This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Monday, October 1, 2018

If I Didn't Care (#BOTB) (#IWSG)


If we don't have some bad in life it's harder to appreciate the good.  Even though I've had my share of the bad, I can't say that I'd envy anyone else's life no matter how good it seemed...


Insecure Writer's Support Group




Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog


  The co-hosts for the October 3 posting of the IWSG are Dolorah @ Book Lover,Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!


October 3 question - How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?


        Maybe I care too much about what's going on in my life even though some might say that I don't seem to care about much of anything. Over the past year or so I haven't been writing much and I can point to major life events hitting me from all sides.  It's all been a distraction for sure, but somewhere within me I have the power to write.  I've seemed to have developed a strange aversion to writing of late.

          A lazy streak within me plays a discernible role in my lack of writing initiative, but still there is a spark that is failing to roar into a blaze of creativity.  Frequently I think about what I want to write or what I might write eventually.  Ideas and words continually flow in and out of my sphere of thought.  Then I get distracted by my world, my life.  Writing gets put on hold again.

        In my past I have often retreated into writing as a means of expressing myself or venting my emotions.  Writing for the most part helped me get through high school and college--and I mean writing aside from that which was required by my classes.  Through stories I could escape into worlds where my real life troubles were translated into fantasy which in turn was cycled into expression of my feelings and my beliefs.  My writing was my communication to some unknown reader in some other point in time.

         As I have alluded to in previous posts, my writing that has been fueled by my most intensely troubled times has typically been songs.  Lately my songwriting drive has returned, not so much due to any painfully emotional times, but a complex series of events and circumstances that have come together to create that perfect storm of dilemma.  Don't get me wrong:  Life has been good.  Still, there is a diversion of thought present that makes me want to escape into song more than story.

          In the meantime there are my memoirs to which I must return.  There are novels and short stories.  I need to write, but for now I apparently don't want to write.  Well, I want to write, but I am not compelled in the way that would work to my advantage as a writer.

           Writing calls.  I keep hearing songs.  Those are what I will write for now and hopefully I can find a way to get them recorded in a way that does them justice.

           Anyone want to start a band?

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands is the blogging event started by Far Away Series and now hosted by StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens each month on the 15th and on some blogs there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle on the 1st of the month.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.


If I Didn't Care

        The #IWSG questions along with my current patterns of thought in this year led me to use this wonderful song that has been a tune that I've heard throughout my life.  Some of you might remember this song from the film The Shawshank Redemption.  It's a song that has been oft recorded since its original introduction in 1939 by The Ink Spots.  Such a haunting melody expressing thoughts that we've all likely experienced. 

        Caring can be painful and distracting, but if we never cared about anything then we would lack passion.  A life without passion is not a life that I'd want to live.

The Ink Spots  "If I Didn't Care"  (1939)

       As with many other BOTB participants, I usually will avoid an original.  In the case of this recording, since it is so old it might be new for some of you. Anyway, it's old and maybe it's not your cup of tea.  You'll just have to listen and decide...




David Cassidy  "If I Didn't Care"  (1974)

          If you were around in the 1970's then you'll likely know the name of David Cassidy  He was quite a teen idol back then with his string of hit records and as a regular on the television show The Partridge Family.  I saw him live in 1981 when he was touring with a stage production of George M. Cohan's Little Johnny Jones. After that I had a whole new perspective of his talent as he did a nice job in that show.   Anyway, here is his more modern take on "If I Didn't Care"...






Time to Vote!

       
I do care about your vote so I hope you will participate.  What's your favorite between these two choices? Which song version do you like best? You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.

         Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.



Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Angel's Bark  


Debbie Doglady's Den

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 


Cherdo on the Flipside



Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday October 8th

        Same place, same time next week.  Come back to see which version wins the most votes.  Have a great week.  I will try to do the same.

          When have you cared so much about something that it interfered with your life?   Do you ever feel like a passionate personal pursuit has been in vain?   Have you ever wanted to just totally get away from your life to do something that might seem crazy to others?







