Saturday 9 (x2)

(Link in meme-roll)

Hold On (1990)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 

 

1) This song gives encouragement to someone who is enduring heartache. Have you more recently given support, or received it?

There's been a lot of receiving of late. It's not a place I'm very comfortable living in. 

2) "Hold On" is featured prominently in the 2011 movie Bridesmaids. It's an anthem for the friends in the film and they love to sing it together. Is there a song that reminds you of good times with a good friend?

One that reminds me of college, and one specific college friend, is "Safety Dance." It's a terminally silly song, with great memories around concerts and campus radio sets, that makes me smile every damn time I hear it. 

3) The video for this song finds Wilson Phillips outdoors on a snowy mountainside and then on a sandy beach. What's the view outside your window?

Cloudy skies, green trees and the eave of the house next door is all I can see from my recliner. 

4) The mountain segments were filmed in California's San Gabriel Mountains. The girls were flown to the set by helicopter. Have you ever been in a helicopter?

I would LOVE to have a long helicopter ride around some scenic area just for the experience. The only person I know of close to me who's been in a helicopter is Beast and that was Flight for Life. This is NOT how I wish to travel!

5) The members of Wilson Phillips are authentic "California Girls." Wendy and Carnie Wilson's father is Brian Wilson, who wrote the Beach Boys hit[s]. Chynna Phillips is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, who sang "California Dreamin'." Have you been to California? If yes, where did you visit?

I've been to Cali several times, mostly to cities--San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles--but I loved the ocean in each of those areas. 

6) Another generation of the Wilson family has entered the music business. Carnie's daughter/Brian Wilson's granddaughter, Lola Bonfiglio, participated in the current season of American Idol. Has a family member followed you in your chosen profession?

Heh. I followed my sister into Library Science. My niece followed me into it. We all (have) had good long careers in a field that is wholly worthwhile and rewarding (when it isn't wholly frustrating and infuriating).

7) In 1990, when this song was popular, satellite radio was in its infancy and streaming was unheard of. Our cars gave us a choice of AM/FM and maybe CD player/tape deck. When you're driving and a favorite song comes on, are you more likely to sing along if you're alone? Or don't you care if anyone hears you?

I rarely listen to music in the car anymore. I have a ginormous backlog of podcast episodes I'm trying to get through. I do talk back to them regularly, and sometimes pause the whole thing to argue about something, but not when/where people can see me. If I do have music on I sing along rather mindlessly, whether or not others are around. I don't care if anyone else hears or sees me. I don't mind being the crazy old lady in town. 

8) Also in 1990, actor Alan Hale Jr. died. He was "the skipper" on Gilligan's Island. Without looking it up, can you name the other six castaways? (If not the actors, then their characters.)

Gilligan, the millionaire and his wife, the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann. I don't know all the actors' names, but man I loved that show as a kid. 

9) Random question: What superhero would you like to have as your best friend?

Deadpool seems fun, if rather dangerous, to hang out with. [I don't see most superhero movies, so that's all I can come up with...]

Too Shy (1983)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song laments vulnerability and self-consciousness in a social settings. Are you often "too shy?" Or are social gatherings easy for you?

I am terminally shy, but adept at snapping on my Public Mask in a flash and smiling and schmoozing through a (short) party or meeting. Also, I'm unable to abide silence in social settings so I talk too much.  

2) In the lyrics, a girl self-censors, telling herself, "hush hush." Have you more recently shushed someone, or were you shushed?

As a librarian.... ha ha ha. I get shushed by patrons more than I shush them. Then again, most of my public service work is in the children's room, so it's pretty loud in there. I did get shushed yesterday at work by a little girl who wanted us to whisper about the snake puppet she said had bitten her, and which then bit me. 😀 

3) Band member Nick Beggs recalls that they called themselves Kajagoogoo because it sounded like something that would make a baby laugh. It is fun to say. Can you think of another word that you just enjoy saying?

"Shenanigans."  Also, "boooolllshiiiitttt." 

4) This was the only US hit for the British band, earning Kajagoogoo the title "One Hit Wonder." Can you think of another artist or band who had one really popular song and then just kind of disappeared?

Well, I seem to be calling out "Safety Dance" a lot this week, so I'll hit them up again.

5) Though fame was fleeting here, Kajagoogoo remained popular in England. Lead singer Limahl recalls the adulation as "overwhelming," and he was shocked when he stepped on stage in Cornwall to see row after row of fans wearing their hair like he did. Have you ever handed a photo to a stylist and said, "Make my hair look like this?"

I don't think I've done precisely this, but I did have a "Lady Di" haircut as a late teen, and I'm sure I've said other things to hairdressers over the years about hairstyles I thought would work with my hair. 

6) In 1983, when this song was popular, the Lotus 1-2-3 program made it easier for PC users to make spreadsheets. Are you answering these questions on a Mac or PC? Laptop, phone or tablet?

