Saturday 9 18

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Cheerleader (2014)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Homecoming and football make this an important time of year for cheerleaders. Were you a cheerleader, or did you date one?

Nope and nope. ...and moving on...

2) Beyond cheerleaders and the big game, homecoming is a time for parades. Have you ever ridden on a float?

Actually, I don't think I have. I was usually in the band. The one time I was in a parade and not marching was when Sparky was in Little League and marched in the local Memorial Day parade.

3) OMI sings that his girl is always there when he needs her. Who do you know you can always count on?

"Always"? No one is "always" reliable or available. Beast is pretty good. I have several friends I can go to with my drama or needs. The only "always" for me is God.

4) This video features a sandy beach, a rocky shore and palm trees. What do you see outside your window right now?

Blue sky, the house next door, part of a tree. The sun is blazing through the front window but I can make out the shadow of our blue spruce in front of the porch and some birds flying around.

5) In the lyrics we hear that his cheerleader girlfriend is "like a genie in a bottle." Who would rather hang around with? Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie or Samantha from Bewitched?

Well, Samantha wasn't a genie, but I'd really rather hang with her. Jeannie was a little flaky, though I did rather like the decor in her bottle.

6) OMI is from Jamaica. Have you ever visited that island country?

Nope. Aside from the music, I've never really wanted to.

7) Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494. Columbus Day will soon be upon us (October 12). Is it a big deal in your community?

Nope. And I wish it weren't called that. The only reason it's even recognized around here is for the long fall break from school that usually surrounds it.

8) Queen Elizabeth is Jamaica's head of state. Her Majesty is now 89 years old and a great grandmother. Who is the oldest person in your life?

Hmm. I don't know ages for sure, but there are some folks at church in their late 80s and early 90s. And some of our library patrons. One guy who is 82 and looks about 70 and was in a pretty major motorcycle accident recently...and walked away.

9) Her Majesty was named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after three of her relatives, who also were queens. Were you named after anyone?

My middle name may be. I don't know. My sisters named me, supposedly after a friend of one of theirs. Or anyway they liked that name. Whatever.

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Beyond the Sea (1959)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song mentions golden sands. When do you think you'll next visit the beach?

At this point, it'll be next summer. I don't see much of a reason to go beachside during the winter. Though there is a resort town on a lake not too far from here that we might visit over the winter and our usual haunt is right across from the beach.

2) Shortly after "Beyond the Sea" hit the charts, Bobby Darin met and married movie sweetheart Sandra Dee. Her squeaky-clean image is spoofed in the song, "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee," from Grease. Can you name another song from Grease?

"Hopelessly Devoted to You" is the only one that's coming into focus this morning.

3) Years earlier, Bobby had an ill-fated romance with singer Connie Francis. According to Ms. Francis, Darin wanted to marry her, but her father forbade it. Have you ever had a relationship that your parents disapproved of?

Sure. They weren't enamored with me getting married right out of college, I'm fairly certain, but being the youngest in my family paid off in that they knew better than to forbid anything. It only makes it more attractive.

4) Bobby was a Renaissance man: Grammy-winning singer, Oscar-nominated actor, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and an excellent chess player. Are you good at chess?

No. I've played, but I'm not good at it at all.

5) A car buff, he drove a 1960 custom car that was so unique and spectacular it's now in a Detroit museum. The bright red paint was mixed with ground diamonds to ensure that it sparkled in the sun. Each of the four bucket seats had its own ac/heat control and radio speaker. The steering wheel was slightly squared for easier handling. What features would your dream car have?

Heated seats. 4WD. Big tires. Big engine. Convertible top/sides.

6) Beyond the Sea is also the name of the 2004 screen biography in which Kevin Spacey played Bobby Darin. Who would you choose to play you in the story of your life?

Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock. They both have the right laugh.

7) When he was just 8 years old, Bobby Darin was stricken with rheumatic fever, and the disease left him with a dangerously weakened heart. Did you spend much time in the hospital when you were a kid?

I spent time visiting my sister Ellen in the hospital when I was very young--she was quite ill and nearly died. As a teenager, I was a candystriper. Otherwise, not so much time in the hospital, definitely not as a patient for which I'm grateful.

8) In 1959, when "Beyond the Sea" was popular, Alaska became our 49th state. What comes to mind when you think of Alaska?

