Saturday 9: We Belong Together

Saturday 9: We Belong Together (2005)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 20 years ago, "We Belong Together" is about the end of this romantic relationship. Mariah sings that now she won't have anyone to talk to on the phone until the sun comes up. That was then. Today many people prefer to text than to talk on the phone. Are you one of those people?

A. I prefer a telephone conversation to a text. Texting has its place, but once you get past 4 texts you may as well pick up the phone and call.

2) The video for this song features an elaborate wedding. Tell us about the last wedding you attended.

A. I can't remember the last wedding I attended. I haven't been to one in at least 20 years.

3) Mariah believes she inherited her musical gifts from her mom, who was an opera singer and vocal coach. When things were hectic in their household, Mariah recalls that music helped bring her and her mom closer together. Share a happy childhood memory featuring you and one of your parents.

A. I remember my father teaching me how to learn how to ride a bicycle.

4) After graduating from high school in Long Island, Mariah Carey went to Manhattan in search of stardom. While waiting for her big break, she enrolled in beauty school and waited tables. Both stylists and servers receive gratuities for their services. Do you consider yourself a good tipper?

A. I think I am. I'm not a bad tipper, anyway. 

5) The Fresh Air Fund operates six camps in the New York area to provide kids with a chance to learn and explore outdoors. They named Camp Mariah in Ms. Carey's honor to thank her for her support. Here's your chance to toot your own horn. Tell us about an honor you received. (Anything from a major award to a handmade drawing that says "World's Best Mom" counts. We want to hear about it.)

A. Last October I received an award for my work in historic preservation in my community. It was mostly for writing the magazine celebrating Botetourt County's 250th anniversary, but also for many other writing projects I have done through the years to promote historic preservation.

6) Mariah has mentioned she enjoys pizza and red wine. Will you be enjoying either pizza or red wine this weekend?

A. I will not be enjoying either one this weekend.

Let's look at the summer of 2005.

7) The biggest news story that summer was Hurricane Katrina. This deadly and destructive storm killed over 1,000 people and did more than $100 billion in damage. Have you ever endured a natural disaster (such as hurricane, flood, landslide, tornado, blizzard, wildfire)?

A. We had a major flood in 1985, known as the Flood of '85. In Roanoke, the Roanoke River rose 18.57 ft (5.66 m) in ten hours to a peak of 23.35 ft (7.12 m), considered a 1 in 200-year event. In the city, many residents had to be rescued after they were trapped, and three people drowned by driving into flooded waters. Considered the worst flood on record in the city, Roanoke sustained $225 million in damage, with 3,100 damaged homes and businesses. My husband was on duty that day and was one of the firefighters rescuing people. I was in Roanoke at a doctor's appointment and after going from route to route to avoid flooded roads, I finally found a way to the interstate, only to find I could not get home because of ponding water and mudslides. Eventually I was able to get home via a long back road, only to find my basement flooded. That was the worst one. However, several times we have had to evacuate from vacations at Myrtle Beach due to hurricanes.

8) Popular that summer was Kingda Ka, the new roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Jackson, NJ. At the time, it was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Have you been to any fairs or amusement parks this summer?

A. I have not been to anything but the farmers' market this summer.

9) Award-winning American figure skater Alysa Liu was born in August of 2005. NBC Sports and their Peacock network report that figure skating events get high ratings. What's your favorite sport to watch on TV?

A. I like watching the WNBA these days. I like figure skating too, though, when I catch it on.

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I encourage you to visit the posts of other participants in Saturday 9 and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.