Franktuary is closed on the weekend. Normally, so is this blog. Today, however, it brings you some bonus content.

First, an observation. Recently I have spent a lot of time in the city where I grew up. Its downtown is a little bit similar to the area around Forbes and Murray. As a child, there were three shops targeted specifically for people like me. Two were toy stores and one was a bookstore. Today all three are gone. Two of these three formerly kid-centric storefronts now house specialty pet boutiques. What, exactly, does this say about our society??

Second, a childhood memory. Today one can modify a Game Boy into a musical instrument. Pretty cool, right? Well, the Game Boy has a long history of wacky accessories and back in 1990 THIS was cool.

Finally, a fun video. Let it be known that anyone planning to do something like this at Franktuary is heartily encouraged. Especially if you sing well.

Someday, when Franktuary has weekend hours, I promise that visiting us on a Saturday will be at least as much fun as this blog post. Are you interested in helping us arrive at that point sooner than later? Come downtown and introduce yourself, or email Tim (that’s me) at Franktuary dot com. Leave out the parenthesis!

One of Franktuary’s favorite websites is that of Good Night, States.

Franktuary particularly likes how the web interface mimics the appearance of a synthesizer. All the knobs and keys serve as links to different pages on the site. Franktuary is now thinking about changing its website to resemble its cash register. It would look something like this. A BIG improvement, yes?

Couple of items on today’s agenda, people, the theme being opportunity:

1) Do you like Franktuary? Are you looking for an investment opportunity? Well then, ask for a copy of Franktuary’s new business plan! Even if you’re only sort of interested, please approach us. Even if you only have a small amount of money to invest, please inquire. All you have to do is send an email to emailus[at]franktuary[dot]com and in return you’ll receive your very own copy of the plan in pdf format. Information is not commitment!

2) While exploring the west I learned that non-alcoholic bars exist in Provo, Utah. Does anyone else see the obvious opportunity? Let’s open up a fully clothed strip club in between two of Provo’s most popular watering holes. Done right, this could be a gold mine.

3) Franktuary has a jingle and now you have the opportunity to listen to it! Click on this link.

I read today that some prominent musicians have been linked to the purchase of illegal performance enhancing drugs, known as steroids. If this is the case they should never be allowed entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

They should also be made to compete head to head with athletes who have abused steroids in a mental math competition (we need a level playing field) to determine where the real talent lies. Free frankfurters to the winning team!

Thanks to Ready, Set, Remember, I now know where the 51C bus route goes. It’s as simple as remembering the letter “L” and then picturing a neck Tie. Life has never been so easy!

Now that I don’t have the burden of struggling to remember stuff, my mind is free to focus on more important things, like washing dishes.

Stop by and visit sometime, won’t you? We’ll create wonderful memories that I’m now assured of never forgetting.

By the way, tomorrow, from 12 pm – 1:30 pm, there is a fellow named Jeff Miller playing original music at Franktuary. Ready, set, remember to stop by for a listen.

What will tomorrow be like? Will we have air conditioning? Will a freezer refrain from breaking?

Find out tomorrow as we present the exciting conclusion of Franktuary: Week 149, featuring Brad Yoder.

Goodness gracious, I love Jamaica. Actually, I’ve never been to Jamaica, except possibly Jamaica, Queens.

What I really do love are the kids from CAPA High School. Why? Because a significant contingent of the CAPA student body has become Franktuary regulars.

Aside from that, the school is a magnet performing arts public high school located downtown, on Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

I tell you this factoid because right now CAPA is in the midst of its annual all-school musical. I saw it last weekend. It’s “The Secret Garden” and I’m here to vouch that it has a higher production value than the average high school musical.

There are performances tonight through Saturday at 8 pm, as well as a matinee and an additional evening performance on Sunday. Tickets are $10, unless you’re special. If you go see it you’ll actually be supporting Franktuary, indirectly.

So here I am, left adrift without a business partner until Thursday. Things might get lonely if you don’t visit!

But enought about me, let me tell you about someone truly exceptional. On Saturday night I saw this violinist from Germany perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony. She was born in 1983 and her name is Julia Fischer. I had never heard of her before, but her performance was incredible. She was so good the audience compelled her to play an encore before intermission.

But enough about Julia Fischer, let’s get back to me. I’m going to eat a frankfurter now. My performance may be so good it might command an encore before the day comes to a close!

Wow. If you missed Saturday’s funeral, you missed what quite possibly was the most enjoyable funeral in the history of the Earth. I don’t think I’m exaggerating.

We’ll talk more soon…

Have you been downtown lately? In the past month the Dunkin Donuts and Wendy’s on Wood Street, right around the corner from Franktuary, have both closed. We’re still here. Why is that? Because of people like you.

In fact, because of people like you we’re going to survive our own funeral on Saturday March 3rd. Thanks, and keep it up!