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: Too Fat Polka

1) Have you ever danced the polka? Every day. I get up in the morning and wake my wife and say, “Honey, It’s Polka Time!” We jump into our Polka outfits and dance to our favorite, “Beer Bottle Polka.” (I’m the one in the dress.) Then we flap our arms to fly away.

2) The centerpiece of a traditional Polish polka band is the accordion. The accordion is a substantial instrument. Have you ever tried to play it? Right after I broke my neck I said to my wife, I gotta learn an instrument. Where can a get a great accordion?

Who the fuck would drive this?

3) The plump lady of this song cannot fit into the singer’s car. How many passengers does your car comfortably seat? One.

4) Would you like to lose a few pounds? No thanks. I’d find them again.

5) In the long ago 1940s, this song was considered amusing. Do you think it’s still funny today? You thought I listened to a polka? Why bother? They all sound the same. At my first radio gig I had to engineer a two or polka show. Two guys who only spoke Polish hosted. If I put on the wrong song they’d come in yelling. I’d smile. They yelled louder. Then I’d bow.

6) Arthur Godfrey, who recorded this song, was a popular radio and TV host from the 1930s to the 1970s. Before this week’s Saturday 9, had you ever heard of him? Of course. I’ve been alive long enough to wonder why anyone would watch the dude.

7) One of his more popular radio shows was Talent Scouts. A 1940s-50s version of American Idol, this show gave previously unknown singers their first national exposure. Godfrey could point with pride to having helped discover Tony Bennett and Patsy Cline, but he made a mistake by rejecting Elvis Presley. Tell us about something you’d do differently if you could get a “do over.” Quite a bit. Got six hours?

8) In 1953, Godfrey made news by having one of the nation’s very first hip replacements. Have you ever been/would you be part of a clinical trial, either for a new drug or a new medical procedure? I already did. I had a staph infection in 2003 from a back operation. My doctor tried three anti-biotics that didn’t work. He said there was a new drug he hadn’t ever tried. He said if it didn’t I’d have to put my affairs in order.

9) RANDOM QUESTION: You and a friend are shopping. She tries on an expensive sweater and enthusiastically asks what you think. You think it looks awful. Do you tell her the truth? Of course. It isn’t like she wore it to work and asked you. I’d add, “But you’re so ugly that it would take folk’s attention away from your big nose and ugly teeth. So yea, I love it…”

Here’s hoping life is good with you. We’re selling the house and I forgot how stressed out that you get. I’m gonna see my mom today. She’s in hospice, I think I’ve told you that. Two week’s ago she said, “I may not see you again. I want you to know what a truly wonderful son you are.” We hugged as I cried”. But I did see here again last week with my son Ben. It’s a surreal time. I may be back for Stealing. But, I will be back. 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: Johnny Angel (1962)

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

I warned you that I’d show this a lot.

1) In this song, a girl sings that she’d rather spend a quiet evening at home than go out on a date. How about you? Do you enjoy quiet time? Or do you prefer keeping a busy calendar? I have been both at different times in my life. We don’t go out and travel a lot, but we do try to keep busy. Last year I felt that we did The Star Trek 50th rather well. My favorite was a tie. Meeting Bill Shatner and appearing as a Klingon at Trekonderoga.

2) She dreams of how her life with Johnny would be. What did you most recently daydream about? I’ve been trying to figure out what and when to celebrate WTIT’s 50th. Normally it wouldn’t matter. But we are going to sell our home. I’m gonna miss this home very much.

2015 in our current studio. From left: Billy, Harvey, Bud & Greg

It housed my favorite WTIT Tape Radio Studio and den. You can’t be disabled and own a 4 bedroom, 3 full bath house. I’m not complaining. Fortunately, I purchased a great disability package, but it only lasts 2 1/2 years. But it gives us time to scale back. I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed my “disabled-at home” status. That is until Tuesday. That was the day my disability policy was approved. You’d think breaking your neck, suffering paralysis (since better) and being told that my recovery thin is about 2 1/2 years as well. I’d love to move back to West Hartford where I grew up. There are lots of creative adventures I want to try.

