Bonanza

Yesterday, we stopped by a handcrafts/antiques store on the way to an audition for my sister. Among the other very old things and various and sundry bits of junk, there was a signed picture of the Bonanza cast. Though I considered it, I did not buy it.

 However, I am currently wavering in my resolve not to spend $22 on this my eccentricity. 

It looked something like this. 

Frank Sinatra and Mood Indigo

Singers nowadays. I mean really. I'm fed up.

With few exception, the female singers' voices are either auto-tuned beyond recognition, or so weak that either way they are impossible to tell apart from each other. And the male singers...if they don't sound like girls--which too many do--I wouldn't be able to tell the one from another. Honestly, I couldn't differentiate Kenny Chesney from Tim McGraw to save my life, and that's just country. Oh yeah, and what is the attraction to a certain much-mocked Canadian superstar? My faith in humanity is certainly on the downhill slope.

My personal favorite singer hails from a different decade, a different era...a different style and skill entirely. I by that, I mean that Frank Sinatra is approximately 100x better than any of the poor excuses that society offers today.

Sinatra had a manly voice, a smooth voice, and he sang elegant and intelligent thoughts of days of bygone romance. Still, some would choose various modern "artists" over my favorite. How dare they! (Just kidding, I understand that it's their preference...and everyone has one life to mess up any way they want. I guess.)

A friend once told me that Taylor Swift had songs for every feeling and every emotion. Songs for mean people. Songs for sad people. Songs for cheating people...and a couple of ditties for happy people. 

Sinatra, on the other hand, only sang happy songs for people in love and people who were only ever happy and hopeful all the time. His music was for the chronic optimist. 

I had a difficult time refuting this, as up until that time I had only listened to all the happy songs...even the slow-paced ones weren't exactly depressing. So I was forced to rest with the fact that my favorite was more skilled by far than Miss Swift, but woefully lacking in variety. 

That is what I thought...until the other day. Friday, I believe it was, I found a whole new realm of Sinatra, one that was wonderful for that moment. I found not just sentimental, but heart-breakingly sad songs, all on the same marvelous album.

Mood Indigo

Glad to Be Unhappy

In the Wee Small Hours

Deep in a Dream

...and my favorite, I Get Along Without You Very Well. 

and many others. 

I knew that I Frank Sinatra was my favorite singer, but I didn't fully realize on how many levels. Now, I will be sure to listen to one of his songs in any mood, since there's always one that fits.

Also, Frank Sinatra wore the greatest hats. I think that all men should wear hats like his. 

Frying Pans...Who Knew, Right?

(The title is catchy, but has nothing to do with the below post, everyone will be relieved to note. Well, nothing save the last three words.)

The days between Monday and Wednesday this past week were consumed with a Classical Conversations  practicum (seminar/summer camp). It was really quite interesting--on many levels, some of which were nice...and some rather eye-opening. Not only were there multiple lessons in humanity and related phenomena, but I made a personal discovery of huge proportion. 

 Let me explain: my mother and sisters were signed up for different classes during the practicum, but since I have reached the ripe old age of 17, the only recourse was to have me be a volunteer. So, I was assigned to the nursery to care for various and sundry small children. Shouldn't be too bad, right? I mean, don't babies mostly only sleep and play? There might be an occasional crier, but I can handle that! I'm not a wimp...

...after the first morning, though, I found that I was not *ahem* gifted with the patience or fortitude to sit in a confined space with three or more implacable babies (of whose habits I was completely in the dark) squalling at me. Thankfully, the volunteer coordinator offered me the chance for a "change of scenery" and I was glad to take her up on it. From then on, I was able to avoid stepping foot into the nursery, as I was transferred instead to the speech camp (where my sisters just happened to be enrolled. Mwahaha).

It was rather large, loud and chaotic class of children who may or may not have been fed a couple of spoonfuls of sugar mixed with Red Bull for breakfast, I'm not really sure. It was sort of comical how little it took for the room to descend into cacophony. However, despite this fact (or perhaps, because of it), I made a discovery that positively rocked my world.

I, who have never fully embraced babysitting, who have hitherto been convinced that kids didn't like me and that the feeling was mutual...I have now changed my point of view and begun to wonder if it's just a certain age group that I don't do well with! This is quite a mystery that must be thought through.

Upon further contemplation, I think that I may have figured it out. I think.

The thing about kids that age is that they (for the most part) are old enough to be reasoned with (to a certain degree) and yet still young enough to be devoid of much of the attitude that tends accompany the middle-school years. I won't say that they will always be negotiated with, or that they never have an attitude, but by-and-large they are in a lovely in-between zone that makes for a nice dynamic and experience (for me).

