Activate A to Z and Let's Dance! ( #AtoZChallenge #BOTB #IWSG )

This post is like the perfect storm of blogging.   Not really in a bad way, but in a busy way.  I'll try to keep this as brief as I can considering all that is about to happen.  Hope you can hang in for the ride!

Activate A to Z!

       So here we are again for another month of fun and frenzy as I embark on my 11th annual Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.  And I am joined by several hundred other bloggers who can be found in our master A to Z list.    I hope you will show support by visiting as many of those bloggers who are participating and egg them on support their efforts.   

        This year I have a kind of a loose and random theme that will be related to some of my future goals, current interests, and whatever random stuff I might come up with.  In other words I'll be blogging like I typically do except I'll be posting nearly every day in April instead of just four or so posts per month.  Gosh, it sounds like that first year when I started blogging and blogging was kind of fresh and fun. 

         That's what I'm going to be doing in April.  Hope you can visit (and comment) often.  I'll be trying to do the same.  See you round and about!

   
       


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 April 1 posting of the IWSG are Diane Burton, JH Moncrieff, Anna @ Emaginette, Karen @ Reprobate Typewriter, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!

April 1 question -The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in this time when our world is in crisis with the covid-19 pandemic, our optional question this month is: how are things in your world?

         For now things are fine in my world.  If this pandemic stuff had to happen then this is probably the best time for me.  I don't have to worry about a lost job or getting a paycheck since I'm retired. So pandemic life for me is not much different than other times other than some of the absurd shortages in the stores.  Hopefully I'll be staying well throughout.

          I've got plenty to keep me busy this month with the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge--maybe I'll focus more on that than I have in the past few years.  Other than that I can always find things to do to occupy my time.  Ironically, despite being retired, it seems there is never enough time for me to do all that I'd like to do.  Funny how that works.

           Hope you are well.   Remember--if it ain't one thing, it's another.  So keep on truckin'  (How's that for a dated expression?).


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 there is also a Battle on the 1st of the month.  My blog is one of those with a second Battle excepting over these summer months.   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.



Let's Dance

          So as we get this A to Z party started let's get into the spirit with a couple of lively dance videos.   The song "Let's Dance" is a popular hit single that was originally released by Chris Montez in 1962.  Many covers of the song have appeared over the years.   For this Battle I've chosen two slightly contrasting versions with fun dance videos to go with them. Enjoy!


The Ramones   "Let's Dance"   (1976)

         Punk rock band The Ramones deliver a rollicking live version of the song recorded at the County Jail in Boston (that's what the video clip says at least).  No, the group in the video is not the Ramones, but the dancing is sure a lot of fun to watch.  Let's dance...








 Ola and the Janglers   "Let's Dance" (1968)

          Ola and the Janglers were a garage band from Sweden in the 1960's.  They present a more polished version of "Let's Dance" with visuals from an assortment of movies from the sixties.  A bit of eye candy for those who watch the video. But we're here for the song performance.  What do you think of this version?






Time to Vote!

         Did this song get you dancing?   Which song version do you prefer?   Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind.  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

 ‘Storms and Stardust’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside 

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday April 8th

         Of course lots more happening between then and now so I'll be here every day except Sunday with some kind of a post about some subject or such.  Yeah, that's what I'm doing.  How about you?