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!
I got my first injection of COVID vaccine last week. So far no weird complications have developed and all seems to be normal. Next infection--I mean injection comes in April. Right in the middle of Blogging from A to Z April Challenge!
Battle of the Bands Results
This latest Battle featured the Cole Porter song "I've Got You Under My Skin" with versions by Frank Sinatra and the duo of Louis Prima and Keely Smith. It seemed probable that Sinatra would win, but I thought there might be a few more voting for the duo like I did along with John Holton. But it was an overwhelming decision in favor of Frank.
It's quite possible that Louis and Keely's version was the first I'd ever heard of this song. My parents had the album and it was among my favorites. And I had kind of a kid crush on Keely Smith. It might have been interesting to see how The Four Seasons' version would have ranked against Frank since a few voters mention them in their comments.
Final Vote Tally
Frank Sinatra 16 votes
Louis Prima/ Keely Smith 2 votes
Next Battle of the Bands on Thursday April 1st
That's when that Alphabet Challenge thing also starts. So we'll have a convergence of events next time, but seems like I always do. That's me juggling I guess.
With St. Patrick's Day coming up I'm not so much concerned with wearing green as I am concerned about the possibility of turning green...
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 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.
I've Got You Under My Skin
Anyone want to venture a guess as to why I'm using this particular song for this particular Battle? Think topical issues. Under my skin. Can you guess?
Okay I'll tell you. I'll be getting my first dose of COVID vaccine on Wednesday St. Patrick's Day. Yeah, I'm getting it. I've got a morning appointment at a specific time and I've been informed that there will be little to no wait involved other than the 30 minute or so observation period to make sure that I don't drop dead or have some kind of adverse reaction like my arm turning green and falling off.
I'm not worried about getting the vaccine. In past years I've always been getting the flu shot with no negative outcome. As in those past years, since my medical provider is offering the service and assuring that it will be an in and out procedure, I figure I might as well take it. Considering all of the stuff I've put into my body in my lifetime and that I'm still here in a relatively healthy condition, one more dose of mystery substance probably won't bother me.
Besides, I'm planning to take a cross country trip this summer so I want to have the vaccine just in case things get any more weird than they have been and I need proof that I've had the silly shot. It's all a racket as far as I'm concerned--especially the masks, shutdowns, and distancing. Come on folks! If you're worried about getting sick then you should stay home and protect yourself from whatever bug-a-boo the government is trying to foist upon us.
But enough about the vaccine doses. Let's get a couple of doses of music...
Frank Sinatra "I've Got You Under My Skin" (1963)
Let's start off with what some might consider the ultimate version of this Cole Porter classic. The best some might say--but is it? I'm going to let you decide so let's start things off with Chairman Sinatra...
Louis Prima & Keely Smith "I've Got You Under My Skin" (1959)
You might be wondering why I would go with that classic Sinatra version. Maybe because there might be a comparable or better version? What about this one?...
Time to Vote! Music is the medicine that cures many ills. How about taking a few minutes to play along in this Battle of the Bands. 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.
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'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle A I Love Music Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday March 22nd
Hopefully I'll be here with the results on that day. I think I will, but who knows. My plans go on like a river keeps flowing. Rivers. Guess I'll be working on my "River" theme for A to Z April as well.
You can't do everything, at the same time, always, and forever. But if you look at your life and your career as a long, winding river, you can get to your destination.---- Stacey Snider
Colorado River (Texas)
A to Z 2021 Theme Reveal
The time has come for another Blogging from A to Z Theme Reveal. The 2021 Challenge is just a few weeks away so all across the blogosphere some A to Z participants are going to be revealing their themes for the month of April. Of course it's not necessary to have any theme so this is all at the discretion of individual bloggers. Having a theme helps me keep my April posts more manageable especially considering my attentions have not been particularly directed toward blogging in recent years. With a theme I find it easier to crank out content for my blog posts.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly what my 2021 A to Z theme will be other than "Rivers"--American rivers for the most part. I'll be looking at river metaphors as well as river stories. Most and maybe all of the actual rivers will have some life connection for me.
Rivers have always fascinated me. And they are important to the ecology and the economy. They can be scary. They can be beautiful.
Why a river theme? It just popped into my head as I was thinking of a Battle of the Bands post for April first. A Battle of "river" songs got me to thinking that the river theme might be a good one for the 2021 Challenge. So rivers it is.
Let it flow in April.
Battle of the Bands Results
My most recent Battle was a pairing of versions of the sometimes loved/oft hated Culture Club song "Karma Chameleon." On one side was a mellower version by Reggae Lounge and on the other we had the raucous punk rock of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.
I am fine with either version, but my leaning is toward the more rowdy approach of the Gimme Gimme Gang so I give them my vote. Still, my side was outvoted by the Reggae Lounge side.
Final Vote Tally
Reggae Lounge 9 votes
Me First & the Gimme Gimmes 5 votes
Next Battle of the Bands on Monday March 15th
Now off to check out some of the other A to Z Theme Reveals. Maybe I can get a bit of a head start on my A to Z posts for April. Maybe I'll get carried away on a river of creativity. Or maybe just float down a lazy river.
No this is not a political post. But I can see why the title might be mistaken as such.
By the way, what do you call a lizard who likes a cup of tea before bedtime?
A chamomileon
Down the page you will find a Battle of the Bands which I hope you will participate in, but first...
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.
March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
Since I am afflicted with eclecticism I tend to ramble in my interests. I've always had this tendency which is probably why I seem to get little actually done at times. Or maybe I just limit myself in how far I go in each pursuit.
But that's okay as far as I'm concerned. I'll call it freedom in a certain sense.
My writing has always rambled as has my reading. A look at my bookshelves will reveal a wide range of subject matter, style, genre, and so on. My reading schedule is not rigid nor is what I read. Often my reading depends on what is nearby. If I'm waiting somewhere I'm likely to pick up anything and start reading.
In more recent years my reading has been more inclined toward non-fiction. When I have read fiction my reading has been anything from sci-fi to romance to literary. I like to read even if it's just reading classified ads.
The act of reading is a bit obsessive with me, but what I read is not. Looking at me reading from one day or place to the next one might think me as somewhat of a literary chameleon.
And now...
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 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.
Karma Chameleon
You probably love this song or hate it. I like it okay. Heard it a lot back in the eighties and even had the Culture Club album where the song appeared. Whatever the case, this is the song I've chosen for this Battle. Hope you have fun with it...
Reggae Lounge "Karma Chameleon" (2103)
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes "Karma Chameleon" (2014)
Time to Vote! Don't be a lizard. Play along in this Battle of the Bands. 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.
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'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle A I Love Music Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday March 8
As always stay tuned for more stuff coming along the way.
