March 4, 2017

Saturday 9: Magic (1980)

Saturday 9: Magic (1980)

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

1) This 1980 video depicts Olivia Newton-John as a performer in small club. For the past few years, she's been performing regularly at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?


No, I'm not much of a gambler, but I'd like to go and see a show or two and all those fabulous hotels and their attractions.  Oh, and the pawn shop where they film Pawn Stars. That is a must see for me.

2) Many tourists who want to get away from the glitz of Vegas travel less than 20 miles to visit Red Rock Canyon. This national park is known for its hiking trails, which provide a view of the desert flora and red rock peaks. Tell us about a time you were impressed by natural beauty.


I'm always pretty impressed by nature, but I'd have to say I was absolutely blown away the first time I went to the Navajo Nation, the Navajo reservation that covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.  The desert Southwest is a beautiful place.

3) One of the best-reviewed restaurants in Las Vegas is Andiamo Italian Steak House. When you order a steak, how do you request it be cooked: rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well done?


I used to like it rare, but then came all the horror stories of why not to eat it that way.  These days I order medium and that usually means it's still fairly pink inside.  I loathe anything beyond that...cooks all the flavor and tenderness out.

4) Olivia Newton-John's father was an officer in MI5, the UK's secret service. Sam's most recent encounter with the law didn't have much drama or intrigue: she asked a cop for directions to the highway. Tell us about the last time you spoke to an officer of the law.


In the school district I work for, the local police have made it a point to be a visible presence at the schools during the morning drop offs and again in the afternoons for dismissal.  I say "hi" or a few words to them all the time.

5) ONJ was awarded the OBE -- Order of the British Empire -- by Queen Elizabeth in honor of her contributions to the arts. Here's your opportunity to boast. What is something you've done lately that you received praise for?


I can't say that I've really done anything big like that in recent memory.  I get kudos from parents all the time for my driving skills in bad weather (getting their kids to school or home safely) since we seem to be blessed to often have to drive during whiteouts or flooding (dealt with both just this week!).

6) A breast cancer survivor, Olivia helped found a cancer center in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. When you think of Australia, what comes to mind?


My daughter's trip there the summer before her senior year of high school.  She had the chance to go for three weeks with People to People.  We scrimped and fundraised to be able to pay the $8000 cost.  She went but not happily.  She spent most of her time obsessing about being away from her stupid boyfriend...who broke up with her by phone on her flight back.  She really regrets that now and wishes she'd given the trip her all.  Hindsight, huh?




7) "Magic" was one of the top-selling records of 1980. Also that year, Post-It notes debuted. Do you enjoy shopping for office supplies, or do you consider it a chore?


I don't use that many "office supplies" but I love wandering the aisles looking at all that paper and pens and folders and organizing items and....  Yep, I guess I enjoy it.

8) In 1980, the NASA space probe returned the first photos of Saturn back to earth. Do you believe intelligent life forms from other planets are  trying to learn more about us?


I believe it's possible.  The universe is a big place.

9) Random question: Are you more confident in your looks or your intelligence?


Definitely my intelligence.  I think it's always been that way for me except for the brief period of my college years when everything seemed to finally click and I was the belle of the ball.


Thanks for joining in the fun.  If you'd like to participate in Saturday 9, please visit Sam and sign up.  


12 comments:

  1. Your daughter looks so very happy in that photo!

    I just started watching Pawn Stars. I don't know how I found it (that's the glory of cable, isn't it?) but it is addicting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She had moments, but it's funny...the picture with the koala is not one of them. She said that was a male and it was mating season and they were taking the pictures near a big window looking over the enclosure with the females and this fellow was getting a bit "frisky." On top of that she said they are actually pretty smelly and gross from the eucalyptus they eat....and maybe a bit of a scent for mating season. She definitely liked the 'roos better.

      Delete
  2. I would love to visit Pawn Stars. I am anxious to meet the guys and see the cool stuff they have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right?? I would love to pick Rick's brain. He knows everything!

      Delete
  3. I heard that the line to get in the pawn shop is always blocks long. I watch that show, too. Not as often as I used to but I enjoy the history aspects of it.

    (I have PTSD. Loud noises of any kind make me anxious and uncomfortable. It was the blasting powder things that rattled the house that finally had me reaching for the phone, though.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard that, too, but I'd rather wait in that line than 3 hours for a ride at Disney.

      Oh, that's awful. I imagine that was very trying for you. If we knew someone had that going on we would be respectful of it.

      Delete
  4. I have tremendous respect and admiration for our bus drivers. The weather in Northern Maine can be treacherous! I was freaking out driving in a whiteout yesterday and it was just me in my car, I can't imagine a bus full of precious children.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had some pretty bad squalls yesterday, too. The worst was when I was driving back to work in the afternoon. I never noticed yesterday, but this morning my husband said look at your car. There is no snow in sight anywhere today...sun is shining, though it is cold. Anyway, the grill of my car was packed solid with snow/ice from driving into the whiteout.

      Delete
  5. Oh my gosh you got to hug a koala???? That is on my bucket list LOL

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've also watched pawn stars. It was fun. And your daughter looks adorable and happy hugging that little koala. Ah, yes, hindsight is 20/20, they say..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes I'm sure my hindsight has been painfully good.

      Delete

Hi and thanks for visiting! I love hearing from readers and friends so please do leave a comment and I'll respond as soon as I can.