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!
It's been raining off and on all day, but didn't matter much to me because I just stayed in the house all day. I had a lovely time. And part of what I did with that time is come up with my results post.
Battle of the Bands Results
No need to spend much time on this. If you missed this one you can scroll back to my previous blog post. In brief it was a showdown between a wild Latin sound and honky-tonk bluegrass. For sentimental and musical excitement factor I went with The Pepper Pots, but I give a nod of admiration to the Jeff Little Trio who sparked the inspiration for this Battle.
It's Christmas time and that means time for favorite Christmas songs and that provides another opportunity for sharing that music fun in what we call...
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.
Favorite Christmas Song
What song most evokes the Christmas season for you? So many to choose from! And so many that you might wish would go away. I have many favorites among traditional as well as pop Christmas songs, but one song takes me back to many Christmas events in my younger days.
You might remember "El Cumbanchero" from my earlier Battle "The Real Juggling Music" where Xavier Cugat's version of the song ran away with the victory. This Battle consisted of two songs my family used in our juggling act. So why, you might wonder, does this song have any particular significance for me during the Christmas season? Naturally I'm going to explain it to you now.
Since my father always worked at a regular job in all his years as head of a household, our juggling performances were mostly relegated to two times of the year: summer vacation and Christmastime. Back in the fifties and sixties it was fairly common for companies and organizations to host Christmas parties for their employees. Often a part of the festivities would include some kind of variety show or entertainment. From November to Christmas we would be booked on many of these shows and since "El Cumbachero" was the back-up for our act's exciting finale, we would hear that song repeatedly throughout the holiday season. It was a song we probably heard as much as any Christmas song. So now if I hear it, my thoughts will take me back to those days juggling with my family and the many Christmas shows we would do.
For this Battle I am offering a version of "El Cumbanchero" that we actually used from 1966 and after up against a very different version that I recently heard on the PBS television show Song of the Mountains.
Time to Vote! Don't be a Scrooge! Have fun and play along. Which song version do you like best? 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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
The anxiety has been mounting as the countdown continues. For what? Christmas? New Year?
No...it's the...
Battle of the Bands Results
Who Delivered Their Message Best?
My recent Battle between pop/punk powerhouse The Police and Karl Wallinger's cool nineties band World Party was a neck and neck race to the end. As much as I've always liked The Police and this big hit of theirs, a recent rediscovery of World Party has been putting a smile on my face.
Over the past month I've been doing some housecleaning and room rearranging. Having a nice compact entertainment system in my home office has tempted my opportunity to listen to some of my old cassette tapes. These are 30 or more years old so it's kind of surprising they all still play so well--or at least the ones I've listened to so far.
After I put on my World Party cassette I was pleasantly reminded of their jaunty hit "Put the Message in the Box" and it's been an earworm since hearing it. I'm a sucker for finely crafted pop songs and this song certainly is a winner. That's why I voted for World Party and put them over the top. My apologies to The Police. Still great music.
Final Vote Tally
The Police 7 votes
World Party 8 votes
Next BOTB?
Let me think on that a while. Not much time I know, but the week-end has just begun.
I have a real close competition in my current Battle of the Bands. If you have a moment, please stop over and cast a vote for your favorite of the two songs I've presented. Votes needed now! Your vote would be nice...
December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?
I haven't been doing much in the way of book reviews in recent years, though I did go on a reading binge a few months back and kept intending on posting some reviews. Well, that didn't happen and that's pretty much par for my course these days. A few years back I was somewhat diligent about posting reviews on my blog as well as Amazon and Goodreads so I'll answer the question reflecting those reviews.
Whenever I've posted a review I've done so for any potential readers. My mission was either to recommend a decent book to read or advise readers on my opinion as to why they might want to avoid a book. And from another perspective, I do it for myself--my own expression and entertainment.
Critiquing an author is part of the review approach in most cases I would think. Some observations about the way a work reads and the editing or other such details might be important. However, it seems ludicrous to write a review specifically to address the author. I've seen such vendettas in print and they have usually turned me off except when they were actually entertaining.
No, for me, a review is my thoughts on what I have read and whether I think it's worth reading. If an author reads my review and gains insight or gets pissed, either way I'd be somewhat flattered that they read my review and were emotionally moved by it. Just please don't get too mad at me if you don't like what I said.
We had a great Thanksgiving. Big gathering and had some family for a week including my oldest granddaughter Marley. I've been so busy that I didn't have time to do a careful job with this post, but here it is, whipped together in a busy time.
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.
Message Songs
Tis the season for messages with one in particular being dominant. How would you prefer your message be delivered? Vote for your favorite of these two random songs about messages...
Time to Vote! Here's my message to you: Vote! Which do you like best?. Just listen and have fun. 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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Tuesday: The trash trucks came by today. For a while I watered my lawn. I had a Stouffers frozen dinner for supper. All in all it was a decent day. I'm glad I lived it. And now for the news...
My November schedule is pretty busy in the coming weeks. I probably won't be doing much in the way of blogging activity, but I'll try to visit any midmonth Battles that I see. Have a nice Thanksgiving!
So NANO is here and that means it's November which means it's almost Thanksgiving which precedes Christmas and New Year--seems like it was just April a minute ago...
November 1 question: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?
Soon after I first began to blog and had gotten caught up in the fever of it all, I ran across National Novel Writing Month and quickly jumped on board. At the time I was trying to build up an online following so I'd join along with anything that might expand my community relations. That was 2009.
I had a great experience that first year as I was attempting to post daily on my blog and visit other blogs while working on my first real attempt at writing a novel. It was a crazy time for a number of reasons as you might well imagine, but I'm glad I did it.
When 2010 came I delved into NANO like an old hand. This time I felt more organized and had cut back on daily blogging (although I was now posting on three different blogs). This next novel project went much better than the first and I think I had more fun with it.