I'm on a Lenovo laptop. I've never used a Mac except when strictly necessary, and phones/tablets have too small of a keyboard for me to properly type.

7) 1983 saw Abbey Road Studios open their doors for the first time for public tours. During the first two months, 22,000 tickets were sold to fans who wanted to see where the Beatles made their magic. What's the last ticket you purchased?

I can honestly say that I haven't purchased tickets for ANYthing in years. Maybe parking in a hospital lot, but honestly even then I think it was just a pass-through not an actual ticket.  

8) Also in 1983, McDonald's introduced Chicken McNuggets. When was chicken most recently on the menu at your home? How was it prepared?

At home? I have a container of rotisserie chicken shreds I nosh on for dinner once in awhile. I had chicken strips from some fastfood place this week for lunch, maybe even McDonalds. I eat a lot of chicken. Or peanut butter. Those are my main protein sources. 

9) Random question: Have you ever forgotten where you left your car in a parking lot?

I forgot which lot I parked in AT WORK on Wednesday this week! This isn't an uncommon occurrence. I'm the flakiest person on staff, hands-down. 

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll) 

Misc questions 

1. Which is more romantic: an expensive, glittering bouquet OR flowers that were hand picked as they grew beside the parkway? 

I am far from fussy, especially these days. But I'm less likely to sneeze at greenhouse flowers.

2. Do you know yourself well enough to understand why you feel the way you do? 

Years of therapy have helped with this.

3. Which do you do more often: let movies, songs and books put your feelings into words for you or put your feelings into words by yourself? 

Of late, it's been "feel the feelings all the time." I don't really see too many movies and reading has been hard this year.

4. Do you believe celebrities when they are endorsing a product? 

I don't pay a lot of attention to ads, and I'd like to think the person in the ad means nothing, but I just got stung by ThirdLove so I guess I do sometimes.

5. What kind of movies do you wish were made more often?

Good ones. It would be nice if we (the audience) would refuse to see the crappy ones.

6. Does fashion matter to you? 

Not really.

7. Should politicians be held to the same legal standards as everyone else? 

Of course they should! Some might argue they should be held to a higher standard.

8. If you became president, whom would you invite to sing at your inauguration? 

My go-to would be a classmate of Sparky's who sings at our church. But I have no interest in running for any office whatsoever.

9. Do you try to write/say what you are feeling in a true and simple way? 

Yes.

10. What is your worst daily habit? 

Sleeping. I just got up from an afternoon nap.

11. If you had your choice which one TV show would you have canceled? 

If I never heard another word about the whole "Game of Thrones" debacle, it will be too soon.

12. Do you like the taste of sweet or salt? 

I strongly prefer sweet, but I'm currently eating salted peanuts.

13. Are you very precise about what words you use to describe your feelings and thoughts?

I try to be. They aren't always read or heard precisely, though.

14. What do you feel the most guilty about? 

Presupposing I feel guilty about anything (a pretty solid presupposition in my case, but still....), I had a long moment of "why isn't Beasty living here?" this morning.

15. Do you meditate?

Not as such. I ponder, I pray, I focus on the clock ticking...

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll) 

Groovy, rad, lit 

1. Which slang term from your youth, no longer in common use, do you remember fondly? 

"Cool beans." Still don't understand it. Still makes me smile.

2. What slang do you still use, ‘though it’s no longer in common use? 

Probably everything. I have been known to say "superfab!" in a non-ironic way.

3. Which current (or sorta recent) slang terms do you particularly like? 

I'm fond of woke. I like yeet a lot. Those are the two that specifically come to mind.

4. Which slang terms, past or present, do you especially dislike? 

There is one word starting with C that I still cannot stand being used. It's commonplace in other English-speaking countries, but I literally cannot say it out loud.

5. What slang terms are specific to your geographical region?

"Are you coming with?" "Something needs done" rather than "needs doing" has come across my radar. Not necessarily that verb, just the past tense with a present tense helping verb. And of course everyone around here goes to "the Jewel" not the grocery store or just Jewel. Has to have "the" in front of it, but you can go to Walmart or whatever without "the." 

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll) 

Best Things to Talk About 

1. What is the craziest, most outrageous thing you want to achieve? 

I'd like to survive the current era so I can see things improve, so that I can have a sense of pride about something in my country again.

2. Have your parents influenced what goals you have? 

Of course they have. How could they not have done so? One way or another, we're all trying to live up to, or improve on, our parents. I think mine instilled some pretty decent values in us kids.

3. What is a fashion trend you’re glad went away. 

Super low-cut, tight jeans. Corsets. Having to wear high heels and a dress in public.

4. What word or saying from the past do you think should come back? 

"Oh for crying in the RAIN!" my dad said this all the time and I've begun using it instead of swearing out loud at work.

