A.) Go to musicoutfitters.com
B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about).

I changed the rules just a titch. I'm bolding the ones I liked then and like now, and I'm italicizing the ones I liked then but don't care about now.

Top 100 Hits of 1981

1. Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes
2. Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
3. Lady, Kenny Rogers
4. (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon
5. Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield
6. Celebration, Kool and The Gang
7. Kiss On My List, Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. I Love a Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbitt
9. 9 to 5, Dolly Parton
10. Keep on Loving You, REO Speedwagon
11. Theme from "Greatest American Hero", Joey Scarbury
12. Morning Train (Nine to Five), Sheena Easton
13. Being With You, Smokey Robinson
14. Queen of Hearts, Juice Newton
15. Rapture, Blondie
16. A Woman Needs Love, Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio
17. The Tide is High, Blondie
18. Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington Jr.
19. Slow Hand, Pointer Sisters
20. I Love You, Climax Blues Band
21. Woman, John Lennon
22. Sukiyaki, A Taste of Honey
23. The Winner Takes It All, Abba
24. Medley, Stars on 45
25. Angel of the Morning, Juice Newton
26. Love on the Rocks, Neil Diamond - I can't figure out how to strike through, but I HATE this one!
27. Every Woman in the World, Air Supply
28. The One that You Love, Air Supply
29. Guilty, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb - I can't figure out how to strike through, but I HATE this one!
30. The Best of Times, Styx
31. Elvira, Oak Ridge Boys
32. Take it on the Run, REO Speedwagon
33. No Gettin' Over Me, Ronnie Milsap
34. Living Outside Myself, Gino Vannelli
35. Woman in Love, Barbra Streisand - I can't figure out how to strike through, but I HATE this one!
36. Boy from New York City, Manhattan Transfer
37. Urgent, Foreigner
38. Passion, Rod Stewart
39. Lady (You Bring Me Up), Commodores
40. Crying, Don McLean
41. Hearts, Marty Balin
42. It's My Turn, Diana Ross
43. You Make My Dreams, Daryl Hall and John Oates
44. I Don't Need You, Kenny Rogers
45. How 'Bout Us, Champaign
46. Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar. THIS ONE'S PROBABLY MY FAVORITE FROM THIS LIST.
47. The Breakup Song, Greg Kihn Band
48. Time, Alan Parsons Project
49. Hungry Heart, Bruce Springsteen
50. Sweetheart, Frankie and the Knockouts
51. Someone's Knockin', Terri Gibbs
52. More Than I Can Say, Leo Sayer
53. Together, Tierra
54. Too Much Time on My Hands, Styx
55. What Are We Doin' in Love, Dottie West
56. Who's Crying Now, Journey
57. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, Police
58. This Little Girl, Gary U.S. Bonds
59. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
60. Giving It Up for Your Love, Delbert McClinton
61. A Little in Love, Cliff Richard
62. America, Neil Diamond
63. Ain't Even Done with the Night, John Cougar
64. Arthur's Theme, Christopher Cross
65. Another One Bites the Dust, Queen
66. Games People Play, Alan Parsons Project
67. I Can't Stand It, Eric Clapton
68. While You See a Chance, Steve Winwood
69. Master Blaster, Stevie Wonder
70. Hello Again, Neil Diamond
71. Don't Stand So Close to Me, Police
72. Hey Nineteen, Steely Dan
73. I Ain't Gonna Stand for It, Stevie Wonder
74. All Those Years Ago, George Harrison
75. Step by Step, Eddie Rabbitt
76. The Stroke, Billy Squier
77. Feels So Right, Alabama
78. Sweet Baby, Stanley Clarke and George Duke
79. Same Old Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg
80. Cool Love, Pablo Cruise
81. Hold On Tight, ELO
82. It's Now or Never, John Schneider
83. Treat Me Right, Pat Benatar
84. Winning, Santana
85. What Kind of Fool, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb - I can't figure out how to strike through, but I HATE this one!
86. Watching the Wheels, John Lennon
87. Tell It Like It Is, Heart
88. Smoky Mountain Rain, Ronnie Milsap
89. I Made It Through the Rain, Barry Manilow
90. You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', Daryl Hall and John Oates
91. Suddenly, Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard
92. For Your Eyes Only, Sheena Easton
93. The Beach Boys Medley, Beach Boys
94. Whip It, Devo
95. Modern Girl, Sheena Easton
96. Really Wanna Know You, Gary Wright
97. Seven Year Ache, Roseanne Cash
98. I'm Coming Out, Diana Ross
99. Miss Sun, Boz Scaggs
100. Time is Time, Andy Gibb

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Italy :: Rome. I took an awesome class in the history of ancient Rome several years back, as a result of having been fascinated by Rome since I was a kid. I loved it. Still do, and still read up on it every chance I get.


