Cruel Summer ( #BOTB )

        Another summer is now behind us as we look to fall, then winter, then another new year. We had some hot days this summer, but in no way would I think of my summer 2024 as cruel.  There were some really great things as well as a few not so great.  It's been a pretty good year for me, but that's the way my life usually has been in retrospect...

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 of 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.

Cruel Summer

       Recently I received one of those YouTube recommendations for a Taylor Swift recording of a song called "Cruel Summer."  Since Swift is so much in the news, I thought this would be a good Battle of the Bands selection since I thought she was covering the old song I already knew. But, no, this was her own song of the same title and not the one from the eighties that I remembered.  Oh well, I guess it can still be part of a Battle of the Bands

       Soon I plan to tell more about my interesting--and somewhat cruel to a degree--summer past.  But for now, let me focus on this Battle of the Bands...

         

      

Taylor Swift - Cruel Summer (2019)

       Definitely not the "Cruel Summer" song that I remember.  This is kind of catchy in a way.  But how does it stand up to the Bananarama song that I knew?  What do you think?

       

Bananarama - Cruel Summer (1983)

      This is the one my generation remembers.  You do remember this one right?

   

Time to Vote!

         Don't be cruel!  Just listen to the songs then tell us which song 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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Monday September 23

  

        Maybe I'll tell you about my summer or something.  But I'll mainly try to give some results of this Battle.  Please vote!

When in Doubt, Post #BOTB Results

       Firstly, let me wish my sister Joy a happy birthday.  Not that she'll read it here--I'll call her directly--but I thought it would be a nice thing to say.  And before I say anything more, I'll attend to the main business of this blog post...

Battle of the Bands Results

California Dreamin'

     My most recent Battle of the Bands was between two versions of the Mama and Papas classic song "California Dreamin'". 

       I liked both versions quite well, but my favorite was the version by America which was the popular trend in this Battle.

Final Vote Tally

America        9 votes

Sia                5 votes

Next Battle on Sunday September 15th

    Maybe I'll actually have a post with substance on that day.  It's been hard getting back into blogging regularity.

A Thank You to All of My Teachers ( #IWSG )

      There have been some things in my life that I didn't want to do that I'm glad that I was essentially forced to do.  Other things that I was expected to do, I was not so happy about doing....

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 September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando.

September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?

       Thanks to my education in the public school system, I can write reasonably well. In my post elementary school years, I had mostly decent English teachers as well as a few that were outstanding.  The teachers that laid the groundwork for those higher education years did a fine job of helping me enjoy writing and doing it with some semblance of skill.  So, I cannot think of any writing rules that I learned that were detrimental to me.  

      I must be getting pretty complacent in my sunset years.  That's okay.

   

       

       

California Dreamin' --Movie Versions (#BOTB)

            Here we are in the midst of another long holiday weekend.  Who's reading this Labor Day season?  I don't have any plans for the next few days at present, but who knows--spontaneity can be fun.  And so can just sitting around the house dreaming about stuff.  And since I'm in Los Angeles I guess I'll be California dreaming.  Sounds like a cue for introduction to me...

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 of 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 thfis post for more Battle action.

California Dreamin'

      The song probably needs no introduction as I'd say everyone has heard this hit by the Mamas and Papas. In fact, I'm pretty certain this song has made a Battle of the Bands appearance more than a few times.  Since it's such a great song and it's been in my BOTB queue for years now I've decided to use it for this Battle of versions that came from movies.

America  "California Dreamin'"  (1979)

      This was used in the 1979 film called California Dreaming.  The song was a minor hit during that year.  I think I saw this film, but I couldn't say for sure right now...

'

Sia  "California Dreamin'"  (2015)

    This version comes from the 2015 disaster flick San Andreas.  You get some clips of the film in the song video.  You might have seen this one.  Being a fan of movies like this I did manage to see it not long after it came out. I enjoyed it.

Time to Vote!

