Saturday 9

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: Joanna (1983)

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

1) The subject of this week's song, Joanna, is described as someone who never lets you down and can always be counted upon. Who in your life is like that?
That would be my son, Ned, who (with his wife) lives with us and takes care of Walt and me.

2) Kool and the Gang vocalist James "J. T." Taylor sings that he will do his best to do what's right for her. Reflect on the last week. What did you devote special effort to?
I've been feeling crafty and have watched YouTube videos and working on my recent journal.  I also made this lovely postcard for a SwapBot swap

3) This video was filmed at the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst, NJ. Still open 40 years later, the Colonial is known for their Boom Boom Shrimp, aka fried shrimp in sweet chili sauce. Think of your favorite local restaurant. What menu item would recommend?
Probably my favorite restaurant in Davis is Ding How, a Chinese restaurant and I love their prawns with honey walnut, though we recently had an eggplant with garlic dish there which was delicious.

4) Kool and the Gang's biggest hit was 1980's "Celebration," which is popular today with disc jockeys at wedding receptions. Are you likely to get up and dance at a wedding reception? Or would we find you enjoying the party from your seat?
I don't really like to dance.  Unless I have to, I will be enjoying the party from my seat.

5) Kool and the Gang are proud of their NJ roots. Group founder Robert Bell was given the nickname "Kool" by his Jersey City friends because he was so "laid back." Do you think your friends would describe you as "laid back?"
Definitely.

6) One of the Jersey City's biggest employers is Evergreen, a transportation and shipping company with offices in Evertrust Plaza, a high-rise near the waterfront. What is the tallest building you've ever been in? Were you there for business, or to enjoy the view?
I was at the top of the World Trade Center several years before it collapsed.  Definitely there for the view.

7) In 1983, when "Joanna" topped the charts, Vanessa Williams became the first African American to be crowned Miss America. Today, Miss America is still among the most popular televised pageants, along with Miss World and Miss Universe. Do you watch beauty pageants?
I did many years ago, but have not watched any beauty pageant in many, many years.  I remember watching a comedy movie about a beauty pageant where the "talent" of one contestant was packing a suitcase.

8) Also in 1983, superstars Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson joined forces for the #1 song, "Say, Say, Say." Each man began his career as part of a group but went on to have success on his own. Can you think of anyone else who started out in band or group but also scored as a solo artist?
Well, my son was the lead singer in a 10 piece band which was rather popular in California and in universities across the country.  When the band ended, in 1996, he went on to do solo performances doing monologues.  He was preparing his latest monologue when he died.

9) Random question: Have you more recently eaten bread sticks or carrot sticks? 
That would be bread sticks, but haven't had any in a very long time.