Saturday 9: London Town

 

Saturday 9: London Town (1978)

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



1) Have you ever visited London? no, but I would love to visit.

2) In this song, Paul sings of encountering a London street musician playing the flute. Are there street musicians in your town? no, I live in a small town.

3) It's raining as he wanders around London. How is the weather where you are today? The weather is sunny and hot...90 degrees.  It was 20 on Monday.  I can't imagine how warm it is in the south.

4) "London Town" is one of a handful of songs credited to Paul McCartney and Denny Laine, his bandmate in Wings from 1971 to 1981. They became fast friends in the mid-60s when Denny was with The Moody Blues, the band who opened for The Beatles on their final UK concert tour. Paul has acknowledged Denny's outstanding vocals and guitar playing, as well as his humor and generosity. Share the good qualities of one of your close friends. She is able to stay calm and in control in crazy situations.

5) Wings broke up in 1981 when Paul decided he was weary of touring. His kids were in school, his Beatle bandmate John Lennon had been murdered, and he simply felt more comfortable staying put and working in the studio, rather than performing live. Denny believed this would mean his role, and his financial compensation, would diminish so he quit Wings. Tell us about why you left one of your jobs. They wanted me to travel a lot and not reimburse me.

6) Linda McCartney also wrote and performed with Wings. In addition to music, she is known for her photography and cookbooks. Of these three – music, photography and cooking – which do you enjoy most? music

7) Paul's first car was a 1964 Aston Martin DB5. He selected it himself before The Beatles went off on their first world tour and it was waiting for him when he got home to London. He drove it when he shouldn't have, as he didn't get his license until spring of 1965. When did you get your driver's license? When I turned 16.

8) Speaking of driver's licenses ... Last year someone bought one of Paul's expired driver's licenses at auction for $20,000. When you get a new license, passport, or state issued ID, what do you do with the old one? I think I still have a few of the ones they gave back to me, they punch a hole in the expired ones so it cannot be used. I think one time they did not give it back, but I may be mistaken. I need to cut them up and get rid of them.

9) Random question – Which do you have more of: dirty dishes in the sink or dirty clothes in the hamper? dirty clothes. It is almost laundry day.

Saturday 9: I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover

I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover

Saturday 9: I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover (2001)

Selected in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) This is one of the songs included in Willie Nelson's Rainbow Connection album. He named it after his daughter Amy's favorite song when she was a little girl. She'd been asking him to record "The Rainbow Connection" for 20 years and finally, in 2001, he came through for her. Think of something you had to wait for. Was it worth the wait?  After I left my first teaching job, I started working as a para in the school I am in now.  I did that for a few years until I applied for the job I have now.  It was totally worth it.  I feel like things work out for a reason and me taking a pay cut for a few years allowed me to get out of my teaching funk.  Teacher burnout is real.  It also allowed me to work in classrooms with several veteran teachers, and I learned a lot doing that.

2) Willie can trace his family tree back to the Revolutionary War. Are you interested in genealogy?  I am, it is like a story.

3) Today Willie is legendary performer, but as a child, he was very uncomfortable in front of crowds. He recalled that during his school days, reciting in front of his class made him so uncomfortable he suffered nose bleeds. When did you most recently have a bloody nose?  I don't get them very often.  It has been years.

4) During the 1990s, Willie had problems with the IRS. His management team set up illegal tax shelters and he ended up owing millions in back taxes and penalties. This year's IRS filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15. Will you be early, on time, or will you need an extension?  Mine and Karl's taxes are done and we got our refund already.  I am taking my mom this week to get her taxes done.  I am on Spring Break, so I have lots to do this week.

5) In "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover," Willie sings about appreciating something he has previously overlooked. Is there anything positive in your life you feel you may take for granted?  Family.  I hate to say I take them for granted, but you just never know what is going to happen and I am sure as hard as I try, I will feel like I should have spent more time with them.  That includes Meisha (my dog).  I try to stay off the computer and my phone when she is near me wanting attention.  She is napping right now.

