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Post by Midge on Nov 26, 2013 18:39:05 GMT -6
Yes, I have had some premonitions. Once I had a dream that I saw Shirley Temple (as a young woman) in a swimsuit emerging from the ocean. The next day the news broke that she had breast cancer and had undergone a mastectomy. All the rest of my premonitions have been about trivial, unimportant everyday things.
Have you ever had a backstage pass at a concert or theatrical performance?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Nov 27, 2013 8:52:10 GMT -6
When I was with the United States Army Radio and Television Services I was one of four emcees for an annual Fund-raising concert in Paris, France, in 1963. There was quite a lineup of stars at that year's gala event, that included Trini Lopez, The Kingston Trio, The Four Preps, The Beach Boys and little known group at that time called The Beatles. I was the emcee who introduced the opening act - The Beatles - and I got to be backstage for the whole show and met Paul, George and Ringo, along with Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, and Trini Lopez. The Kingston Trio, believe it or not, were really snobbish to the other acts and had a crew of bodyguards surrounding them at all times except when they were performing. The Four Preps were on the other side of the stage and all I got was a friendly thumbs up from Ed Cobb.
How about you:
Have you ever had a backstage pass at a concert or theatrical performance?
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Post by Midge on Nov 27, 2013 18:36:28 GMT -6
Wow, what a story! Too bad about the Kingston Trio; I always liked them.
No, I've never had a backstage pass. The closest experience to that would be when I was living in New York and my roommate was a dancer in the ballet troupe at Radio City Music Hall. One Saturday when she was working, she invited me backstage before the first show to see all the costumes and props. Later I sat in the audience during the live show and watched her dance, then I saw the movie that was playing, The Odd Couple. That was a fun day.
Have you ever been present for an event that made news?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Nov 27, 2013 19:50:33 GMT -6
In 1956 my Mom took me to see Elvis Presley in concert at the Pan Pacific Auditorium. About half way through the show the LA Police Department stopped the show and arrested Elvis for making lewd gestures with the RCA Dog Nipper, a huge plaster statue at the edge of the stage. We didn't think much of it because they gave us a coupon to get our money back or tickets for the show when it was rescheduled. When we got home my Dad was the first to tell us about it, and all I could say, "Is he in jail?".
Have you ever been to a political rally or something like that?
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Post by Midge on Nov 28, 2013 4:24:46 GMT -6
Great story about Elvis "the Pelvis," Bill!
No, I've never been to a political rally, but I worked as a volunteer for a political candidate in 1972. His name was Allard Lowenstein, and he was running for Congress in Brooklyn. On election night all we campaign volunteers were invited to a victory rally and the candidate spoke to us thanking us for our efforts. He lost the election, and in 1980 he also lost his life when a mentally ill man barged into his office and shot him to death. I was sorry to hear it because Al Lowenstein was a dedicated public servant and a genuinely caring man.
Have you ever taken part in a rally, protest or demonstration?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Nov 28, 2013 8:34:42 GMT -6
No. I have never done that, nor have I wanted to. My protests are basically seen on my Facebook page, and I get enough flack for that. I don't like unruly crowds.
Have you ever taken a tour of the Wine Country in Napa/Sonoma counties?
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Post by Midge on Nov 28, 2013 17:48:47 GMT -6
Yes, I have visited there many times. The wine tasting used to be free. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon, going around to as many wineries as you could and getting pleasantly toasted along the way. So many people took advantage of this policy that the wineries now charge a tasting fee. They usually let you keep the glass as a souvenir, though.
Have you ever taken a winery or other type of factory tour?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Nov 28, 2013 19:42:47 GMT -6
Like you we enjoyed the tours when they had very low or no fees. When they realized that they could make some real money we quit going because even with the glass as a souvenir we found that it just wasn't worth it anymore.
Have you ever been to Busch Gardens?
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Post by Midge on Nov 29, 2013 18:06:16 GMT -6
No, I've never been to Busch Gardens.
What is it like?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Nov 30, 2013 8:54:47 GMT -6
The Anheiser-Busch company is responsible for several brands of beer. In California between Sacramento and San Franciso is the largest of the West Coast breweries to offer tours and samples of their product, along with a self-guided tour of their lush, wonderful gardens. We used to make it a regular stop every summer.
Have you started thinking about Christmas decoration in your home or apartment this year?
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Post by Midge on Nov 30, 2013 17:27:54 GMT -6
Yes, we've already put "Santa" on the hearth. This is a 1940s vintage cardboard cutout that used to belong to Al's parents. Here he is with Bennett the teddy bear and some other friends: 
What holiday preparations have you made so far? |
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 1, 2013 10:30:07 GMT -6
Dragged all the boxes in from the storeroom that contain the tree, train and ornaments. Will separate, check that all lights are working, and go from there.
When do you take all the Holiday trimmings down?
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Post by Midge on Dec 2, 2013 19:20:40 GMT -6
Usually we take them down shortly after New Year's Day. By that time, the tree is starting to dry out and drop needles. I am always sorry to see the Christmas decorations go away because the house looks so drab and empty without them.
What did you have for dinner last night?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 3, 2013 8:34:02 GMT -6
Monday night was Family Make Your Own Pizza Night!! It is a fun time, and the kids get to fix their own pizzas, and Beverly and I let the little ones fix ours, it is always a 'surprise' to find out what they put on ours, usually it is green peppers, Italian sausage, Pepperoni, and black olives. Beverly doesn't like the Pepperoni, so I usually get the extra slices on my pizza. Last night, Zach made my pizza the same way he made his, with the above ingredients and a little extra cheese. Fun times!
What type of restaurant do you go to during the holidays?
