Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Standing on the Corner (1956)

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

1) In this song, four friends congregate on Main Street to look longingly at pretty girls. In your town, where is the best place for people watching? There's a bench on the corner in the "main drag" of my neighborhood. From there you can see the parking lot/bike rack, the sandwich shop, the running store, and the former hat shop that will soon be a stationery store. It's just up the street from the bank and law/medical offices, the movie theater, restaurants, bakery, book store and other shops. I think eventually everyone in town walks past that bench.

2) This song was written for the Broadway musical, The Most Happy Fella. Who is the happiest person you know? That would be Mindy. She always sees the best in everyone. I'm glad that her both of her sons are now on track, and that she was able to enjoy what looked like a terrific vacation with her oldest son (who now works in Europe), his girlfriend, and husband as they toured Italy. She deserves only good things because she's such a happy, positive person.

3) The members of The Four Lads met at Toronto's St. Michael's Choir School. Growing up, did you attend parochial or public school? I was a public.

4) The Four Lads always wore jackets and ties when they performed. Do you enjoying dressing up? Or would you rather keep it casual? I HATE DRESSING UP! I enjoy looking at other people when they're all duded up (I especially like seeing men in ties and jackets), but I don't enjoy it for myself.

5) While this song was a hit for The Four Lads, they were completely overshadowed in 1956 by Elvis Presley and "Heartbreak Hotel." Who do you think dominates today's music scene? Queen Bey. I'm not a fan, but I certainly don't begrudge Beyonce her talent and influence.


6) The Wizard of Oz aired on TV for the first time in 1956. Sam was never crazy about those flying monkeys. Tell us about something that frightened you when you were a kid. The theme of Perry Mason. I would literally run away from the TV when I heard this.

 

7) What scares you now? That a portion of the country will agree that Donald Trump is somehow above the law, and our President will force a Constitutional crisis and tear the nation apart. I don't believe that will happen. I lived through Watergate and I've seen our system work. But I fear Mr. Trump. I mean, just this week we learned that in the run-up to the 2016 election he stood by a fraudulent health disclosure form and paid a porn star for her silence. He lies, decries "fake news," and somehow 1/3 of the country believes. Scary.

8) Since this week's song is about pretty girls: 1956's Miss America was Sharon Ritchie of Colorado. Today Colorado has the distinction of being the home of more microbreweries than any other state in the union. Which are you most particular about -- your beer, your wine, or your coffee? Beer, I guess, because I hate coffee and can no longer drink wine. I'm particular about my beer, but my tastes are lowbrow. I prefer Miller Lite. I'll take Bud Lite if I have to. Not crazy about the premium light beers.

I'm on the left

9) Random question: We all have small, irritating habits, like soup slurping or not replacing the cap on the toothpaste. What's your nasty little habit? I'm a slob. Example: We were all eating donuts at our desks, and yet the floor around my chair had crumbs. No one else's did. Just mine. I'm 100% Oscar.

Home soon!

I got some good news from Napoleon and Caleb.  Randi will soon be released from the hospital! Cancer free and infection free. She'll have to use a wheelchair for a few weeks -- her doctors want her to be very careful about exertion and her heart until she's stronger -- but she'll be home. Good for her! And good for Napoleon and Caleb, who have been stag long enough.

Really, this has been exhausting for him. He works overnights, driving a forklift in a food distribution warehouse. He's doing better there, working enough hours for benefits. (Yea!) Then he panhandles for much-needed extra cash. Then he visits his wife in the hospital. It's a lot of time on public transportation and very little time sleeping.

But I'm happy to see his hard work paying off. At first, when he began working at the warehouse, I thought they were taking advantage of him. They didn't want to give him more than 20 hours/week, no matter how willing he was, because they didn't want to deal with health insurance or the union. But now they appreciate what a hard worker he is. They not only have upped his hours, his boss allows him to bring Napoleon to work (safely stowed in his carrier).

I can't get over what a bruiser Napoleon has become. Really, he's a very big cat. This month he turns one year old. Broad across the chest, with a big head, he's a formidable and healthy boy. I'm sure he weighs 12 lbs. or more. His momcat and littermates are all dead, but he has found comfort and care with Caleb and Randi.

Shabby

Representative of my abode

My boss showed us the real estate listing for his house. It's gorgeous! And it left me feeling bad about my home.

I'm overrun with clutter. A lot of it is from the office. We're moving early in June, and much of the stuff is what won't make the move. But even more of it is stuff I haven't gone through and decided to keep, donate or toss.

My carpet is a mess. Dirty and torn up by Miss Connie, who just can't keep to her scratching post. My bathroom is still half done, and there's a problem with my window sills that will require handyman attention.

And what did I do about all this today? Nothing. I got home early, watched the Cub game (don't ask) and farted around on the Internet.

Wait! That's not all! I also paid a few bills and took a nap.

Sigh.