Got Something To Sell Ya

The Brooklyn Bridge, a couple of May's ago

I recently discovered a new (to me) Frank Sinatra song, a miracle of miracles which happens on occasion.  Love hearing that familiar voice sing words I've never heard strung together before.

The latest discovery is called "The Brooklyn Bridge," a lilt-y little number.  Good for swaying.  Please to enjoy:

(Lyrics by Sammy Cahn; music by Jule Styne)

 

It's Time

I came home one evening to find our Super had decorated the building's lobby.  It is very tinsel-y and... eclectic.  (And by "eclectic" I mean "I am just being polite.") 

I do kinda like this Santa face, though.  His twinkling eyes stare down at me while I collect my LL Bean catalogues from the mailbox.

[Open Letter to LL Bean:  Please stop sending me catalogues!  I've gotten three in the last week, and I have never bought a thing from you.  If, in the future, I find myself needing a quality flannel shirt or a monogrammed tote bag, I will look you up on the internet.  But for now - let's cool it on the catalogues?]

In other news, December 12th is Frank Sinatra's birthday. Do you know he co-wrote a Christmas song?  It's true - "Mistletoe & Holly" is a cute little number and you can watch a cute little version from 1957 here.  (Back when it was a "newer song" brought to you by cigarettes.)

Oh, by gosh, by golly - It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents, countrysides covered with snow
Oh, by gosh, by jingle - It's time for carols and Kris Kringle
Overeating, merry greetings, from relatives you don't know
Then comes that big night, giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight, singing a Yuletide hymn
Oh, by gosh, by golly - It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties and granny's pies, and folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you, Frankie.

I Believe
December Photo Project Day #12

Macy's at Herald Square

Today would have been Mr. Frank Sinatra's 95th birthday.

I celebrated by listening to his music, especially the Christmas songs.  I have discovered a new (to me) Frank song this season - "I Believe" - a frothy, upbeat little number (don't analyze those lyrics too hard). I love finding Frank songs I've never heard before - just when I thought I knew it all, along comes the Chairman of the Board with something new to tell me.

A couple of years ago, my great-aunt passed away.  As her daughter was cleaning out Aunt Helen's house, she came across some photos of Helen's sister - my grandmother - and passed the pictures along to me.  One of them I had never seen before: my grandmother, my Mimi, looking so young, with her hair set and a smile on her face.  She's been gone for 17 years now; after all this time, to get a new glimpse into who she had been, to see a snapshot from a hitherto unknown moment of her life, was such a treasure.

"I Believe" isn't exactly the same sort of treasure, but I think you get what I'm trying to say.

And what I'm trying to say is this: Happy Frank Sinatra's Birthday, everyone!

May we continue to be pleasantly surprised with new perspectives and new songs to sing.

Yahrzeit

The late, great Mr. Frank Sinatra passed away on May 14th, 1998. 

On May 14th, 1998, I was at Beach Week in Duck, North Carolina, following my second year of college.  Some friends and I had rented a house, and we had just watched the final episode of Seinfeld when the news about Frank come on the TV.  The Voice was gone.

He had faults and flaws and a temper.  Mob connections?  Strained relationships.  But the man could wear a hat and snap his fingers and croon a tune like no other.

And when I hear The Voice - anytime I hear The Voice - I smile.

Here's to you, Frankie - irreplaceable, irascible, incandescent you.  Thanks for leaving behind the soundtrack to my smiles.

One For My Baby

(Source)

Progress on my 2010 Reading List has been slow-going.

Here we are in late-March (already?!) and I've only completed 1.5 books out of the 12 on my list.

I could toss around justifiable and sound excuses as to why I haven't made swifter progress, but I won't.  Let's not go down the excuses road.  I'll just admit: I haven't made much time for reading.  I'll see if I can (gently) correct that, going forward. 

Because you know what? Reading is important.

It's the one thing that separates us from the animals.  Well, that and our ability to accessorize.  (Name that movie!!)

The Whole Megillah



The Jewish holiday of Purim begins today, so I thought I'd pass along this scene from Christopher Guest's mockumentary, "For Your Consideration."  Not because it sheds much light on the holiday; just because I think it's funny. 

