Saturday 9

Saturday 9: It's a Jungle Out There (Theme from Monk) (2003)

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

1) This week's song is the theme from the detective show that ran from 2002-2009. Were you a fan? Love Monk. I watch the reruns on Sunday on WeTV.

2) The song warns us about the air we breathe and the water we drink. Does your home have an air or water filter? I have an air filter right here beside me, but it's not plugged in. When it gets cooler and the air conditioner isn't running all the time, I'll put it back to work.

3) The lyrics say, "People say I'm crazy to worry all the time." Are you a worrier? Or do you just take things as they come? I'm a worrier.

4) TV's Adrian Monk is known for his outstanding deductive powers, an homage to Sherlock Holmes. Have you read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books featuring Sherlock Holmes? Nope. They were written early in the last century and the style confuses and irritates me. (My fault, not Sir Arthur's!)

5) Monk was also known for fastidiousness and precision, an homage to Hercule Poirot. Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books featuring Poirot? Yes. I'm reasonably new to her books -- last decade or so -- and the 1970s Murder on the Orient Express is one of my favorite movies. Albert Finney is freaking awesome as Poirot. The more Poirot I read, the more I appreciate his performance.

6) This song was written and performed by Grammy and Emmy winner Randy Newman. Do you have any trophies or plaques? I won a Clio, which is a very big deal in advertising. But I won it back in the 1980s, so I keep it hidden away because I don't want to emphasize what a dinosaur I am. After I retire, the plaque comes out of the closet and goes up on my wall.

7) Before winning an Oscar in 2001, Mr. Newman had the distinction of having the most nominations (15) without a win. Do you consider yourself a graceful loser? I'm a lifelong, do-or-die Cub fan. One World Series in 108 years. So I have a great deal of practice.

8) In 2003, when this song was introduced, Lance Armstrong won his fifth Tour de France. Later, he was disgraced in a doping scandal. Can you think of a time when a hero disappointed you? Years ago, this was one of the prompts of a blog challenge. Here's what I wrote then. Even before #MeToo.

9) Random question -- We're catering lunch. Should we put you down for a burger or a taco? Burger, please. And may I have cheese?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's happiness: The "W" flag. I saw it twice today.

First, when my nephew texted me a photo of the wall of his college dorm room. He just moved in today, but he wanted to share with me that he decorated with a poster of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road, a tin replica of the Wrigley Field marquee (which I gave him), and the "W" flag. 

I was pleased that, as he enters this new phase of his life, he's taking the things we share with him. And I was touched that, on this first night in a new place, he reached out to me.

Then, when the Cubs beat the Pirates 1-0. Chicago fans who made the trip to Pittsburgh displayed the flag in the stands. Our heroes in Cubbie blue have won 7 of their last 10. This is the way to enter the home stretch!

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

Today's happiness: crispy Asian chicken wings. It's the main course of my favorite lunch. Two wings, a side of fried rice, some fruit and a Coke. Enjoyed alone in a booth with a good book.
 

The cafeteria in the building where I used to work has become my refuge. They have the best Asian chicken wings in their buffet, and now that we've moved across the street, no one from the office goes there anymore. So I get a delicious, private lunch.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.