The original blog logo of A DJ’s Take.

3) Shelley never considered herself a singer and is more comfortable acting. A costar on The Donna Reed Show, she was pressured to make this record by the show’s producer, who wanted extra exposure for the show by having this song on the radio. Tell us about a time you ventured outside your comfort zone. I wanted to do a You Tube sharing the stories I’ve written about. I was going to write a book. But now I think a 7-10 minute monologue each week might be the way to go. I did do a pilot for a video version of the WTIT feature “A DJs Take”.  as I have discovered various shows I realized Nikki Swift and WatchMojo do “top 10s” way better that what I did. But doing comedy makes much more sense. We shall see.

4). Elvis said she was his favorite leading lady, and she appeared

See? There’s hope for every woman…

with him in three films. What qualities do you appreciate in a coworker? It depends. With men it is the comradely that results in doing a terrific project together that not only impresses the “powers-that-be”, but also make money. With women, it’s about great breasts. Oops. Did I think that or type it? Never mind. Keen moving. Nothing more to see here.

5) She met her close friend and fellow teen star Annette Funicello when they were 12 and attended the same Catechism class. What do you recall from your middle-school years? I’m so old that they still called it “Junior high school”. It was during those years that I learned how to form friendships and had my first romantic encounters. What mother allows her 14 year-old daughter and her boyfriend go down to the rec-room every afternoon and never check on us. Not once. By our third date we got naked. A lot.

6) After The Donna Reed Show, Shelly went on to a recurring role on One Day at a Time and was twice nominated for an Emmy for her work on Coach. Her husband is Mike Farrell, who played BJ on M*A*S*H. Which of those four sitcoms would you enjoy binge watching? M*A*S*H. By a lot. I did not know about Mike and Shelly. Farrell always comes off as a great guy.

7) In 1962, the year this song was popular, is also the year Jack Nicklaus began his successful pro golf career. Do you enjoy playing golf? Watching it on TV? No. Golf is fun to play. Watch others do it? Tempting, but no.

My annual  “Get the first 12” together

TWO Random Questions (especially for Harriet):
8) A 2013 study said most Americans will have 12 romantic relationships in their lifetime. Does this mean you’ve had more or less than your share? This will shock the shit out of you, but more than 12. A lot more.

9) It’s closing time at the mall and you find yourself accidentally locked in a toy store. You call the police and they say someone will be there in about half an hour to rescue you. While you wait, will you play with any toys? (If so, which ones?) I think I’d be on my iPhone. I can’t even imagine playing with the fucking toys. But hey, you never know.

It was good to do Sat-9. We may return with Stealing. We may not. Keep your computer tuned. 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: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (1984)

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

Johnnie goofing on my note with the tape number & date.

1) This song was inspired by a note WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley left for his parents. He accidentally wrote “go” twice. What was the last handwritten note you left for someone? It probably was to Kathy, but I don’t really remember. I do occasionally write down the tape number and date for whoever is hosting our WTIT session.

2) Born Georgios Panayiotou, George Michael was the son of the Greek restauranteur in East London. When you think of Greek cuisine, what comes to mind? Things wrapped in grape leaves. In a previous life, we belonged to a four-couple dinner party that the host picked the country and did the dinner. Someone else did apps and desert. I remember enjoying the Greek food. It was strange because I never thought I liked it because I hate feta cheese and oil. I can’t cook so every meal was clouded in mystery to me. Although I am sure I said at some point that night that it was “all Greek to me”.

3) He was a terrible driver and admitted his license was suspended a number of times. Have you ever lost your license? I thought I’d share a moving personal story. Then I thought – who reads this shit? So I looked it up. 50 people have read this post before I changed it. But truth be told, I’ve never passed out on a bar like this guy. But I don’t drive drunk. That is fucking stupid.

4) WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley, on the other hand, is a talented driver who got to live his fantasy by racing Formula Three in Monaco. There are companies that sell racetrack driving experiences that allow you to spin around the track at dizzying speeds. Is this something you like to try? Not at gunpoint.