5. What do you bring with you everywhere you go? 

Chapstick. Some things never ever change. And also, more modern-like, my phone.

6. Is there such a thing as a soul? 

Yup. Having met a few people over the years without one, it's pretty fuckin' obvious when it's missing.

7. Is there life after death? 

Depends on your definition of "life." I think so, even if "life" is a matter of memories of those who knew you.

8. Do you think there will ever be a third world war? 

Of course. It will be different from anything seen heretofore, probably.

9. What smell brings back great memories? 

Pine tree bark. Did you know there are chocolate pines and vanilla pines?

10. How would you like to be remembered? 

Fondly. It would be nice if people just DID remember me, to be honest.

11. What kind of music are you into? 

I'll listen to anything. Right now I have The Long Winters cued up on Spotify. But I like everything from bagpipes to rap.

12. What is the biggest surprise of your life? 

How long it feels. How it can suck and be absurdly hilarious at the same time.

13. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Lately, it seems like peanuts is all I eat. But if I could choose, it would probably be sweets, since they are severely limited these days.

14. Where is the most awe inspiring place you have been? 

Samarqand. Hard not to feel minuscule while surrounded by these ancient buildings:

15. Describe your life in six words.

Chaotic, quiet, untidy, frustrating, online, waiting.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Adopt :: Parent
2. Turbulence :: Bumpiness
3. Constituent :: Voter
4. Reckless :: Dangerous
5. Habitat :: Biome
6. Spare :: Extra
7. Horror :: Scary
8. Influence :: Clout
9. Indulge :: Revel
10. Humanity :: People

Sunday Stealing x2

(Link in meme-roll)
Hodgepodge

1. January was National Mentoring Month. Have you ever had a mentor? Been a mentor? How would you rate the experience?

I have been mentored my entire career in various ways. I try to be a mentor to others both professionally and outside of work.

2. What current trend makes no sense to you?

Uhm, well, I'm extraordinarily confused by the amount of mean, nasty, horrible, inhumane and thoughtless behavior being exhibited, in fact flaunted by those in the highest offices of this country.

3. I saw a cartoon on Facebook highlighting a few 'weird' things that make you happy as an adult. The list included-writing with a nice pen, having plans cancelled, freshly cleaned sheets, eating the corner brownie, cleaning the dryer lint screen, and sipping coffee in that brief time before anyone else wakes up. Of the 'weird' things listed which one makes you happiest? What is one more 'weird' thing you'd add to the list?

I like clean sheets, and cleaning the dryer lint screen makes me happy too. Another weird thing I find myself enjoying is when people at four-way stops all do it correctly and fairly.

4. What's the last good thing you ate?

I made chicken for dinner tonight. It was pretty good. The bread I bought today is also REALLY yummy. I like me some good bread.

5. Describe life in your 20's in one sentence.

Absolute confusion interspersed with moments of joy and despair.

6. It's that time of year again...time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or general uselessness) in 2018. This year's top vote getters are -- unpack, dish (as in dish out the latest rumor), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingburger, let that sink in, let me ask you this, impactful, Covfefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy
Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I'm pretty tired of anything coined by a Trump family member, but DUUDE, I've used "hot water heater" since I was a wee tot! Stop taking away my stupid words!

7. What's something you need to get rid of in the New Year?

Procrastination. It's going to kill me. I'm not even overstating that, either.

8. Where do you feel stuck?

With my financial questions.

9. January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?

I never make homemade soup, and I think the last soup I had was probably from Panera (chicken/wild rice). I love clam chowder, and virtually any cream soup. Broth soups, not so much.

10. Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.

I'm making precisely zero plans, beyond having no expectations about anything, this year.

Brrr

1. Do you prefer winter or summer? Why?

A brisk, sunny winter day is lovely, as long as it's not snowing. A hot sunny and not humid day is also lovely. I generally prefer summer just because there's less crap to deal with in terms of clothing, driving, etc.

2. What are your favorite winter activities?

Staying inside with a book and a blanket and a glass of pop.

3. Can you tell me about a time you went skiing or skating?

It's literally been decades since I had skates on. I've never skiied.

4. Have you ever made a snow angel?

Yes. Not recently. Maybe I'll play the neighborhood goofball and do one in the yard tomorrow after the new snow tomorrow.

5. Is your house cold?

It's about 68 in here for another hour or so. Then it will go down to 60 overnight.

6. Do you have a fireplace in your house?

Yup. The last time I tried to use it--last month--I forgot to open the draft and had a flashover that caught my bangs on fire briefly and smoked up the whole house, setting off the smoke alarms everywhere. So, I'm not using it again till I get a lesson.

7. What do you usually do to keep warm in the winter?

Stay inside wearing multiple layers of clothes and blankets.

