Saturday 9

 

Joanna

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!


Saturday 9: Joanna (1983)

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

1) The subject of this week's song, Joanna, is described as someone who never lets you down and can always be counted upon. Who in your life is like that?

My daughter Jen is one of the most reliable people I know.  I’m so proud.

2) Kool and the Gang vocalist James "J. T." Taylor sings that he will do his best to do what's right for her. Reflect on the last week. What did you devote special effort to?

This week was very much work focused.  I had a case that made the newspaper.

3) This video was filmed at the Colonial Diner in Lyndhurst, NJ. Still open 40 years later, the Colonial is known for their Boom Boom Shrimp, aka fried shrimp in sweet chili sauce. Think of your favorite local restaurant. What menu item would recommend?

New Jersey may be the diner capital of the world, but Long Island runs a close second.  Thomas’s is an old fashioned diner, serving breakfast all day.  You can’t go wrong with one of their omelettes or scrambles, served in a cast iron skillet.  The Texan has bacon, sausage, onions, peppers and cheddar.

4) Kool and the Gang's biggest hit was 1980's "Celebration," which is popular today with disc jockeys at wedding receptions. Are you likely to get up and dance at a wedding reception? Or would we find you enjoying the party from your seat?

I’m dancing.

5) Kool and the Gang are proud of their NJ roots. Group founder Robert Bell was given the nickname "Kool" by his Jersey City friends because he was so "laid back." Do you think your friends would describe you as "laid back?"

Laid back?  Me? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

6) One of the Jersey City's biggest employers is Evergreen, a transportation and shipping company with offices in Evertrust Plaza, a high-rise near the waterfront. What is the tallest building you've ever been in? Were you there for business, or to enjoy the view?

I live on Long Island, in the shadow of NYC.  Of course I’ve been in some very tall buildings.  I’ve been to the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building several times.  It’s worth the trip. 

Before 9/11 I spent a lot of time at the World Trade Center.  At various times I worked in lower Manhattan or Jersey City, which is just across the river from the Trade Center. The Trade Center was (and still is) a transportation hub, with NYC subways and the PATH train to New Jersey.  There was a shopping concourse on the lower level.  And there was an open air plaza where local radio stations often held concerts.  I visited the Observation Deck once, and I was invited to a brunch at Windows on the World — the view was amazing,

I’ve been to the rebuilt Trade Center as a commuter and I visited The 9/11 Memorial but I haven’t been to the new Observation Deck. Yet.

7) In 1983, when "Joanna" topped the charts, Vanessa Williams became the first African American to be crowned Miss America. Today, Miss America is still among the most popular televised pageants, along with Miss World and Miss Universe. Do you watch beauty pageants? 

I used to watch all the pageants, but haven’t watched recently.

8) Also in 1983, superstars Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson joined forces for the #1 song, "Say, Say, Say." Each man began his career as part of a group but went on to have success on his own. Can you think of anyone else who started out in band or group but also scored as a solo artist?  

Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac,

9) Random question: Have you more recently eaten bread sticks or carrot sticks?

I can’t eat bread, so I’m sure it was carrot sticks.
  

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!