5) In 1990, Frank Sinatra famously gave George Michael advice. Ol’ Blue Eyes told the younger man to enjoy his fame, to remember all those lean nights traveling from gig to gig by bus and, now that he’s successful, “loosen up and swing, man.” Who last gave you advice? Did you take it? My dad used to give the best advice. Man, do I miss him.

6) Mr.  Michael’s neighbors have reported since his passing that he seemed to live rather quietly, and that they usually saw him when he was out walking his three dogs. Tell us about the last time you spoke to one of your neighbors. We have a neighbor who threw loud parties and had kids out of control. He was yelling out his door for his kids and when they returned he was yelling “What the fuck were you thinking?” I never mind people who swear (they are just words) and I really liked the guy who had left this family before drunk country music guy moved in. So I yelled something like “nice mouth with children” and we started yelling at each other. I stopped and walked over. I could tell the dude thought I was gonna take him out. (Kind of funny. I was 64 and he was a thirty-something. That wouldn’t have lasted long) but I stuck my arm out for him to shake. We had a nice chat. I have never heard his yelling or music again. That was over a year ago.

7) Fansites tell us that George Michael’s favorite cereal was cornflakes. What breakfast cereals are currently in your kitchen? Raisin Brand.

8) In 1984, when “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” was popular, Murder, She Wrote premiered on CBS. Today it’s still seen in reruns all over the world. Are you a fan? Nope, but my mom is. I buy her the books for gift occasions.

9) RANDOM QUESTION: What’s your secret to a good night’s sleep? Xanax.

We should be back with Stealing. You never know. Instead of writing and scheduling memes ahead for months like the Gal does, we just see if I even remember. I try to write on Tuesday, but here it is Friday and I just finished it. I had to make it good considering last week’s disaster. We hope life is good in your neck of the woods. 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: O Holy Night (1967)

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

1) This beloved carol takes its lyrics from a French poem. What else can we thank the French for? Fries. Yes, I know they didn’t invent them, Belgium did. But hey, should I have said “surrendering”?

2) How well do you know  “O, Holy Night?” Without looking up the lyrics, could you sing along with Ella? Not with a gun pointed at me. I hate the fucking song. But then again, I place no value with the religious aspects of the holiday. I knew that at fourteen. So I prefer the non-secular songs. But it’s a personal thing. I respect everyone’s right to figure out spirituality in their own way.

3) In order to get this record into stores in time for Christmas 1967, Ella had to record this in late

Bye–Bye America

July. So let’s reverse that. Now that it’s Christmastime, what do you miss most about summer? Donald Trump hadn’t yet been elected by the Russian government. I cannot rule out that he was aware of their aid. It’s a terrible situation. If the Electoral College does not call for the House of Representatives to pick our president then they are not aware of why the Electoral College exists.

4) Sam is crazy about the open toed pumps she’ll be wearing to holiday parties, but that means she needs to get a pedi. Will you be at a salon between now and year-end? Nope. Haircuts have gone the way of my shaving. I am driving my wife nuts.

5) Will you be consuming any egg nog this holiday season? And if you do, will it be spiked? If I did, it would be.

 6) Thinking of holiday cuisine, what’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Whatever I’m offered.

7) Sam knows she will get a bottle of red wine from her boss, because that’s what he gives his staff every year. Is there a gift you can count on receiving? No.

8) What one gift would you most like to receive this year? Do you think anyone will get it for you? I would like the gift of reconciliation on a couple of fronts. But you don’t always get what you want.

9) This time of year is big for charitable fundraising. Here’s your chance to plug a cause or organization that’s near and dear to you. Anything that helps children I am for.

Have a good one. Whatever that means. Peace & love. We will return. 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: Hold It Against Me (2011)

1) Britney Spears addresses this song to a dance partner when she hears her favorite song. What song always makes you want to get up and dance? Still like that old time rock ‘n’ roll. That kind of music just soothes the soul. I reminisce about the days of old
with that old-time rock ‘n’ roll.

