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, February 1, 2021
Love Song (#BOTB & #IWSG )
Starting a blog was like starting a business and waiting for the customers to come in. Getting them in the door wasn't always easy. Eventually I was a neighborhood fixture and I got to know those around me and they got to know me. Some people like me and some people don't. Kind of sounds like life...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh'sInsecure 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.
February 3 question - Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?
I couldn't have asked for a better question to lead-in to the topic on some of our blogging minds these days. After all, April is fast approaching and that means it's time for another Blogging from A to Z April Challenge--the twelfth annual Challenge!
If you don't know about the Challenge I invite you to check out the info on the blog site to find out more. I started the Challenge in 2010 in order to connect with more bloggers and gain more followers. When I had first started blogging, I knew very few other bloggers and the A to Z Challenge rapidly connected me with others who were trying to expand their range of blogging relationships. It works! I now have so many relationships in the blogging world and this has made the blogging experience so much more valuable to me.
My list of blogging friends would have to start with Stephen T McCarthy who introduced me to the blogging world. After I began blogging I connected with poet Yvonne Lewis who was the very first to sign on in that first Blogging from A to Z Challenge. In 2012 I had the pleasure of meeting Yvonne in person when she came to visit Los Angeles where I live. She still regularly comments on my blog and probably many of yours.
Then of course is the invaluable support I've received from Alex J Cavanaugh who also was on board with that first A to Z Challenge of 2010. He was an important part of the A to Z Team for several years and through his help we increased A to Z sign-ups from about 100 in the first year to thousands in following years. Alex has been a great blog friend throughout my blogging years and A to Z might not be where it is today if not for him. Thank you, Alex!
Our current A to Z Team has been in place for a few years now and they have done a terrific job in keeping the Challenge going. My utmost thanks goes to J Lenni Dorner who has provided so much effort in moving the Challenge forward each year. J has some interesting ideas for this year's Challenge so be watching the A to Z site for upcoming details.
By now most anyone reading this post has seen the wonderful art work of Jeremy Hawkins who has been providing the graphics for A to Z for many years now. You can see some of the badges he has designed on the sidebar of my blog among many other places. Jeremy as been a wonderful blogging friend to me as well as to many of you.
The other bloggers who keep the A to Z Challenge running each year and will be returning this year are Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary, Jayden R Vincente @ J R Vincente Erotica Writer, and the hyper-prolific blogger John Holton @ The Sound of One Hand Typing. These are all bloggers with whom I've established a very special relationship with that came through our participation in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge.
And through all of my years of blogging and especially through participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge I have made countless connections and established many more relationships too numerous to account in this blog post. So this is my testimonial concerning the value of Blogging from A to Z, Insecure Writer's Support Group, Battle of the Bands, and so many other blog networking events where it comes to meeting and getting to know other bloggers. It's worked for me and so many others. It can work for you too!
Hope you'll join us for this year's Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. It's lot's of fun and you might just hit the blogging jackpot that reaps more friendships as well as readers for your blog. April is just around the bend so now is a good time to get ready for the 12th annual Challenge.
We'll be looking for you!
And since it's the first of the month...
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bandsisthe blogging event started byFar Away Seriesand now hosted byStMcC 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 with some exceptions like if I don't feel like it. 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.
Lovesong
Since we're talking about love of friends and other passions, and since we're in February which might be considered a "love month" then what better song to use for the first Battle of the month than "Lovesong" by The Cure. I had lots of covers from which to choose, but I narrowed it down to a couple of artsy sounding ones. So let's get down to this Battle!
Voltaire "Lovesong" (2004)
This artist appeared in my "China Girl" Battle of last May and ran away with a win. Can he do it again with his version of "Lovesong"? Voltaire has an art/pop/rock sound that I enjoy. See what you think...
Tori Amos "Lovesong" (?)
I've always liked Tori Amos's music. I just never listened to it that much. Shortly after I moved to Southern California in 1991, I bought a copy of the early Amos album Little Earthquakes. But I was buying a lot of CD's back then. Most of my albums got relatively few plays. Maybe after hearing Tori's version of this song you might think I should listen to her more...
Time to Vote! Maybe you love this song or maybe you don't. Either way I hope you'll at least give the versions a listen to discern your favorite. Which 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.
I plan to be here then with an outcome so I hope you'll take the time to see if your favorite song version won. And maybe I'll come up with some other thoughts as well. You'll have to come back to find out.
Are you going to participate in this year's Blogging from A to Z April Challenge? Have you kept up with most of your original blogging friends and connections? Have you met with any of them in person?