In 2011 I started to write, but dropped out after the first week. My heart wasn't in it like in the beginning. Since then I've thought about doing the write a novel in a month thing, but it's not a thought I dwell on for long.
Do I recommend doing NANO? If writing a novel or some other book appeals to you and you can dedicate the time then, sure, I'd say do it. If you stick to the commitment then you'll produce something that you might be able to do something else with later, or at least prove that you can do it.
But like anything, it's about you, baby! And that reminds me of a couple of songs...
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.
You Baby
I have an album in my collection that has the title Battle of the Bands. It's a double package with greatest hits by two popular bands from the late sixties and on--The Turtles and The Lovin Spoonful. Seems like a natural for this blog feature that I do here. And it just so happens that each group has a song in their set called "You Baby"--different songs, same title. Take a listen and tell us which you like best...
Written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, this song was first recorded by the Vogues, but was released first by The Turtles.
Time to Vote! And now it's up to you to help decide the winner here. Which do you like best?. Just listen and have fun. 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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Not much of a breeze on this fall evening. Just cool autumn air wafting through the windows. But even when summer is gone, we can still sing summer songs...
Battle of the Bands Results
Summer Showdown
The most recent Battle found two contrasting renditions of the Seals and Crofts classic hit "Summer Breeze" which all voters seemed to agree on it being a fine summer song.
The somewhat ominous sound of Dark Side of Light I did enjoy quite a bit. I even liked the weird electronic sounds and such. But it was the mellow delivery of the duo that won me over. Guess it just fit my mood better. I gave my vote to The Running Mates.
Final Vote Tally
The Running Mates 5 votes
Dark Side of Light 6 votes
An unpleasant sounding write-in 1 vote
Next Battle on Wednesday November 1
Did I really say that? Time to think about Christmas. Happy Halloween!
It's the middle of the month when I guess I am among the few with a Battle of the Bands post. Be sure to check the other BOTB participant sites listed below in case there are others. Lots going on as I watch another summer disappear in the rearview mirror. Still I've been getting some of those October reminders of the summer breeze. Can you feel it?
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.
The Ultimate Summer Song?
There might be a bit of a debate as to the most iconic of all summer songs, but I think many of us will agree that Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze" is one of the best of the best. The Seals & Crofts duo is not something we'd listen to in my basement back in the seventies, but still their music was frequently heard on our car stereos or wherever our 8-track players were. In the basement I only had a turntable and I didn't have any Seals & Crofts on vinyl.
The other day I was looking for a different Seals & Crofts song on YouTube and the following choices appeared. As I listened to the singer of the Running Mates I could clearly understand the lyrics that for the most part I had never actually listened to before. Then, the DSOL video had the lyrics for me to read which further clarified what the song was saying. It really is a wonderful summer song! Such visual images portrayed. Is this among your favorite summer songs?
How about these two versions that inspired me to do this match today? Which do you prefer?...
Time to Vote! Hang on to summer for a bit longer as you enjoy these two song versions. Which do you like best?. Just listen and have fun. 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. I don't know if anyone else will be doing a Battle this time around, but you can still check out these sites. Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts: StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
The title of this blog post gives the answer to the question asked albeit in a somewhat cryptic fashion. If you are interested in knowing which artist won my previous Battle then read on. If you're not interested in knowing then go ahead and read on anyway...
Battle of the Bands Results
Soul of the Soundtrack of My Life
During my high school and college years I spent many hours in the retreat of the basement of my family's house. There was a stereo record player there that was usually playing when I was down in that favorite room. The musical styles were widely varied so one might hear just about anything playing while I was in my lair. During the late 60's I'd mostly play rock and pop with a heavy emphasis on The Beatles, but I had some excellent Soul and R & B records as well that spent a fair amount of time spinning on the turntable.
My most recent Battle featured popular songs from two popular groups of the era--The Four Tops and Little Anthony & the Imperials. In those days my preference would have been with The Four Tops while Little Anthony was more to my sister's liking, though I also enjoyed their music. Now in my mellowing older age of my life have my tastes changed that much. In regard to these two songs I would have to say no. Between Little Anthony's "Hurt So Bad" and The Tops "Reach Out", I still prefer the latter so The Four Tops captured my vote in this contest. And in the final tally, The Four Tops turned out to be the predominate favorite, though most voters also approved of Little Anthony's hit.
Final Vote Tally
Little Anthony & the Imperials 5 votes
The Four Tops 11 votes
Next Battle on Sunday October 15th
At least that's my plan for now. If I decide not to do this then that will become my plan. Come back and see what happens.
If computers ever take over the realms of creativity then hopefully they will provide programs that will just inject info into our brains so that we don't have to actually read what the machines write--the machines will just tell us what we would have read if we had actually read it. Why bother to think if someone or something else can think for us? I don't think I like where this could go...
October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts?
I don't know much about this topic of AI and considering my computer limitations of this past year I'm not sure I care too much. There are advantages to AI as far creativity I would say, but once the human component of creativity has been replaced by AI would the various arts using it tend to become stale and highly formulaic? Then again, maybe that has happened to a great extent with human writers. A great many of the books, films, or other media that become a series have to rely on formula and sameness because that's probably what the audience wants.
But who am I to say since I don't have enough experience with anything in regard to AI? If the future means reading a lot of stories, seeing a lot of films, or hearing a lot of music that basically sound like something else we've already experienced repeatedly then is that really a good thing? Or has this happened already?
I'll admit that I'm pretty much in the dark about AI, but maybe we all are. Maybe only AI knows for sure...
If you haven't done so already, I hope you'll stop by to vote on my current Battle of the Bands. This one has songs that you probably know and like. And I don't think they were composed using AI, but I couldn't confirm that.