6) Four leaf clovers and shamrocks are considered good luck. Do you have a lucky charm?  no

7) "The wearing o' the green" is one way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Will you wear something green in honor of the day?  I probably will.  I am taking my mom to get her taxes done that day.

8) According to Irish folklore, if you catch a leprechaun he must either give you his pot o' gold or grant you three wishes. Would you choose the gold or the wishes?  Gold, but I think wishing for good health for me and my family, feeling good and young and being thin might be good wishes for me.  If those wishes would stay good the rest of my life, then I would go with the wishes, but if I only was healthy for a while, then I would take the gold.  I am still healthy for now.  I am excited to read these answers.

   

9) Traditional Irish stew is made with mutton or lamb, though here in the US beef is also very popular. What's your favorite soup/stew?  I enjoy a good beef stew and also potato soup.

Sunday Stealing Is Yummy

 

Sunday Stealing Is Yummy

National Oreo Cookie Day

1. Are you able to pass by a plate of cookies and not take one or are you a bit

 of a "Cookie Monster?" Total cookie monster

2. Tell us about your favorite cookie. Have your tastes changed since you were a kid?

not with sweets.  I like them all.

3. Enquiring minds want to know if you are a dunker and, if so, do you dunk in 

milk, coffee, or tea?  Not a dunker

4. It is that time of year and they are selling them on every corner and in front of 

every store!  Do you buy Girl Scout cookies and if you do, which is your favorite?

I bought some last year, but not this year.  My favorite is thin mints.

5. Raw cookie dough.  Yay or Nay?  Yay!

Saturday 9: Linger

 

Linger

Saturday 9: Linger (1993)

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

1) In this song, Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries sings that her lover has her wrapped around his finger. Do you feel that anyone has you wrapped around their finger? My son Josh of course.

2) This was one of the first songs Delores and Noel Hogan wrote together. They performed it often live and perfected it before going into the studio to record it approximately two years later. Because they had polished the performance and arrangement, it's not a surprise that it was the biggest hit off their debut album. Tell us about a time when your preparation paid off.  I am really prepared at school for my job.  I like to have fun things for my kids to do, so I am always looking for fun things to add to our regular day.

3) The Cranberries believed the moody black-and-white video (linked above) playing on MTV contributed to the song's popularity. MTV and VH1 were highly influential when they showed music videos and interviews 24/7 during the 1980s and 1990s. Do you recall watching music videos on MTV and/or VH1? Oh yes, it was so new and we did not get MTV at our house, so when I would visit my Grandparents, I would watch during the day some while my Papa was gardening and my Granie was cooking.  I only watched for a while because I always wanted to spend time with them.

4) The Cranberries were founded by brothers Noel and Mike Hogan in their hometown in Limerick, Ireland. The River Shannon runs through Limerick. Do you live near a river?   Yes, but we do not go to the river.  I am scared of snakes and we have a lot of snakes (poisonous) that drop out of trees.  I have never liked rivers.  I like the lake better.

5) Fergal Lawler soon joined the brothers and became the Cranberries drummer. Today he says he enjoys listening to his early work with the group because, "Songs are like a snapshot in time." Do you often flip through photo albums and look at snapshots?  Yes, I look on my phone.  Sadly, I have several photo albums and I do not look at those very often.

6) Dolores O'Riordan showed up for her Cranberries audition dressed casually in a black tracksuit with her own Casio electronic keyboard tucked under her arm. The Hogans were impressed not only by her vocals but her no-nonsense, "let's get to work" attitude. Share a memory from one of your job interviews.  The interview for my current job was fun.  Teachers fill out an online application and if the school wants to interview you, they have you record an online portion that asks questions.  Then if you get chosen you get to move on to the in person interviews.  I had been working in the district for a while and I was interviewing for the pre-K teacher job.  Teachers have to go in and do a lesson with a class, so you prepare a lesson and do it with the class while the interview team watches.  I had so much fun doing that.  Then you go to your question and answer portion.  I was prepared for the questions, because I had been working there and was familiar with the curriculum and had some training.  I am part of the interview team now and I love that too.  We are still interviewing for a teacher.  Hopefully after Spring Break we can hold some more interviews.