69 comments:

  1. I hit a stretch where I didn't feel like writing. It will come back.
    Sorry, already in a band!
    Not crazy about the song I'm afraid. Guess I'll have to give it to Cassidy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, band practice would be a long way for one of us if we had a band.

      First vote goes to David Cassidy.

      lee

      Delete
  2. Lee,

    I haven't felt much like writing creatively for years. I hope to change that by getting more involved with daily memes that challenge me in this capacity. We'll see how that goes.

    I thought I'd give my vote to David Cassidy but I think I prefer the dream vintage sound of The Ink Spots. How cool you actually saw David! I had such a crush on him when I was a kid but then what girl from the 70s didn't?

    Having children means I care so much that it interferes with my sleep all too often. There has been plenty of times I wish that I could just get away from life circumstances and to put everything far, far, far behind me but then reality hits. There's no escaping life. It will follow me no matter where I go because I care too much.

    Good battle & good IWSG thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, I don't even try any memes or other kinds of extensive blog posts. There is the possibility to escape our geography, but life is a commitment if we want to stay in the game.

      A vote for the dreamy Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
    2. Lee,

      You're right about life being a commitment and parenting definitely isn't for the weak or faint hearted person, either. lol

      You write your posts so well that you don't need to do anything more. I feel like I need it, though. Maybe, it's because I don't journal or do other creative writing but what ever the reason is I convinced that I need to push myself in that direction and while I enjoy that push I'll do it. Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend, my friend. :)

      Delete
  3. I just haven't had time to write.

    I remember David Cassidy from when I was a kid. I'll vote for him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. L.Diane, you seem to have a lot going on these days so I can understand your lack of writing time.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. You know, they were both good, but being an old traditionalist (sometimes) I can't see voting for anyone but The Ink Spots. David Cassidy did a good job with the song, but that harmony...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John, I agree--I think they are both good, but my vote will come in next Monday's post.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      lee

      Delete
  5. I had to chuckle:
    The Ink Spots versus David Cassidy
    "Diversity", thy name is Arlee Bird.

    Just the pairing of those two, alone, makes this Battle a winner. Ha! Love it!

    Well, of course I know the song, and of course I know both participants -- and indeed I like them both.

    But the harmonizing and the dreamy old-tyme quality of it -- yeah, soitently, I'm voting for THE INK SPOTS, which I'm sure you already knew.

    But I also want to throw in a plug for one of my very favorite "Guilty Pleasure" movies, "THE SPIRIT OF '76":

    Some year way in the future, the USA is on the verge of collapse, and in order to save it, David Cassidy agrees to go back to 1776 to retrieve the Constitution, which has been lost. (Overlook the fact that the Constitution did not yet exist in 1776.)

    But the wreck of a tub that Cassidy calls a time travel machine accidentally lands him and his crew in 1976 instead, and none of them know the difference.

    It's one of those ultra-silly movies but I love it and own it and watch it at least every couple years. It cracks me up, and it will be like a real trip back to Groovy 1976 in the Waybac Machine for anybody who lived through that year and can remember it.

    Fun Battle, Lee!

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, I wanna see that movie! (sorry to jump in here Lee; just wanted to quickly comment and tell Stephen that I would like to see that movie because it's my dream to have a time machine take me back to years 1976-1982!) Do you own the DVD or do you get it from Netflix or some other streaming service. Sounds like a great escape movie...

      Delete
    2. MICHELE ~
      I've heard people say the movie is just stupid, but I love it (in a kind of sick, twisted, demented has-been from the 1970s kinda way).

      It's not going to appeal to everyone, but I think you would perhaps enjoy it as much as I do, based on your comment here.

      If you like 'SPINAL TAP', Monty Python, and that kind of silliness, I think you're the target audience for 'The Spirit Of '76'. And I appreciate that David Cassidy was able to poke fun at himself and that whole era in which he became a household name.

      I own the DVD... I also own the music soundtrack on CD. But the movie has been completely uploaded to YouTube and is probably available (and maybe in better quality) at Dailymotion.com

      Here's a link to the trailer, see whatcha think:

      [Link> Trailer: 'THE SPIRIT OF '76'

      ~ D-FensDogG
      STMcC Presents 'Battle Of The Bands'

      Delete
    3. STMcC, thanks for your endorsement of the quirky pairing. I almost went with the Ink Spots versus The Platters, but I couldn't resist Cassidy's version and I liked what he did with it.

