I Put A Spell On You - Hocus Pocus
Happy Halloween! Stay safe!
Your pal,
Angels
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
We've got tornadoes and other nasty weather in the forecast, but we can still have fun over here, right? It's not Halloween without Hocus Pocus!
I Put A Spell On You - Hocus Pocus
Happy Halloween! Stay safe!
Your pal,
Angels
I Put A Spell On You - Hocus Pocus
Happy Halloween! Stay safe!
Your pal,
Angels
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
TV Spot Wednesday
A two-fer for Halloween!
GEICO witch in a broom factory
Snickers horseless headsman
Happy Halloween!
Your pal,
Angels
GEICO witch in a broom factory
Snickers horseless headsman
Happy Halloween!
Your pal,
Angels
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Lyrics of the Week: All the Love a Heart Can Hold
This week I'm focusing on one of many favorite songs from a favorite (and underappreciated, so far as I'm concerned) artist, the lovely Sherrie Austin. We met her at a CD signing for the release of her second album, and she was lovely!
All the Love a Heart Can Hold - Sherrie Austin
I was a lonely woman
Mine was a faithless heart
Broken, cold and empty
Hiding like a lost child in the dark
Your touch was a revelation
A light so my eyes could see
Love like a new religion
Made a true believer out of me
Its power brought me to my knees
Amen, I can live again, laugh again
You got me feeling a wild as a mountain fiddle
High as that old moonshine
Sweet as honeysuckle on the vine
I want to sing like a gospel choir
Hang on the highest note
Emotion overflowing in my soul
You give me all the love that a heart can hold
Maybe, I've got an angel watching over me
Or maybe the Good Lord sent you
Or maybe you're just some kind of destiny
My sweet little 'meant to be'
Amen, I can laugh again, dance again
You got me feeling a wild as a mountain fiddle
High as that old moonshine
Sweet as honeysuckle on the vine
I want to sing like a gospel choir
Hang on the highest note
Emotion overflowing in my soul
You give me all the love that a heart can hold
Your pal,
Angels
All the Love a Heart Can Hold - Sherrie Austin
I was a lonely woman
Mine was a faithless heart
Broken, cold and empty
Hiding like a lost child in the dark
Your touch was a revelation
A light so my eyes could see
Love like a new religion
Made a true believer out of me
Its power brought me to my knees
Amen, I can live again, laugh again
You got me feeling a wild as a mountain fiddle
High as that old moonshine
Sweet as honeysuckle on the vine
I want to sing like a gospel choir
Hang on the highest note
Emotion overflowing in my soul
You give me all the love that a heart can hold
Maybe, I've got an angel watching over me
Or maybe the Good Lord sent you
Or maybe you're just some kind of destiny
My sweet little 'meant to be'
Amen, I can laugh again, dance again
You got me feeling a wild as a mountain fiddle
High as that old moonshine
Sweet as honeysuckle on the vine
I want to sing like a gospel choir
Hang on the highest note
Emotion overflowing in my soul
You give me all the love that a heart can hold
Your pal,
Angels
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Les Miserables - Breath of Life
I swear, I'm going to get my review up soon, and it's going to be nice and long! In the meantime, enjoy this video.
Les Mis - Breath of Life
Yeah, I still can't stop listening to this song. I love the use of colors, effects, and juxtaposition, along with the timing. And do you notice how the video tells the story as it goes along, based on what clips are shown? It's not random, but done in an orderly fashion. Bonus points!
Your pal,
Angels
Les Mis - Breath of Life
Yeah, I still can't stop listening to this song. I love the use of colors, effects, and juxtaposition, along with the timing. And do you notice how the video tells the story as it goes along, based on what clips are shown? It's not random, but done in an orderly fashion. Bonus points!
Your pal,
Angels
Friday, October 25, 2013
Book Trailer: Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul - Michelle Rodriguez
This next one is coming to you from me. Not just in the blog, but on the whole. I made it!
Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul
I'm reading Volume Two at the moment, and it's amazing! Expect a review soon!
Your pal,
Angels
Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul
I'm reading Volume Two at the moment, and it's amazing! Expect a review soon!