2. Honk :: Geese. Why geese? I'm not sure, except they have the most raucous honk I've ever heard, far less irritating than the honk of the guy behind me because I didn't start driving the second the light turned green despite the fact that the guy in front of me didn't start driving the second the light turned green.


3. Shades :: Cool. "My future's so bright I've got to wear shades." And isn't it funny how that song gets associated with coolness, bright outlooks, etc., when it's really about the world suffering a holocaust meltdown of Biblical proportions?


4. Tool :: Screwdriver. So what does this mean? I don't get enough sex? I don't, but that's another story and one that's far too private to share here.


5. Modern :: Art. I love modern art. I have postcard sized Picasso prints hanging up around my cube at work. I'm trying to find a postcard book of Kandinsky as well. And yet my calendar at work is of Pre-Raphaelite works, which I also love. Go figure.


6. Tension :: Stress. I don't like stress. I can feel it knotting up in my shoulders, making my head pound, until I just want to scream until everyone around me shuts up and stops talking about money and war and hatred and murder and child abuse.


7. Conservative :: Bush. I used to be a Conservative, politically. But I have too many questions that they don't answer satisfactorily. I'm not a Liberal either. I just think for myself. Makes voting difficult, but there you have it. And by the way, if you're in Texas, just know that I have decided to vote for Kinky Friedman for governor. Go Kinky!


8. Weight :: Losing. How mundane is that? And yet this morning when I got dressed, I realized that I am getting smaller. It's not enough yet that anyone else would notice, but I notice, and it feels good.


9. Insurance :: Ripoff. I get irate to think of how much money we have paid out in auto insurance over the years. We've filed only two claims on our own insurance. One was for towing, and one was for a minor fender-bender that ended up getting dropped because the other party ended up not pursuing the issue. So why is it that legally you are required to have insurance, yet if you use it, presumably for the purposes for which you are required to have it, you can then either get charged ever higher rates or else you can get dropped? That's reprehensible. And why do you have to pay higher rates if your credit sucks? That's reprehensible as well. My need for insurance has nothing to do with my credit score.


10. Political :: Tool. Too many people in public office seem to be tools of their political parties and care too little in reality for the people who voted them in. Well, let me be more specific. They care too little for the powerless people who voted them in. The people with the money and the power get kowtowed to as always. In the words of the Kingston Trio, "what nature doesn't do to us will be done by our fellow man."

My Pirate Name

Introducing:

Mad Charity Read!

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. Even through many pirates have a reputation for not being the brightest souls on earth, you defy the sterotypes. You've got taste and education. Arr!


Okay, yeah, lame, I know, but hey! It's Friday and I'm tired. I'm planning a VeronicaMarsithon to finish up season 1. And I've already got season 2 on my Netflix queue, and hope to get it quickly once it's released. Why did no one tell me about Veronica Mars????

Meaningful Mix CD

What songs would you have on your personal "meaningful mix" CD? Here are the questions (along with my answers).

1) A favorite political track.
The Man Who Never Returned - by the Kingston Trio

2) One of those tracks that make you dance on the dancefloor no matter what.
This is embarrassing, but Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic

3) The song you’d use to tell someone you love them.
I Will Be Right Here Waiting for You - Richard Marx

4) A song that has made you sit down and analyze its lyrics.
Biko - Peter Gabriel

5) A song that you like, that a two year old would like as well.
The Rubber Duckie Song - Ernie (Sesame Street)

6) A song that gives you an energy boost.
Ballroom Blitz - Sweet

7) A song that you and your grandparents (would probably) like.
Mambo Italiano - Bette Midler

8) A song that you really liked when you were 14-16, and still really like now.
You're in My Heart - Rod Stewart. I melt every time I hear this one!

9) A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life.
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel

10) A peppy song that would start the opening credits of the movie about your life.
Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder

11) A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess that you liked.
Fibre de Verre - Paris Combo

12) A song that you think should have been playing when you were born.
Hey, Good-Lookin' - Hank Williams

13) A favorite artist duo collaboration.
Roxanne '97 - Puff Daddy, Sting

14) A favorite song that you completely disagree with (politically, morally, commonsenically,
religiously etc.)
I Won't Tell No One Your Name - GooGoo Dolls. I disagree with this from a grammatical standpoint. Yes, I'm pedantic. Deal with it!

15) The song that you like despite the fact your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it.
Fat Bottom Girls - Queen

16) Your smooth song, for relaxing.
Stormy Weather - Joe Sample

17) A song you would send to someone you hate or are mad at.
Run, Shithead, Run - Mudhoney

18) A favorite track from an outfit considered a “super-group.”
Paperback Writer - Beatles

19) A song that makes you reminsce about good times with a family member.
Wild Thing - The Troggs.

20) Your favorite song at this moment in time.
It's a tie, both songs by the Dandy Warhols. We Used to be Friends and Bohemian Like You.

For me, this was a little tougher than I thought it would be, but fun. I think I'm going to have to make this mix CD! And I'm tagging you, Trista and Clover!

"Are You More?"

Are you more...

01) Banjo for the fun, danceable sound or violin for the soulful, spirit-lifting sound? Of the two, I prefer the violin to the banjo.

02) Bus/subway for cheapness and ecological responsibility or cab for door to door convenience? When I lived in Salt Lake City, I didn't have a car until after I was married, so this question I dealt with back then. I preferred the bus for cheapness the majority of the time. Of course, after I lugged home several bags full of groceries, including a heavy frozen turkey, only to have the bags split open and spill their contents over the grass as I exited the bus, I quickly learned to either walk or ride the bus to the grocery store, and take a taxi home.

03) Paper grocery bags for the capacity and biodegradableness or plastic grocery bags for the convenience and reusability? I like the paper grocery bags for the capacity, biodegradableness (is that even a word), AND the convenience and reusability. I loathe the plastic bags.

04) Liking fruit that you peel (bananas, oranges, etc.) or fruit that you don't peel (apples, pears, etc.)? I like both equally. I tend to eat at least one apple and one banana every day, as well as any other good fruit I can get my hands on. I LOVE cherries, even though I have to spit out the pits, and I LOVE canteloupe, even though I have to peel and cut it up.

05) Expensive 3-ply kleenex or discount 2-ply kleenex? I like the expensive 3-ply tissue with the lotion.

06) Super soft toilet paper to be cushy on your widdle bum or rough, no-nonsense toilet paper to be sure to get your dirty asshole clean? My house is more than 50 years old, which means my pipes are more than 50 years old. Give me the rough, no-nonsense toilet paper that doesn't clog the pipes!

07) Watching fake wrestling (WWE, for example) for the kitchy drama or watching real fighting (boxing, UFC, etc.) for the realness? Neither. Thanks.

08) Coy about telling people what you want when asked ("Oh I don't need anything.") or upfront about telling people what you want when asked ("I would LOVE a new watch.")? It depends upon who's doing the asking.

09) Believing NASA is amazing for inventing the Space Pen (works in no gravity) or believing NASA is stupid for not doing like the Russians who just use pencils? I believe NASA is amazing for all kinds of things, although the Space Pen isn't the feat I rank most highly.

10) A Spanky fan or an Alfalfa fan? Spanky, all the way. Although Alfalfa is cute!

The Scheherazade Project

Collard Greens and the Boston Monkey

"Oh, my gosh! Would you look at this?" Lisa giggled as she handed the book to me.

"The Boston Monkey?" The old black-and-white photograph showed a group of teenagers contorting themselves in a most unnatural fashion. I started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"What do you think about when you think of Boston?"

"I dunno. Something really prim and prissy, I guess."

"Uh-huh. And what do you think about when you think of Henry Jacobs?"

Lisa started making that snorting noise that always comes out when she's trying not to laugh too loud, and we both exploded into furious laughter. She grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the library before the ancient librarian got a chance to tell us off for making so much noise.

It was 1976. Albany, Georgia. Henry Jacobs was the prim and prissy son of a local undertaker, and I found him utterly irresistible. Okay, so maybe he wasn't all that prim and prissy, but he always walked like he had a rod up his butt that extended to his head, holding his body in perfect alignment. I pretended to hate him hoping that no one would know how I felt, but I wasn't particularly successful.

For the rest of that year, Lisa and I whispered and giggled about the "Boston Monkey" whenever we talked about Henry, or whenever he was near.

Henry retaliated in his own unique fashion.

"Okay, I'll call Carey, and he'll call Henry," Lisa planned.

"And I'll call Tony and he'll call Bubba."

You probably remember how that went. Get a friend to get a friend to call the object of your crush. Said F-O-A-F would casually drop your name into the conversation to find out if you had any chance with your crush. Why do kids do that? It never ends well.

I called Tony, who called Bubba, who did indeed have the hots for Lisa. I eagerly called her to spread the good news. "Lise, it's me."

She said hello, but sounded subdued. My stomach sank to my toes. "What did he say?"

"Well, I guess Carey wasn't the best choice. He didn't hint around. He just called Henry and and asked what he thought of you."

"And he hates me," I said dully. Why did I do this? I'm so stupid!

"Well, he didn't say that." Lisa hesitated, obviously trying to find the most delicate way to tell me Henry's true feelings.

Oh no! Henry likes Lisa, and Lisa doesn't want to tell me! That's not fair! Lisa already has Bubba! What does she need with Henry? She's the worst friend ever! I'm never talking to her again! "So what did he say?"

"Well, he said that you smell like--" Lisa's voice trailed off.

"What? I smell like shit? Just tell me already!" I was relieved that at least Henry wasn't drooling over Lisa.

"Collard greens."

I sat there completely stunned. If I had known the expression back then, it would have been a WTF moment. "Collard greens?"

"Yeah."

"Guys suck, don't they?"

"Yeah, they sure do," Lisa sympathized.

I didn't want to tell her about Bubba, but I decided that would be mean of me. "Well, at least Bubba likes you."

"He does?" Lisa yelped. "You're kidding! Tell me you're kidding!"

"Nope. Not kidding. Honest injun." We could say stuff like that, in the days before political correctness.

Lisa didn't say anything for a minute. "You know, I saw Bubba picking his nose in history class yesterday. He had his head behind a book, and didn't think anybody saw him."

I laughed. "Really?"

"Really. Guys stink."

"They sure do," I agreed. I realized again what a good friend Lisa was.

"Wanna go look at that book again tomorrow? I bet we can find a good name for Bubba."

Girlfriends. There's nothing like 'em.

What's new?

Well, that's what's new, first of all. Yep, I did it. Went back to Weight Watchers. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's the only program that works for me. Somehow I'm just in the zone right now, and I have had no problems whatsoever. I've been exercising 3-6 times a week, losing weight, feeling good, moving on.

What else? I still haven't been hired by the company I'm temping at. The VP has told me that he's gotten approval to reclassify my job position, has told me how much money I'll be making, and has turned the paperwork in to HR. That was almost 3 weeks ago. I learned last Friday that HR is waiting on the president of the company to sign off on the offer before I can get hired. It astounds me that something as relatively insignificant as reclassifying a position has to go all the way to the president of the company. But work's going reasonably well, and it will be nice when I'm once again making something much more closely approximating a living wage.

And more good news; Clover sent a query to an agent, and was requested to send in more info and 30 pages of her manuscript. So keep your fingers crossed for her. Clover is a fantastic writer, who has consistently worked at her craft and who has some amazing stories to tell. She's also--outside of family--the best friend I've ever had in my life. If you know what a cool person she was, you'd be totally jealous of me. Neener-neener!

On the Sophie front, it turns out it's just as well that things turned out the way they did. My brother and his former-gf have split up, so even if the gf's daughter had been pregnant, I doubt that they would still be wanting us to adopt. Joe and I are trying to look at things positively, and just keep on with our lifelong honeymoon. It's still depressing at times, though, I must admit.

Some fun personality tests

I know, I know--I've been totally lame about updating. I'll try to do better. In the meantime, here are some glimpses into my personality!

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to. You are a grounded person, but you also leave room for imagination and dreams. You feet may be on the ground, but you're head is in the clouds. You believe that people see you as larger than life and important. While this is true, they also think you're a bit full of yourself. Your near future is still unknown, and a little scary. You'll get through wild times - and you'll textually enjoy it. For you, falling in love is all about the adventure and uncertainty. You can only fall in love with someone who keeps you guessing.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a firestorm - full of intensity and drama.Your thoughts may seem scattered to you most of the time...But they often seem strong and passionate to those around you.You are a natural influencer. The thoughts you share are very powerful and persuading.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?