Hi Lee - excellent to see the A-Z Challenge will be happening again ... good luck to all who participate - I certainly enjoyed it ... it really opened doors for many of us communicate with others. Enjoy everyone - and so pleased you and Alex and other early administrators did so much paving the way for so many of us. Stay safe - Hilary
Not a Tori Amos fan but I prefer her more subtle version of the song. Thanks for such an honorable mention, Lee! I'm glad I was part of the Challenge for so many years and happy to see it continue, inspiring new bloggers. Yvonne and I connected through that first Challenge. And of course Jeremy has rocked the graphics since year two!
I have to go with Voltaire who had a powerful voice but added softness when needed. Tori's rendition was just meh. She made the words join together in that melted fashion, as I call it, which I hate. I am so glad you mentioned Alex who was great with me when I ventured into the blogging world. It is so nice to thank bloggers and yes, I met one with her husband, from Scotland. We drove them all around Niagara Falls and Niagara On The Lake.
Thanks for the mention Lee, I well remember that day in LA, Good weather and good company, A meeting I treasure especially into day's situation. I look forward to the A to Z.
Thanks for the reminder of the upcoming IWSG date. I am making plans to join in this month even if it's something short. I'm undecided about doing the A to Z Challenge. I might go right down to the line before committing one way or the other. I'm definitely been feeling stretched for months. Part of it I place on myself and the other part is just circumstances.
Normally, I would think that Voltaire is at a disadvantage for having faithful to the original music and not a lot of extra oopmh in the vocal. But... Tori was just too breathy for me. And Voltaire's music was better to me.
The April A-Z was definitely a huge help Arlee in gaining a following on my blog so my grateful thanks to you, Alex and others who we’re always so encouraging.
Susan Scott, if one has done the A to Z the right way it's hard not to come away with an addition of a good many new followers and blogging friends. Mutual encouragement helps us all grow.
You've done amazing work connecting with people and building your blog following. I have participated in the A to Z challenge in the past. It is exhausting, but I do enjoy the connections and clever posts. Mary at Play off the Page
Mary, Well, I had an idea that others join me and we all ran with. It took a community to make A to Z work. Hope you might join in A to Z again some day.
I've really missed the A to Z. I did it for about 4 years, and then life took a turn and April became the month I had to do other things. Hope I can jump back in one of these years.
Arlee, you're like a landmark beacon in the fog. Happy IWSG day. Time has gone by so fast, eh? Just yesterday... I remember post after post and no visitors. I can't tell you how many times I thought of quitting. I'm glad I didn't. Have a great day.
Joylene, that's a nice way to put it. I was pretty fired up about blogging in my early days of doing it. The socializing does become a bit time consuming though. But we have persisted and here we are.
I'll have to give the edge to Voltaire. The overall musical style appeals to me more.
I'll have to start researching and writing my A to Z posts soon. My main blog will have a very special theme this year, and my names blog will have a related theme.
Thanks for sharing your blogging buddies, Arlee. I enjoyed reading about your special relationships. I've never had the courage to tackle the A-Z Challenge. We'll see. I tried NaNaWriMo last November, and it nearly put me over the edge (and my husband ~ LOL). Have a Happy IWSG Day!
The A-Z Challenge really helped me grow my blog when I was starting out too. There aren't as many big challenges around now but I'm glad that's still going.
It's funny how I turned you onto the idea of blogging and now, all these years later, I'm finished as a blogger but you're still blogging on! I met several really cool people via blogging, and I would say that was the primary and best take-away from the entire experience!
I don't believe I ever heard this song before, and I know I never heard of Voltaire before. Well, *this* Voltaire, I mean.
This was a very easy Battle for me. Although I haven't heard a lot of Tori Amos recordings, what I have heard, I never "got". I don't hear any special talent there, and I've known many amateur female singers who have considerably better voices.
Gotta go with VOLTAIRE in this contest. I liked the violin playing in it. And my prediction is that the violin in his recording is what will sway you as well when it comes time for you to post your own BOTB bote.
Thanks again for the mention. Typing my name is like resurrecting a ghost from Bloggin' past, ain't it? ;^)
STMcC, I'm kind of still blogging. Or maybe more like lingering without totally letting go. Maybe my blog will still be of use to me someday, but for now it's just here--barely.
Guess you've got me pegged by now. Most of the time at least. Both are artsy rock I guess one might say, but I do like the string backing.
I'll give you credit you deserve for me getting into blogging, but I won't blame you for it.
Voltaire did a nice job, but this tune was basically set on a tee for Tori to be Tori, and be Tori, she did... What a nice pair on tracks this round. Well done, Lee.
I can’t believe I did that! It must have been pretty early for me to make that mistake. Yep, the time stamp shows 5:30am. I guess I was still working on my second cup of coffee and it hadn’t kicked in yet but know this I did know where I was, I just had Tom on my brain. I must have come from his place before heading over to yours. Which makes me think of these potato chips we’ve been having lately. They are called “Tim’s” but I keep calling them “Tom’s”.