Cold. Dark. Snow. Crazy people. Glaciers. And, naturally, crab fishing.

9) In 1959, Conair introduced the first hair dryer developed for home use. Is there a hair dryer in your bathroom right now?

There is!

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. P is for PAEDOTROPHY: Do you think your parents did a better or worse job of raising you compared to how well their parents raised them?

Wow, this is a great question! I think my parents changed their parenting styles rather drastically between my sister's childhood and mine; there is, after all, a 20-year span of ages there. I suspect my dad tried to hew his parents' line in the beginning of his fatherhood, but that eased over the years till he was really rather a pushover for me. Mom was stricter, and damaged by having an alcoholic father, so I can't even begin to answer this for her. She definitely and fiercely protected us from experiencing anything to do with alcoholism during our childhoods. Overall, I think my parents did pretty well: none of us in jail (not that my aunts & uncles were!!) and we're all still on speaking terms.

2. P is for PANCAKES: How often do you have pancakes for breakfast, and what’s your favorite flavor of syrup?

I don't make pancakes often at all. No one needs the carbs or the sugar in the syrup. I do occasionally have them if I'm eating breakfast out, with bacon and maple syrup preferably.

3. P is for PARADE: What was the last parade you remember attending?

There is a startling lack of parades in my immediate area. It's probably been a decade since I've been to one. It makes me really sad.

4. P is for PEN: What’s the price of the most expensive pen you’ve ever purchased?

I have no idea, since I don't tend to buy expensive pens. If I did, those would be the first ones I'd lose, or break.

5. P is for PILL: On a normal day, how many pills do you take (including medication, vitamins and supplements)?

I take 5 pills, including a vitamin, every morning, and in the summer I take an supplementary allergy pill in the evening. Pretty sure by the time high summer rolls around I'll have added a cholesterol med to the mix.

6. P is for POWER: Do you have any power backups in your home in case the lights go out?

We bought a generator a couple of years ago after an extended outage that lasted for a few days. Beast sleeps with a BiPAP so without electricity he doesn't sleep. We lose power regularly for more than just a minute or two, probably 12-20 times a year on average, because of the wind taking out power lines on their way to our neighborhood. Our lines are actually buried, but the big ones from the power supply are not.

Saturday 9

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Dedicated to the One I Love

1) The lyrics include the line, "Love can never be exactly what we want it to be." Are you happy with your love life?

Yesterday was my 27th wedding anniversary. That line is dead right, and yes, I'm as happy as can be. I've known Beast for 30 years now, and I can't imagine having found someone better to or for me, even when things aren't great between us.

2) Another lyric is, "Each night before you go to bed, whisper a little prayer for me." Do you say your prayers?

I haven't really said "organized" bedtime prayers since I was a tiny child. But I do say my prayers, yes. Did an awful lot of praying for individual strangers the last couple of days.

3) Mama Michelle and Papa John were married in real life. It didn't end well -- not for the couple and not for the band. Do you believe you could work successfully with a romantic partner?

I'm not sure. Some days, yes. Some day, no. We'd need a very clear delineation of job responsibilities for sure.

4) After the band broke up, Michelle tried her hand at acting and eventually became a regular on the nighttime soap, Knot's Landing . Of course, she could live off of her music royalties while she learned her new craft. If money was no object, what career would like to try?

Retirement. lol
OK, no, actually I would love to be a professional volunteer. I've considered going to seminary many times over the year, but I have no interest in being a pastor. I actually like the job I have now, so it's a little hard to consider other options.

5) There is a famous rumor -- completely false -- that Mama Cass died while eating a ham sandwich. Can you think of another urban legend?

Snopes is on my RSS feeds. I get at least one new urban lie legend every day. Today there were 5; of those, this one was pretty good.

6) In the 1960s, every high school girl wanted to wear her hair like Michelle and Cass -- long and straight. Can you recall a fashion trend from your school days?

Hello, Farrah Fawcett Flip, my old friend. The left is what we were aiming for; the right is what we usually got.

7) With the Fourth of July falling on Thursday, are you able to enjoy a looooong four-day holiday weekend?

Yes, ma'am, I am! I was scheduled to work today, but I bailed as an anniversary present to myself and my hubby.

8) Many communities have parades to celebrate Independence Day. Have you ever ridden on a float or marched in a parade?