8. Have you ever gone hiking in the snow?

Yup. Not since I began to fear falling and breaking bones though.

9. Tell me about a snowball fight you had.

I pretty much never had a snowball fight. I got hit with one once with a rock inside (Jeff, the football-head kid in my school, threw it) and that pretty much did it for me. I just throw handfuls of snow.

10. Have you ever looked at a snowflake carefully?

Of course.

11. Do you have a sled? Have you been sledding?

We might have a sled somewhere; we seem to have everything else! I used to go sledding with my dad when I was a kid; there's a street that's a big sweeping hill near the house where I grew up that the city closed off every year for kids to sled on.

12. What do you usually do after a big snowfall?

Wait to get plowed out of the house. We have a long and fairly wide driveway, and I don't shovel.

13. What’s the best thing about winter?

Sweatshirts and socks. And, I guess, lack of humidity.

14. What’s the worst thing about winter?

Being cold ALL THE TIME!

15. Have you ever been in a blizzard?

Yes. About 5 years ago, driving home from a meeting, Beast and I were in a storm when we found ourselves in a complete whiteout. We went off the road, killed a tire on the car, all within about 5 miles from our house. I was updating everything on Facebook as it happened, but I was completely terrified; we literally COULD NOT see anything on the road. A car passed us and we didn't see it (headlights on and all) till it was next to us. I can't even imagine doing this in a wagon 150 years ago!

16. Can you describe ice for me?

Cold, crunchy, slippery, and if you hold it against your skin for too long it will burn.

17. Have you ever slipped on ice and hurt yourself?

Fuck yeah. See #8.

18. Have you ever had to shovel snow?

My freshman year of college, after I got home for break, it snowed on Christmas Eve. Dad and I spent three hours clearing the driveway the next morning. Then after lunch, we went back out and cleared the sidewalks for a couple of hours. Two-plus feet of snow. That was the most exciting time, but I've moved my share of wet stuff over the years. No more, though. My back just can't (and I'm really out of shape).

19. Will you be watching the Olympics?

If it's on at the facility, Beast and I may watch some. I'm not watching here at home.

20. If yes, what are your favorite events?

I like skating and slalom skiing.

Unconscious Mutterings x5

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Timing :: ... is everything
2. Anxiety ::Worry
3. Experience :: Event
4. Polka :: Accordion
5. Wax :: Ear...
6. Wired :: Caffeine
7. Broke :: Poor
8. Salt :: ... and Pepper
9. Crocodile :: Alligator
10. Navigator ::Maps

1. Giving :: Taking
2. Incredible :: Amazing
3. Backing :: Support
4. Verb :: Noun
5. Turning :: Spinning
6. Escalator :: Steps
7. Itchy :: Scratchy
8. Glass :: Cup
9. Hydrate ::Water
10. Solution ::Result

1. Cheap :: Inexpensive
2. Brace :: Back ...
3. Delicate :: Fragile
4. Era :: Time period
5. Naked :: COLD!
6. Bad TV :: News
7. Gift :: Present
8. Forgive :: ... and forgetting
9. Staple ::Basic
10. Last :: Final

1. Stubborn :: Hard-headed
2. Resolve :: Promise
3. Pain :: Ouch
4. Winnings :: Lottery
5. House :: Home
6. Joints :: Achy ...
7. Slide :: Swings
8. Phone :: Cell ...
9. Dream ::Sleep
10. Tip :: Dump

1. Prompt :: On time
2. Thanks :: Graciousness
3. Play :: Drama
4. Long lasting :: 12-hour
5. Enter :: Come in
6. Contract :: Negotiation
7. Substantial :: Dense
8. Alert :: Awake
9. Swipe ::Steal
10. Resist :: NO!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Creepy Crawlies

1. You are walking down the road and you look down. There is a bug. Do you step on it?

Probably not, at least not intentionally. Unless it's an earwig; those things are (shudder) nasty. Yes, I did just shudder for real.

2. What is one fantasy that you want to come true more than any other?

World peace.

3. Someone knocks on your door. Do you look out the window to see who it is before you open it? Do you open it regardless of who it is?

No, I look. And because they can look back in the sidelights, I have to open it once I've looked. If I'm upstairs or generally away from where they can see me, I have been known to pretend I'm not here at all.

4. Have you ever eaten Play Doh?

I think so, probably, as a kid. Smells better than it tastes.

5. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon as a child and why?

I wasn't allowed to watch Saturday morning TV. That was the time reserved for cleaning the house. Mom did the main part, I was only responsible for my room, and when lunchtime rolled around, regardless of how much (or little) I'd done in my room to actually clean, I was free!

6. Are you a “people watcher”?

The older I get, the more fascinating I find people. Except the annoying ones....

