January 13, 2017

Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

I was 16 years old and working as part of the Youth Conservation Corps in the Pocono Mountains the summer today's song was a huge hit.  I can't hear it without remembering those days.  Good times and good memories.

Saturday 9: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (1984)

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

1) This song was inspired by a note WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley left for his parents. He accidentally wrote "go" twice. What was the last handwritten note you left for someone?

I don't remember, but it was probably just something mundane to my husband or daughter about something that needed done.


2) Born Georgios Panayiotou, George Michael was the son of the Greek restauranteur in East London. When you think of Greek cuisine, what comes to mind?

Lamb, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, gyros.

3) He was a terrible driver and admitted his license was suspended a number of times. Have you ever lost your license? 

No.  My job is dependent on my license.  I'm very careful about it.

4) WHAM! partner Andrew Ridgeley, on the other hand, is a talented driver who got to live his fantasy by racing Formula Three in Monaco. There are companies that sell racetrack driving experiences that allow you to spin around the track at dizzying speeds. Is this something you like to try? 

No.  I just don't get into racing.  Give me a Mustang and an open stretch of highway and we'll talk.

5) In 1990, Frank Sinatra famously gave George Michael advice. Ol' Blue Eyes told the younger man to enjoy his fame, to remember all those lean nights traveling from gig to gig by bus and, now that he's successful, "loosen up and swing, man." Who last gave you advice? Did you take it?

I think it was my tax preparer and yes, I took the advice.

6) Mr.  Michael's neighbors have reported since his passing that he seemed to live rather quietly, and that they usually saw him when he was out walking his three dogs. Tell us about the last time you spoke to one of your neighbors.

Most of my neighbors are older women (who, by the way, are all related...sisters or cousins) and I've known them all my life so I at least say "hi" every day.  My other neighbor is my mom and stepdad so I obviously talk to them.

7) Fansites tell us that George Michael's favorite cereal was cornflakes. What breakfast cereals are currently in your kitchen?

My husband loves oatmeal, Cheerios, and Rice Krispies.  I don't eat much cereal, but when I do I like Golden Grahams and chocolate Lucky Charms.

8) In 1984, when "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" was popular, Murder, She Wrote premiered on CBS. Today it's still seen in reruns all over the world. Are you a fan?

I loved the show when it was on and I recently bought a puzzle at a used book sale that features a "Murder, She Wrote" mystery.  You have to put the puzzle together to solve the mystery.


9) RANDOM QUESTION: What's your secret to a good night's sleep?

I don't know...what's yours?  I could use the tip.  I have no trouble falling asleep.  I think that's due to exhaustion, but no matter what I can't seem to sleep more than about 5 hours.  If I make it to 6 it's a miracle.

Want to join in the Saturday 9 fun?  Visit Sam to sign up or just find links to the other players.

19 comments:

  1. I'm with you on the Mustang (convertible, right?) and the open road. Yes. With loud music, I'm on board!

    Wow, to all your neighbors being related. And some related to you! That's pretty cool.

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    1. Definitely loud music included!

      The neighbors might as well be my relatives. I grew up calling them all Aunt and Uncle.

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  2. My favorite uncle had a 1964 Mustang convertible (lt. blue w/a white top) that he saved and saved for but only enjoyed for a few months before he was drafted and sent away to Vietnam. I was so young that, at the time, I thought the real tragedy of it was his being separated from the car he'd wanted to badly. I suppose it's a blessing I was such a little girl. If I'd truly understood what he would be facing in that jungle I would have been worried about him every day.

    How do you feel when you wake up? Maybe you only need 5-6 hours of sleep.

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    1. My parents at one time had his and her 1966 Mustangs...white. They eventually got traded for a station wagon and a pickup truck. Sigh.

      Your story makes me think about the song "Riding with Private Malone."

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  3. I'm the same way. I sleep for about 4 or 5 hours, wake up for an hour or two and try to fall back to sleep. Sometimes i have breakfast at 5AM and then go back to sleep for 3 or 4 hours.

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    1. I might doze a bit in the recliner on the weekends, but I rarely go back to bed. If I do I almost always end up with a stiff neck and a headache.

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  4. I use to love Gyros. We use to go to a Greek place and get them with onion rings. Sadly, we moved away.

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    1. I'm not really a fan of Gyros, but every other booth at the fair sells them.

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  5. I just learned about 20 minutes ago that the neighbor I mentioned in Sat 9 passed away. So I am sad. She was a dear old lady and one of the professors at my alma mater. In fact, in her time, she was SOMEBODY - very instrumental in Title IX stuff and getting women's athletics recognized not only in Virginia but in the nation.

    A mustang and an open road with some Eagles music blasting sounds like a good idea right now.

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    1. I am so sorry about the loss of your neighbor! She really did leave her mark on the world. I'm sure she will be fondly remembered.

      The Eagles....perfection for a road trip in a Mustang!

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  6. I have terribly interrupted sleep. An hour or two followed by an hour or two of awake. Blah!

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    1. I am so glad I do a bit better than that. My five hours is usually deep, dead-to-the-world sleep. My husband is the one who is up and down all night.

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  7. I wouldn't have survived without my aunties and cousins. They lit up my life. Family around you is important. So glad you have some.
    I'm with you about the Mustang. It's the baddest!!

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    1. I agree. This was a great neighborhood to grow up in.

      I've wanted a classic convertible Mustang since Elvis drove one in one of his movies.

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  8. Try some melatonin at bedtime. It shouldn't make you drowsy, but you may need to experiment with timing. Sometimes it works better if you take it earlier in the day.

    I still wake up all over the place, but at least when I'm asleep, I'm really asleep now.

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    1. I have a friend who takes that and suggested it. I'm going to have to look for some.

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  9. How wonderful to have family around you. With my closest cousins dead and my mother with dementia, I feel like the only person my generation still around, though, in fact, there is a huge family out there. I just am not close with them.

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    1. My husband has a good bit of family around but we haven't been all that close to them for quite a few years.

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  10. I enjoyed reading your Saturday 9! Give me a Mustang and a long stretch of country road...yep, I could put the pedal to the metal! Ha!

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