WTIT: The Blog

Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Buttons & Bows (1948)

1) The lyrics extol the beauty of “rings and things and buttons and bows.” When you’re getting dressed, do you give much thought to accessorizing? Off and running with a question that is sexist. And yes I’m guessing you know some drag queen or other, blah blah. So go ask him. I don’t wear jewelry.

2) Dinah Shore sings that she doesn’t want to live where the cactus hurts her toes. Sam can sympathize, as she has a blister on one of her toes from where her winter boots rub. Do you have any aches and pains to report this morning? Always. We are still trying get me off the oxicotin. I was on 40mg twice a day. We’ve lowered it to 15mg X2. My doc wants me now to do 15 morning at 10. She is being very careful. I asked to up the antidepressant and she did. I am not depressed that she left. She had to. We were not working. But being retired it is a bit lonely. She sent me an email that she missed talking to me. How big an ass do you need to be? Not “I miss you” but misses talking. That sums it up. I did not respond at all.

3) Dinah was such a popular entertainer that people were surprised to learn she earned a degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University. What is something we’d be surprised to know about you? Have I told you about my neighbor’s husband? He was suppose to midnight. It gave his wife a quality night. So he comes home and he’s pissed as hell that we naked. I told him we were checking for cancerous moles. He apologized and offered me a beer. He should have called first.

4) Dinah’s was the best selling version of this song, which was introduced by Bob Hope in the movie The Paleface. Hope had success early in his career as a song-and-dance man on Broadway. Are you better at telling jokes, singing or dancing? I’ll go with jokes.

5) Both Bob and Dinah donated their time to entertaining the troops in WWII. It was during a USO tour that Dinah met and fell in love with actor George Montgomery, who was serving in the Air Force. They were married for 20 years and had two children. Their daughter followed her parents into show business and became an actress. If a young person asked you for career advice, what would you tell them? Do something you love an DO NOT marry young. Get your career established.

6) Dinah was an avid golfer and even sponsored an LPGA tournament. She was also an excellent cook who hosted TV cooking segments. Which would you find more relaxing — an afternoon on the golf course or in the kitchen? I used to golf, but I haven’t in years due to my back. I like cooking (very) simple things. But I’m not thrilled with it. Sam, I’m gonna pass on this one.

7) In 1948, the year this record was a hit, Scrabble was introduced. Do you prefer word games, card games, board games or jigsaw puzzles? Word or board. The only board games that I’ve played in the last decade was Beatles Monopoly and Game of Thrown’s Monopoly. One each. I got The Beatles one and Kathy left with the other.

8) Also in 1948, LPs (33 1/3 rpm records) were introduced. Do you have any vinyl records in your home? Around 2,000. If any of you want to give me yours let me know.

9) Random question — Which of these would you consider the greatest insult: to be called boring, untrustworthy or stupid? This is a “where should I stab you” question. I just don’t know. Or care.

Hope to see you tomorrow. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Secret Valentine (2008)

1) The lyrics talk about a song that’s so romantic it “turns out the lights.” Are the lights on in the room you’re in right now? Just because I wanna see what I’m doing & because those French twins are visiting.

2) In the video, our heroine’s Valentine’s Day adventure begins with a note slipped into her pocket. What’s in your pocket right now? Not a gun, I’m just happy to see you.

3) This week’s band, We the Kings, are proud sons of the state of Florida. Bradenton, to be exact. They even called one of their CDs Sunshine State of Mind. Have you ever been to Florida? If so, where have you visited? When I was 12 my mother took us on a cruise to the Bahamas. Obviously we left from Miami. We did stay in Florida for almost a week before we cruised. The highlight? My mom brought no sunscreen. We had 3rd degree burns. My brother was 9 and sister was 6. So I’ve never returned. Wonder why?

4) Lead singer Travis Clark has a pierced lip but doesn’t always wear a lip ring. Do you have any piercings? If yes, are you wearing jewelry in your piercing(s) right now? I don’t do jewelry. I wore wedding rings in my first two marriages. And I did wear one in this now fucked up situation. I lost 40 pounds now that I’m retired. My doc was scared so she ran every conceivable test on me. Turns out that I don’t do fast food other than an Egg McMuffin. I do fruit and cook lunch 6 days a week. I lost it from eating healthier. Who the fuck knew that? Oh, I stopped wearing it because of the weight loss it kept falling off.

