Current items of enjoyment

So, you may have noticed that the "currently playing" for this entry is the soundtrack to Playing by Heart. I finally got this CD just this week, after spending a great deal of time in search of it. You might wonder why I would spend so much time looking for it, but I will tell you that it was worth it. For those of you who don't know (which means you must not really know me) Playing by Heart is one of my three favorite movies. It is one that every time I watch, I like more than the last. There were several songs that made me want the soundtrack, and now that I have listened to it, I am very impressed. Like the movie, it transcends genres and styles to make a truly unique and moving compilation. The mix of jazz and pop, modern and traditional, vocals and instrumental are truly something I enjoy.

Now that I think about it, I might as well draw attention to the other entries' selections. If you haven't figured it out, I am able to select a book, music, or movie title at the begining of each entry. I like it because it allows you to see some of what I read/watch/listen to in my life. (Clicking on one takes you to the title at Amazon.com should you ever want to try it for yourself). I think its a really unique thing that adds a lot. But since we are on the subject, I thought I might tell you about some of my selections.

I should first note that I am normally going to put a book up for you to see. Obviously if I am still reading one I have already posted, I won't throw it at you twice, and in those cases, I may select a CD or DVD I am watching, if nothing else than to add some spice! I started with Dracula, which I was actually reading for my English class. Despite it being manditory, I found that reading that book is the most enjoyable thing about the class. I never realized how different the original was from all of the offshoots. I like classics, and I was glad that the class forced me to pick this one up. I would recommend it for any fans of Vampires, as it is what brought that particular entity into the limelight.

Since I was still immersed in Dracula, I next chose Affimation, a CD by the now broken-up Savage Garden. I cannot tell you how much I love this CD. The title song is by far one of my favorite songs of all time, especially since I could sing it and mean every word. The rest of the CD is in my mind amazing, and I can't quite explain why. It could be its uniquness, or maybe the emotions that it invokes. No matter what though, it has a special place in my heart.

Going back to my modern fantasy, I recently picked up Suzanna Clarke's book. I read a very enticing review that heralded the book as "the Harry Potter for adults." Having thuroughly enjoyed the entire Potter series, I of course was forced to pick this one up. I must say that it was quite a fun read, and didn't disappoint. It takes place in England at the end of the War of 1812. Unlike Harry Potter, it spends almost all of its time in the real world, making the wizards face all the prejudices and fears that we might imagine. Should you be anyway drawn to fantasy, I must recommend it.

Finally, I decided to highlight Angels in America. For those of you who have yet to see this movie, it is based upon an excellent play, and is in itself a work of art. I am sure that I have only scratched the surface of the meaning that is embedded within, but it was enough. Dealing with the very real fear of AIDS in 1985, it presents an interesting view into a variety of lives that are all tragically linked togeather. The fact that there is a great deal of depressing content, and the fact that the movie is 6 hours long (it was an HBO mini-series) I would have to suggest that you break it into parts. I will warn you that it is a bit off, but then again, in my eyes, most great pieces of art are.

Well, I guess that's more than enough writing for one night. Although I don't think I really said anything profound, maybe I gave you a tiny glimpse into the things that interest me and maybe sparked some interest in you as well. Until next time...