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Holy nostalgia, Batman!

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1) This song gives encouragement to someone who is enduring heartache. Have you more recently given support, or received it?

I’ve both given it and received it. I think there’s a lot of people going through some stuff right now, so the support is often going both ways.

2) “Hold On” is featured prominently in the 2011 movie Bridesmaids. It’s an anthem for the friends in the film and they love to sing it together. Is there a song that reminds you of good times with a good friend?

Pretty much any hair band song brings back high-school memories. This song reminds me of my friend Dee, who I met while in the Army. She’s someone who continues to be incredibly important to me. Is this a deep song? Nope. But it still brings good memories. I still know every word of it.

3) The video for this song finds Wilson Phillips outdoors on a snowy mountainside and then on a sandy beach. What’s the view outside your window?

On one side, the street and the houses across the street. On the other, a fence line and palm trees.

4) The mountain segments were filmed in California’s San Gabriel Mountains. The girls were flown to the set by helicopter. Have you ever been in a helicopter?

Too many times to count. I don’t recommend flying in a Chinook without a rubber mouth guard. It’s hard on the teeth.

5) The members of Wilson Phillips are authentic “California Girls.” Wendy and Carnie Wilson’s father is Brian Wilson, who wrote the Beach Boys hit. Chynna Phillips is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, who sang “California Dreamin’.” Have you been to California? If yes, where did you visit?

I lived there twice, a little more than a year each time. The first time was in 1990-1991, the second a few years later. I lived in Monterey the first time, at the Presidio of Monterey while I was studying Polish at the Defense Language Institute. The second time I lived on then-still existing Fort Ord outside of Seaside while I was at DLI for Vietnamese.

6) Another generation of the Wilson family has entered the music business. Carnie’s daughter/Brian Wilson’s granddaughter, Lola Bonfiglio, participated in the current season of American Idol. Has a family member followed you in your chosen profession?

Definitely not. I’m the sole former military person, sole fiction author, sole editor. BUT my oldest is a forensic anthropologist and a professor and a published writer of science stuff, so author-adjacent.

7) In 1990, when this song was popular, satellite radio was in its infancy and streaming was unheard of. Our cars gave us a choice of AM/FM and maybe CD player/tape deck. When you’re driving and a favorite song comes on, are you more likely to sing along if you’re alone? Or don’t you care if anyone hears you?

I don’t give a damn. If I wanna sing, I sing.

8) Also in 1990, actor Alan Hale Jr. died. He was “the skipper” on Gilligan’s Island. Without looking it up, can you name the other six castaways? (If not the actors, then their characters.)

Well, Gilligan’s easy. Then Mary Ann and Ginger. The Professor and The Howells. That’s all of them.

9) Random question: What superhero would you like to have as your best friend?

Black Canary could be fun. Harley Quinn if you into some weird stuff. The Scarlet Witch, maybe?