I think next month I’ll have a stronger feeling one way or the other what I want to do with A to Z. I hate the idea of not participating but reluctance to not do it keeps nagging at me. I don’t know if I should ignore that feeling or listen to it. We’ll see how I feel in March. Have a good day, my friend. I hope you’re feeling warmer.
Cathy, I remember a snack company back east--in Knoxville maybe--called Tom's that probably sells potato chips. I remember their peanut products in vending machines.
I always think I'm going to plan A to Z and start early, but I usually never do much. It's all okay though.
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.
Hi Lee - excellent to see the A-Z Challenge will be happening again ... good luck to all who participate - I certainly enjoyed it ... it really opened doors for many of us communicate with others. Enjoy everyone - and so pleased you and Alex and other early administrators did so much paving the way for so many of us. Stay safe - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, A to Z has had some great bloggers driving the thing. Your A to Z posts were always so informative.
DeleteLee
Not a Tori Amos fan but I prefer her more subtle version of the song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an honorable mention, Lee! I'm glad I was part of the Challenge for so many years and happy to see it continue, inspiring new bloggers. Yvonne and I connected through that first Challenge. And of course Jeremy has rocked the graphics since year two!
Alex, you were instrumental in helping A to Z to take off like it did. And true about Jeremy.
DeleteFirst vote goes to Tori Amos.
Lee
Keeping up with blogger friends from the very beginning is tough. Many don't last long enough.
ReplyDeleteI like the second version a little better.
L.Diane, I had to achieve more life balance and that meant less blogging activity.
DeleteAnother vote for Tori Amos.
Lee
I have to go with Voltaire who had a powerful voice but added softness when needed. Tori's rendition was just meh. She made the words join together in that melted fashion, as I call it, which I hate. I am so glad you mentioned Alex who was great with me when I ventured into the blogging world. It is so nice to thank bloggers and yes, I met one with her husband, from Scotland. We drove them all around Niagara Falls and Niagara On The Lake.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, couldn't talk about blogging friends and A to Z and Alex along with so many others. Sounds like a great trip you gave your guests.
DeleteA vote for Voltaire.
Lee
I liked the arrangement of Voltaire's better than Tori's, so I'll go with Voltaire.
ReplyDeleteJohn H, I get where you're coming from.
DeleteA vote for Voltaire.
Lee
From my Cousin Tom on Facebook comes a vote for...
ReplyDeleteVoltaire.
Lee
Thanks for the mention Lee, I well remember that day in LA, Good weather and good company, A meeting I treasure especially into day's situation. I look forward to the A to Z.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Voltaire.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, you've been among my longest blogging friends to I'd be amiss not to give you a mention. And you are one of the A to Z hardliners.
DeleteA vote for Voltaire.
Lee
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder of the upcoming IWSG date. I am making plans to join in this month even if it's something short. I'm undecided about doing the A to Z Challenge. I might go right down to the line before committing one way or the other. I'm definitely been feeling stretched for months. Part of it I place on myself and the other part is just circumstances.
For this battle I'm going to give my vote to Voltaire. Thanks for voting in BoTB 2021 Round 3 Showdown - Goldfinger! Have a good day, my friend.
Cathy, short IWSG posts are fine--many of them are short. Hope you'll do A to Z again--you've always done so well with it.
DeleteAnother vote for Voltaire.
Lee (not Tom)
I didn't care much for Tori Amos version, so my vote goes to Voltaire.
ReplyDeleteMary B, Tori tried, but that's another vote for...
DeleteVoltaire.
Lee
Normally, I would think that Voltaire is at a disadvantage for having faithful to the original music and not a lot of extra oopmh in the vocal. But... Tori was just too breathy for me. And Voltaire's music was better to me.
ReplyDeleteCW, sometimes it's all about the music for me too.
DeleteAgain it's Voltaire.
lee
The April A-Z was definitely a huge help Arlee in gaining a following on my blog so my grateful thanks to you, Alex and others who we’re always so encouraging.
ReplyDeleteSusan Scott, if one has done the A to Z the right way it's hard not to come away with an addition of a good many new followers and blogging friends. Mutual encouragement helps us all grow.
DeleteLee
You've done amazing work connecting with people and building your blog following. I have participated in the A to Z challenge in the past. It is exhausting, but I do enjoy the connections and clever posts.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Mary, Well, I had an idea that others join me and we all ran with. It took a community to make A to Z work. Hope you might join in A to Z again some day.
DeleteLee
I've really missed the A to Z. I did it for about 4 years, and then life took a turn and April became the month I had to do other things. Hope I can jump back in one of these years.
ReplyDeleteC.Lee, jump in anytime! How about this year?
