Throwback Thursday

The Sparks!  I loved them.  My favorite song was "I Predict".  I heard it on the radio this morning and felt the need to share it.  They were a a bit of a quirkly duo (Ron & Russell Mael, who are brothers) and they are awesome!

 

Cathy

Do y'all remember the comic strip, Cathy?  I used to love it.  I think because the cartoonist, Cathy Guisewite wasn't much older than me in real life and as a single girl, I could relate to the character.  I used to have a few Cathy books.

Eventually, the cartoonist said that she grew up and thought that Cathy should too and eventually the cartoonist and Cathy both got married and that was the end of the comic strip, which ended October 3, 2010 after a 34 year run.

I miss it though.  I wish they would still run it in the papers like they do Peanuts (which stopped in 2000 after Charles Schulz passed away).  But for whatever reason, they don't carry the "reruns" of Cathy in the paper like they do Peanuts.

I'm glad for the internet so I can revisit her once and a while though. 

I remember they had a Valentine special that ran on TV (along with a couple of more). You can watch it on You Tube.  I remember in the first TV special, her mom had 2 peas and did mom magic and made a full meal out of it - so funny!  The other special was called Cathy's Last Resort.

Triva: Do you remember Cathy's boyfriend's name?

Trivia 2: Do you remember Cathy's dog's name? 

 

 

Product Placement in TV Shows

I remember when Guiding Light was close to going off the air and they would have in your face product placement.  I think they were having lots of financial issues and was doing anything to stay on the air (wish it worked).  Sometimes it wasn’t too in your face…for instance, they would get home from the store and un-bag their groceries…the Gain, Cascade, Dawn and Head & Shoulders would be carefully removed one by one and face the camera so you could clearly see what it was.  Other times, they would make a fuss over a product. . . On a car trip with 2 in the front seat and 2 in the back…”Are those PRINGLES? I love “PRINGLES”…Ross, hand me those PRINGLES, PRINGLES are my favorite chips!” Ross replies “Get your own PRINGLES, I love them so much, I want the whole can”. Of course while holding up the can of Pringles with the logo showing so we can see them.

As the World Turns did it too but not as much as Guiding Light.  They would say at the Thanksgiving table “Is that a BUTTERBALL TURKEY”,  while zooming in on a perfectly cooked turkey on the table…”BUTTERBALL TURKEYS are the best!!”

Ha Ha!!

Having product placements sitting around in Soap Operas is nothing new…it’s been like that since the beginning of TV Soaps.  Most of the time, the Dawn is just sitting on the counter, plainly in view or the Huggies are sitting out in view in the nursery…

But when they TALK about them it is kind of funny and makes me actually giggle out loud.

Case in point….the new soap opera “Beyond the Gates”, which I really enjoying by the way.

They have FEBREEZE as one of their products.  One of the characters, Nichole, is always spraying it and then smelling the room….with a resounding “Aaaahh”

Well, on Monday’s episode is was like they had a case of the PRINGLES.

While setting up for her 20+ something daughter’s birthday party.

Nicole: (Handing can to mom) “Can you do me a favor and spray the FEBREEEEZZEE? It always makes the house smell so fresh and welcoming for a parties”

Anita/Mom: “You stole that trick from me?” (Wagging finger in a teasing way)

Nicole: “I learned from the best”

Anita/Mom: (Takes a deep long look at the can of Febreeze) “FEBREEZE REFRESH & ENERGIZE, I don’t know that scent” (Sprays Febreeze and then walks into the spray while appearing to sniff)…

“Oooh, that is nice!” (Proceeds to walk around the room spraying the Febreeze)

Nicole: “Right?, I hope Kat enjoys herself…….(gets can from mom)

Mom: (Handing Febreeze back to Nicole)

Nicole: (Taking can from mom)…”She will appreciate this too…Kat insist on it, she says you got to have the Febreeze to (shakes shoulders in a dancing way and in a sing song voice) to set the vibe”

Another show that does this EVERY WEEK is “The Rookie” - every single week there is some throw down to AMAZON PRIME” - sometimes they are just getting a package delivered and say “Yes, my Amazon Prime delivery arrived”.  Sometimes there are just Amazon boxes in the background clearly in view.

This week, John said he threw away Bailey’s mouthpiece and cleats to keep her competing against him in a football game, so after John leaves the room, Bailey picks up her cell phone

Bailey (looking and touching phone): “Amazon Prime…Gloves, belts, cleats…add to cart. Oh, those boots are kind of cute…two for one face sheet masks? Same day delivery? Yes, please! And Purchased!  Flag football is saved”

The TV Show “Ghosts” is also a big fan of Amazon Prime…they have boxes all about and often are getting deliveries

By the way…no one calls it “Amazon Prime”…we all just say “Amazon”

Matlock promotes Apple products but don’t usually shout out the product name.

