That Voice!

Dear friend,
It has been a very "Frankie" week for me.  I'm not complaining at all.

I don't have a celebrity crush on Frank Sinatra, mind you.  This isn't a case of "protesting too much," I just want to clear that up. A few years ago my Dad was under the impression that I had a crush on Cary Grant, when I didn't.  This is the same sort of thing; I love them, but I don't love them. (I do have a silly, little crush on a member of the Rat Pack, but it isn't Frank, and I'm not telling you who it is, so don't ask)

Anyway, as I said, it's been a very Frankie sort of week for me.  Turner Classic Movies aired a movie called the Kissing Bandit, which I just had to watch, since Frank was in it.  I have a fondness for Frank's early movies, ones where he played a lovable dork who was so nervous around women that he had no idea what to do.  He was such a little, skinny, silly looking dude that the roles fit him very well.  In my opinion, the only thing this movie had going for it was Frank. It was silly, beyond the point of being able to be taken seriously. The costumes were ridiculous, so much so that I burst into laughter at the sight of some of them.  Frank didn't sing nearly enough, either.  Still, I enjoyed watching it. 

A few other Frank movies were on but I, unfortunately, didn't catch all the way through.  I did, as I mentioned at the end of my birthday post, watched Ocean's 11.  I got it out of curiosity about the Rat Pack.  I enjoyed the movie, enough to look past it's ridiculousness.  (And like I said, I now have a crush on someone in the Rat Pack. Just for fun, use the process of elimination, it's not Dean or Sammy, either.)

The day after my birthday, I used some of my abundant supply of itunes money to buy a few "Essential" albums by Frank and Dean Martin.  I love them both. I don't know why it had taken me so long to get actual CDs from either of these two amazing singers, instead of picking up a song by them here or there.

My brother and my sister-in-law sent me a few musicals on DVD as birthday presents.  They sent me Singing in the Rain and Guys and Dolls.  The smile on my face as I opened the package was considerable. I love both of these movies but had never gotten around to buying either one.  As I write, I'm gleefully watching Guys and Dolls, enjoying the fact that Nathan Detroit, and so many others, aren't using contractions. Or should I say, are not using contractions.

I used to love those cartoons making fun of his screaming and swooning fans.  They were really my first indication that Sinatra existed.  Perhaps they were a strong influence on me, since I consider myself something of a Frank Sinatra fangirl.  I was amused to learn that some of those screaming fans were actresses hired and paid to make him seem more popular.

I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing that man sing. It's been an enjoyable week.

Birthday? Today? Really?

Dear Friend,
Twenty (something) years ago today I was born.  That, apparently, is a reason to celebrate. As usual, the uncontrollable act of growing a year older has left me thinking over my past, present and future.  Perhaps someday I will pass the twenty-sixth day of the year without becoming so pensive, though this year isn't the year that it will occur.

I actually celebrated on Monday, since the weather forecast for today was not compatible with a grand day out.  My mum and I went shopping, to many of my favorite stores, and ate lunch at my favorite restaurant, Noodles and Company.  It was a pleasant day, with a lot of laughs and resulted in my acquiring a new pair of boots.

As for today, it has been a lazy day, a rainy day, a calm and pleasant day.  Thanks to Netflix I was able to try a new television series, The Murdoch Mysteries.  It was fun to watch, fulfilling many of the little categories that indicate an interesting show for me; Canadian, period setting and solving mysteries.

It seems to be my parents have established a tradition for my birthday, buying me Breyer model horses.  This year I received the models made for the World Equestrian games and the 60th Anniversary of Breyer.  They're both very pretty, very dramatic sculptures that I think will compliment my extensive collection nicely.

Well, last year I wrote about feeling like I was on the edge of a big change.  Considering I'm writing this entry in almost exactly the same circumstances as I was when I wrote that one, it would seem I was wrong.  There are two ways to react to this, with frustration or with hope.  I will choose the latter.  Though I no longer feel that a big change is waiting just around the corner, I do know that God has a plan for me, and as long as I'm living my life for Him, I know I'm living for something.

I'm off to watch the original Ocean's 11, which I've never seen before.

Another birthday, I look forward to many more.

Downton Abbey pt. 2

Dear Friend,
So, how about that episode of Downton? I (and there is a spoiler in this sentence, just to warn you) didn't know whether to gasp in shock or laugh hysterically when that guy died.  He wasn't a nice man, but ... wow!

This episode wasn't as interesting, unfortunately, but I'm still curious to see where this series goes. I'm glad to see that the cousin (I'm horrible with names, I'm sorry) was able to see that his valet was much happier doing his job instead of being made to feel useless and superfluous.  I can't figure out if the middle daughter likes this guy or if she just always wants what is meant for her older sister.

This episode had a lot of graphic, bloody things going on. I hate blood, so I spent a few scenes with my hands over my eyes and squealing until the shot changed.

More next week, I suppose.

Just Watched Downton Abbey pt. 1

Dear Friend,
I did enjoy the first part of Downton Abbey. There was only one thing about it that I didn't really enjoy. I spent at least half an hour looking at a character saying, "You're gay, right? You're totally gay," and then found out that I was right. It took my out of the plot, and both parties involved were each wholly unlikable. As far as everything else went, I was interested in what was going on, and had the proper reaction to each of the characters. I often have trouble following plots with an abundance of characters, and I am slightly unclear on a few things, but overall I believe I know what's going on.
I'm slightly annoyed by the storyline that a certain character is unused to the lifestyle of a very rich person who has servants running around their house and feels that they are "better" than the rich person because they are self-reliant. I do appreciate that they showed the heir, the character who holds this view, offending his valet. He seemed to realize in that moment that even though he felt the man's job was silly, and he said so, it wasn't silly to the valet; it was all he knew in life, and very important to him. I'm interested to see how he adjusts to this life he'll most likely be saddled with.
The eldest daughter I'm not sure how I feel about. I can't tell if we're supposed to sympathize with her or think that she's a useless piece of vain baggage. Well, it's part one, so I'm sure the rest of the series will shed more light on her character.

There were many clever and quotable lines, though in classic "me" fashion, I've forgotten most of them already.

Possibly a new PBS Masterpiece series to love!

Dear Friend,
Tonight on PBS they will begin airing the miniseries (?) Downton Abbey.

Online the buzz for this series has been pretty widespread. I've been curious about it for awhile, but I'll admit to not knowing much about it. I hope I enjoy it.

In other news, I've started a new blog, with a different purpose. If you're curious, you can find it here, but I shall warn you, as of now it's completely empty. There is an explanation of what it is, but no content yet.

Happy New Year

Just to get the blog started on the right foot for 2011!

Happy New Year, my friend! May it be blessed, happy and awesome!

Here's to more regular posts this year! Love you!