         This is not a dream!  Or maybe it is. Still, either way, listen to the songs then tell us which song version 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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Monday September 9th

        

        Please vote so I can have results.  Without your participation this thing doesn't work so well.---Oh well...

Pure Results ( #BOTB Results )

      Today, as I write this, it's so hot outside that I've decided to stay inside except for the times I've been going outside to see how hot it is.  And it's still hot every time I go outside.  Guess I'll stay inside...

Battle of the Bands Results

Pure Morning

       My most recent Battle was between two versions of the Placebo song "Pure Morning" which most of you probably knew as well as I did, which is not at all.  Or at least not that I can remember.  Wouldn't that seem appropriate? 

     I could appreciate the efforts of Mr. Djioules, but I'm not a big blues guy so The Airplane was more to my liking so that's how I voted.

       

Final Vote Tally

The Airplane    8 votes 

Mr. Djioules     3 votes

Next Battle of the Bands on Sunday September 1

     Hopefully I'll be getting more into a blogging schedule closer to what I was doing a couple years ago. But I've gotta say that being offline can be kind of nice.  What a fix I'm in!

Pure Morning (#BOTB)

        It's like morning coming back to my blog. Oh, I poked my blogging head up a couple of times over the past few months to make my presence known.  Time to get up I suppose.  Here's a midmonth Battle of the Bands post to kick off my return to blogging routine.

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.

Pure Morning

      This 1998 song from the group Placebo somehow crossed my Battle of the Bands mind several years ago when I discovered the song and then realized there were a number of covers.  Why not?  Sounds like BOTB material to me.  And the song intrigued my ears.  Time to get it out of the queue and into the arena.  Tell us what you think...

The Airplane  "Pure Morning"  (2014)









Mr. Djioules "Pure Morning" (2015)

Time to Vote!

         Wake up and smell the coffee!    Just take a listen to the songs then tell us which song version  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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Wednesday August 21

 

       Hope I don't forget.  If you vote then I'll likely not forget.  So vote if you will.

Call Me the Scarecrow ( #IWSG )

       

     Just as I was about to sit down and compose this post, we got a longish rolling earthquake here in L.A.  Seems appropriate for the topic of the following...

 

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 August 7 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen.

August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?

          

         For the past year and a half I've been using my wife's computer in order to blog or do anything else I wanted to do on a computer.  That was after my trusty old Lenovo wasn't able to connect to the internet anymore.  My wife didn't really like that arrangement but we dealt with it.  Then, last week I got a new laptop.  Now I'm trying to get accustomed to using it.  Part of this is due to some of the AI features that are built in.  

       At least that's what I think.  Now I'm not only going to have to get used to this new computer, but also I need get back into a blogging schedule that works for me.

       As to the question of using AI, I guess to a degree I am using it now and probably will be more so in the future.  Seems like it just happens or something but that's okay if it's just routine stuff like editing as I go or whatever it is.

     I guess I'm just going to have to ponder AI as I come to it.  But I'm not going to dwell on it.  Not unless I have to for some reason.

      

Lingering or Malingering? ( #BOTB--Not!)

 

         I'm full of excuses it seems.  Having a great summer, but blogging calls.  At least I kind of hear it calling.  I just got home after purchasing a new computer, but it might be awhile before I get up and running so I figured I'd put up a place holder sort of post to let you all know that I'm still here. 

        Looks like I'm going to skip this month's Battle of the Bands--or at least the one scheduled for the first.  I'll put one up for the 15th.  And I'll make it for next week's #IWSG post on Wednesday. 

         And I should be up and running just fine in order to make my rounds of any other #BOTB posts you all might put up.

         For now I've got to get my new computer operational and reorganize my office to get back in the groove of things.

         Like I said, it's been a great summer.  I almost hate to ruin it by getting back to computer normalcy--or whatever I had before my old computer stopped working over a year ago.  In some ways I miss those old days of  no computers, but now they have become a necessity.  

        Now it's time for me to stop lingering or malingering or whatever it is I've been doing.

        But at least I'm here...