Will Trent is a fan of Uber and Converse, but you kind of have to mention Uber to promote it.

What other shows have you seen that are very blatant with their product placement?  

Welcome to 2023 - Here are some goals!

 I've mentioned before that I don't really make New Year's Resolutions anymore but I do still set goals...they are not all "annual" goals but just goals in general.

So...here are some goals I have currently have 

Bible/Prayer Time

I am currently following THIS READING PLAN if you would like to follow along with me.  I also listen to THIS PODCAST as I read.  While I am not Catholic, Father Mike's explains the passages that we read and it helps give me a bit of clarity and insight to God's word. 

I've really been praying and talking to God a lot so far this year...there is so much to thank Him for and so many people to pray for...honestly, I could pray like 24 hours a day and not cover everyone I want to.  I pray each morning after rising and each evening before going to bed, but more than that...I mean I pray all the time - in the car, at work, there is always time to prayer.  

My friend Amanda used to have a  method of praying and I'm not sure if she still does that.
On Monday, for example, she'd pray for friends, on Tuesday, she'd pray for the world, on Wednesday, she'd have gratitude prayers, something along those lines (I can't remember exactly).  But I'm more of a mish-mash and pray about a whole array of things every day.

I kind of follow the ACTS way

A – Adoration

Begin your prayer in adoration and praise of God. Let yourself be filled with wonder at who God is and how He desires to be with you, always.

C – Contrition

Next, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you your sinfulness and need for God’s mercy and grace. Name to God particular sins you need forgiveness for at this moment.

T – Thankfulness

Spend some time now thanking God for the gifts in your life. Try to notice the gifts you often take for granted. 

S – Supplication

Lastly, lift up your cares and concerns to God. Pray for the people in your life, for those who are suffering, for the needs of all people throughout the world. Ask God to show you who to pray for today. 

 

Crafty Time

I am incorporating all crafts into this...I would like to make at least 6 prayer shawls this year (one every other month) for our church members who need comforting.

I want to finish up a couple of afghans that I have in progress - one is VERY old and I have a few more in mind that I would like to make.

I haven't been part of the dishcloth swap on Ravelry in a few years but I would like to participate this year.

Cricut time - I finally want to learn how to use HTV and make a t-shirt or two.  I know exactly what I want the first shirt to be...I just need to watch some videos and learn how to do it.  I also want to get together with my friend, Pam and show her how to use her Cricut.  I also would like to make my Christmas cards this year.  The hard part is deciding on a design.

Painting - would love to do some water coloring this year.

Scrapbooking - continue with my daily Project Life photos and perhaps even do a bit of "old fashioned" paper scrap booking

 

Healthy Time

Like most people, I want to have a healthier lifestyle.  I do fairly well, but know I could do better, especially on the exercise front.

 

Project Time 

There are still a few projects at home I want to do - not major but some organization things, going through old family photos and putting them together (photos that were in my late brother's possession and I now have), setting up an office/craft room, working on my family tree and genealogy research.This are not necessarily big projects but they are some that will take a lot of time...since I am planning on retiring this year...hopefully that will give me the time I need to do some of these things.

There are lots of other goals I have but I can't do everything I want to do so I just try to narrow my focus a little. We shall see how it goes...baby steps are the key - just don't bite off more than I can chew and take baby steps - remember...just put one foot in front of the other to get started

Jason Mraz - Have It All

I just love Jason Mraz!  I mean, who doesn't - he is so awesome!!

I am totally in love with this song.

The video includes an appearance by a favorite actor of mine (a nice bonus) - Greg Grunberg.

Donny Osmond - Yesterday vs Today

I love Donny's updates of his older songs.  The Twelth of Never, always makes me melt.

Osmond Sweden Special - 1967

Too cute !!

Love seeing the Osmonds at such a young age.

When they are singing "I want a girl...just like the girl...that married dear old dad" - Donny is doing a comical sketch and I remember that Jay used to do this (before Donny joined in) - it is kind of funny to me to see Donny doing it, when I associate it with Jay, but I suppose since he was the youngest one performing at the time, it makes sense.

The Osmonds are amazingly talented and often don't get the credit they deserve.  I mean really!! Here they are performing a range of songs, from barbershop to pop, dancing, doing comedy and playing instruments - and speaking Swedish!  That is pretty amazing for anyone - let alone a bunch of kids!

Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves

I heard this song yesterday, it is is rare I hear new music these days since I primarily listen to First Wave or the 80s on 8 on Sirius XM but both of those channels happened to be playing the same exact song at the same exact time and it wasn't a song I particularly wanted to hear (how in the world did they end up playing the same song at the same time?)