5) The band’s name comes from a cheer they did when they attended Martha B. King High School. Have you attended your high school reunion? I recently post a pick from my 50th. We had six guys (including me) who recorded on WTIT. They weren’t Howard Stern wannabees. I did not join this male only school wanting to be there. My mom like the prestige. Period. The guys were great but the school was WAY too tough for me. In college I maid the dean’s list. Here is the pick of us: From left: Bull Durham, me before I recently cut my hair, Carter B & Teddy Q.

6) Hearts are the symbol of Valentine’s Day, so here’s a little heart trivia: whales have largest heart of any animal. When we say a person is “big hearted,” it means we think of them as generous. Think about the people in your life. Who would you describe as big hearted? I am lucky. My brother, my sister and my oldest son, Ben. But all four of kids now are raising theirs. I recently found out an 8th grandchild is on it’s way.

7) It’s estimated that 9 million people buy Valentine’s Day presents for their dogs and cats. Have you ever purchased a holiday gift for a pet? BWAHAHAHA!

8) Valentines to teachers are also big sellers. Did you ever have a crush on one of your instructors? In 8th grade with Miss Walsh. We flirted. But her when her husband walked into our “tutoring session” he did not expect her head in my lap. The guy was such a jerk about it. I mean what’s a quick bj between friends?

9) With the popularity of e-cards, fewer Valentine messages are sent via the USPS. What’s the most recent thing you dropped into a mailbox? I sent an updated will to my son before we moved. Now I have to do it over again. I actual did that the Legal Zoom will and made simple changes like taking Kathy out of it.

Was it good for you? We will try to better the next time. Here on the Tape Radio blog. Same time. Same blog.
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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Two Divided By Love (1971)

1) Sam’s teacher told her she’d use math every day. What’s the last math problem you solved? (Did you add to/subtract from the balance of your checkbook … use division to figure out how much you’d save with 25% off that sweater …) I think it comes down to tipping these days. And man, you wouldn’t think so, but strippers expect big ones, so to speak.

2) The lyrics tell us that if you take away the rain from a flower, the flower just won’t grow. Do you have any indoor houseplants? Could they use a drink of water this morning? No plants. I am barely housebroken myself.

3) This week’s artists, The Grass Roots, are introduced in this video by country music superstar Kenny Rogers. Who is your favorite country music singer? Carrie Underwood. It’s an Idol thing. When watch them discovered you never know. I’m not huge into country, I’m more of a country rock person: Eagles, Poco, later Byrds, CSNY etc.

4) The two unmarried members of the group — guitarist Warren Entner and drummer Ricky Coonce — competed for a lady’s affection on a 1968 episode of The Dating Game. Neither of them won! She chose Bachelor #1. Anyway, have you ever appeared on a game show? Do you know anyone who has? My dad appeared on a local cable show in the 80s. The host to my high school and asked my dad how my brother and I were doing.

5) The Grass Roots were originally called The 13th Floor. They chose this cheeky name because many high rises do not have a 13th floor since 13 is considered an unlucky number, and they were thumbing their noses at superstition. Are you superstitious? Not particularly. I’m huge with The Grass Roots. Trivia: Gal is correct that a band named 13th Floor were the Grass Roots for a short time. They weren’t the first band called the Grass Roots. And the 13th Floor singer went into the army and was replaced by Rob Grill. The first band were studio musicians. The second band wanted to write the music. The record company that made up (at the time) the fictitious band wanted control. That’s when the 13th Floor come in.

6) At the time of his death in 2011, group leader Rob Grill was still playing music, touring with a reconfigured Grass Roots. His widow Nancy referred to him as “one lucky son of a gun” because he’d been able to support himself as a musician, doing what he loved for 45 years. In what ways do you consider yourself fortunate? Rob Grill picked out his replacement before he died. Yes I am very fortunate. It’ll be better when Kathy is finally gone. I mean, we get along great still and I let her stay an extra week. But last night she said it would be today. I’m guessing tomorrow.