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Post by Midge on Dec 3, 2013 17:59:17 GMT -6
We go to all the usual places, but if we're having lunch with friends and relatives who live in the East Bay, we meet them at Bette's Oceanview Diner in Berkeley or to Kincaid's at Jack London Square.
Do you go anyplace special at this time of year?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 4, 2013 7:55:17 GMT -6
We have a special place called "Curly's Diner" that offers some excellent prices on their menu during the holidays. "All You Can Eat Biscuits & Gravy" for just $4.99, or for an added .50 cents you can get two eggs, any style. And the Biscuits are very large Grand style biscuits and their gravy is like Grandma used to make. Another thing they offer during December is "5 dollar Tuesdays". They offer some of their $9.99 menu items for just $5 on Tuesdays. Yesterday it was what they call their Old-Timer's Burger. A half-pound burger with all the trimmings, including french fries for just $5. Next tuesday it is their specialty "Chicken Fried Chicken" including your choice of two sides for that nice $5 price. If you like good 'home cooking', then Curly's Diner is the place to go in Wichita.
Do you prefer white or brown gravy on your mashed potatoes?
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Post by Midge on Dec 4, 2013 19:15:44 GMT -6
I prefer brown gravy, though usually only have gravy on major national holidays.  Do you remember the phone number of the house where you grew up? |
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 5, 2013 8:05:37 GMT -6
Nat anymore. Until a few years ago I could tell the phone numbers of almost every house I lived in growing up. With the advent of the cell phone, and the fact that we have had over 20 of those different numbers, it was very easy this last time to tell the company we were going to keep our number because we had a hard time remembering it anyway. I still can't remember my own cell phone number. I have to look it up each time someone asks.
Do you remember addresses of all the homes or apartments you have lived in?
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Post by Midge on Dec 5, 2013 18:41:37 GMT -6
No, I couldn't possibly remember all of them because I must have moved about two dozen times. I do remember a few, though.
Are you going to stay up until midnight this New Year's Eve?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 5, 2013 19:37:46 GMT -6
We always do. We are the babysitters for all the grand kids (10 in all) and we let them go out and parade in the front yard banging on pots and pans for two minutes, and then off to bed. As in the past years we will probably be paid a visit by the local police because we have grumpy neighbors, but we are used to it by now.
How will you be bringing in the New Year?
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Post by Midge on Dec 6, 2013 3:22:25 GMT -6
Watching New Year's festivities on TV and drinking Champagne. I used to be on the control room crew of the live New Year's show we'll be watching (in fact my last assignment on my last day before retiring was as the audio mixer for the show). I'm grateful to be at home watching TV instead of "making TV," as we used to call our jobs.
Do you make New Year's resolutions?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 6, 2013 8:42:26 GMT -6
Not really resolutions, because like most people I could never keep them all. I set goals for the next year as far as my health and well-being go, and just make an effort to make those goals. I like hearing other people who make resolutions just to be doing something, nothing will be done about them.
Will you watch the Rose Parade live, or will you record it and watch it later in the day?
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Post by Midge on Dec 7, 2013 5:01:38 GMT -6
Neither, we'll probably catch it on the replay, if there is one.
How many pairs of jeans do you own?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 7, 2013 6:47:05 GMT -6
None. They are too confining for me.
How many different styles of hats do you own?
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Post by Midge on Dec 7, 2013 18:17:36 GMT -6
Seven. I've got a knit ski hat, a red wool beret, a brown fedora, a black cloche with ribbon hatband that belonged to my late MIL, a straw hat, a Santa hat and a cowboy-type hat. The irony is that I very seldom wear any of them.
Did you have any rain or snow today?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 8, 2013 9:10:32 GMT -6
We are in the middle of a cold-spell right now, the high temperature yesterday was 16, the low last night was -2, and currently it is a mixture of snow and freezing ice that is falling. Supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow today on that freezing ice base. Should be perfect weather to stay inside and watch all the other crazy people try to drive in this weather. We only have two more days of temperatures below the 30 degree mark, and according the weather prognosticators here in Wichita, by Thursday we will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s with five to six days of dry, but windy, weather. We are counting the days til February 1st when we will begin the thawing out process of this winter season.
Are December's a good month for inclement weather in your area?
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Post by Midge on Dec 8, 2013 17:56:01 GMT -6
Usually we get some rain and daytime highs in the mid-50s to low 60s, but it has been unseasonably cold this month by Northern California standards. At 4 in the afternoon it's only 38ยบ. Also, it's been drier than normal for the last several years. There's been only one significant rainstorm so far this season.
Do you enjoy hearing classical music? If so, is there a piece that you particularly like?
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 9, 2013 8:57:16 GMT -6
I am not a "long hair" when it comes to liking Classical Music, but I was looking in my music collection and found that I have "The Grand Canyon Suite" by five different artists, two of which are by the Boston Pops Orchestra - one with Arthur Fiedler conducting, and one with John Williams conducting. I have never been exposed to a lot of classical music, but I would listen to that before you make me listen to Opera!
Do you have a favorite Classical Music piece?
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Post by Midge on Dec 9, 2013 19:40:04 GMT -6
It's hard to say because I love so many, but a sentimental favorite of mine is Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat Major. My dad had a 45 rpm version of the Jose Iturbi 1945 recording, a best-seller in its day. Polonaise in A Flat MajorDo your wife and you have a song that you consider "your song?" |
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 10, 2013 8:52:29 GMT -6
Yes, very much so. "Don't Know Much" - Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. It pretty much says exactly how we feel about each other. Whenever we have been to a function with a deejay, one of us will always request that song for 'the next slow dance', so we can remember together how much we love each other.
What Christmas themed song will make you turn the radio off, if they play it once more?
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