saturday 9: that's so true

s * a * t * u * r * d * a * y   * 9 *

Hello, and welcome! I'm staying up pretty late into the night to get this post written (it's 4:27 AM EDT). I may be the worst blahgger in the world, continuity-wise and so forth, I don't know, but I would like to keep up with it as much as the cards I've been dealt will allow me. And I appreciate all my visitors! (And commenters)

Today we're going to talking about relative newcomer Gracie Abrams, who is pretty cool, and her song, "That's So True." I queued up this song of hers, and then another, and then another - she's got a fairly arresting indie-folk-kinda vibe that I really like, so I subscribed. Plus she has exact birthday as my eldest, Chloë, just two years older (if that boosts your likeworthiness).

Anyhoo, if you're joining us this weekend, maybe you should add yourself to this post here, so we can all see!

Jumping in:

~*~*~*~*~

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? 

1) In this song, Gracie Abrams can't stop thinking about her ex. Who is on your mind this morning?

Definitely not an ex. I'm thinking all about this guy. Rob, here wrangling our adorable Chihuahua, Paco, and our daughter Chloë's not-so-small-anymore kitten, Astro, has been on my mind a lot lately - more than usual, I mean. Our 25th anniversary is going to be coming up at the very beginning of the new year, and we had been talking about going up to NYC and seeing an opera at the Met. Doing the budgeting, I told him a while back we just weren't going to be able to swing it.

So I'm trying to figure something out to celebrate him, celebrate us, that we can do. That's deserving of him, because he does and is so much for me every day.

 
2) She wonders if she should warn his new girl about him. Think of the last time someone offered you advice. Did you take it?

Not yet, but I hope to at some point. We'd socked away a small fortune for our trip to Japan, part of which had me up in advance researching, planning and, finally, booking our lodging and things to do. Oh, and our trains. We always made our hotels, thankfully, but I can't say the same for everything else. We spent too much money spending on Japan for things we didn't get or do because of my health, and I'm horrified at that and for Rob and Chloë missing out on all the cool stuff I'd planned because of me.

So, while cruising is out right now for the next... while (ever?), even though it's my preferred form of travel, someone suggested that and also all-inclusive resorts. I never think about them, although I've stayed at a few myself already. So the challenge will be finding (a) all-inclusive, (b) affordable, and (c) accessible for our next vacay, I think. Look at me, I'm already excited.

3) She concludes her old boyfriend wasn't worthy of her love and attention, and now sees him as "just another dude." What is something you regret spending time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.)

I'm just one year away from reaching the half-a-century mark, and I'm completely thrilled about it, for a variety of reasons. My entire life, both minor and adult, I've worried SO much about what other people said and thought about me. To some extent. of course, I still do, but if I don't have a real relationship of some sort with you and neither of us owes the other one money, maybe I don't worry as much about those other opinions so much anymore?

 
4) On July 31, Gracie Abrams performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. More than 100,000 attended the first day of the outdoor festival. It was sunny and 79º. Describe your perfect day (weatherwise).

I would allow that. Between 75-80ºF would probably be perfect for me, especially with that light beach breeze consistently blowing. Of course.

If y'all haven't noticed I basically just need to reside in a hammock beachside with a butler readily available. Don't need much.

 

5) Gracie's father is J.J. Abrams, perhaps best known for directing the 2009 Star Trek movie and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Would you rather watch Star Trek or Star Wars?

I notice you left out Space Balls. Curious. I'm not a huge fan of either series, or world, or universe, or whatever the hell, but I'm much more likely to stay in the room if Star Wars is on.

6) She is very much a 21st century artist in that she doesn't rely on radio to introduce her music to her fans, often sharing demos on TikTok. Do you watch, or create content for, TikTok?

No, to both. I did put things up a few years back. Just a couple of things, really, and there were so many creepy things both behind the scenes and in front that I chose to take my shreds of sanity left with me and go.

7) In 2024, when "That's So True" was released, Madonna set a record. Her free concert in Brazil drew the largest audience (1.6 million) ever. What's your favorite Madonna song?

That is entirely, objectively unfair! They're all my favorites! Right now I've got this one, "Into the Groove" on my brain, so it's what I'm adding here. But I could easily rattle off a dozen more of my favorite Madge songs without taking a breath.

8) Also in 2024, former President Jimmy Carter died. In addition to his work in politics and philanthropy, Mr. Carter wrote more than 30 books. Who wrote the last book you finished?

Honestly? I really don't know. I'm in a pull-this-one-off, read a few chapters, then-that-one, look over a few things, and so on phase of my readinghood. Readership? So I don't know. Lots of gardening stuff lately.

9) Random question: What sound stresses you out?

I'll give you three, in whatever order you think they are:

(a) sandpaper of any kind, including emery boards (it's only recently I've been able to handle filing my own nails with them) * {we will NOT even discuss chalkboards here, people!}

(b) Being out in public and hearing babies crying and not attended to

(c) The shrieks and cries of starving, emaciated Palestinian children in Gaza on the news

~*~*~*~*~

Hard not to end on an unpleasant note with that one, right? But I think we all need to be keenly aware of what's happening in the United States (especially if you're American, obviously), and what the United States is doing around the world. Saying nothing keeps us complicit. I won't do that.

🏵 I wish you all a bountiful, healthy, fun week ahead. 🏵

xoxo