Friday, July 15, 2022

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Brandy (1972)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) This song opens in a bar where lonely sailors reminisce about their homes. How long have you lived at your current residence? Does it feel like home? I've been in this condo for more than 20 years, so yes, it feels like home. It needs a lot of work -- windows that need repair, carpet that needs cleaning, caulk around the tub must be replaced, etc. -- so sometimes I fantasize about just leaving and starting over. But I think all homeowners feel that way sometimes.

2) Brandy is a waitress at the bar. Have you ever worked at a job where you received tips? Nope.
 
3) Brandy wears a locket on a braided chain. Are you wearing any jewelry as you answer these 9 questions? Tiny faux pearl earrings

4) According to the lyrics, the sailors seem to prefer whisky or wine. What's your go-to adult beverage? It changes. Lately I've been ordering margaritas. Tuesday night, Madison Tap had a $3 special. I had strawberry, my friend Elaine had mango.
 

 
5) This song was such a big hit that, after its release, Brandy became a popular name for newborn girls. Do you know anyone named Brandy? Nope. Though my favorite uncle named his golden retriever Brandy.

6) Barry Manilow scored a hit in 1974 with "Mandy." That song was initially called "Brandy," but it was changed to avoid confusion with this record. Do you have a favorite Barry Manilow song? It's complicated. I hate Barry Manilow so much that usually he sets my teeth on edge. But dammit, this song breaks my heart because I feel like I lived it. Even the part about climbing the stairs.
 
 
7) In 1972, when this song was popular, residents of South Dakota endured a catastrophic flood when Rapid Creek overflowed. Give us a little geography lesson: what body of water is nearest you? Salt Creek. You've never heard of it. It's a narrow creek that runs through Cook County to the Illinois River. Not very deep at all. But it's because of Salt Creek that our forest preserves and bike trails are so lush and green.

8) Also in 1972, the first women were permitted to run in the Boston marathon. Have you ever visited Boston? Yes. I love Boston! So historic, so walkable. I'd love to go back.

9) Random summertime question: Would you prefer to swim in a pool, a lake/river, or the ocean? Pool. I'm not crazy about beaches and sand.


 

Time to Get in Touch with Your Joy

Every year I take the August Happiness Challenge. Here's a brief explanation of the Challenge: "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."

You're invited to join me. Visit me with a link to your daily August happy, and I'll come read it. I've found that experiencing other peoples' everyday pleasures is a great mood lifter.

It helps if your August Happiness Challenge posts are marked with an icon. Just something that means "happy" to you. Here's a pair of my past happys.

THE HAPPY BEGINS AUGUST 1!