7) In 1993, when "Linger" was released, The Nanny premiered on CBS. It's remembered today for it's catchy theme song, which tells the story of "the nanny named Fran." Can you recall the lyrics to theme of one of your favorite shows?  I remember a lot of lyrics to tv shows and commercials too.  Music sticks with you.

8) In 1993, gas was $1.11/gallon. Could your vehicle use a fill-up right now?  no, I just filled it up.

9) Random question: How many pairs of shoes do you own?  I have several, but not as many as most women.

Sunday Stealing Loves Sunday Stealing

 

Sunday Stealing Loves Sunday Stealing

Things I Love Beginning with S 

1.  Sunshine (will lift my mood immediately)

2.  Snow  (pure magic for me)

3.  Snacks

4.  Sleep

5.  Summer (off work)

6. Sunday Stealing, of course! 

Saturday 9: Won't You Be My Valentine?

 

Won't You Be My Valentine?

Saturday 9: Won't You Be My Valentine? (1961)

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

 

1) Dore Alpert sings that while he considered asking others to be his Valentine, he's sure that this is the girl he wants to love "forever more." What do you think is the secret of a long-lasting romantic relationship? Spending time and doing things together.  Going on dates.

2) Dore is better known as Herb Alpert. He used the name "Dore" early in his career because he thought it was more befitting a teen idol than "Herb." Who made you swoon when you were a teenager? Keifer Sutherland

 
3) Herb found he was a better trumpeter than singer. Between 1962 and 1969, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, had 12 consecutive gold albums. They were so popular that in 1966, they sold more records than Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Of those artists (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones), which is your favorite?  The Beatles

4) He found his greatest success as an executive. Herb and partner Jerry Moss founded A&M Records and signed an array of talented artists including Cheech and Chong, The Carpenters, and Cat Stevens. Herb was happy to step away from performing and run the record label. Are you comfortable in front of an audience or crowd? Or would you prefer to be behind the scenes?  I would much rather be behind the scenes.

5) Karen admitted that when The Carpenters were first signed by A&M, she had a crush on Herb and liked his aftershave lotion. Do you usually wear a fragrance?  I wear lotion or body spray from Victoria's Secret.  I wear Pure Seduction or Bare Vanilla.

This is our Valentine's Day Saturday 9 and so this morning we shall focus on the holiday. 

6) The holiday is also known as The Feast of St. Valentine. Do you have a special meal planned for February 14?  no, not yet

7) Thames River Cruises offers special dinner cruises for Valentine's Day that give lovers a view of London. Some cruises offer live jazz, others classical music. Which would you prefer: jazz or classical?  It truly depends on my mood.  I think I prefer listening to classical overall.  We listen to soft jazz sometimes in my classroom before school starts.

 
8) Women buy and send more Valentines than men do. Who received the last greeting card you sent?  I gave my kids Valentine's.

9) Men buy and send more roses at Valentine's Day than women do. What's your favorite flower?  I like all flowers.  One of my students gave me a bouquet of carnations and roses.  They are beautiful.

Tuesday 4 Meme- Watching TV

 

Watching TV

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4

1. Do you own a TV or do you have more than one? Is it old fashioned or one of the new wide screens?  We have 3 tv's and they are the widescreen ones.  

2. Which progams do you like to watch ?  I like medical shows and a few comedies as far as what is on the main channels.  The rest I stream are all kinds of shows, but mostly family shows like Heartland.

3. Were you ever a soap opera or serial  My favorite soap opera was As The World Turns.

I watched it with my Granie and my mom.

4. Is there a TV character that stands out in your mind and if so what makes them special

or noteworthy?  I don't really think about them