7. I have a bowl of fruit. There are apples, oranges & pears. You help yourself to one - which one do you choose?

Assuming they are all at peak ripeness, I'll have a pear, thank you.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve in the blogging world?

Wow. I don't really get peeved very often with blogs anymore. Horrific spelling and lack of coherence is a definite kill for me, though.

9. What is one religion that you could just never see yourself joining?

I think I'd be a terrible Hindu. All those gods to keep track of....

10. What word do you use far too often?

It used to be "actually" but these days it might be pretty close to "probably."

11. How long do you spend in the shower?

Ten minutes? Long enough to wash my hair, scrub my face, and soap up and rinse the bod.

12. If you were to write a personal ad about yourself, what would it say?

I wouldn't. I promise you that no matter what happens in my future, I am extraordinarily unlikely to ever date again.

13. Your favorite flavor of soup is….?

I love a good split pea with ham. It's getting to be that time of year when it tastes best, too!

14. You are sitting on a bench in the park and a bug walks in front of your feet…. do you squash him? (I am assuming this is a different bug from question #1)

My answer is the same. I don't go out of my way to kill things on purpose as a rule.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Sandwich or Nah?

1. Why is or isn’t a hot dog a sandwich?

   Well, it really IS a sandwich, though it's not what I think of when I think of "sandwich." It's a little too round to be a sandwich, the definition of a sandwich in my worldview. It's just semantics, though, in the end.

2. Why is or isn’t a hamburger a sandwich?

   My dad often called them "hamburger sandwiches" so I have no problem with calling a burger that.

3. Why is or isn’t a wrap a sandwich?

   Again, it's that non-flatness that makes me pause, but I call it a sandwich when I eat one anyway.

4. Why are or aren’t Oreos and ice cream sandwiches sandwiches?

   But they are! They are sandwiches from heaven!!

5. Why does or doesn’t listening to an audio book count as reading the book?

   Speaking as a librarian, and an audiobook reader, I have to tsk tsk you and say "Of course they are both books!" You get the story in slightly different ways, but it's still literature. Like myths are literature, right? Besides, audiobooks are the reason I have managed to finish a lot of books I hated in high school!!

The whole time I was answering the sandwich questions, I could hear my mom's voice going on about sandwiches in my head. Man, she was T I R E D of sandwiches by the time she hit 50! I'm not even sure what her beef (ha ha ha) was with them, only that she complained about them being immensely boring. Funny that I'd forgotten all about that till just now.

Unconscious Mutterings x2

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Headache :: Migraine
2. Leftover :: Scraps
3. Corrupt :: Venial
4. Vent :: Rage
5. Equipment :: Tools
6. Jack :: ... in the box
7. Business :: Going out of ...
8. Joint :: Mutual
9. Inter[n]ship :: Slave labor
10. Pain :: Soreness

1. Broken :: Ruined
2. Compromised :: Met in the middle
3. Delayed :: Slowed
4. Ligament :: Tendon
5. Dramatic :: Emotive
6. Fanatic :: Crazed
7. Exotic :: Unusual
8. Weeks :: Months
9. Walk it off :: Ow Ow Ow Ow Ow!
10. Bruised :: Injured

Friday Five

(Link in meme-roll)
Scattergories Part 7!
This week’s 5 is inspired by the party game Scattergories, in which players have to think of items, all beginning with the same letter, in several categories. For example, if the die is rolled and shows the letter C, players might have to name a soft drink, a farm animal, a river, and a U.S. President, all beginning with C. Valid answers might be Coke, chicken, Cuyahoga, and Carter.

First, go to this nifty online random-letter generator. Set the “number of random letter sequences to generate” to 1. Set the “length of each random letter sequence” to 1. Leave the “letters to choose from” how it is and click the button. You’ll get a rather non-dramatic one letter. Use that letter to begin all your answers to the 5 questions below. If you’d like to avoid difficult letters, feel free to change the “letters to choose from” list. I’ll only judge you a little bit. 🙂

Alternately, if you find that boring, you could set the “length of each random letter sequence” to 5, thereby giving you five letters, a different one for each question.

I've done this a couple of different ways in the past. In 2009 I just picked one letter. in 2014, I got a series of five letters and answered each question with all five letters. In 2015, I was back to one letter. And last year I did five letters again. Seems like I have a scheme. This year I'll be doing one letter. I hope it's not an awful one....

What random letter was generated by the online random-letter generator (this doesn’t really count as one of your five questions)? N

1. What’s something gross whose name begins with the letter?

After a great deal of thought, the only thing I can think of that's gross that starts with N is nail fungus

2. What’s something crunchy whose name begins with the letter?

Nuts! I'm currently having my "dessert" of walnuts, but I like most all tree nuts.

3. What’s something (or who is someone) you wouldn’t mind hugging whose name begins with the letter?

My nieces and nephews. I'm totally not fussy about which one(s)!