Your pal,
Angels
30 Week Phantom Challenge: Week 4
Who is your least favorite character overall?
That would be Joseph Buquet in any version he pops up in. He's only mentioned in the novel as the stagehand who hanged himself in the cellar (correction: discovered in the cellar, because we all know what really happened, don't we?). In the musical, he's a gossip in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't buy how Joel Schumacher tried to play him off as a sleaze in the movie so it seemed like he deserved what he got, when he got it, and while I've heard theories that Buquet in the movie was a threat to the girls of the ballet--and for some reason, Christine in particular--again, I don't buy it. I just don't care about him. He's such a minor part of the story, hardly more than a plot point when you think about it.
Your pal,
Angels
Your pal,
Angels
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Lyrics of the Week: The Red Stokes
Forget Bryan Adams. Forget even the Phantom of the Opera. THIS is beyond question my favorite song I've ever heard. I've heard a lot that compares to it, but THIS is the song.
The Red Strokes - Garth Brooks
Moonlight on canvas, midnight and wine
Two shadows starting to softly combine
The picture they're painting
Is one of the heart
And to those who have seen it
It's a true work of art
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
Inspired by a vision
That they can't command
Erasing the borders
With each brush of a hand
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the blues will be blue and the jealousies green
But when love picks its shade it demands to be seen
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Fearlessly drawn
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Fearlessly drawn
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
***
Your pal,
Angels
The Red Strokes - Garth Brooks
Moonlight on canvas, midnight and wine
Two shadows starting to softly combine
The picture they're painting
Is one of the heart
And to those who have seen it
It's a true work of art
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
Inspired by a vision
That they can't command
Erasing the borders
With each brush of a hand
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Tempered and strong
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the blues will be blue and the jealousies green
But when love picks its shade it demands to be seen
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Fearlessly drawn
Burning the night like the dawn
Oh, the red strokes
Passions uncaged
Thundering moments of tenderness rage
Oh, the red strokes
Fearlessly drawn
Burning the night like the dawn
Steam on the window, salt in a kiss
Two hearts have never pounded like this
***
Your pal,
Angels
Friday, October 18, 2013
Advice From the Phantom...
A good friend made a video to promote Manifestations of a Phantom's Soul, Volume Two, about how Michelle Rodriguez's stories aren't just for the ladies...this is her giving her older brother a hint!
Your pal,
Angels
Your pal,
Angels
30 Week Phantom Challenge: Week 3
Who is your favorite minor character?
Wait! From which version?
From the musical, it's Meg for me. She was so sweet and adorable, and I smile every time she says what's on everyone's mind: "He's here, the Phantom of the Opera!" There's fear in the delivery in the stage version, but she was still spunky enough to sneak down into the Phantom's lair and discover that mask. I like that quality, and I like how it's amplified in the movie. Movie!Meg always seemed full of possibilities to me. If she's curious enough to go poking around in creepy secret passages, what else might she know about our dear Phantom? Questions, questions, so many questions!
From the book, the Persian gets my vote. It doesn't seem fair to call him a minor character since he played such a big part, but he's hardly mentioned throughout the first half, and I want to talk about him, dang it! He's the voice of reason, the real hero of the story, and he's just as mysterious as Erik himself. I love his nobility, and how he was willing to risk his life to help Raoul rescue Christine. I hate that he's so overlooked! While my opinion of Susan Kay's book has changed drastically since I reviewed it, the Persian still remains one of my favorites in that, as well. He's true to the original: nobody's fool, the only friend Erik ever had, and the most straight-up guy of the piece. He's awesome!
Your pal,
Angels
Wait! From which version?