I marched in 7 years' worth of parades, from 7th grade band through my freshman year's Homecoming parade. Marching was exceedingly important in my formative years, as some of you may remember.

9) In honor of the Fourth of July, name your favorite Founding Father.

It's really a toss-up between Adams and Jefferson. The former was such a smart, strong, firm, uncompromising guy and Jefferson was clever, full of contradiction, and much more the Romantic Hero type.

Saturday 9

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Same Old Lang Syne

1) This week's song is the tale of an accidental holiday encounter between former lovers. (Hear it here.) They sit in her car and spend hours catching up, then she gives him a chaste kiss and they never see one another again. Is there a past love who still has a special spot in your heart, despite the years or the miles since your relationship?

Well, of course. Not that I would want to spend hours catching up with some of them, but they are all in my heart, along with other people I love(d).

2) This week's song includes a play on the traditional Scottish song, "Auld Lang Syne." Have you ever visited Scotland?

Yes. Beautiful place. I would love to go back.

3) Mother Winters has long told Sam that if she has a glass of water for every glass of champagne she drinks on New Year's Eve, she'll feel better on New Year's Day. Do you have a favorite hangover prevention tip or cure?

My favorite hangover prevention tip is to have one glass of whatever, at most, and be finished. Better if you just drink water without the champagne.

4) Do you like champagne?

Actually, I can't drink cheap-ass champagne at all anymore having gotten the sick-drunkest I ever was on the stuff. The mere smell of it....gahhh. I like the good (expensive) stuff, but I'm pretty careful with it.

6) This year at midnight, Crazy Sam will kiss the nose of her puppy, Chico. Will you be kissing anyone when the clock strikes 12?

I'll probably be in bed, asleep. Otherwise, I'll be laughing at the local anchors--two years ago one of them was incredibly high/drunk/inappropriate--and kissing Beast and Sparky, assuming they're awake. And if I do last till midnight, I'll be up till 1 since there will be fireworks shot off in the vicinity. Yeah, imagine that: fireworks, in our neighborhood. ...sigh

6) The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy was the runaway publishing phenomenon of 2012. It was so successful that the publisher, Random House, was able to give its employees massive bonuses this year. Have you read it?

I read about a page of the first one, total, skipping around a bit. Let's just say that my reaction was about the same as tasting cheap champagne. I'd rather read a cereal box.

7) Year-end is a time for newspapers, magazines and websites to run lists. According to Askmen.com, Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games is the at the of the year's "Most Desirable Woman" list. People magazine has declared Channing Tatum "The Sexiest Man Alive -- 2012." Do either of these two set your pulse racing? If not, who is your celebrity crush?

Um, let's see: I don't think Jennifer Lawrence is that pretty--she's got a little of that early Renee Zellweger squinty thing going on. BUT she is an excellent actress, and stunning in The Hunger Games, which is more important to me anyway. Channing Tatum is young enough (and ridiculous enough) to be my son. Yuck. It's really the ridiculousness that makes him unpalatable, I suppose, since there are a few other young guys (Jake Gyllenhaal, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, etc.) that don't make me want to scratch them behind the ears and tell them to behave. Otherwise, I'll stay with the standards: Brad Pitt, Mark Harmon, and Denzel Washington.

8) Pasadena, California, is known for hosting the traditional Rose Parade. It begins at 8:00 AM on January 1, so the people who watch it live must be there very early. Does the thought of getting up and dressed to sit in the California sun, bright and early on New Year's morning appeal, to you?

Yes. I'd go in a heartbeat. I was there IN the parade in 1980. Someday I'd like to see it from the stands....

9) Sometimes aches and pains that aren't serious can still really hurt. For example, Sam just dropped a can of tomato paste on her foot and the little red mark it left is making her crazy! Are you suffering through a bump or bruise or cut right now?

I somehow cut the base of my palm opposite my thumb earlier this week--just a paper cut. That was annoying for a couple of days, but otherwise I think I'm fairly unblemished. I had a KILLER headache yesterday all day: from 10 until 3 I downed 2 aspirin, then 2 Tylenol, then 2 Advil about two hours apart...and STILL it raged on. I think it has abated today, though I can still feel it pacing around behind my forehead, waiting to be released.
Oddly enough, two other people went home sick yesterday--one with "general malaise" the other with a migraine + GERD. Maybe it's sick building syndrome.