4. What’s something whose name begins with the letter and can be found on a passenger airplane?

The nose is rather important. Also numbers for rows.

5. What’s something (whose name begins with the letter) you could purchase at a hardware store?

Nails. I love hardware stores so much...

Unconscious Mutterings x4

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Webbed :: Connected
2. History :: Past
3. Musical :: Broadway
4. Husband :: Wife
5. Stayed :: Overnighted
6. Drug :: Prescription
7. Structure :: Building
8. Complicated :: Complex
9. Plot :: Burial ...
10. Coma :: Unconsciousness

1. Adopt :: Add
2. Therapy :: Physical ...
3. Money back :: Rebate
4. Lotion :: Hand ...
5. Feeling :: Emotion
6. Surgery :: Operation
7. Ashen :: Pale
8. Wrist :: Carpal
9. Pronounce :: Enunciate
10. Vaseline :: Petroleum jelly

1. Delete :: Omit
2. Late :: Tardy
3. Rambling :: Wandering
4. Popular :: Likable
5. Significant :: Important
6. Slither :: Crawl
7. Spicy :: Tangy
8. Joyous :: Elated
9. Detailed :: Explicated
10. Rabbi :: Teacher

1. Baby:: Infant
2. Hoops :: Earrings
3. Vulnerable :: Dangerous
4. Literally :: Word-for-word
5. Relationship :: Connector
6. Best :: Number One
7. Aggressive :: Angry
8. Comfort :: Luxury
9. Tunnel :: Dig
10. Cancer :: Scary

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
The Joker (1973)
because Stacy recommended it.
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Steve Miller claims he's a picker, grinner, sinner, lover, smoker and joker. Do any of those six words describe you?

We're all sinners. I'm often grinning and joking I don't smoke, or pick. I guess I'm a lover, though.

2) He maintains he's still a midnight toker. When's the last time you got high?

If you include booze in the mood-altering things, then last October.

3) The lyrics include a reference to peaches. Name your favorite fruit.

I do like fresh-off-the-tree peaches. Not grocery store peaches--yuck. I guess my overall favorite is apples. Also best right-off-the-branch, but they're OK from the store, at least until spring.

4) This song had a big impact on the character of Joey on Friends, who had an imaginary friend named Maurice with the occupation of space cowboy. Did you ever have an imaginary friend?

Yup. I think ALL imaginary friends are space cowboys! However, mine was pretty much gone by 1973....

5) Steve Miller is the pride of Milwaukee, WI. What else is Milwaukee famous for?

Miller Beer. A stupid sheriff right now. The guys who made the Airplane movies. That's three. I could dig up another couple of dozen off the top of my head if you'd like?

6) Steve Miller considers himself a serious blues guitarist. When did you last feel like singing the blues?

Damn, it's a daily thing. White-person blues.

7) In 1973, when this song was popular, you could buy a portable 8-track tape player for $44.50. On what device do you listen to music most often?

I mostly listen to Spotify, then probably Sirius XM (in the car). My car CD player needs work--it plays but there's a weird echo effect in music that's really distracting.

8) A Curious George book packaged with a Curious George plush toy was a big seller at Christmas 1973. Tell us about a toy -- either given or received -- that brightened a holiday or birthday for you.

We gave Sparky a Pillow Pet his freshman year in college for Christmas. It was adorable how much he adored that thing during college...which is about how long it lasted too.

9) M*A*S*H was one of TV's top-rated shows in 1973. Who is your favorite M*A*S*H character?

This is a hard question. It depends on the day: some days are just Klinger days, some days are Radar days. Hot Lips had some really good traits. Both of the colonels were wonderful in their own ways. Hawkeye, of course. I can't say I ever found Frank or Charles very appealing, and Trapper never connected with me. I did like BJ a lot. My absolute favorite "visiting" character was Sidney Freeman, though.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Basketball :: ... game
2. Traffic :: ... pattern
3. Relationship :: ... advice
4. Phoenix :: ..., Arizona
5. Tapping :: Seance
6. Young man :: Guy
7. Hulk :: Incredible ...
8. Whiskey :: ... pops
9. Market :: Grocery store
10. Career :: Job

1. Honor :: Glory
2. Adopt :: Take on
3. Record :: LP
4. Birthday :: ... cake
5. Sensational :: Shocking
6. Favor :: Tend
7. Twist :: Torque
8. Panel :: Board
9. Backtrack :: Re-evaluate
10. Pretzel :: Twisty

1. Mentor :: Inculcate
2. Stitch :: Power ...
3. Twirl :: Spin
4. Spoken :: Said
5. Scar :: The Lion King
6. Clients :: Customers
7. Tragic :: Sad
8. Private :: Personal
9. Thousand :: mil
10. Produce :: Veggies

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
As Long as We Got Each Other (Theme from Growing Pains)
... because it's Father's Day weekend
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This is the theme from the 1980s sitcom, Growing Pains. Alan Thicke played Dr. Jason Seaver, one of TVs popular dads. Who is your favorite TV dad?