So...I poked around and this song was just coming on and I thought it was so pretty.

A Man Called Marco

One of my all time favorite instrumentals, featuring the AMAZING Marco Pirroni !!

Brian Setzer Orchestra

 

I have had the pleasure of seeing the Brian Setzer Orchestra every December for the past several years.  We are so lucky that he comes to our town every year.

Last night, they performed at the Woodruff Art Center, which is the home of the Atlanta Symphony, so you know the sound was amazing.  Of course it was very nicely decorated for the holidays.

Brian Setzer is one of the most amazing entertainers.  He just gives it his ALL - as does the entire orchestra.  I just can only imagine the hours and hours and hours of planning and rehearsal that goes into this show to make it all seem so flawless.

This year, before the show, we got to see some of his guitars up close and personal -very cool!!

 They started out with the classic Glen Miller hit, Pennsylvania 6 - 5000.

 

He sang a great mixture of Christmas songs, Stray Cats songs and other Rock-a-Billy hits!

The orchestra always takes a small break (union rules I believe) and he is left on stage alone to play/sing "The Christmas Song" and then he was joined on stage by the infamous bass player Johnny Hatton and Bernie Dresel on drums.  While I love the entire orchestra, this is one of my favorite parts of the show...He sang "Fishnet Stockings" and sat on the bass, stood on the bass, stood on the drums - it is just an incredible performance!

The show just leave you feeling high and puts you right into the Christmas spirit.  This year was extra special because he did a tribute to Glen Campbell by singing "Witchita Lineman" and Tom Petty by singing "Running Down a Dream"

If you ever, ever, ever have a chance to see him, trust me - DO IT!!!

Here is the set list:

Pennsylvania 6-5000
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Hoodoo Voodoo Doll
Stray Cat Strut
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (one of my FAVES)
Gene & Eddie
Angels We Have Heard on High
The Dirty Boogie
Jump, Jive an' Wail
Here Comes Santa Claus (complete with Santa Claus on stage, throwing out candy canes)
Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell Tribute)
Runnin' Down a Dream (Tom Petty Tribute)
The Christmas Song
Fishnet Stockings (another Fave)
Rock This Town

Encore:
The Nutcracker Suite - major highlight of the show!
Jingle Bells

This video is not from last night's show but I just have to share because it is so wonderful






I think he must have really enjoyed the energy of the audience last night because he posted this on Facebook after the show.

 

Thank you Mr. Setzer for the amazing show - you are one of a kind!!

No Roots by Alice Merton

I heard this song on "The Spectrum" channel on Sirius XM this morning and I really liked it so thought I would share it here.  Hope you enjoy.

Just Breathe

I've been listening to a lot of contemporary Christian music the past couple of weeks - there are so many great Christian songs and it is hard to pick a favorite so I won't, but this one has been stuck in my head for a few days so thought I would share.

Breathe - by Jonny Diaz

Funny Friday - Cute Joke!

Happy Friday!!! Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

The Weepies

This song is several years old but I was listening to it this morning and thought I would post it today for no particular reason.

Music Monday - U2

Most people that know me, know that my favorite band is the OSMONDS but I hold them in a category all of their own.  Other than them, my very favorite band is U2.  I've seen them in concert 8 times! (not enough if you ask me). 

Anyway, this morning on the way to work, I heard an oldie but goody on Sirius XM - Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World from the 1991 album - Achtung Baby!

Lego Monkees

How cute is this?  This video was made by an 8 year old boy - he re-created the Monkee's TV show opening using legos and other toys.

First Aid Kit

I really like the group "First Aid Kit" - I have them marked on my Sirius XM so that whenever they are on (any station), it beeps to let me know so I can listen to them.

Very talented Swedish sisters,Johanna & Klara Söderberg just have a wonderful, clear folk sound that I love.  I like everything I have heard from them.  Here is one that really stands out for me.  If you have never heard of them before, check them out - you won't be disappointed.

Day Five - #KCBW6DAY5

Something Different #KCBW6DAY5

Split Enz

I heard Split Enz on the radio this morning, but not this song....

Anyway, it reminded me of how many of their songs I like so I found this one on You Tube and thought I would share it.

If you want to skip the fancy intro - just skip ahead to the 1:30 mark for the song.

Sha la la la la - Live for Today

The Grass Roots are one of my all time very favorite bands - I have loved them since I was a little girl.  Today, I heard "Live for Today" on the radio.  I have always loved this song because that is just how we should live - for TODAY !!

I remember when this was a new song being played on the radio (yes, I'm that old).  I really like this video of a young Grass Roots introduced by the legendary Jimmy Durant (ah cha cha cha cha!)