7) In 1971, the year this song was released, Walt Disney World opened in Florida. The Epcot Center was added in 1982. Have you ever visited this, or any, Disney theme park? No. The twins have tried to get me there. But since we just started hanging out again, I don’t want to push it.

8) Fresh chicken was just 43¢/lb. in 1971. Do you prefer the breast or drumstick? I’m a bit of a breast guy.

9) Random question: Do you work well under pressure? I could not be worse. I was pretty could until my 50s.

That’s a wrap on the Tape Radio Blog. Come back now. Well not exactly now. Same time. Same blog.

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Thanks to The Gal for authoring this meme. Click on the Sat-9 title of song on the next line below to play.

Saturday 9: Waiting All Day for Sunday Night (2012)

1) This week’s Saturday 9 has a football theme because there’s a big game Sunday. Will you be watching? Yes. It’s odd as a Pats fan, not being there. I know it’s better for the game.

2) The Super Bowl is a big day for food consumption in the US, second only to Thanksgiving. What’s on your menu this weekend? My soon to ex is moving out. I’ll eat whatever she leaves me. But on the bright side, The French twins return to the blog.

3) The NFL has decreed that the Super Bowl will never be played in a city that has a median February temperature of less than 50º. Would your hometown qualify for the Big Game? In New England, hardly. It’s less than 50 till May.

4) This version of the NFL theme song mentions the Steelers and the Broncos. During the regular season, which team do you root for? How did they do in 2019? I wish I saw this shit coming. Did I mention the Pats?

5) This version of the Sunday Night Football song is by Faith Hill. She also has ties to the MLB, since her husband is Tim McGraw, son of the Mets’ pitcher Tug McGraw. Which sport do you prefer — baseball or football? This is tough, but football. If my baseball team is not in the playoffs, I don’t watch. Football? I enjoy watching games even without a rooting interest.

6) Faith has performed live at more than one The Super Bowl in the past, performing both “America, the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” What’s your favorite patriotic song? “This Land is Your Land”. It should be our anthem. Woody wrote a song that’s much easier much than the war tone that we sing now.

7) She has a perfume line with Coty that was a big seller at CVS during Christmas 2018. What’s the last item you bought at a drugstore? Drugs. Imagine that.

8) Faith Hill is the producer of a talk show on CMT called Pickler and Ben. Is the TV on as you answer these questions? If so, what are you watching? I do this to tunes. I’m listening to My Chemical Romance. They are a rock band from the 00s. After a decade apart they are going to tour. They said they are “aging millennial’s fave band”.  Aging millennial seems an oxymoron. But most of them are just regular morons. Except my grandkids. The oldest sets off to college next year. Ugh.

9) Random question: You’ve got a chip in your hand and three dips to choose from — guacamole, salsa, and onion. Where does your chip get dipped? This sounds like one of my questions. Apparently if I want my chips dipped again, it will be with a different dip. My soon to be ex is packing upstairs. Fortunately we were always better at the “friends” part than the rest.

My biggest mistake was getting back together with my wife after a five month separation in 2016. That was devastating, when she left then. This time, not-so-much. We never solved our problems. We did a year of marriage counseling back then. It solved nothing. I’m living in a great place in everyday. I’ll be happy after she’s out. Although she did my me a great seafood dinner this week. Oh and I did a smart thing. I had a doctor appointment this week with my PC doc about my neck operation. I asked for depression meds prophetically. I’ve used them only twice before after my last two marriages ended. I’m not depressed, but who knows? I went out with a Bouncing Billy last week. (as I typed this he called to ask me to watch the Superbowl with him. I said yes.) We saw his son and met his new GF. He asked me how I was. I replied, “I had my 12th spine surgery on New Year’s Eve. My wife is moving out. What’s new with you?” He was laughing hard until it dawned on him that I was serious. He suddenly stopped and asked how I was doing. I told him if I was down I would not have told him like that. Okay, enough about me. How are you? We will be back. Same time. Same blog.

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