I knew that I loved teaching violin, but I thought that it was mostly about  imparting the knowledge of the violin itself. I now begin to wonder if it's because I like the age group. As my mother pointed out, I am descended from a long line of teachers; teachers of the Bible, teachers of music, homeschooling mothers. I don't know if there's anything in it, but hey...I'll buy it for what it's worth.


Well, this observation is drawing to a close. I enjoyed volunteering at this practicum and being around the kids, it was a great experience. However, sitting and attempting to keep these kids quiet from 9-4 for two days has ingrained a habit, so I would like to apologize in advance and hope that anyone that I come in contact with will forgive me if I appear bossier than usual or patronizingly shush them. I don't mean to, it's just a kind of reflex at this point. I'm a-working on it.

Olivia

Vida Bella--Ketchup in My World

I can't even express the relief that I feel now that my Junior year is *just about* over. In many respects, it was one crazy blur of Chemistry, Shakespeare, Speech, Violin, Teaching, and other such busy business.

I haven't really had any time for creativity. I did make a 1940s style dress over Christmas break, which I managed to forget to get any pictures of over the winter....and there is no way that I am putting on a wool 3/4 sleeve dress at this time of year, retro as it is. However, other than that, I was singularly uninspired this past year. 

I watched Season 2 of "Sherlock"...'twas awesome. (Episodes 2 and 3, I did not see Episode 1, due to...content. Why, writers? Why?)

I am very excited to be going up to the DFW area to participate in the Republican State Convention! I will be a page, and the whole experience is shaping up to be very enjoyable  for my politics-loving self...and crossed fingers, I may even get to meet Rick Santorum.

I have recently discovered that, while physically exhausting, baking is a very rewarding pasttime. I also enjoy ironing. (Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that one of my favorite TV shows is available online, and ironing is a good way to justify taking the time to view it...)

I am currently beginning planning what will be my "graduation ceremony," a senior recital. Trying to figure out what to play...definitely some challenging pieces, Bach, Mendelssohn...but I'm also hoping to collaborate with people and throw and little Gershwin and swing in there (Anyone reading this...any suggestions? What swing era/ jazz/blues songs do you think would sound good on the violin?)

My birthday is one week away...hard to believe that I will be another year older so soon. Good thing I like roadtrips, because that's what I'll be doing! I'll just have to remember to bring my Alison Krauss along. ;)

Well, to end this post, I was going around my computer, looking at all the silly photos and memes I have saved...and found this. Random, but true. I <3 Texas. 

Cheerio! 

Olivia

Whirlwinds

(no particular reason for this pic, except it makes me happy)

First off, I want to thank everyone who offered words of comfort after the tragic events of two weeks ago. All of your sympathies were very much appreciated. Thank you...

I've been ridiculously busy lately, which does indeed explain why posting just hasn't been happening. Here's some of the things that I've done:

- Homework. Writing papers, reading books, trying (trying, trying, trying) to process the gobbledy-gook that is Chemistry (and math), violin...this doesn't even scratch the surface of the mind-bending craziness.

-I got to volunteer at a banquet for a pregnancy help center last Tuesday. It was a blast, and I really enjoyed it...but I also have decided that I should never be a waitress.


-I saw West Side Story (film) a couple of days ago. It was an amazing movie. I kind of hated the two lead characters (Tony especially just got on my nerves), but I cried at the end.  Possibly because it was late at night. Anyways, I may or may not be getting a movie review of sorts up here in the near or not-near future. (See how non-committal I sound? See above.)


- I have proven the fact that I'm happier and smarter when my room in neat. It's decided...I hiring a maid.

- I am very angry that "Sherlock" Series 2 doesn't come out till May. Very Angry.

- I am very happy that an Orange Leaf has opened up in the neighborhood. If you don't know what that is, you need to Google it. If there's not one near you...move.

- Heels and pearl necklaces with an all black outfit make me happy. I think I'll wear them everyday. Yes.

- Well, that's pretty much it for today. I am looking forward to yet another jam-packed week, and here's hoping I squeeze a little living in there!

The End.

Letter Tag

Comment to this entry/post and I'll give you a letter. List ten things that you love that begin with that letter and then post that list on your journal/blog.

Marian gave me "S"...awesome. :)

Sinatra. Frank.
SHERLOCK
Sisters (the Andrews. And mine.)
Shoes
Singing in the shower (two for one, not bad!)
Scarlett (the name)
San Antonio
Sydney Carton (of A Tale of Two Cities fame)
"Since You Went Away"
Spencer Tracy

The Death of a Bookstore

oh, maybe just a little. Let's just say...Borders is closing and I'm all very sorry. Mostly, I'm glad because it forced such really nice sales as this one. The sticker says: $4.99. Cue a happy squeal.


Coffee table book or no, this has so many really nice quality pictures and quotes.

Because I am crazy and had $10 to spend before the store collapsed on our heads, I bought two. Isn't that great?

Anyway, I'm done ranting and raving and bragging now. How are you? ;)