Saturday Nine

Heading out to a spin class this morning with the gals from the office. It's so "Austin," no?


Saturday 9: In the Wee Small Hours

1) Crazy Sam's mom and dad still talk about how exciting it was to see Sinatra in Vegas! What music did/do your parents enjoy?
My mom was a huge Tom Jones fan. I've known all his songs since I was tiny. She was also into pop music and always knew the current stuff. Dad enjoyed opera and Mireille Mathieu.

2) We all know Sinatra sang, and he won an Oscar for his acting. But he also painted and was proud to sell a few canvasses anonymously (signed "Artanis"). Do you have a secret talent?
Not that I can share here.

3) Those close to Sinatra maintained that every time he sang,"In the Wee Small Hours" (hear him perform it live here) he conjured up how it felt to lose his great love. Have you ever had your heart broken?
Who hasn't?

4) In 1966, when he was 50, Sinatra married 21 year old Mia Farrow. Their union lasted less than two years. Do you think a wide age gap necessarily dooms a romantic relationship?
Yes. It adds a lot of extra pressure, expectations and possibilities for conflict.

5) Offstage Sinatra wore orange sweaters and liked seeing orange throw pillows in his home and dressing room because he believed "orange is the happiest color." What color raises your spirits?
blue

6) Frank and his loyal buddies were famously known as "The Rat Pack." How many people do you consider close friends?
Six

7) Sinatra's children followed their father into show business. What advice would you give a young person entering your career of choice?
For clinical research data management, you should have a solid background in biology and medical science, along with an interest in helping people. You'll need strong technical skills as well. Know how to communicate effectively and patiently with a large project team of people with varied perspectives and vastly differing levels of technical and clinical knowledge.

8) Legend has it that Frank was embarrassed by a scar on his face (received at birth from the forceps used in his delivery) and worked hard to cover it. Do you have a physical characteristic that you try to hide?
My childbearing hips. Gah!

9) In 1964, when he first heard The Beatles, Sinatra was very dismissive. By 1970, he called the Beatles' "Something" one of the most beautiful ballads ever. Tell us about something you changed your mind about.
Nicki Minaj. I dismissed her from day 1, because of her wacky professional persona, but I've seen (on the few episodes of AI I've watched this season) that she is a really sweet and pretty smart young lady. (Her weird waffle commentary the other night notwithstanding.)