Well, Michael Landon as "Pa" is certainly up there. There was a show in the 70s called Apple's Way that I loved and the dad on it was good. I never liked much liked the shows where the dad was an idiot, although I love Tim Allen and I tried to like his show, I really did!

2) Joanna Kearns, who played Jason's wife, reports that she teased her costar by calling him, "Al," a nickname he hated. Is there someone in your life that you enjoy needling?

Only everyone I know, and occasionally even patrons I know fairly well. But I rarely mess with their names.

3) For most of the series, the Seaver children each represented a "type." The oldest, Mike, was the trouble maker. The daughter, Carol, was the brainiac. Young Ben could be very high maintenance. Which of the Seaver kids were you most like when you were growing up?

Carol, except I was much less of a jerk.

4) In the song, BJ Thomas sings about being "the luckiest dreamer who never quit dreaming." If you could have any dream come true this Saturday, what would you wish for?

Having awakened in the early hours with a headache that has since morphed into head-, upper back- shoulders-, and right wrist-aches, I'd settle for pain relief. I might even be willing to pass it along 100% to Beast if that happened, though to be fair he doesn't seem to be as sore as usual today.

5) When he mans the grill, Sam's father proudly wears the "Kiss the Chef" she gave him for Father's Day years ago. Tell us about a gift you gave someone that was a hit.

The T-shirt quilt Sparky received from us for high-school graduation is probably the one I like the most. He still uses it on his bed 6 years later, and somehow it's practically pristine even after four years in dorms!

6) Sam's dad takes his grilling very seriously and jealously guards his special marinade recipe. Do you have a secret you haven't even shared with family members?

My family-of-origin really knows very little about my life, to be honest. And there are a few things Beast doesn't know, nor Sparky.

7) He recommends using a grill basket when barbecuing vegetables so you don't have to worry about them falling through the grill. Share one of your culinary tips with us.

Add a sploosh of olive oil to the water when you boil pasta and the noodles don't stick together, which means you can make twice what you need for that meal and have leftover noodles for tomorrow. You can even make multiple batches, cool them, put them in freezer bags and have them ready to go for later in the month. (I'm all about saving time.)

8) Sam's father hates it when she swears. What's the last curse word you used?

I don't know for sure, but odds are it was "fuck." It seems to be the word of the year, even bigger than usual. It is awfully enjoyable to say in a lot of circumstances.

9) Sam's father satisfies his afternoon sugar craving with an almost endless stream of Butter Rum Lifesavers. When you crave a snack, do you usually want something sweet or salty?

Sweet. It's SUPER-rare for me to crave salty, but I'll eat almost anything sweet.

Unconscious Mutterings x3

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Laundry :: Washing
2. Stoke :: Fire up
3. Zombie :: Walking dead
4. Parliament :: Government
5. Instilled :: Put in
6. Ache :: Sore
7. Muscle :: Bulk
8. Sniff :: Smell
9. Crude :: ... oil
10. Effort :: Try

1. Boredom :: Dullness
2. Lifestyle :: Daily goals
3. Adopt :: Bring in
4. Foolishness :: Silliness
5. Backtrack :: Change plans
6. Plastic :: Everywhere
7. Debt :: Owe
8. Flag :: Banner
9. Unique :: Only
10. West :: California

1. Validation :: Approval
2. Bruised :: Damaged
3. Collect :: Pull together
4. Water :: H20
5. Peanuts :: Woodstock
6. Injured :: Bloody
7. Pregnant :: Expecting
8. Fruitty [sic] :: Sweet
9. Cute :: Adorbs
10. Wrinkled :: Old

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Climbing :: Hiking
2. Unpack :: Put away
3. Emotionally :: Moodily
4. Scatter :: Spread out
5. Worm :: Early bird
6. Graduate :: Move on
7. Slide :: Slip
8. Pinch :: Swipe
9. Debated :: Argued
10. Show :: ... and tell

1. Priest :: Clergy
2. Lincoln :: Abraham ...
3. Mother :: Father
4. Board :: Wood
5. Surgery :: Operation
6. Barbecue :: Cookout
7. Marina :: Dock
8. Squeeze :: Press
9. Award :: Winner
10. Stopping by :: ... Woods on a Snowy Evening"

1. Corner :: Bend
2. Establish :: Create
3. Cartoonish :: Unrealistic
4. Request :: Ask
5. Disappointing :: Sad
6. Recluse :: Hermit
7. Anti- :: Con-
8. Jeans :: Levis
9. Ridiculous :: Silly
10. Soul :: Spirit