Out of order

 During our June vacation month, my wife’s computer crashed. That was the only computer I was using at the moment other than my phone and doing post on my phone isn’t so great. Therefore I guess I’m going to be on hiatus during the month of July while I attend to various family events and resolve my computer issues. So have a happy Fourth of July and a good month of July and hope to see you soon.

A World of Potential ( #IWSG )

 

 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 June 5 posting of the IWSG are Liza at Middle Passages, Shannon Lawrence, Melissa Maygrove, and Olga Godim.

June 5 question - In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?

           Ask me a question like that and my mind can go wild.  In my earlier days of blogging when I was first getting excited about Blogging from A to Z, I would think up all sorts of ideas for expanding the community and providing more features and services.  I still think about ideas that might work for A to Z and they are the same kinds of things that would work for the IWSG community. And maybe--probably--the features are available and I just haven't explored enough to know.  I'm good with coming up with ideas, but rarely know how to make them work or have the drive to pursue them.

       So sure, ask me about this and I could go on ad infinitum without having a clue how to implement my great ideas.  These days my excitement about blogging, writing, or other creativity are more on hold than any real activity on those fronts.  Ask me in a couple of months and maybe my attitude will be different.  For now I'm drifting along.  And that's okay because that's where I am these days.  I'm content and drifting along.  

         A spark of excitement is enticing me onward and I'll know when I'm there.  I guess.

Cherry Picking Time ( #BOTB Results )

 

       Still looking for my fix of cherry flavors.  I've been having to settle for cherry coke, but that's fine.  While I search for some cherry for me, here's some cherry results for you...

Battle of the Bands Results

            My most recent Battle was a showdown between Tommy James and the Shondells (which most of you knew) and The Good Rats (which is a much lesser known band), each with their own "cherry" flavored song.  I like TJ's "Sweet Cherry Wine" much better now than when it originally came out--especially knowing what the song is about.  I always liked the song, but it struck me as light pop and not as edgy as what I was mostly listening to back then.  And even though I like the James song better now, this was not my vote.

          The Good Rats have long been a favorite band of mine and to me the song "Cherry River" is one of their best.  I can remember so many late night drives when I'd have this song cranked up on my van stereo.  Seems like the appropriate kind of song on occasions such as that.  So, as I'm sure you can guess, my vote goes to The Good Rats, who in this case were good, but not good enough for the win.

Final Vote Tally

Tommy James    8 votes

Good Rats          4 votes

******************

Next Battle ????

       Since I've got an especially busy schedule over the next few weeks I'm not going to commit to any Battle until July 1st.  If I can manage, I'll try to visit everyone else's Battles.  I'll probably have very little access to being on line for most of June.  So, see you when things get back to normal.  Or kind of normal...

Cherry Wine vs Cherry River ( #BOTB )

 

         Cherries!  I love cherry flavor.  Don't know about cherry wine or other cherry alcoholic drinks since I don't think I've had any.  But it does sound good to me!

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.

Cherry Booze Battle

       I'm jumping back onto the Battle of the Booze theme.  I had to think about the song possibilities for awhile but then the song "Cherry River" started chugging through my brain which made me start thinking about "Cherry Wine".  I'll take some of what both these songs' singers are talking about.  And if it's cherry flavored then what's not to love?   Which of these songs do you enjoy the most?

Tommy James & the Shondells  "Sweet Cherry Wine"  (1969)

       This song came out during my senior year of high school.  I had enjoyed Tommy James and his band for several years, but in 1968 Tommy started turning out some Jesus related music that was excellent.  He was like one of the earliest Christian rock artists I guess. It's not hard to figure out what this song is about.  It was a pretty big hit back in it's day.

 

The Good Rats   "Cherry River"   (1979)

          I discovered The Good Rats in 1970 when I was in college at the University of Tennessee.  I read a review of the band in a classical music magazine then went and bought the album, which I thought was pretty good.  Then the band disappeared from my radar after that. Over a decade later I started finding several of their albums in cut-out bins so I started buying them up. The later albums were even better than the one I already had.  The song "Cherry River" is one of my favorite songs that the band did.  I don't know what's in that river they're singing about, but I think I'd like some of it. Now if someone can just find that river again...