The holiday of Purim is - in brief - a celebration of the events described in the book of Esther, which is one of five books in the Bible referred to as "megillot" (or, scrolls).  Each megillah is relatively short, and each is read liturgically on a particular holiday during the Jewish calendar.

Thinking about the megillah of Esther today called another song to mind (one even catchier than "The Purim Song," above) -  "Come Blow Your Horn," written by Sammy Cahn & Jimmy Van Heusen and popularized by the late, great Mr. Frank Sinatra (who else?).  The first bridge of the song employs the Yiddish phrase "the whole megillah," thus providing our very tenuous connection to Purim.

"Come Blow Your Horn" was used in a movie by the same name, based on a Neil Simon play, which tells the story of a swingin' sixties bachelor who tries to convert his younger brother to his womanizing ways. In the lyrics below, we see the older brother's philosophy of life, as he indoctrinates his younger brother on how to make a splash with the ladies:

Make like a Mister Milquetoast - and you'll get shut out
Make like a Mister Meek - and you'll get cut out
Make like a little lamb - and wham you're shorn
I tell you chum - it's time to come - blow your horn

Make like a Mister Mumbles - and you're a zero
Make like a Mister Big - they dig a hero
You've got to sound your "A" - the day you're born
I tell you chum - it's time to come - blow your horn

The taller the tree is - the sweeter the peach
I'll give you the whole magilla [sic]- in a one word speech - reach!

Make like the world's your pudding - but light the brandy
Even the mildest kiss - is a dan-dan-dandy
There'll be no love in bloom - come doomsday morn
I tell you chum - it's time to come - blow your horn

In civilized jungles - females adore
The lions who come on swinging - if you want to score - roar

You can be either read to - or be the reader
You can be either lead - or be the leader
Don't wait until you're told - you're old and worn

Take in some air - and get your lips puckered
Before you find - you're simply too tuckered

I tell you chum - it's time to come - blow your horn.

Fun song, right?  But  - beyond the use of "megillah" - how does it relate to Purim?  Well, it doesn't.  Not really.  I just had a Sinatra song stuck in my head, and I felt like sharing.

And yet - hang on just one dan-dan-dandy second - maybe there is something of the spirit of Esther contained here in these Sammy Cahn lyrics after all?

Granted, the book of Esther does not condone swingin' machismo - no roaring lions looking to score. King Xerxes, whose carousing & bravado led to unfair treatment of his first wife and rash promises to his assistant, is not the hero of the Purim story.  Nor does the Bible condemn being meek or lamb-like across the board.  Rather than getting you "cut out" or "shut out," these qualities are your ticket in to God's presence.

However, there is a "doomsday morn" in Esther's story, and in light of this impending destruction she is advised by her uncle not to wait, not to do nothing, but instead to blow her proverbial horn.  To reveal her true identity to King Xerxes while there was still time.  To sound her "A" and exercise her position of power. Because "who knows but that [she had] come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

So there you have it - a call to action, a call to boldery, a call to blow your horn when the time comes.  A tall order in a short megillah, a catchy song by Sammy Cahn, and something to celebrate.

Happy Purim, chums!

Epiphany

On my birthday, a sweet former employer wrote on my Facebook page, "Hope the year is filled with...crazy moments that make you laugh until you cry."

Quite prescient of her - just hours later I was doubled over on a South End sidewalk, nearly unable to breathe, tears streaming down my face, as the Trafmeister Jenneral told the most hilarious steak dinner story you've ever heard in your life.

Good golly, that girl is funny.

But before that, earlier in the day, I was in the North End with MadDawg. We sought refuge from the cold, huddling around a back table at Caffe Vittorio (above). And as we sat there, comforted by coffee and cannoli, I heard a familiar voice.

It was Mr. Frank Sinatra, singing an unfamiliar song on the stereo.

Now, let me tell you something (and I'm not bragging - this information is vital to understanding the gravity of the situation): I own one 4-cd boxed set, one 3-cd boxed set, two 2-cd boxed sets, and seven individual cd's (plus one Christmas album) of Ol' Blue Eyes' music. I'm no stranger to the Sinatra oeuvre.

And still - still! - the song playing in Vittorio was new to me. Never before heard. An undiscovered gem.

I thought it was a pretty swell birthday present.