Unconscious Mutterings x2

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Improve :: Better
2. Brothers :: Sisters
3. Crystal :: ... Blue Persuasion
4. Zoo :: Monkeys
5. Second :: Lieutenant
6. Sell :: Get rid of
7. Death :: Imminent ...
8. Current :: Now
9. Pain :: Beast (as in suffering, not as in "he's a pain")
10. Value :: Importance

1. Wax :: ... on, wax off
2. 50% :: Half
3. Speaker :: Noisemaker (I'm looking at you, Paul Ryan)
4. Robot :: Android
5. Nail :: ...gun
6. Contour :: Bend
7. Pin :: Hair...
8. Sex :: George Michael
9. Batteries :: AAA (and snerk)
10. Echo :: ...location

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
I Won't Last a Day without You (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.*

1) This song makes reference to rainbows. Have you seen one lately?

It hasn't been sunny around here during rain lately. No rainbows. Just a lot of water falling down. OTOH, several gay friends post rainbows regularly on Facebook, so....

2) When Sam heard this song, it occurred to her that she wouldn't last a day without a game of online Yahtzee. What little commonplace pleasure reliably brightens your day?

I have my crosswords and Nook games at bedtime that soothe me into restfulness.

3) Richard Carpenter was emphatic that his group's name was "Carpenters," NO "the." Whenever he hears the group referred to as "The Carpenters," it gets on his nerves. What little commonplace annoyance reliably sets you off?

"Jew-ler-ee" is not a word. Neither are "Lye-ber-ree", "N(y)oo-ku-lur" or "Ho-made." That last one is at least mildly amusing.

4) Karen Carpenter said she drank iced tea all day long. What beverage do you think you'll have with your next meal?

Diet Dr. Pepper. I suppose you could count the big handful of raw walnuts as lunch, and I'm currently drinking DDP.

5) "I Won't Last a Day without You" was written by Oscar-winning composer Paul Williams. He also tried his hand at acting, most notably appearing with Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit. Back in the 1970s, the three movies in the Smokey series were very popular. Have you seen any of them?

Uh, yeah, hello! I was on the young end of the prime demographic for watching Burt Reynolds in his heyday. I've always thought he and Sally (Field) were the perfect couple. ...sigh

6) This song was recorded in 1973 by Diana Ross. Now in her 70s, Miss Ross is still going strong with a busy calendar of appearances in 2017. What's your favorite Diana Ross song?

I've been hearing "I'm Coming Out" quite regularly lately on Spotify (see footnote below), but my favorite is "MacArthur Park" just because it's so freakin' over-the-top and melodramatic! I worry about that cake being out in the rain...

7) In 1972, the year this song was popular, the United States and the United Kingdom joined forces and launched the Copernicus satellite. Today it's remembered for the discovery of long-period pulsars. Crazy Sam got bored writing this question. Do you enjoy reading about science?

Not astronomy. Beast is the Science Stud in my house, though I enjoy some biology/physiology stuff. Chemistry, physics, astronomy....yaaaaawwnnnnnn! My niece is an astrophysicist and even SHE doesn't work in her field!

8) Before Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz was American's premier Olympic swimmer. In 1972 he won seven Gold Medals. After making millions in endorsements and TV appearances, he settled into a career as a realtor in Los Angeles. Are you contemplating a change in residence any time soon? If you move, will you be consulting a realtor?

Mark Spitz is a realtor!? (hey, there's another word that is on my list of peeves: it's "ree-uhl-tor" not "ree-luh-tur"!) OK, the thought of moving makes me physically ill, but I think we need to start being realistic. Beast struggles up our stairs, and there are a lot of them--7 to get to the main floor from outside, 15 to the 2nd floor bedrooms, another 7 down to the basement--and I worry that I'm going to find him dead at the bottom one day after a fall. He, of course, wants to stay put here. And before we really consider moving, we need to repaint and replace some floors. And then we'll call one of the many realtors we know, yes.

9) Random question: Which of these is completely, 100% UNTRUE of you -- boring, lazy or stupid?

I'm not 100% stupid. I have my blonde moments (my hair is going from dark brown to gray, so I'm getting closer to blonde these days anyway!), but I'm far lazier and more boring than I am stupid.

_____________
*Yet again, I heard this song this past week. We have to stop listening to the same Spotify, Sam!

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Bizarro Cliché

1. The Magic Word is “please,” but what’s the magic gesture?

   Around here on the road, it seems to be a flying bird.

2. “Big D” is Dallas, but where is Big G?

   I'm stumping for Green Bay.

3. Elvis Presley is the King of Rock and Roll, but who’s the king of your personal music collection?

   I have a Queen: Melissa Etheridge.

4. The motherland is wherever you consider your family’s origins, but what’s the cousinland?

   Appalachia.

5. CBS calls itself the Tiffany Network, but what would you call the Walmart Network?

   Fox. Of course!