Took a couple of days off from Holidailies. Sometimes, when I have a lot of writing to do for my job and freelance work, there’s just nothing left in the tank at the end of the day.
But today I thought I’d try a Saturday 9. These are questions inspired by songs. I will admit, a lot of the songs featured on Saturday 9 are a bit before my time so I’m unfamiliar with most of them unless they are Big Band. In fact, when I saw the title of today’s song, “Goodbye,” I thought it was going to be something completely different.*
This song was chosen because it’s time to say goodbye to 2024.
In this song, Mary Hopkin asks her lover not to let her sleep too late. Did you wake up this morning on your own, did someone wake you, or were you jangled awake by an alarm clock?
This morning was the first of nine alarm-free days. Heck yes, I slept in. When there’s no prospect of an alarm, I let my body do what it wants, which is stay up and sleep in late. I am an Owl and I make no apologies for it.
The lyrics reference “a lonely song.” Can you name a song about loneliness?
As long as we’re on older songs, let’s go with “Lonely Boy” by Andrew Gold.
“Goodbye” was written for Mary by Paul McCartney. He was the one who signed her to her first record contract and produced this and all her Apple Records, including her first big hit, “Those Were the Days.” Looking back on 2024, who is someone who gave you a helping hand when you needed it?
Probably my new boss and the new director at work. The last one (who was both my supervisor and the director) was toxic. So the new two have had to be very patient while I unlearn and let go of the problems she caused, both in my work and my morale.
This video shows Mary performing on The Ed Sullivan Show while wearing a miniskirt. Minis were very popular in 1969. Did you embrace a fashion trend in 2024?
I tried, oh how I tried, to get on the natural gray trend. About four inches into it, I couldn’t stand being silver on top and gold on the bottom with mousy roots in the back, so I went to my hairdresser and begged for redemption. She put a semi-permanent color in that has now faded to a nice, light but warm blonde so that you can’t tell that I have roots. She said that when it faded, I would notice the roots but no one else would, and she was right. I really can’t see roots, at least in the top and the front. The back may be another story but hey, if you’re commenting on my hair from the back, you’re behind me and therefore in a good position to kiss mah butt.
Also in 1969, the Colts lost to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III. The game is famous because of all the hype leading up to it, including Joe Namath “guaranteeing” the underdog Jets would win. Do you have a special sports memory of 2024?
Oh, we’re still on the Jets, are we? The only glee I have right now is that they’re doing better than the Patriots.
But here’s a little story: Years ago, my sister’s ex-husband owned the limo company the Jets contracted with. When she had her first child, one of the players, Reggie McElroy, drove her home from the hospital.
As for my favorite sports memory of 2024, it was the Olympics. Or, rather, all the beautiful, glorious stir the French caused, first by having the metal band Gojira do the opening ceremonies, second with the bacchanal that so many self-righteous, itching-to-be-offended Christians utterly misunderstood and misinterpreted to be a mockery of the Last Supper. France, if you’re taking American retirees ten years from now, please save a spot for me. I adore you.
What’s the farthest from home you traveled in 2024?
Naples. Alas, not Italy, but Florida, for a conference. Here’s the view from my room. Not bad. However, with apologies to any Floridians here, Florida just isn’t my jam. I don’t like the hot, humid weather or the politicians there.
What was the biggest purchase that you made in 2024?
A console table and a rug for my home office. The console table was to give my dining room table back to myself because I had all of my coloring supplies there. It was fun to put together: Not one F-bomb, cazzo, or perkele fell from my lips.
The rug is not as muddy-looking in real life. It’s really a rich burgundy with off-white, brighter tans, and olive. I replaced the daylight lightbulbs in my home office with warm lightbulbs and I didn’t realize what an impact that would have on the colors. Oh, and a few months later, that rug, which I did not realize would be wool, is still shedding and filling the cannister in my Shark. But it’s nice to see the office coming together. Now that I know how muddy the colors in any artwork would be, I will stick to black-and-white prints for the wall. Maybe prints of some of Picasso’s line-drawings. He did a bunch of various birds.
What was your favorite book of 2024?
The only one I finished was Twilight Empress by Faith L. Justice, so I guess that wins by default.
What are you looking forward to most in 2025?
Traveling farther than Naples, Florida. I hope. I have a work trip to Phoenix coming up in March, but I really would like to travel overseas on a vacation.
Now for today’s ornament, Papa Smurf. He looks like he’s up to something, doesn’t he? Or maybe he’s worried about a wayward slapshot from the Washington Capital ornament to his lower left.
*Here’s what I thought today’s song might be. Better lyrics, by far, in my opinion. Maybe this is before your time, in which case, respect your elders, whippersnapper.
zenzalei 