Saturday, April 02, 2016

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Fool on the Hill (1967)  
 
1) Friday was April Fool's Day. Did you pull any pranks? Did anyone put anything over on you? I suppose I pulled a prank on myself but gorging on chocolate and giving myself a tummy ache. (I'm an idiot.)

2) The practice of playing tricks on one another on April 1 dates back at least to the 14th century and Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales includes a mention of it. Geoffrey Chaucer has been called England's greatest poet. Quote a bit of poetry for us. (It doesn't have to be English, or great.) Eeny meeny minie moe. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go. Eeny meeny minie moe. My mother told me to pick the very best one and that is you.

3) Beatle Paul is a huge Elvis fan and is happy to own the bass that was played on Elvis' 1954 recording of "That's All Right, Mama." Tell us about one of your prized possessions. A ceramic cable car that once sat on my grandfather's night table. It wasn't a toy -- he used it to store his tie clasps, cuff links and licorice throat lozenges -- but he let me play with it (good grandfathers are like that). It's now perched high atop one of my bookcases.

4) In contrast to his easygoing persona, Sir Paul has been described by former band mate Ringo Starr as strong willed and "determined to get his own way." Do you consider yourself strong willed and determined? Or are you more easy going? I can be rather willful at work. Outside the office I can be too easy going. Recently I found myself apologizing to someone after busting them for hurting my feelings. I'm pissed at myself for that.

5) The Beatles once bought a Greek island, planning to live and record there, but sold it after a few months because it started to seem like a bad, expensive idea. Tell us about a purchase that gave you buyer's remorse. This futon. It was so pretty when it was new. And it seemed like a good idea -- a sofa whose cover I can just launder. But it hasn't worn well at all and looks like shit now.

6) Legend has it that the Beatles officially broke up in Disney World. John Lennon was staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort when he received and signed the court papers that dissolved the group. Have you ever conducted business while on vacation? Back when I was ambitious and had a career -- as opposed to the job I have now -- I was a bit too into it. About 12 years ago, before cell phones, my friends in the Keys caught me on the end of the pier, checking in at the office from a pay phone.


7) George Harrison loved puttering around in the garden and dedicated his autobiography to "gardeners everywhere." Do you have a green thumb? I don't have a yard, so I'm no gardener. But I am the proud mom to an office philodendron that just keeps growing ... and growing ... and growing. We have taken to calling her Audrey, after the real star of Little Shop of Horrors.

8) Ringo regrets not having saved more Beatles memorabilia, which he realizes now would be worth a fortune. Are you a pack rat? Dear God, yes! Right now I'm trying to winnow out my personal library, and parting with books I know I'll never read again causes me almost physical pain.

9) Random question: Which do you prefer, Girl Scout cookies or Boy Scout popcorn? Girl Scout cookies. Especially the peanut butter sandwiches.



8 comments:

  1. I killed the office philodendron rather spectacularly.one of my technicians asked me to water his philodendron. Well there was a bottle of a clear liquid next to the plant and I thought “oh he left the bottle of water to remind me” and I watered the plant. Right before my eyes I could see the leaves shrivel up as the liquid was absorbed into the plant. Well it turned it wasn’t water but a degreaser!
    He was mad at me when he got back! But I told him if he had followed company policy and OSHA regs the bottle would have been labeled.

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  2. Diana's story is awesome!

    Gal, you aren't an idiot. I do hope you're feeling better this morning. Interesting that both of us used the word "winnow" on #8. ;-)

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  3. It's funny how at work we are often much tougher than with the people we love and are supposed to love us, not wanting to rock the boat I guess. I get mad at myself for that same reason as well.
    I hate parting with books, even ones I've read, also. Why is that!?!?

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  4. Great Saturday 9 answers, Gal. I have a hard time parting with books too. Had to leave nearly 2000 of them behind in OK when I left my husband and came back home to VA on a bus. It still pains me that I left so many behind. Enjoy your weekend! ~Lori~

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  5. I will occasionally to the stupid with chocolate also. Unfortunately, I eat the sugar free chocolate which happens to be sweetened with sugar alcohols. I learn my lesson in the worst kind of way..

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  6. Geez, I hate to do a book clean out. I also have a ton of notebooks and yellow pads. It's like I can't pass an office supply store without buying something. It is very weird.

    I hope you feel better. Actually, I hope we both do. I don't think either of us is having a very good 2016 so far.

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  7. You are no idiot, peroid! Well, exclamation point.

    Glad Audrey is doing so well. She needs a sister. hehe But watch out for Diana... don't ask her to take care of your plant. I know it's quite a trek and unlikely but you never know!

    I need to get rid of books. Library sales would love them like you do.

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  8. Oh no--too much chocolate on your delicate tummy!

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