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It's a slow day and I'm about to get a month "off" so I figured, thread starting time.

A month off from what?

How do plan to spend said month?

Why do you like Sinatra so much?

Was he just popular b/c of his mob ties?

drawn_inward said:

A month off from what?

How do plan to spend said month?

Why do you like Sinatra so much?

Was he just popular b/c of his mob ties?

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From teaching History

I plan on shooting, playing dungeons and dragons with the old group and avoiding family.

Frank Sinatra has a voice which is impossible for me to describe that always appeals to the ears. My parents used to play Sinatra when I was growing up so constant exposure probably also strengthened my enjoyment of him.

That's a really interesting question and it's part of what makes Sinatra an interesting person outside of his singing alone but the answer is no. The reasons for Sinatras success were his own constant work towards that goal and a little help from another great artist, Tommy Dorsey. Now if you ask me, the ties with crime are what made him popular with another compatriot of the mob, JFK.

History? Nice. I got a minor in History. I love it.

Who is your favorite Historian?

Do you like David McCollough? Can you recommend other writers like him?

drawn_inward said:

History? Nice. I got a minor in History. I love it.

Who is your favorite Historian?

Do you like David McCollough? Can you recommend other writers like him?

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My favorite historian is probably Richard Evans (Third Reich series) I'm a World War II buff who spends more time in Europe then his home country and it looks like McCollough is more American history, a subject I'm not as well versed in as I should be. I'll be sure to read some of his stuff over the break.
Since I can't recommend similar historians I can only throw out a few names of Historians I respect.
Like I said Evans has the greatest series of books, but you've probably read them.
John Lewis Gaddis does a great Cold War book but it's intensely biased.
It sounds like you might like William Brandon and Christopher Browning, they're both American History buffs.

I took a WWII course. It was taught by a different profs each who specialized in a nation's particular history. So, we got perspective from a German Historian, a Russian Historian, etc. The Russian Historian was actually Russian and the British Historian was an Oxford Don. It was quite an experience.

I've read quite a few WWII books, but I don't think I've read Evans. I might have. I'll check into that.

I had less respect for FDR after I took that course b/c of his secret meetings with Stalin.

That would be an amazing course to take. As to FDR, even the greatest of men had their issues, and some would argue about the necessity of those meetings.

Amorous Vyxen said:

Who's your favorite contemporary artist?

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I tend to listen to music from the pre-1990's basically anything from 1890-1990. Now if I had to choose something contemporary I guess Flight of the Conchords would take that title.

Other than Sinatra, what other bands do you like?

Do you have a favorite decade for music?

drawn_inward said:

Other than Sinatra, what other bands do you like?

Do you have a favorite decade for music?

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I am constantly listening to music from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep so I'll try and only name a few. The Ink Spots are great (Thus Fallout 3 ruled), Elvis, Johnny Cash, any 50's rock, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Eagles, Bowie, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Dschinghis Khan.
Yeah, that was longer than I wanted it to be. (Composers not included)

My favorite decade though... at one point I would have said the 1960's but now I would probably go with the 1970's.

Well I've chosen my favorites and a piece by each of them

Schubert - Ave Maria. It's something that many composers have done but I don't think anything has ever come close to this.

Chopin - This is of course Nocturne, it's not as popular as some of the others in this list but I find it extremely relaxing, like most of Chopin. (Some of the only stuff I can play on the piano)

Wagner - Not what you'd expect, The Flying Dutchman, fabulous Opera.

Brahms - Hungarian Dance Number 5

Tchaikovsky- 1812 Overture

Vivaldi - Seasons

Anything by Franz von Biber

As for Strauss, it's a really common work that you've probably all heard, the Radetzky March.

Carl Orff - Carmina Burana

Verdi - Dies Irae

And I think that about rounds it off.

Edit: Except for Grieg and a ton of other composers who are flooding back to me every second.

It's not technically classical music, but what do you think of Stravinski? He's a badass, yes?

Amorous Vyxen said:

Nice. Most of those are very popular pieces. I like your pick for Wagner, indeed not the cliché answer that most would give. I love Chopin's Nocturne as well. Some of your picks I grew tired of, but only because of over usage in other media and such. Carmin Burana for instance, while beautiful, is kinda tainted now. Verdi's Dies Irae will always be awesome, then again, I am really fond of requiems.

You mention you play the piano, is this something you started as a child? What is your favorite piece to play? Not necessarily the most difficult but the one that makes you feel good.

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I feel uncomfortable suggesting classical music as most of it is extremely slow, those picks are my favorites but they're also the most likely for anyone to enjoy. Really anything by those composers is going to be enjoyable. Mozart's requiem is probably the greatest, and thus the most famous, particularly thanks to the film.

I played the piano as a child but gave it up since my mother wanted me to play. I've started recently and I play almost nothing but Chopin.
My favorite piece to play is this one here, it's entrancing, though short.

Cajungal said:

It's not technically classical music, but what do you think of Stravinski? He's a badass, yes?

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I would agree that he is a badass, most people have probably only heard Firebird though. I picked up some collection that had his work on it several years back and I've really enjoyed it all.

My favorite is The Rite of Spring. Did you know that he had bricks thrown at him for that piece? Do you like it?

I actually saw the ballet, and I'm not surprised about the bricks. I was so offended by the piece I left the auditorium.
I'll have to read more about him to find out exactly why though, I'm sure there's an interesting story behind that brick thing.

If you could go back in time, instead of having a Glock 26, what better handgun would you choose? Any caliber except .50BMG is acceptable.

Twitch said:

I actually saw the ballet, and I'm not surprised about the bricks. I was so offended by the piece I left the auditorium.
I'll have to read more about him to find out exactly why though, I'm sure there's an interesting story behind that brick thing.

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It was just shocking for the time--a pagan cult that makes a virgin dance herself to death. Plus I think they just found the music itself was just considered shocking... I think. Funny to think about considering the music we have today. But when you listen to it, it is pretty wild!

Deschain said:

If you could go back in time, instead of having a Glock 26, what better handgun would you choose? Any caliber except .50BMG is acceptable.

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Glock 18C

Notice how I said 'better' in the question, not 'bigger and shittier'. You're free to try again though.

Would you post your favorite Sinatra song (if there's a vid available, that is)?

Deschain said:

Notice how I said 'better' in the question, not 'bigger and shittier'. You're free to try again though.

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Are we talking carry or display piece?

Cajungal said:

Would you post your favorite Sinatra song (if there's a vid available, that is)?

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That's the closest I could find of a good recording.

Carry. Display pieces are too varied, such as Patton's Pearl Handled Pistols (PPPP)

I think I would say the CZ-75 Compact.

There is redemption for you yet.