2) She sings that she needs a vacation. How about you? If you could

In the jersey my ad wore watching the games.

escape anywhere for an affordable three-day weekend, where would you go? Chicago. The afterglow is going to last there for some  time…

3) Britney shows off her dance moves in this video. Her coordination shouldn’t be surprising, since she was already an accomplished gymnast in grade school. If we asked you to turn a somersault right now, could you do it? I’m recovering from neck surgery because of three fracture in my neck. Do the math.

4) Britney’s first and only feature film was Crossroads, written by Shonda Rhimes. Ms. Rhimes is famous for writing popular TV series including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, The Catch and How to Get Away with Murder. Have you watched any Shonda Rhimes shows? I love medical shows, so I have seen Grey’s Anatomy I did not like it. To me E.R. and St. Elsewhere are the gold standard. Today Code Black is as hood ad it gets. I was shocked that it returned since I had read it was to be canceled. When it had its Season Premier with Rob Lowe joining the cast. He hasn’t aged a day, has a great character to create and I think will save the show.

5) Britney admits to smoking and biting her nails. Do you share either of these bad habits? I

Harvey and I smoking New Year’s Eve 1994

smoked from 1964 to 1972 and from 1990 to 2004. RIP. What a stupid habit. I never did the nails thing.

6) Britney prefers Margherita pizza to thin slice or deep dish pizza. What’s your pizza preference? I like it thin. Recently I’ve gotten into Clams Casino again.

7) In 2011, when this song was popular, Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton was big news. Are you a royal watcher? No. I do not understand the infatuation. And I’m a guy whose wife loves everything about the British Royalty. Why do they deserve to live like that?

8) Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died in 2011. Do you have a Mac, and iPad or an iPhone? I love my iPhone and iPod (the best thing ever) and my iPad is company issued. I had to give it up yesterday so the guy who is covering my accounts can enter order. I am not a fan of it. I’d much prefer as laptop.

9)  Random question: Which friend annoys you more, the one who interrupts you all the time, or the one who is never on time? I don’t have friends like that. At least not for long. Sorry if that doesn’t work for you.

Man, is my recouping going slow. But since I broke discs in my neck in 3 places I guess it’s not supposed to go fast. I still have little function in my right hand and my left is not right. I am so appreciative of Allison filling in for me on Stealing. That will be the first thing I’ll take back when my typing skills get better. How ‘bout them Cubbies? My dad was born in 1925. Ten years later he worshipped at the Cathedral known as Baseball. The first world series for him was Tigers v. Cubs. He decided he’d pick a team from the series to be his favorite team. We all know he picked the Cubs. Once retired and with a dish, he watched every game. No matter how the what their record was he’d put on his Cubs’ shirt and watch the game. He passed a couple of years ago, but he left my brother and his family life long Cubs fans. My brother has season tickets at both Fenway and Wrigley. He went to every home playoff game until the World Series. He went to every game then. I congratulated Gal Cat. & Harriet on Facebook but let’s give it up for them!! Oh and we met Captain Kirk. (See post below) We will return soon. 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: The Last Time I Saw Him (1973)

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

Harvey in 2015

1) In this song, Miss Ross sings of a tender farewell at the bus station. When did you last say goodbye to someone at an airport, dock, train or bus station? It was the last time Harvey Wallbanger visited about a year ago. I offered him the chance to move back and live with me. He felt Kathy and I would get back together. Smart guy.

2) Continuing with the theme of “lasts,” who received the last gift you gave? I sent my daughter Heather an Amazon gift card for her birthday. She was 42 in September. Her daughter, my granddaughter Lauren turned 14 in September as well. Where does the time go? I was 42 a month ago, so it seems.

3) Who last did you a favor? My boss let me take a day off without it counting officially.

4) What’s the last thing you dropped or broke? Plates and glasses. I have neuropathy, so I have difficulty carrying things.