From the book, the Persian gets my vote. It doesn't seem fair to call him a minor character since he played such a big part, but he's hardly mentioned throughout the first half, and I want to talk about him, dang it! He's the voice of reason, the real hero of the story, and he's just as mysterious as Erik himself. I love his nobility, and how he was willing to risk his life to help Raoul rescue Christine. I hate that he's so overlooked! While my opinion of Susan Kay's book has changed drastically since I reviewed it, the Persian still remains one of my favorites in that, as well. He's true to the original: nobody's fool, the only friend Erik ever had, and the most straight-up guy of the piece. He's awesome!Your pal,
Angels
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
TV Spot Wednesday
Today's commercial is in honor of Columbus Day, and it's no surprise that we missed that on here too. To be honest, though, I always thought it was kind of weird to celebrate what was really a geographical miscalculation, the subsequent exploitation of the locals, and the introduction of foreign diseases to what was a relatively pure country, but what the heck.
Geico Christopher Columbus
Your pal,
Angels
Geico Christopher Columbus
Your pal,
Angels
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Book Trailer: In the Shadow of Blackbirds - Cat Winters
Found this on GoodReads. I added the book to my reading list (no telling when I'll actually get to read it) and I liked the trailer. It was simple, to-the-point, and rather eerie, which fits the ghost story element. If I could only do things like this for my own trailers!
In the Shadow of Blackbirds trailer
Your pal,
Angels
In the Shadow of Blackbirds trailer
Your pal,
Angels
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Lyrics of the Week: Water From the Moon
One of my favorite Celine Dion songs, from my ultimate favorite songwriter on the planet, the incredible Diane Warren. This one is also on a playlist, as it moved me to inspiration!
Water From the Moon - Celine Dion
I've looked everywhere I can
Water From the Moon - Celine Dion
I've looked everywhere I can
Just to find a clue
Oh to get to you
And make you want me
And I've run circles around the sun
Chasin' after you
Oh but it's no use
Can't you see that I'm going out of my mind
Trying to find a way to get through to you
Oh you don't know how hard I try
And I try and I try
What do I gotta do
Do I gotta get water from the moon
Is that what I gotta do
To make you love me
Make you love me
Do I gotta turn the sand into the sea
Is that what you want from me
I've done everything that I can do
But get water from the moon
I've reached high up in the sky
Tryin' to steal the stars
Oh to win your heart
But even that's not enough
And I've searched every book I know
Just to find the words
Oh to touch your world and get some love out of you
I've already given all I can give
And I don't know what's left to try
And I try and I try
What do I gotta do
Do I gotta get water from the moon, , ,
Love me, how do I make you love me
How do I make you see that I'm going out of my mind
(Solo)
I try, and I try, and I try
(Chorus)
Oh to get to you
And make you want me
And I've run circles around the sun
Chasin' after you
Oh but it's no use
Can't you see that I'm going out of my mind
Trying to find a way to get through to you
Oh you don't know how hard I try
And I try and I try
What do I gotta do
Do I gotta get water from the moon
Is that what I gotta do
To make you love me
Make you love me
Do I gotta turn the sand into the sea
Is that what you want from me
I've done everything that I can do
But get water from the moon
I've reached high up in the sky
Tryin' to steal the stars
Oh to win your heart
But even that's not enough
And I've searched every book I know
Just to find the words
Oh to touch your world and get some love out of you
I've already given all I can give
And I don't know what's left to try
And I try and I try
What do I gotta do
Do I gotta get water from the moon, , ,
Love me, how do I make you love me
How do I make you see that I'm going out of my mind
(Solo)
I try, and I try, and I try
(Chorus)
Your pal,
Angels
Friday, October 11, 2013
30 Week Phantom Challenge: Week 2
Who was your first Phantom? When and where?
Technically, the original Leroux was my first Phantom, and I still love the freaking crap out of him. You already know the story, I was sixteen, blah blah blah, but that one always felt like destiny. There wasn't a bargain book bin at Walmart for the longest time, then one day it magically appears along with the book that changed my life. My first Andrew Lloyd Webber Phantom was Michael Crawford, in listening to the original cast recording (first on last.fm, then on YouTube). My first film Phantom was Gerard Butler, and he remains my favorite.
Your pal,
Angels
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Writing Tip: Keep A Journal!
Guess what next month is, scribblers? NaNoWriMo! Here again, already! I'm still trying to figure out how I'll take part, as I'm already up to my elbows in a novel I have no intention of finishing in one month, but I thought I'd help anyone taking part with another tip.
