Dilly, Dilly, and to All a Good Night! (#BOTB Results)

Christmas time means end of the year which often calls for a bit of introspection and a lot of retrospection.  Sounds like this could be time better spent on other things, but still I'll add my thoughts about the year in entertainment...

Looking Back on 2018

        Since I don't keep up with music much anymore, I'm not very familiar with anything that came out this year.  I think most of it probably sounded like stuff that came out in previous years.  Don't ask me about current music because I don't know much.  This past year I mostly focused on my own songs.  Now to figure out what to do about them.

        Sadly, I haven't been keeping up with reading.  When I read, it's mostly older books or non-fiction.  With all the crazy stuff going on around us everyday, who needs to read fiction?  Things get more fantastical every day so I don't need any fantastical story to carry me to another realm.

       Since retirement I've been watching more television than I've watched at any time since my pre-college days.  That's not been the best thing for me, but I've fallen into a bit of a habit.  Unfortunately for me (or is it a good thing?), most of the TV shows that I get into seem to get cancelled or just disappear without any fanfare.  As usual I guess mainstream tastes don't match mine or perhaps there is something more nefarious afoot.  There have been some TV shows that I've liked a lot that apparently most other people don't care about.  So it goes.

       Finally, there are the movies.  As a bit of a refresher, I had to look up the movies that came out in 2018.  I came to the realization that not only had I seen very few new movies (about 5 or so), but I've not even heard of a good many of them.  I definitely have not been keeping up with new movie releases!  Of the few 2018 movies that I did watch, there are none that I would likely watch again because I was essentially unimpressed.  Were there any good movies that came out in 2018?  Not for me I guess.  Or at least I haven't seen them yet.

         So that's my retrospective look at 2018 from the standpoint of entertainment.  Not very enlightening I suppose.   This was a mostly good year for me, but the good parts came from my own life and the things associated with it.  Hollywood has little to offer me nor does much of the rest of the world of entertainment.  Maybe that world has become too obsessive with messages and agendas.

          I live less than 20 miles from Hollywood, but you'll rarely find me there.  Normally I only go to Hollywood if I have a visitor who wants to see the area attractions.  There's nothing in Hollywood that I particularly need.  If I saw a celebrity or a movie star it's likely that I wouldn't know who the hell they were.   But they wouldn't know who I am either.   I guess that puts us on an equal plane and that's about the only thing we'd have in common.

         Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!   Make your own life and memories.  Don't let someone who doesn't really care about you decide what you should and shouldn't like.

         And that's as controversial as I'm going to get for now.   I'd hate to offend anyone.


Battle of the Bands Results

       My previous Battle was between versions of "Lavender Blue" that came from two different Disney films.  The first was a more widely known version by Burl Ives first recorded in 1949 while the second appeared in a live action version of "Cinderella" that came 66 years later.

       I kind of thought that there would be more voters who wouldn't care for Burl Ives' voice or the old style of the song while more would appreciate the updated style of the song.  With a different voter demographic this probably would have been the case, but the voters for this Battle went for the more traditional sound.   I did too--my vote went to Burl Ives.


Final Vote Tally

Burl Ives                21 votes

Muffin Songs           5 votes



Next Battle of the Bands on Tuesday January 1, 2019

       I'll be back on the blog next year for my first Battle of the Bands post of 2019.  Next year is really only a matter of days away, but I can use the blog break.  Of course, if the whim hits me, I might post before then, but don't count on it.

       Again, Merry Christmas!

      What great innovative music did you hear over the past year?  Are there any television shows that captivated you in 2018?   Please, please name a movie from 2018 that is not only worth watching, but worth adding to my home film library to watch more than once?

Lavender Blue ( #BOTB )

 Wishing a Merry Christmas to my NJ grandkids Dilly, Lillie, Marley, Gracie, and Tommy!  I'm going to miss this holiday season with you, but look for me in the summer...

Dilly ready to rock!

Dilly as Chucky for Halloween

Dilly Dilly

        My youngest grandchild in New Jersey recently celebrated her first birthday.  She somehow acquired the nickname of "Dilly" though her real name is Logan (inspired by the 2017 superhero film of the same name).  Everyone says that she is the happiest baby they've ever seen and every time I've been around her she has had such a sweet disposition, smiling away at everyone she sees.  When I heard my daughter calling her "Dilly" the first thing that came to my mind was the old song "Lavender Blue".  In honor of her recent first birthday I've dedicated this round of Battle of the Bands to Dilly...


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.

Lavender Blue

        Originally an English folk song dating back to the 17th century, this tune was reworked in 1949 for the Disney film So Dear To My Heart in which a version sung by Burl Ives was featured.  The song was nominated for a "Best Song" Academy award, but lost out to the now controversial song "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

         Since the song's revival by Ives, many versions have been recorded over the years.  In 2015 Disney used an updated version of the song for the live action film version of Cinderella.   With so many wonderful versions of "Lavender Blue" from which to choose, I thought it most appropriate during the festive season of Christmas and in honor of granddaughter Logan to use these two versions from Disney films released some 66 or so years apart...

Burl Ives   "Lavender Blue"  (1949)

      This is not the movie version.  There are a few versions by Ives to be found on YouTube, but I liked this one best since it's the version I know best.  At least I think it is...  