5) What’s the last thing you borrowed or lent? I’m bringing a HDTV to my mom (in a rest home at 92) tomorrow. We don’t need it since I bought a 65-inch TV for my den and put our 49-inch TV in the bedroom.

6) When is the last time you danced? Kathy and I dance by the fireplace when a certain song comes up on my iPod.

7) When were you last nervous? Yesterday driving. The weather and traffic were terrible.

Last week: Bud, Greg & Billy

8) What was your last DIY project? I had to edit a song set out of our last recording session. We still call them “tapes” although we’ve been digital since 2000. I played the same music set twice, so I deleted it and fortunately I still had the right music set so I corrected it. You might wonder why we still play music. The main point is the journal aspect of continuing telling the stories of our lives and to do comedy bits. But the songs have always told some of our story as well. It makes listening back the tape better as well. I still want to podcast us but I just don’t get around to it.

9) When did you last check your horoscope? Was it accurate? I have no idea and never.

As you probably figured lout that I’m staying on as author of Stealing. Allison did a wonderful job, but it is a lot of work. I was not surprised. How long I’ll do it I don’t know. But I will not let it “die”. I hope that your Saturday rocks. We will return. 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: September in the Rain (1956)

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

1) This song refers to “leaves of brown.” Can you see any leaves outside your window? What color are they? Green. It’s not easy to be green.

2) It also mentions whispered words of love. What did you say last time you lowered your voice? It was in 1999. I whispered, “Holy shit. I think your husband is home!”

3) Clearly this song is about a treasured romantic memory that took place in autumn. Think about your favorite romantic memory. In what season did it take place? Fall cuz I “fell” in love. I know that sucked but, it’s all I got.

4) This week’s featured artist, Julie London, was famous as a singer and actress. Less prominent in her bio is her appearance as a “pin up girl” in Esquire magazine when she was just 17. What’s in your resume that you’d prefer to de-emphasize or gloss over? I haven’t looked at it in over a decade. But in round terms I’d say most of it.

5) Julie recorded more than 30 albums and was named “most popular female vocalist” by Billboard magazine in 1956. If you could see any entertainer — male or female — in concert, who would you choose? The Boss. I’m surprised that I haven’t. Although, concerts hold little for me. Although I saw Paul recently and Peter Frampton & Cheap Trick (together) last summer. Next weekend I’m seeing Foreigner at a concert my wife got VIP tickets for. I love the band but when they change singers I call it a tribute band. No Lou Graham? No Foreigner. But I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.

6) She became well-known to another generation when she appeared in the 1970s TV show

Harvey and me in 2011 at Kathy’s apartment.

Emergency! The younger actors credited her for keeping everything calm on the set. Who has a calming influence on you? That would be my lady, my wife. My dad used to and my friend Harvey can at times. When I was really shook up over my second divorce Harvey said, “You were married less than three years. You knew her less than four. She’ll be a blip on your life’s story.” He wasn’t 100% right, but very close. And the words help a lot.

7) Her Emergency! costar was her husband, Bobby Troup, and the show was produced by her ex-husband, Jack Webb. Do you have an ex that you’re on very good terms with? Most of my ex-girlfriends are happy to hear from me. My ex-wives? Not so much.

8) Julie was a chain-smoker since she was a teenager and in the 1950s recorded a jingle for Marlboro cigarettes. Yet in the 1970s, when she saw Bobby Troup’s health negatively effected by smoking, she pressed him to quit. Tell us about a time you found yourself in a “do as I say, not as I do” situation. I raised four kids. So, I did that a lot.

You get the idea…

9) Random question: You have won an all-expenses paid trip to an exclusive resort in the Hawaii. When you get there, you discover that the private beach is bathing suit optional. Do you swim nude? Yes. At my age, who gives a shit? Although I did streak through Kathy’s TV set once. She left it in but edited out frames where you could actually see anything. Women wrote to her that they super-slow mo’d it and were frustrated. I reacted, “They slow mo’d it to see a sixty-something’s junk? Holy fucking shit.”

We should be back with Stealing unless we get a better offer. See you then. Same time. Same blog.

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