Journals!
I've started keeping journals while writing for several reasons, and here they are:
#1: I can track my progress.
At the end of the day, I record what page I've finished the day's work on. This is mainly to help me realize that I am going somewhere, which is a morale boost when I'm stuck. I might be in the middle of writer's block, but even one page means I'm still moving forward. It also keeps me motivated; seeing that I've written ten pages one day helps push me to write even more the next. That's how you get stuff done!
#2: I can record all of my ideas in one place as they come to me.
Isn't it genius? I used to have a separate notebook made up of loose pages that had notes for every single story I was working on. That worked fine, but as I got more and more ideas it was harder to keep them all organized, and sometimes pages went missing, and other disasters. Trust me, this works much better! In the middle of working, I can have a sudden epiphany, be it related to plot, character, theme, or even a good bit of dialogue, and I can jot it down knowing all I have to do is flip back to the page in the book already dedicated to the story I'm working on. It's come in handy several times already!
#3: I have a way to remember the journey itself.
This reason is purely sentimental. My stories are my children, and where parents can take pictures of their kids as they grow, I can write down everything about mine as it grows. Every idea, struggle, and emotional upheaval is written so I can go back and remember everything about writing a particular book. Kinda dorky, but it is what it is.
#4: I have a place to work through writer's block.
This has been a life saver! If I'm stuck, just muddling through the problem helps, and I can dump all my random thoughts out on one page and sift through them later until I find gold. Make sense?
There you have it! Happy scribbling, and good luck!
Your pal,
Angels
Journals!
I've started keeping journals while writing for several reasons, and here they are:
#1: I can track my progress.
At the end of the day, I record what page I've finished the day's work on. This is mainly to help me realize that I am going somewhere, which is a morale boost when I'm stuck. I might be in the middle of writer's block, but even one page means I'm still moving forward. It also keeps me motivated; seeing that I've written ten pages one day helps push me to write even more the next. That's how you get stuff done!
#2: I can record all of my ideas in one place as they come to me.
Isn't it genius? I used to have a separate notebook made up of loose pages that had notes for every single story I was working on. That worked fine, but as I got more and more ideas it was harder to keep them all organized, and sometimes pages went missing, and other disasters. Trust me, this works much better! In the middle of working, I can have a sudden epiphany, be it related to plot, character, theme, or even a good bit of dialogue, and I can jot it down knowing all I have to do is flip back to the page in the book already dedicated to the story I'm working on. It's come in handy several times already!
#3: I have a way to remember the journey itself.
This reason is purely sentimental. My stories are my children, and where parents can take pictures of their kids as they grow, I can write down everything about mine as it grows. Every idea, struggle, and emotional upheaval is written so I can go back and remember everything about writing a particular book. Kinda dorky, but it is what it is.
#4: I have a place to work through writer's block.
This has been a life saver! If I'm stuck, just muddling through the problem helps, and I can dump all my random thoughts out on one page and sift through them later until I find gold. Make sense?
There you have it! Happy scribbling, and good luck!
Your pal,
Angels
Artist of the Month - October 2013
And I'm a week behind with this one...so what? I'm here now, and this month's artist is...
*drum roll*
Sugarland
If I remember right, there was some trouble years ago with this group. They started out a trio (Jennifer Nettles, Kristian Bush, Kristen Hall) but went down to a duo in 2006 when Kristen left, then there were lawsuits and ugly stuff...but let's talk about the music. Their first big hit was "Baby Girl," which has since been played so many times I'm nearly sick of it. Actually, that's the way I feel about half their songs; the stations play the same ones over and over again and suck all the goodness out of them. Which really sucks, because they're a great group and Jennifer has one of the best voices in country at the moment. So if I'm sick of them, why are they this month's feature? Because the songs I love, I really. Freaking. Love.
Want To
Tonight
Just Might (Make Me Believe)
Already Gone
Stay
Stuck Like Glue
Happy listening!