Time to Vote!

         Come on and vote--please!  If you don't then go jump in a river.  But I don't want you to do that.  Just take a listen to the songs then tell us which song version  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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Wednesday May 22

  

        I'll try to stay away from that river until I get my results posted.  

Poppin' in for Results ( #BOTB Results )

 Did I say Wednesday?

I guess today is that day--or whatever day I post this.

I'll try for Wednesday....

Battle of the Bands Results

            Okay, I'll make this quick.  I've got things to do. Never mind what.

           My most recent Battle was the song "Under Paris Skies" as performed by Jane Morgan and Nicki Parrott.  I've been a fan of Jane Morgan since I can't recall when so I'm giving her my vote.  Loved the arrangement of NIcki's version with the accordion and mandolin and all, but Morgan's version had so much class.  But here's how it all tallied up in the end...

Final Vote Tally

Jane Morgan      5 votes

NIcki Parrott       11 votes

See ya later!  Maybe I'll do a midmonth Battle, but I'll decide that later.  Bye..

Under Paris Skies (#BOTB & #IWSG )

        Another Blogging from A to Z is behind us and now to get back to regular programming.  Today we have a two-fer that is pretty much what I regularly do here each month...

 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 May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine.

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you?

       Distractions don't turn my life into a total train wreck, but they often "derail" me onto a sidetrack that I hadn't planned on going down.  And if those sidetracks don't find me then I'll sometimes look for them.

        I've often had a problem with focus. There's always something for me to do that seems more fun, more interesting, or more useful than what I started out to do.  That especially applies to writing.  I may want to write, but it seems like a necessary chore comes up or someone calls on the phone or I just feel the need to do something, anything other than the writing that I thought I needed to do.  

        I guess I should write more than I do, but then again...

        Time for another distraction I think...

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.

Under Paris Skies

       In November of 2015 my wife and I took a week-end respite to link up with one of our daughters and her family in Las Vegas.  For them it was due to business, while for us it was just something to do--a distraction from everyday routine.

       As we would typically do on a Las Vegas visit, we spent hours strolling through the casinos, playing an occasional slot or snacking or just looking.  One of our favorite casinos for strolling is The Venetian which for its theme has canals with singing gondoliers taking folks through the maze of waterways that meander through recreated Venice style streets.  There are jewelry shops and gelato stands.  One can dine on fancy Italian fare or grab fast food in the food court.  If you just stayed in this casino alone you might lose track of time because the fake sky is always daylight. The Venetian like most other casinos is a fantasyland of escapism.

      At one point during our visit, I was distracted by a musical ensemble playing music that was reminiscent of what one might hear in Italy.  What especially caught my ear was a song that I had grown up hearing on the radio and in my parents' record collection.  What was the song?  I was so puzzled by wondering the name of this familiar tune that I was compelled to go up to the edge of the stage when they had finished and ask the violinist what they had just played.  He told me that the song was "Under Paris Skies" which I would have never guessed.  

     But now I know the name of this song and present it in Battle format with one singer I've heard throughout my life, Jane Morgan, and a singer I'd never heard of before, Nicki Parrott.  I'm going to pick my own favorite later on, but for now I invite you to listen for yourself and tell us which version you like best.       

Jane Morgan  "Under Paris Skies"   ( 1964 )





Nicki Parrott  "Under Paris Skies"  ( 2013 )

Time to Vote!

         Try not to get distracted before you vote.  Take a moment to listen to each version.  Then tell us 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 

Landmark Sounds (Diedre Knight)

BATTLE OF THE BANDS BY DEBBIE D

Trivial Music Silliness

Mike's Ramblings

Results on Wednesday May 8

 

       I'll try not to get too distracted so I can post the results.  I know you will all be waiting anxiously to hear which song came out with the most votes.