Muffin Songs   "Lavender's Blue"  (2015)

          Everywhere I looked I saw this version attributed to "Muffin Songs".   Since I don't feel like doing any more research that I've done then I'm going to stick with Muffin Songs as the artist...





Time to Vote!

      Don't be silly, this Battle's for Dilly!  Vote!  Don't let this cute kid down.  What's your favorite between these two choices?  Do you prefer the old or the new?  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

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday December 21st

        I'm going to announce the winner of this Battle on Friday since Monday will be Christmas Eve and that doesn't seem like a great time to do that post.   I'll be home for Christmas this year which means I'll likely be taking it easy with no travelling in store.   It's hard to believe that another year is coming to a close.

       Have you seen either of the films mentioned in this post?  Are you familiar with the traditional folk song from which "Lavender Blue" was derived?   What will you be doing for Christmas?

It Ain't Easy Being an Angel (#BOTB Results)

      There are times when we just do things because they are the right things to do at that particular moment in time.  If we think too much about what we believe to be the right thing to do, then we give ourselves ample opportunity to talk ourselves out of doing them.  The brain can be an insidious device that cultivates fear and inaction...

         
Battle of the Bands Results

      My most recent Battle was between country superstars Alabama and the far lesser known Tutti Druyan singing the song "Angels Among Us".  The outcome was predictable, but I liked the idea of using the song in lieu of more tradition Christmas fare.  I enjoyed Tutti's version, but like most of you I had a preference for Alabama.  Thanks to all who voted!

Final Vote Tally

Alabama              18

Tutti Druyan          4


Next Battle on Saturday December 15th!

       It's coming soon!  This Saturday in fact!  Be there for my next song offering for the Christmas season. 

        Do you have a good internal guardian who keeps you from making a lot of rash dumb decisions?  How often do you talk yourself into being afraid?  What is the greatest decision you've made that was essentially irrational with a potentially disastrous outcome?

So That Answers That Question! ( #IWSG )

If you haven't voted on my Battle of the Bands for December 1st then you can go here and cast a vote for your favorite song version of "Angels Among Us".  




The 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 December 5 posting of the IWSG are J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey--Stop by their blogs to say "thank you!"  

December 5 question - What are five objects we'd find in your writing space?

     Was that "5" or "500"?   One might wonder looking at the above photo of my writing space.  Actually I've cleaned up the space since that picture was taken some months ago, but still it's pretty bad.  I tend to accumulate stuff since my writing space is also a multi-use area where I do all sorts of things. 

       So what are five objects that would always tend to be found in my writing space?  

       1)  My house phone:  If it rings then I don't want to be going to another room to answer it.  Though it might not be a bad idea to have to get up since that would provide some much needed exercise.

        2)  Pens and paper:   I don't often use pens and paper for writing these days, but sometimes I do feel an urge to scribble something down.

        3)  Miscellaneous office supplies:  Stapler, paper clips, scissors, and so on--after all, this space is my "office" so I should have office supplies even if I rarely use any of them.

       4)  Sound entertainment system:   I don't know if these are still called "boom boxes", but I do have a combo with radio/CD/cassette tape just in case I want to listen to music or talk radio.  I don't listen to these like I used to, but it's there if I need some background sounds. 

         5) My Computer:   This is the most important item since this is how I do most of my writing as well as research.   What did people do before there were computers anyway?  Well, I do know, but I don't think I want to go back to that time.

         So that also partially answers the question as to why I don't get much writing done.  Maybe I'd be better off taking a notebook and a pen to sit beside a secluded waterfall or upon a mountain top to write without distractions.  Are you kidding?  Then I'd be watching the water or looking at the view instead of writing.  I can always find an excuse not to do things I probably should be doing.

 

         Do you tend to accumulate clutter on your desk?  Do you have a desk?  Do you prefer to write at home or some other place?

Angels Among Us (#BOTB)

      Reach out to a friend in need, or for that matter someone you don't know--not just during this Christmas season, but all through the year...

Be an Angel!
       


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.

Angels Among Us

       Not exactly a Christmas song, but it fits in well with the spirit of the Season.  This song was first released by the country group Alabama in 1993.  In this Battle I take the risk of putting the original artists up against an internet artist that you probably don't know.  Either way, enjoy the song and maybe let the message soak in some.  Let's be like angels during this Christmas season and then keep on doing it through the year to come...

 Alabama  "Angels Among Us"    (1993)
          
       From Fort Payne Alabama, this group touts its home state as their group name.  These fellows started playing together in 1969 under the name Wildcountry, but after changing their name to Alabama in 1977 they started hitting the music charts eventually becoming one of the biggest bands in the country music genre. 




Tutti Druyan  "Angels Among Us"  (2013)

     Tutti is a successful singer, actor, and voice-over artist from Israel.  She began her career at age 3 and now at age 25 she can be considered a veteran in the entertainment business.







Time to Vote!
      Come on!  Don't be a Grinch!  Vote!  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


A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday December 10th

           You'll have plenty of time to vote on this one even though I'll have an #IWSG post on Wednesday the 5th.  Busy time ahead for many of us as we head toward the New Year.  Can you believe we're reaching the end of yet another year? 

           Have you ever experienced an "angelic" encounter?   Do you do any volunteer projects that help others?   What is a nice gesture that you would recommend that others do to help someone who needs an angel?