Your pal,
Angels
*drum roll*
Sugarland
If I remember right, there was some trouble years ago with this group. They started out a trio (Jennifer Nettles, Kristian Bush, Kristen Hall) but went down to a duo in 2006 when Kristen left, then there were lawsuits and ugly stuff...but let's talk about the music. Their first big hit was "Baby Girl," which has since been played so many times I'm nearly sick of it. Actually, that's the way I feel about half their songs; the stations play the same ones over and over again and suck all the goodness out of them. Which really sucks, because they're a great group and Jennifer has one of the best voices in country at the moment. So if I'm sick of them, why are they this month's feature? Because the songs I love, I really. Freaking. Love.
Want To
Tonight
Just Might (Make Me Believe)
Already Gone
Stay
Stuck Like Glue
Happy listening!
Your pal,
Angels
Monday, October 7, 2013
Lyrics of the Week: Your Love Will Kill Me
I'm a day behind, so what? I was on vacation!
Your Love Will Kill Me - Daniel Lavoie
Your Love Will Kill Me - Daniel Lavoie
I feel a wave of passion
Move through my heart with such pain
I have no time to reason
So I just let passion reign
Move through my heart with such pain
I have no time to reason
So I just let passion reign
I let go so easily
On a night as warm as sin
Midnight swimmer, midnight sea
I will not come back again
On a night as warm as sin
Midnight swimmer, midnight sea
I will not come back again
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
My sin and my obession
Crazy desire you bring
I know there's no salvation
I see our bodies burning
Crazy desire you bring
I know there's no salvation
I see our bodies burning
Your gypsy dreams all haunt me
I live to see your dances
Please raise your eyes and want me
Please give me all the chances
I live to see your dances
Please raise your eyes and want me
Please give me all the chances
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
You brought the spring time to fill
My heart in its winter chill
I lost my strength and my will
And now my tears start to spill
My heart in its winter chill
I lost my strength and my will
And now my tears start to spill
I never knew such desire
Just looking into your eyes
And now the soul in me cries
And now the night is on fire
Just looking into your eyes
And now the soul in me cries
And now the night is on fire
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
And you will bear my curse
As long as my life will be
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
And I saw it would be
When I looked at you
When you look at me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Your love will kill me
Friday, October 4, 2013
30 Week Phantom Challenge: Week 1
This ought to last us a good LONG while! This was originally posted as a 30-day challenge on Facebook (link to the page can be found here) last month, but I thought I'd borrow it and do it over here. Basically, it's an invitation for phan participation. Once a week, I'll post a new bit, and if you love Phantom and you read this blog, you're welcome to chime in! :D
Now let's get this show on the road!
Question one: How did you first learn about the Phantom?
I found sheet music for "All I Ask Of You" when I was fourteen and had no clue who the characters were (was Raoul supposed to be the Phantom?) Then I read Gaston Leroux's book when I was sixteen and started listening to Michael and Sarah and Steve on the OCR, but it wasn't until I saw the 2004 movie that my love for the whole thing was cemented. It was a work-in-progress for years, but when it finally hit me there was no going back. Frankly, I'm glad I learned about Erik, and not just because I love the story. If I hadn't gotten involved in Phantom, I wouldn't have met some great friends, my appreciation for music would be a WHOLE lot different, and I wouldn't even be the writer I am today. So, is it an obsession? Maybe so, but I'm hardly complaining!
Your pal,
Angels
Now let's get this show on the road!
Question one: How did you first learn about the Phantom?
I found sheet music for "All I Ask Of You" when I was fourteen and had no clue who the characters were (was Raoul supposed to be the Phantom?) Then I read Gaston Leroux's book when I was sixteen and started listening to Michael and Sarah and Steve on the OCR, but it wasn't until I saw the 2004 movie that my love for the whole thing was cemented. It was a work-in-progress for years, but when it finally hit me there was no going back. Frankly, I'm glad I learned about Erik, and not just because I love the story. If I hadn't gotten involved in Phantom, I wouldn't have met some great friends, my appreciation for music would be a WHOLE lot different, and I wouldn't even be the writer I am today. So, is it an obsession? Maybe so, but I'm hardly complaining!
Your pal,
Angels
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