      I'm pretty sure I watched that movie a few years ago on your recommendation. Now I need to watch it again because I forget it. I love time travel films no matter how bad they are.

      I would have figured you for the Ink Spots, but in some of these Battles I get surprised.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
    4. Michele, no problem about joining in a conversation here. I'd like to go back to 1972, but anytime in the seventies and eighties would be fine with me. Those were some of my best years (and at times, worst).

      Lee

      Delete
  6. I would have to say that writing and blogging has helped me though many an occasion. Music definitely has helped me, too.

    This is certainly an interesting battle. The two contenders are like night and day to me.

    But in the end, it is David Cassidy that holds that special place in my heart. And so my vote goes to him.

    ~Mary
    Jingle Jangle Jungle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, blogging gave me several good years and I still do like it. For a while though I'm keeping a lower blogging profile until I get a real drive to blog full steam again.

      A classic songs holds up through the years as shown by these two versions.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. David Cassidy gets my vote!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoJo, I think you must have been a Cassidy fan back in that time.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. Hi Lee.
    Just about every time this writing subject comes up, you and I are in about the same spot with it: STALLED! I totally hear ya on the lack of enthusiasm or oomph to get busy with it. Someone was just asking me the other day if I had given up on my book. I hemmed and hawed and finally just said "yeah, I guess so." And there you have it...
    It does seem that you have developed some oomph though because you just succeeded in writing a pretty cool song (Let's Run) so you're in good shape. At this age, slow and easy is the way we need to live life...And I would like to take that slow and easy stuff real serious sometime... (although it always seems like I'm going a million miles an hour; and my mom, who often stays here at my house, remarks all the time, "I don't know why you don't weigh 90 lbs! You're jumping up and down and going all the time. You never stay still!" So slow and easy might be a ways off in my future yet...

    As for your battle, the Ink Spots song was enjoyable as was the clip but I'm giving my vote to David Cassidy. Back when he passed earlier in the year, I started putting together a David Cassidy tribute post so I went to check if I had included his cover of "If I Didn't Care" but I hadn't. It's added now though. I have 36 David Cassidy songs in that playlist. I love all those Partridge Family songs because, well, you know, it's my decade. But I wasn't all that familiar with his other works so in putting together the tribute post I discovered what a talented singer he was. That's neat that you got to see him perform live.

    It's a vote for David Cassidy for me on this one.
    Cool battle. And I'm glad you used the original.
    (I recently heard some Ink Spots music; I think it might've been on Shady's blog; they were new-to-me).

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michele, I know some of the sources of my discontent (?)--disillusionment (?), or whatever it might be called. There are issues that I need to confront or resolve so I can move forward more easily. But then again maybe I'm just conjuring up excuses for not doing more of what I'd like to do. The music in me is keeping me fueled these days. Maybe the writing will come again soon.

      David Cassidy is an our generational thing. My parents loved The Ink Spots so I learned to appreciate the group through them.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. I know I watched the Ink Spots not that long ago. DC put me to sleep. Easily the Inkers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. No doubt about it … the Ink Spots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Myra, sounds like an affirmation to me.

      The Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  11. Life events have a way of changing our direction many times over the years. I've also hit a wall in desire to write, although I'm forcing myself to at least finish the one I started last fall. After that, we'll see what happens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patricia, I will eventually probably have to force myself to finish or start something. Life does come first or so that is what seems logical to me.

      Lee

      Delete
  12. I thought I would be with David Cassidy all the way but I like the harmony of the Ink Spots as well. Guess I'm just an old fashioned girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet, nothing wrong with old-fashioned as far as I'm concerned.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  13. Lee, I have to go with the Ink Spots on this one. DC’s version is ok but it sounds like it was meant as filler tune fo an album. The Ink Spots with video was my “cup of tea”.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lonnie, going by the release date I'd say Cassidy was cranking out a lot of records at that time.

