidden Figures and tried to buy the rights so she could direct the film version. She lost out to fellow Brooklynite, director Theodore Melfi. In 2016, his movie of Hidden Figures was released. Did you see the movie or read the book? 
I saw the movie: stunning! The book was reputed to be deadly dull so I skipped it.
9) Random question: Your best friend takes up painting and proudly presents her first framed work to you. You think it's atrocious. Would you hang it in your home anyway? 
I would, for awhile, and maybe not in an obvious place where I'll see it that often.

 


Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1973) 
Unfamiliar with this song? Hear it here

1) Bette Midler sings that the bugle boy wakes up Company B every morning by playing reveille. What awakened you this morning (phone, alarm clock, sunrise, etc.)? Or did you wake up on your own? 
My bladder, at 4:30. I went back to bed after peeing, and texting Sparky who'd responded to a text while I was asleep. I woke up for 'real' at 8:45.
2) This single was produced by Bette's arranger/piano player, who went on to have a successful singing career of his own. Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song? 
"Copacabana" maybe. His songs were the soundtrack of my late elementary-school years, so I know there were a bunch more, the titles of which escape me today.
3) Bette was named after Bette Davis. Her sisters, Susan and Judy, were named for Susan Hayward and Judy Garland. So now we know who Mother Midler's favorite actresses were. Who are yours? 
Meryl. Always. Forever. I don't always agree with her choice of movies, but she is always astonishing in the role.
4) Bette has been married since 1984 to artist Martin von Haselberg. She was 39 years old, already a star, and had never married before. Yet within six weeks of meeting him, she was so sure Martin was "the one" that they tied the knot. Have you found that love takes time, or, like Bette, have you fallen in love quickly? 
I staunchly believe that love takes time. But, knowing you are going to be friends with someone can happen in a flash, when you know you'll have this person in your life forever.
5) When their daughter Sophie was growing up, it was Martin who taught her to cook. What was the last thing you prepared in your kitchen? Did you use the microwave, stovetop, convection oven, blender, coffee maker ...? 
Does warming up a bagel for 10 seconds in the microwave this morning count? I made soup in the microwave yesterday at work...by adding water to stuff in a bowl. I haven't legitimately cooked in over a week.
6) Bette says that listening and compromise have been the key to their happy marriage but adds, "Compromise is hardest of all." On what have you compromised recently? 
I feel like I do this every day at work anymore. Long story. Compromise is a lot easier if you have a shitty attitude about whatever it is, or don't care at all. About things, I mean.
7) Bette and Martin have a farmhouse in upstate New York. She enjoys feeding the chickens (whom she has jokingly named The Kardashians) and puttering in her garden. Do you have a green thumb? 
I do not. I have killed every plant I've ever had. Sometimes quickly, more often in long, depressing withering. Outside, I live in a place where every-damn-thing grows, so it's really easy to drop stuff in the ground and find growth in a day or two.
8) In 1973, the year this song was popular, actor Neil Patrick-Harris was born. He's best known as Barney on How I Met Your Mother, which ran from 2005-2014. Were you a fan? 
I was not. I never watched it, but the impression I got is that he played completely against type: a real jerk. I like him and I decided not to color my perception of him as a nice guy with his acting as a misogynist.
9) Random question -- How often do you put crackers in your soup: Always, often, seldom or never?
Usually not. I don't usually think of it when I'm making my own soup, and I'm supposed to cut back on carbs as much as possible. (see above re bagel: not very good at cutting back)

5 sweet-talkers :

Kwizgiver said...

#6--yes, I compromise at work all the time, I just couldn't come up with an example.

Lori said...

I wish I could take care of plants better. Loved your answers! Have a nice weekend.

https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/

The Gal Herself said...

Good for you for coming to understand Oscar. ;) And I think Neil Patrick Harris is probably one of the most extravagantly talented people ever. I'm sure he's not at all like Barney, but he could make you believe.

CountryDew said...

Bagel counts.

zippiknits...sometimes said...

That naughty bagel. All carbs all day.
And I found the book for Hidden Figures to be as amazing as the film, with a lot more information about the era and “behavior” it told of was fascinating. More of the science,too.

Post a Comment

Sweet comments from sweet people

 
Copyright ©2004- , Cat. All rights reserved. All opinions expressed on this weblog are those of the author. Nothing included in this blog is intended as a representation of the views of my employer or past employers, or anyone else unless so stated.