And then I thought: if Frank - a mere mortal who has been gone nearly fifteen years - can still surprise me with goodness, how much more so can the living God surprise me with goodness?

Gotta remember that. Gotta really remember that in 2010.

Here's to thawing cynicism and daring to walk the scary tight rope of hope in the new year.

Oh By Gosh, By Golly

City Bakery on a Saturday

"Today is Frank Sinatra's birthday," I told SBG, as we waited in line to meet our hero.

"Really? I should download some of his Christmas tunes."

"I recommend 'Mistletoe & Holly," I said, "Frank helped write it himself."

Shortly thereafter, the line inched us forward out of the dark, back hallway in Chelsea Market and into the bright presence of blogging/cooking/photo-taking greatness that is THE PIONEER WOMAN (We love you, Ree!!!!!!!!!).

She was gracious and lovely, just as we imagined. As she signed our cookbooks, Ree told SBG and I that we looked like New Yorkers. Which we took to be a compliment of the highest order.

We floated away, out into the day, and set off in search of caffeine. We landed at City Bakery, perched on bar stools on the second floor, watching the action below us and discussing life, love, and the pursuit of (career) happiness.

And as we sat there, from the loudspeaker on our left came the familiar voice of the birthday boy himself, singing, "Oh by gosh, by golly / It's time for mistletoe & holly..."

Yep, I guess it is.

Happy Birthday, Frank! And Happy Saturday, SBG!

PS - Countdown is ON! Only two (2) short months until the Olympics!!!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

Daily December Pic #12: Frank among Family Fotos

I suppose it's no secret around these parts that I have an affinity for one Mr. Frank Sinatra.

I wish I could tell you just why I'm such an avid, rabid fanatic for all things Frank. But I'm not quite sure, myself. If forced to put a finger on it, I guess I would say that Frank has a certain...je ne sais quoi that makes me...je ne sais pas. Hopefully that sheds some light on the situation for you.

What I do know is that whenever I catch an earful of his crooning, my face lights up. An involuntary happiness tic: I could be grumpy and grousing, but when I hear Frank's voice that all gets pushed aside for a moment. I take a deep breath. I smile. Frank just makes me happy.

So today on December 12th, though he is ten years gone now, I want to broadcast a very "Happy Birthday, Frank!" Here's looking at you, kid.

Sinatra: 10 Years Gone

I let the month of May slip by without stopping to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Frank's death. Luckily the USPS and TurnerClassicMovies commemorated plenty.

I wandered by this building a few weeks ago in the Village. Don't you think I should live there!? Of course, now that 'Sinatra: The Man and His Movies' month has come and gone, Frank's face has probably been paved over with a new underwear ad or something. Ah, the times, they are a'changing...

To Francis, On His Birthday

Would that I could journey across the river to Hoboken
Look around and pay my respects
Hoping to hear words of you there still spoken

Ninety-two years ago today the mold was broken
“Call Me Irresponsible,” but
“I Get a Kick Out of You” and I ain’t jokin’.

Frank Loveliness

Last week I had some extra time after a doctor's appointment and before class, so I headed over to the bookstore at Columbus Circle to do some browsin'. After clearing the escalators on the 2nd floor, however, I forgot all thoughts of books when I found myself caught in a stare from Ol' Blue Eyes.

I had inadvertantly wandered into a new photography installation, featuring black-and-white photos of Mr. Frank Sinatra, as taken by Terry O'Neill. The pictures (some are life size!) are a mix of captivating candid and posed shots, and you can read more about them here, if interested. If you're a New Yorker, come on down to Columbus Circle and experience the wonder first-hand! If you're farther afield, don't fear! The photographs are being published in a book entitled, Sinatra: Frank and Friendly, due out this month.

While walking amidst the installation, I felt a little as though I was looking at old family photos. A strange notion, for sure, to think of Sinatra as family. I've got no explanation for it - maybe he reminds me of my uncles, maybe we could say his voice (The Voice!) transports me to an age of innocence that I associate with youth and being surrounded by family - who knows? Perhaps a pyschologist could get to the root of it, but I bet I've got bigger fish to fry in therapy than my Frank obsession :)

In any case, to sum up: Frank is family, and check out these photos! They're fantastic.