Friday, March 30, 2012

Randomness 6

Remember, kids, drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is very, very bad. Public intoxication is most unbecoming. Things like this go down on your record.

But it's still funny as all get out.

Drunk Guy Sings Bohemian Rhapsody


Let this be a lesson to you, my children...

Your pal,
Angels

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Had to Share This 10

I've only got time for a quickie here! You know you love this one!

Prince - Kiss



Carry on, folks...

Your pal,
Angels

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Reviews From an HBN (Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen)

I put off reviewing Harry Potter again in favor of this one. Don't give me that look, it's still off the BBC's list!

         Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love. 

MY RATING: 5 STARS

Here follows my review as posted on GoodReads (rewritten in light of a recent change of opinion!):

  ** spoiler alert ** I'll admit it, I didn't like this half so well the first time I read it. I was too attached to Ang Lee's film adaptation for the book to ever measure up. Second time around, however, my opinion has entirely changed, and I can safely say I love S and S just as much--if not more!--than Pride and Prejudice.

I was initially inclined to favor Marianne over every other character, but I have to give more and more credit to Elinor, Edward, and Colonel Brandon. My own sensibilities have tempered somewhat, and Marianne's selfishness and the general strength of character shown by the other three are more apparent and, in the case of the latter, more appreciated.

This is presented as a novel of contrasts, a fact most clearly seen between Elinor and Marianne themselves, but elsewhere as well. The John Dashwoods are greedy, conceited snobs and there's a distinct lack of sense among the Jennings women, but the Miss Dashwoods are in much better company with the Jennings'. Colonel Brandon is reserved, composed, and (gasp!) thirty-five whereas Willoughby is outspoken, passionate, and unrestrained, yet there's no question of who is better for Marianne. Even the difference of settings reflects the "x vs. y" theme that runs through the book. The quiet of the countryside is the perfect place for first Elinor and then Marianne to fall in love with their respective suitors, and the bustle of London echoes Marianne's agitation at Willoughby's later inconstancy. You get the idea.

Again, the observations I take away from this are that we can't always let our hearts run away with us, calm and steady affection can be more rewarding than tumultuous passion, and we all on occasion must eat our words--as illustrated by my re-reading of this in the first place. Ready for another shocker? In a few months...I'm going to read it again!
                                                   

So that brings the grand count up to...three. Look at that! We're halfway there!

Your humble book nerd,
Angels

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Reads and Re-reads

It was Oscar Wilde who said that if you can't enjoy reading a book over and over, then there's no point in reading at all. If you ask me, that says it all. I was inspired by a recent post on a blog I follow to share a few of my favorite re-reads with you. They're the books I turn to when I'm in a bad mood and could use cheering up, when I'm bored, or just because I still love them that much.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

 Honestly, are you really that surprised? I didn't even know this was a book until I found it in a bin at the store about...oh, four years ago. Best three dollars I ever spent, and the rest is history. Since then, I've read it at least two dozen times, and no, I'm not exaggerating. People at my house groan and ask "Again?" when they see it in my hand. Yes, I say, again, and again and again until it falls apart, at which point I'll go out and buy a new copy! It's one of my favorite books, for crying out loud!












Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 This was the book that began my hero worship of dear Aunt Jane. I've read all six of her novels, but this one is still nearest and dearest to me. Yes, I know what you're thinking, "But ALL of the Austenians say Darcy is the best of her heroes!" First off, no, not all of them do (but that's another conversation). Second of all, there's a darn good reason why this is still Ms. Austen's most popular novel, and a popular novel period. If not for Lizzy Bennet, Bridget Jones wouldn't exist. If not for this book, we wouldn't have Colin Firth in that miniseries. All that aside, this is probably my go-to read for when I'm blue, and it's still my perfect cure for all of life's unpleasantness. No, really, it is!








The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Oh, Lord, what in the world can I possibly say about this that the rest of the world hasn't said already? I'll give you the solid proof as to where I stand with this series: I've replaced Sorcerer's Stone twice, Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix once each, the only thing holding Prisoner of Azkaban together is wood glue and packing tape, and the only reason Chamber of Secrets is still intact (for the most part) is that I had that scare when I thought I'd lost it in a move and it resurfaced about eight months later. I know I'm not the only one who feels like this, but this series was such an integral part of my childhood, and so long as I had at least one of the books with me, I was set to weather anything.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

 Ah, another perfectly good book that the movie ruined... There were no two ways about it with this one, it was love at first read. I got it out of the library at least five times before I FINALLY got my own copy, and that one is almost falling apart. I've heard complaints that it was too long-winded and there were too many allusions to too many books thrown in, but I love it just the way it is. There's something about these characters that feels like they'll step right off the page at any moment (though that might be because in the book, they really do). Now if I could only get my hands on the last entry in the series!







Opera Macabre by Michelle Rodriguez

 Despite my not having known this book so long, I've still read it a rather dizzying amount of times already in the past few months. I can't help myself! I'm addicted to Ms. Rodriguez's amazing style and her engaging characters, and I'm held hostage to that emotional roller coaster her work always inspires. And all right, I'll admit it...she writes a lovely love scene...plenty of sizzle but never trashy! I hear she's got a new book coming out in a few short weeks, but this one's always going to have a spot in my heart.










What are your favorite re-reads?

Your pal,
Angels

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Had to Share This 9

To celebrate finishing my fourth novel before I'm even legal to drink, I'm gonna share the playlist with you!

Cheers!

Happy listening, and now I'm going to take it easy for about a week before I get cracking on some new project. Can't stay idle for long!

Your pal,
Angels

Monday, March 19, 2012

Randomness 5

Just a few funnies for you before I have to write another book review.

Gabriel Iglesias - Drive Thru Voice



Ralphie May - Cuban Coffee



Jeff Dunham - Peanut and Jose Jalapeno



I'll be back before you know it!

Your pal, 
Angels 

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Calling All Phans! Report to YouTube Immediately!!

So, I was scrolling down the list of my Facebook updates when *GASP*

Could it be?

Yes, it is!

A PHANTOM OF THE OPERA YOUTUBE CHANNEL!!!

I'm gonna disappear for a few hours...or a few days...you just never know...

Your pal,
Angels


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Had to Share This 8

Right, so, I'm back with another vid. Sorry about the little violin kick lately, but you have to admit this is awesome.

Dueling Fiddlers - Back in Black


Your pal,
Angels