Friday, October 20, 2017

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Voices Carry (1985)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
This song was chosen because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please share this link to The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Let's spread the word that there's help out there.

1) In this song, a woman is "hushed" by her lover. When were you last told to "keep it down?" I can't recall anything recently, but when I was a little girl, one of my grandmothers forever shushed me. I remember her muttering, "that voice!" under her breath. As a result, I'm still self conscious about my speaking voice.

2) Her lover tells her tears are something to hide. Researchers tell us that crying can be good for us, because by releasing emotional stress, it lessens physical stress on the cardiovascular system. Are you comfortable crying in front of other people? Not at all. Maybe I'd be better with it if I cried pretty, like Scarlett O'Hara. I don't. I get all red and my nose runs.


3) In this video, the woman makes a scene by speaking up in a theater. Today theater goers are more likely to be disturbed by a cell phone ringing or its screen illuminating. Are you careful to turn your phone off in the theater, church, etc.? I'm careful in theaters and at church. I should remember to shut it off when I get to the office, but I forget. 

4) When this group, Til Tuesday, was still struggling, Cyndi Lauper was already a star. Cyndi offered to record this song, which would have brought the group some fast cash, but only if they agreed not to record it themselves. Obviously they didn't take the deal. Tell us about a time you took a risk on yourself, and it paid off. Back in 2002, I was exhausted. Burned out. When management asked me who on my team I wanted to let go, I raised my hand and said "Me." At first I enjoyed freelancing and having all my time to myself. Then I started to worry a lot about the cost of health insurance and panicked that I'd never find another full-time job. I finally did (after 15 months). I learned a great deal about myself and my priorities during this period and am glad I did it.

5) Til Tuesday's lead singer, Aimee Mann, went to Open High School in Richmond, Virginia. This charter high school is dedicated to helping students become "self-determined thinkers and learners." Do you recall your high school as permissive or regimented? I remember it as regimented. In retrospect, it probably wasn't all that strict. I was just really unhappy there.


6) Aimee has been on the road through 2017 and, like most artists, sells tour merchandise. Her line includes reusable tote bags. Do you bring your own bag to the grocery store? Yes.

7) Aimee has tried her hand at acting and appeared on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. From Dracula to Barnabas Collins to Lestat, vampires are a popular culture staple (especially in October). What do you suppose accounts for their enduring popularity? They can be very sexy. After all, vampires are oral and the neck is an erogenous zone. See below and prepare to sigh.
 

8) In 1985, when this song was popular, Bruce Springsteen was at the top of the charts with Born in the USA. A massive commercial success, Born in the USA has sold more than 15,000,000 copies in the United States alone. Is it in your collection? I bought this one often. First on vinyl. Then again on vinyl to replace the one that got scratched when someone fell into the stereo during a party at my boyfriend's apartment. Then on cassette. Now on CD. (You're welcome, Boss.)
  
9) Random question: In which race would you do better -- the Iditarod, with sled dogs in Nome, or speeding in a car at 200+ mph at the Indianapolis 500? Gimme the dogs.



6 comments:

  1. Isn't terrible the things adults do to us when we are children without realizing the long term issues they are creating in us? The most off-hand comment can scar us for life.

    Nope, still not into vampires.

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  2. I didn't even consider the fact that I am the poster child for UGLY CRYING! Seriously, I get blotchy, puffy, snotty, it's just gross.

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  3. Cell phone use is becoming a problem in the restaurant. These millennial's have no idea that you can go an hour without having to look at the darn things.

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  4. Oh yes, the red,runny nose and bleary eyes. A very good reason for not crying!
    Kids are mimics, and so they pay a LOT more attention to what adults say and do than most people realize. I'm one of them. I more or less trained my oldest daughter not to cry because she didn't want me to see her do it. Sad when reflected upon. Poor kid.

    Many a wage earner stays at a grubby job because of health care. It's sad, since lots of the company plans nowadays, are worthless.

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  5. I'm evidently having a senior moment and have no idea if I've already sent you a comment. But yes, I'd take the dogs, too, cause the Indie would kill me even faster.

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  6. Sounds like we can have a Saturday 9 team in the Iditarod.

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