DeleteLee
Arlee, you're like a landmark beacon in the fog. Happy IWSG day. Time has gone by so fast, eh? Just yesterday... I remember post after post and no visitors. I can't tell you how many times I thought of quitting. I'm glad I didn't. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteJoylene, that's a nice way to put it. I was pretty fired up about blogging in my early days of doing it. The socializing does become a bit time consuming though. But we have persisted and here we are.
DeleteLee
I'll have to give the edge to Voltaire. The overall musical style appeals to me more.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to start researching and writing my A to Z posts soon. My main blog will have a very special theme this year, and my names blog will have a related theme.
Carrie-Anne, you have done some epic A to Z themes over the years. It will be interesting to see what you have in store this year.
DeleteA vote for Voltaire.
Lee
Thanks for sharing your blogging buddies, Arlee. I enjoyed reading about your special relationships. I've never had the courage to tackle the A-Z Challenge. We'll see. I tried NaNaWriMo last November, and it nearly put me over the edge (and my husband ~ LOL).
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy IWSG Day!
Blue, if you can do NaNO then A to Z should be an easy one for you. Try it! You might like it!
DeleteLee
Wonderful shout out to the world of blogging buddies!
ReplyDeleteHR< thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLee
The A-Z Challenge really helped me grow my blog when I was starting out too. There aren't as many big challenges around now but I'm glad that's still going.
ReplyDeleteNick, I don't look for challenges these days. Life is a big enough challenge.
DeleteLee
Hey, thanks for the shout-out, LEE!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how I turned you onto the idea of blogging and now, all these years later, I'm finished as a blogger but you're still blogging on! I met several really cool people via blogging, and I would say that was the primary and best take-away from the entire experience!
I don't believe I ever heard this song before, and I know I never heard of Voltaire before. Well, *this* Voltaire, I mean.
This was a very easy Battle for me. Although I haven't heard a lot of Tori Amos recordings, what I have heard, I never "got". I don't hear any special talent there, and I've known many amateur female singers who have considerably better voices.
Gotta go with VOLTAIRE in this contest. I liked the violin playing in it. And my prediction is that the violin in his recording is what will sway you as well when it comes time for you to post your own BOTB bote.
Thanks again for the mention. Typing my name is like resurrecting a ghost from Bloggin' past, ain't it? ;^)
Take care, Brother!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC, I'm kind of still blogging. Or maybe more like lingering without totally letting go. Maybe my blog will still be of use to me someday, but for now it's just here--barely.
DeleteGuess you've got me pegged by now. Most of the time at least. Both are artsy rock I guess one might say, but I do like the string backing.
I'll give you credit you deserve for me getting into blogging, but I won't blame you for it.
A vote for Voltaire
Lee
>>... "I'll give you credit you deserve for me getting into blogging, but I won't blame you for it."
DeleteIt's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. ;^)
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I am an A-Z coward...but a very good cheerleader!
ReplyDeleteLiza, keep on cheering for us. Maybe some day you can join in. It isn't all that bad.
DeleteLee
I think I'd have a nervous breakdown if I do A-Z again. :) It is a great blog hop, though.
ReplyDeleteTori Amos gets my vote.
Loni, oh, you could do it if you set your mind to it.
DeleteLee
Voltaire did a nice job, but this tune was basically set on a tee for Tori to be Tori, and be Tori, she did... What a nice pair on tracks this round. Well done, Lee.
ReplyDeleteTori Amos gets my vote.
Michael, thank you for voting.
DeleteA vote for Tori Amos.
Lee
Tori gets my vote. I was fortunate enough to see her many times. Her and her pianos was the best, lost something when she went full band.
ReplyDeleteMike, the live clips I've seen are pretty good.
DeleteA vote for Tori Amos.
Lee
Lee (not Tom),
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe I did that! It must have been pretty early for me to make that mistake. Yep, the time stamp shows 5:30am. I guess I was still working on my second cup of coffee and it hadn’t kicked in yet but know this I did know where I was, I just had Tom on my brain. I must have come from his place before heading over to yours. Which makes me think of these potato chips we’ve been having lately. They are called “Tim’s” but I keep calling them “Tom’s”.
I think next month I’ll have a stronger feeling one way or the other what I want to do with A to Z. I hate the idea of not participating but reluctance to not do it keeps nagging at me. I don’t know if I should ignore that feeling or listen to it. We’ll see how I feel in March. Have a good day, my friend. I hope you’re feeling warmer.
Cathy, I remember a snack company back east--in Knoxville maybe--called Tom's that probably sells potato chips. I remember their peanut products in vending machines.
DeleteI always think I'm going to plan A to Z and start early, but I usually never do much. It's all okay though.
Lee
congrats on starting the A to Z Challenge. So many people enjoy participating.
ReplyDeleteFor the results of this Battle please visit:
ReplyDeleteTossing It Out
Here's that address again so you can cut and paste:
ReplyDeletehttp://tossingitout.blogspot.com/2021/02/who-did-you-love-botb-results.html