Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Shut Up + Dance (2014)

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

1) This is about a man who meets the woman who is his destiny on the dance floor. Do you think we each have One Great Love preordained by fate? Or do you think life offers each of us many opportunities for romance? I think life offers us many opportunities. I disagree vehemently that fate or God "preordains" who we love, or who is "right" for us. As a woman of faith, I believe Jesus smiles on us when we behave lovingly, well and honorably in our relationships.

2) Lead singer Nick Petricca says this song is inspired by a true story. He was all keyed up and his girlfriend dragged him onto the dance floor, insisting that dancing would cheer him up. Therefore he considers this song an "anthem to letting go and having fun." Think of the last time you really had fun. Who were you with? What were you doing? On Monday, I had an Olive Garden lunch with Nancy. I never really laugh with her, but it was a comfortable, good time. She may join my agency and I would like seeing her every day again.

3) The dance floor incident that inspired this song took place in Echo Park, an LA neighborhood located near Elysian Park and Chinatown. Tell us about your village or city. Do the neighborhoods have interesting names? My Chicago haunts are The Mag(nificent) Mile, The Loop, South Loop, Old Town, River North and, of course, Wrigleyville. There's also Hyde Park, Logan Square, Englewood, Chinatown, Logan Square, Pilsen and Austin. (And more I'm sure I've forgotten.)

4) Walk the Moon promoted this record by a performance on Good Morning America. Are you enthusiastic and energetic at 7:00 AM? Or do you hit your stride later in the day? I feel best beginning at about 2:00 PM and into the evening.

5) "Shut Up + Dance" is the biggest hit by Walk the Moon. The bandmembers met as at Kenyon, Ohio's oldest private college. Tell us about something that's old and revered where you live. The Chicago Tribune staff has left The Tribune Tower (1923) and the building is going condo. Much care is going into preserving it. The facade features stones from famous buildings, all around the world. Every time I walk by, I stop and touch them. 

Here's more about the "Stones of the World"

6) Walk the Moon took their name from the Police song, "Walking on the Moon." What's your favorite song by Sting and/or The Police? "Don't Stand So Close to Me."

7) In 2014, the year this song was popular, Robin Williams took his own life. What's your favorite Robin Williams performance? Moscow on the Hudson (1984).

8) Also in 2014, the Apple Watch was introduced. Are you wearing a watch as you answer these 9 questions? Not right now.

9) Random question -- You must create a coat of arms for yourself, representing your life and spirit. Which of these items would you place at the center: a heart, a sword, or a pen? A pen. 

Whereas I got high and fell asleep

One of the benefits of working where I do is "summer hours." We work an extra hour Monday through Thursday and then get to leave the office at 1:00 on Fridays.

I always try to do something with those four extra hours. Those four wonderful, free hours. On Friday 6/22 I thought maybe I'd go see the new Jurassic Park movie. Or wash clothes when I know I'd have the laundry room to myself.

Instead, I just got high and fell asleep.

Thursday I was, literally, stuck in place for about four hours. I was working to a crazy tight deadline. I didn't get up and walk around periodically, nor did I keep chugging water -- two things I know I'm supposed to do. Consequently, Thursday night, my kidney stone became irritated. And it irritated me to the point of OW!

I soaked in the tub for a while, getting pruny and waiting for the pain to subside. Then I slept for a few hours.

I woke up feeling a pinch. I wanted to stay home and soak some more, but I had to go to work. I was afraid the pain would linger and get worse. So I popped one of those "break glass in case of emergency" Vicodin I have in my purse. It didn't complete obliterate the discomfort so I took a couple Advil on top of it.

My head was thick-thick-thick. But it was also only for a few hours, just while I tied up some loose ends on my four-hour Summer Friday.

On the way home from the train, I started to hurt again. I treated myself to lunch -- clam chowder and a pulled pork sandwich -- and popped another pill. It had been more than seven hours since the morning dose. I got home and fell asleep for about four hours. So that the summer Friday wasn't a total waste, I did head on over the grocery store and bank, and was then able to mark two errands off my list.

I understand the appeal of Vicodin. It's interesting to walk around with a twinge, knowing that if it wasn't for the meds it would be a distracting, awful pain. But I was desperately tired and found it hard to concentrate first at work, then on my book as I ate my lunch.

And lest you think I'm on my way to ending up like Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland or Whitney Houston ... I've only taken 15 pills in the last month.

My goal is prevention -- to stop the attack before it starts. That's far preferable to masking the pain.