saturday 9: do you know the way to san jose?

 

Hello, friends and acquaintances from near and far! It's already afternoon on Saturday, but because my Miami Hurricanes usually play on Fridays but are playing today, I forgot it even was Saturday. I am sorry to be gracing you so lately with my presence. As I do every! other! week! in which I participate!! No news is good news, right?

Today Crazy Sam pulled a shocker on me and taught me that, at this many years old (49), this song is sung by none other than Dionne Warwick!!

You see, these three limited pieces of information are essentially what I knew about Ms. Warwick as an 80s kid. (I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot and prematurely answering some of Sam's questions, since I never read them until right before I'm about to answer them, but we'll jump off that bridge when we come to it.):
1. Whitney Houston's talented aunt
2. "That's What Friends Are For"
3. Psychic Network

All this to say, I did not know what else was in Dionne's discography, but as of today, I'm curious enough to find out. If YOU are intrigued enough about at least this one, come on over here and check it out, play along if you want, and link up.

Saturday 9: Do You Know the Way to San Jose (1968)

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

 

1) In this song, someone moves to Los Angeles looking for "fame and fortune" but ends up with a job "pumping gas." Today, the majority of service stations are self-serve, so very few people pump gas for a living. Can you think of another job that used to be common but doesn't exist anymore?

First thing I thought of was any video rental store employee!

2) The San Jose travel bureau advertises "300 days of sunshine" every year. How is the weather where you are today?

It's cloudy and 60ºF right now. It's supposed to get one whole degree warmer today. I'm guessing t-shirt weather is over on Maryland's Eastern Shore!

 

3) Lyricist Hal David became fond of San Jose when he was stationed there while in the Navy. Tell us about a place you've visited that you have affection for.

Funnily enough, I was going to mention how my husband and I have been talking about wanting to revisit Guam, where he was stationed in the Navy early in our marriage. A lot happened there (some good, some not as good), so it's taken eons for us to be able to say that. Now, I think we'd both go in a heartbeat if offered the chance, and I think our two surviving kids would want to join us, too!

  4) Composer Burt Bacharach grew up and worked primarily in New York until his marriage to actress Angie Dickinson. She had to live in Los Angeles for her career, so he relocated and remained a Californian for the rest of his life. Where do you feel most at home? (It doesn't have to be a city. It could be your favorite chair.)

Anywhere but here. The U.S. no longer feels like "home." What happens next is no longer something we're interested in finding out. But... we have no choice. It's not up to us; we have to stay. Mercy.

5) Dionne Warwick thinks this week's song is "dumb." She won her first Grammy for "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and, decades later, still sings it in concert, but she has not changed her opinion of the song. What is something everyone else seems to like but you just don't get?

Okay, I'll give you two sort of related things that have always annoyed  me:

the Chevrolet El Camino, and

high-low dresses. I think they are both so ugly! #Sorry, not sorry. Just pick one thing and stick with it!

6) Now in her 80s, with more than 60 years in show business, Dionne still enjoys performing. She told a reporter that she loves looking out into the audience and seeing an arm go around a shoulder, or a couple begin holding hands, when they hear her sing "their song." What song reminds you of a special romance?

Rob and I will stop and hold hands and give each other that knowing smile whenever we hear any version of Tracy Chapman singing "Gimme One Reason." This song came out at a pivotal point in our brief courtship and helped lead us to elopement two month after meeting online. That was nearly twenty-five years ago!

 7) In 1968, when this song was popular, The Doris Day Show premiered. The show was, initially, a surprise to its star. Her manager/husband died suddenly without telling her he had committed her to a weekly sitcom. She was not pleased but honored the contract. Think of the last time you were surprised. Was it a happy or sad surprise?

It was a happy surprise. Several, actually. See, first, our eldest daughter belatedly gifted me with this gorgeous red "Dumpling" crossbody convertible purse from Kate ♠ Spade for my birthday. I love the brand and was so sad when she died. I was so excited about the purse - and a few accessories - that Chloë gave me, I didn't think I could love it more!

Then, Rob gave me this "LOVE" bag charm from Romero Britto's brand. He may be somewhat "canceled," but we've been big fans of his work since 2008. On our European cruise from that year, we bought a giclée he'd done called "Deep Night Romance," and since then, we've been hooked. So when he gave me this as an early 25th anniversary present, I was so shocked!

And here's the Britto "Love" on the Kate ♠ Spade "Dumpling"! I adore it.

 

8) According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names of 1968 were Lisa and Michael. Are there any Lisas or Michaels in your life?

Several of each. For instance, one of my BFF's is Lisa, and my BIL's name is Michael. And just for fun, although both have sadly passed, here are Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson, back in 1994 when they were a couple.

9) Random question: What are you looking forward to this week?

Halloween on Friday! We are doing the usual giving out to trick-or-treaters of the sweet treats, but we are also supporting the Teal Pumpkin Project in that we have our teal pumpkin bucket, and we'll have plenty of non-food treats in it to give out to trick-or-treaters who have food allergies, so they can be part of the fun without the worry.

I've got lots stickers and temporary tattoos, all kinds of glowing and bouncing and shaking things, many types of beads in case there are crafty older kids, and fun pens and pencils. We are ready! We are listed on the FARE (the people behind the TPP) map so ToTers can come find us, and all of our upstairs smart bulbs will be turned to teal to act as a beacon so they can find us. Chloë and I are so excited!

Well, it's 4:30 PM now, and that is enough for now. I'm going to try and run a couple errands with Hubs - to pick up my orders at Kohls and Michaels - which is a lot for me in a day these days. I hope you all have a fun week ahead, but I do have a question for you: Do you celebrate Halloween? Whatever you do, please be safe, y'all.

xoxo