      I'd figure you for the old school sound with those divine vocal harmonies.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  14. Hmmm...I like both and it shows Cassidy's range plus how much he wanted to please his dad by choosing this old standard. I am going for David Cassidy because he cared too much, I think. He is excellent in his handling of this song which appealed more to him than his girlie fans. I have been told I care too much and, yes, I often neglect myself or my home (housework) to help a friend in need. Right now, we have some good songs but most are just repetitive offering not much more than bubblegum. In the 60's, with so much strife in the world, the music world was amazing...just look at Woodstock

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birgit, you really said a lot here. I like the way you reasoned your vote and so true about the music of yore.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  15. "Caring can be painful and distracting, but if we never cared about anything then we would lack passion. A life without passion is not a life that I'd want to live."

    Boy, I agree with that! In general, I'm all in or not in at all. In response to your question, I've gotten fully immersed in one pursuit or another, to the exclusion of all else, more than once in my life. My Type A personality easily falls into that pit (and likes it while it's going on; I'm not gonna lie). In truth, I only crawl out of that passion pit when I see a new obsession on the horizon. Let's leave it at that, ha ha.

    As for your EXCELLENT battle, I gotta go Inkspots. Little known Cherdo fact: David Cassidy gets on my last nerve, even though he has talent. He always seemed soooo full of himself in interviews...definitely Jack Cassidy's boy. That is a full on turn off for me. Yuck.

    Well played battle, Lee! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherdo, when my passion wanes so does my interest. I'll almost always see things through if I'm doing something as a job, but I often lose personal drive--especially in more recent years. But I am retired now so I guess just drifting off into the sunset isn't all a bad thing.

      A decided vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  16. I can understand long periods of non-writing, but songs do count as my favourite musician always says. I'm not a great practitioner of writing every day so I don't hold others to it. Life would be dull if all we did was write.

    Now to that battle: I like both versions but I lean towards the Inkspots as the singing has such melodious depth - and that video has to be classic. Simple and nothing like the ones I attempted to produce.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roland, you are not a harsh taskmaster. I like your style.

      That film short is indeed a classic.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  17. Thats a great song! Beautifully done by both artists. I like the deeper tones of Ink Spots though, and the big band behind him just hits the spot for the mood. David was great at this one though. He really was talented.

    Writing songs is still writing, and you are expressing yourself creatively whether it is stories or songs. Songs are just stories set to music, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dolorah, I would say that songs are definitely poetry and they certainly can tell some wonderful stories. I think I'm writing, but I'm not writing like I'd like to be.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  18. Happy IWSG Day Arlee. You'll get back to your writing of stories. I believe it. I love Cassidy's version. The piano struck me. Then his smooth voice grabbed me too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erika, I'd be happy to be writing stories, but maybe happier writing songs and getting them recorded. Writing on my memoir is something I definitely would like to get back to.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  19. Writing is a refuge for me, too. I prefer Ink Spots, hands down. I don't mind Cassidy's either, but the original has a certain magic to it. Happy IWSG day! http://www.raimeygallant.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raimey, the act of writing is usually a relationship between the writer and the page. Editing starts moving that relationship toward the audience.

      A vote for the "magic" of the Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  20. Songs or stories, it's still writing. Gonna have to vote on David's version. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David, I'd agree. Songs are words put to the music and words make writing.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  21. Turbulence helped me meet my creative side. As long as we let it out and no one gets hurt, it's all good. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna, some of the things that I've written have the potential of hurting someone which is why those pieces never see the light of day or are encrypted enough so that the real story is never recognized.

      Lee

      Delete
  22. Before I found an agent, I felt like quitting. Self doubt can really steal our joy and confidence!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer, for me having an agent would provide an extra drive. I'd feel obligated to write as it were my job.

      Lee

      Delete
  23. I completely understand how life events can keep that spark from sparking. It eventually will. I think there are time were we just need to heal and refresh out brains.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HR, sometimes we need to focus on whatever is most important at the moment and often that is not anything to do with writing.

