friday 5: this was the week that was, in 1969

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1. How do you feel about bowling? (May 9: Billy Hardwick wins the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America all-star bowling tournament)

I don’t really have any feelings about it one way or another. I do, however, have a story about bowling. When I was a freshman in high school, back in the cold wilds of northern New York, bowling was a required part of gym class. For six weeks, we were bussed from the school to the local lanes, we bowled, we went back to school. For six weeks, I hid in the girls’ bathroom, and no one ever caught on. My friends knew I cut, but no once did a teacher ask about my absence OR even mark me absence. So I entirely got away with it. Now, why did I cut bowling? Because I was utterly grossed out about putting my feet in shoes strangers wore. I mean, seriously creeved out about it. It wasn’t gonna happen, so it didn’t.

2. How do you feel about the comedy of Monty Python, and do you have a favorite bit? (May 11: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin form Monty Python)

I confess… I’m not at all into Monty Python. But it has been years, so maybe I should give it a shot again. Any recommendations?

3. How many Cate Blanchett films have you seen, and do you have a favorite? (May 14: Cate Blanchett is born)

The ones that come to mind are the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit movies, personal favorites of mine.

4. What would you like to get back? (May 14: “Get Back” by the Beatles is the number one song in America)

My youth? My faith in humanity? My family? Oof… that got dark.

5. Who’s your favorite Joni, and who’s your favorite Mitchell? Alternate spellings and forms of the name are allowed! (May 17: Joni Mitchell is on the cover of Rolling Stone #33)

I love Joanie Sprague, a model-turned-carpenter who was on Trading Spaces. She’s hilarious! And I do love me some Joni Mitchell; her voice is divine. And maybe a Joan-adjacent, Joan Baez? As for Mitchells… there’s Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And Kenneth Mitchell, the actor and later an activist for ALS. He passed last year due to the disease.