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, November 7, 2022

The Vote Is In--No, Not That Vote ( #BOTB Results )

       

          This week it's all about the vote and the results.  I've got some results, but not the big results much of America is waiting for.  These are the Battle of the Bands results....


Battle of the Bands Results



       My most recent Battle was one between songs about writers and writing in honor of NANO month (look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about).   This Battle found hippie dippy Donovan up against Lloyd Whoever-He-Is Cole.   Cole's song was a catchy tune that won the hearts of most of the voters.  I'd never of Cole before, but I liked his sound and his song seemed appropriate for a writerly song Battle.

        Donovan's song has been a big favorite of mine for over fifty years.  Even in my high school days I could appreciate Donovan's song portrayal of a writer past his prime and fading into his own memories.  I think it's a wonderful song and that's the one that got my vote in this round.  

         However as it is in the song market, the more poppy sound of Lloyd Cole won over the most listeners.  I guess that's what I should have expected.


Final Vote Tally

Lloyd Cole       11 votes

Donovan           6 votes


Next Battle on Friday December 1

        I'm going to be pretty much off line for a few weeks.  Maybe I'll pop on now and then, but I've got some busy times ahead.  Have a great and bountiful Thanksgiving!





Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Writers and Writing ( #IWSG & #BOTB )

         Time to write that novel you've been thinking about for--what, years?  decades?--well, if you've been dreaming about such things.  I have.  Still am.  What am I doing about it?  Writing a blog post...

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 November 2 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton!



November 2 question - November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?


    Years ago I participated for two years in a row.  I was doing a lot more writing activity back then.  Now I've got excuses not to write.  Actual excuses.  Sometimes.  And this November especially I have some real life things going on that are likely to be keeping me busy until the end of the year.

     I'll hopefully be writing again soon, but this year no Nano for me.

      But since it doesn't take much of my time I will do this...

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.


Sing a Song of Writing

       Here's a couple of contrasting views of writing for you to think about as you ponder your own writerly dreams of a career of sorts as a writer.  Take a moment to listen to each and then vote on your favorite in the comment section. 

        

Lloyd Cole   "Writer's Retreat!"   (2010)

 



Donovan  "Writer in the Sun"   (1966)

 




Time to Vote!

           Nano or No-no, you don't have to have writing aspirations to enjoy the music in this song Battle.  Just listen and appreciate.  Which song 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'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Streampebbles (Diedre Knight)



Winner of this Battle Announced on Monday November 7 

              Make your vote count!  Come back on the 7th to see if your pick was the top favorite.  After that I'll probably be taking the rest of November off.  And not because I'm writing a novel.