      Lee

      Delete
  24. Sixgun McItchyfingerOctober 3, 2018 at 7:36 PM

    I did not go thru and count the votes to this point, but you seem to have a pretty even battle going on here. I love that you have dipped that far back in the past, and added a very counter-intuitive choice in Cassidy.

    Both versions have something special going on to my ears. The original? Original, with a sound that almost cannot be duplicated. Cassidy? He really shows some talent that I had no idea he possessed here. He does an excellent job on this number, and I'm going to give him my vote because he surprised me so much.

    I have long thought that adversity fuels almost all creativity. It seems that song writers are generally young when they go thru challenges (or at least PERCEIVE that they have challenges) and write their best stuff. I have trouble thinking of seasoned song writers that wrote good material late in life. At least in the rock genre. Jazz, classical, and Broadway musical writers don't have that trouble as much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 6 Gun, adversity and life stuff is more conducive to songwriting because I can interweave the songs with my life and don't have to worry so much about keeping track of the continuity of a story narrative.

      Songwriting for me can occur in increments for a while until the thing hits me with its entirety.

      It does seem to be a pretty even contest so far.

      And a vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  25. It is hard for me to write when bombs are dropping around me, so I get it. I just keep trying to do something and on some days it works and some days it don't.

    David Cassidy was my pick.

    Happy IWSG Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Juneta, bombs dropping is way too much distraction to write, but it's easier in the aftermath as we start trying to sort out and process what has happened to us.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  26. I might get pulled away from writing, but I always come back to it. It helps me sort through all that's running around in my head.

    My vote goes to David Cassidy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine, I've always come back to writing as well. What I need is to not be shaken by what goes on and just immerse myself in the writing.

      A vote for David Cassidy.

      Lee

      Delete
  27. Hi Arlee,

    Interesting question as to ever wanting to 'go your own way'. I've thought of walking off into the sunset more than once, but didn't have the heart to leave what I had behind.

    The easy choice for me is Ink Spots! You don't need a time machine to be transported to an era personified by such harmonic excellence ;-)
    Cassidy was better off thinking he loved someone.

    Write those songs, Lee!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diedre, I've left off into the sunset more than once and now I'm kind of stopped at the Pacific Ocean.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  28. As for the songs, I like the original. Shawshank is one of my favourite movies, and that song is definitely associated with it.

    I've often read that it's good for writers to have other creative pursuits. I think it's great that you can turn to music and songwriting when you're not feeling up for fictions and memoirs. Nothing wrong with that--you're still creating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JH, it's easier for me to play the music in my head than play out the scenes I'm going to write about.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  29. You'll write when and if you're ready. For me, I've never been driven to write by events in my life. I just enjoy writing in a world that I enjoy being in. It is a bit of an escape :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen, most events don't drive me to write especially if I'm very involved in living those events. When I'm in a sort of dormant state like depression of sorts then I'll probably turn to writing--but it's mostly kind of reflective in content.

      Lee

      Delete
  30. Replies
    1. Mike, so that's what you'll get...

      a vote for the Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  31. Your post makes me think of Kris Rusch's latest post on her blog. In it, she has a great test to see if you should keep writing. In essence, if the thought of quitting writing makes you stressed or upset, keep at it. If not, maybe it's time for your art to find a different form.

    It sounds like you've already discovered that by focusing on songwriting. :)

    My vote goes to The Ink Spots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy, no doubt in my mind that I need to keep writing. I might be generally content not writing, but writing would likely always be not far from my thoughts if I weren't obsessing on it.

      A vote for Ink Spots.

      Lee

      Delete
  32. I envy you your songwriting. I've always wanted to write a song. Wishing you all success! It is writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yolanda, for me writing the songs is easy, but getting them recorded, performed, or whatever is the hard part. I'm hoping for a collaborator to come my way.

      Lee

      Delete
  33. This past month I was in a cleaning frenzy, preparing for a visit from my folks. After two years since their last visit, the clutter build-up was monstrous. Now that the visit is over, I'm free. Free to go back to clutter management, or write, or knit, or anything. Today I chose to kayak and then fiddle away at the computer. Tomorrow, perhaps I'll stick my toe back into the waters of writing. Who knows?

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee