Nix the Mouth Mask, Give Me a Sleep Mask ( #BOTB Results )

 Wouldn't it be nice if we woke up one morning to find that 2020 had been the longest, most tortuous dream/nightmare we'd ever had in our lives?    I'd gladly take a do over without all of the nonsensical pandemic stuff and the utterly absurd Black Lives Matter/Antifa garbage.  This has been one insane year if I have my say about it...

Wear Your Sleep Mask!

       I've gotten into more arguments/discussions about the topic of face masks than any other subject that I've ever brought up.   This is particularly true of FaceBook, the go to place for fake friends and bloggers who never comment on my blog posts but will compose incessantly long tirades defending the Holy Mask.  

       In many ways social media has a way of being the biggest time waste I can think of.  Why oh why do I waste my time bringing up controversies on Facebook?  I guess it does reveal something about some of the bloggers who have become my "friends" on Facebook.  My mistake for not screening people more carefully.  And also for continuing to put up such triggering posts.  I'm baffled that people can see where I'm coming from and yet will deliver long diatribes complete with research and links.  Maybe I'm not the only one getting these missives from those bloggers.  If I am then I suppose I should consider myself honored to some degree.  That is, if one can consider it an honor to be repeatedly told the same things.  No, you haven't convinced me of your side.

       Why don't we all just remove the silly mouth masks and don sleep masks instead.  Perhaps if we hibernate for a while all of the nonsense will be gone.  Or, better yet, maybe we can wake up on January 1, 2020 and start all over again.  How about a do over?

 Battle of the Bands Results

       I thought this recent three-way Battle featuring the song "This Masquerade" was a very difficult choice.  Over the course of the week I was all over the place with my preference.  In the end I settled on the original version by Leon Russell.  But I could have gone with any of these wonderful song versions.  The win was a pretty decisive one and that works for me.

Final Vote Tally

Leon Russell            4 votes

Carpenters              11 votes

George Benson         4 votes

Next Battle on Thursday October 1st

          If I'm not asleep then I'll be back.  

      Does anyone else on Blogger dislike the new format as much as I do?

Masquerade ( #BOTB )

       I usually don't say things just to piss people off, but I say them to express my opinion.  A lot of times that opinion just pisses people off...


        Recently I saw the following meme on Facebook.  Not only did the sentiments resonate with me, but it also cried out, "Battle of the Bands"!!  September 15th is what I'm saying...

         When I saw this meme I immediately shared it on my own page.  Generally speaking, my posts on Facebook or Twitter tend to go seemingly unnoticed, but there are a few topics that seem raise the hackles of those who are passionate about certain topics.  This post was one of those, though still not any huge response.  One such respondent was a guy that I haven't seen or spoken to in about forty years.  And I've had similar online encounters.

        There was the long time friend who "unfriended" me on Facebook because of a difference in political beliefs.  Before doing so he privately messaged me to tell me of his disappointment in how much I had changed over the years. All his message revealed was that he never knew me very well if he thought I had changed as what I believe now is pretty much what I believed 40+ years ago when we used to hang around sometimes.  What I didn't bother to remind him of is that over the many years we only spoke every 2 or 3 years by telephone or when I stopped in to visit him when I was in Tennessee.  He never once called me like some of my real friends do--it was always me calling him.

         But getting back to face masks, in our time this has become one of the most divisive issues not only in the United States, but the world.  I've tried reasoning with some using logic, but usually the Maskers are passionate and unwavering about their beliefs.  They cite "science" just as the Climate Change Hysterics do.  As I pointed out in my A to Z post "Science Is Speaking",  this is a poorly framed argument since science is a field comprised of many studies, many scientists, and many points of view.  "Science" is saying nothing, but people without strong arguments like to hide behind the veil of the concept of science thinking it somehow lends credibility to a rather flimsy argument.

        So if science doesn't convince anybody then maybe some cliched slogan will do the trick.  "Wearing Is Caring" or some such drivel might make a nice play on the emotions of some, but, sorry, it just doesn't tug on my heartstrings.  My sense of logic tells me something different.

         Please don't get all upset with me and click away from my Battle of the Bands segment.  Ignore my opinion if you don't like it. Or express your own in the comment section--I've most likely heard your argument, but I'll listen one more time and if you are truly convincing then I might perk my ears a bit to listen more.  But don't get mad or unfollow me or whatever people in social media times do.  I'm just expressing myself and offering you the option to do the same.

           Besides, I'm tired of the bickering, the lecturing, and the effusion of emotions that people keep gushing out.  If you've got something that beats the logic then let us hear it.  Not sure what that would be, but I enjoy discussion.  I think I'm pretty civil about discussions, but these days disagreement sometimes seems to be an uncivil offense.

This masquerade?  (photo source)

     
Hopefully if you were able to get this far then you'll continue on to what I think is a pretty decent...

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.



Leon Russell   "This Masquerade"  (1972)

         When Russell's Carny album came out I was not initially won over.  For me it was mainly the vocal style that turned me off.  However, once I'd become accustomed to the vocals, having already been won over by the top-notch song-crafting and musical production, the album became a favorite of mine.  In succeeding years "This Masquerade" became an oft performed and recorded musical standard with a high point coming in George Benson's outstanding version.

        Typically I'd be offering an original as merely an introduction to the song for those not familiar with it.  The traditional wisdom of these Battles is not to use an original version and ask that blog visitors not vote for it and only listen.  In this case, I think some listeners might react as I did decades ago and not care for what they hear.  Therefore, I'm not going to discourage voting for this version since I don't know that it would sweep the other contestants out of the running.  This version is here for you to consider.  You can just ignore it or you can listen and consider it in the voting.  Your choice...





Carpenters   "This Masquerade"  (1973)

       I'm sure I've heard this version, but I did not recall it as I was compiling this Battle.  But it's the Carpenters and who doesn't like the Carpenters.  Many of Russell's songs seem to be a good fit for Karen's beautiful voice.  She does a wonderful job with this song...







George Benson   "This Masquerade"  (1976)

         The version by Benson grabbed my attention when it came out and, soon after, I bought the album the song appeared on.  In fact, during the eighties I became a fairly avid George Benson fan.  The guy could not only play a decent guitar, his singing wasn't bad either...

         








Time to Vote!
        
           Don't hide behind a mask!  Let your opinion be heard!  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

 ‘Storms and Stardust’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Cherdo on the Flipside 

A I Love Music


Winner of this Battle Announced on Tuesday September 22nd
   
        One way or another I should be here on that date to announce the voting results of this Battle.  In the meantime I'll probably just lay low in my house most of the time so I don't feel obligated to wear what I consider a mostly useless mask.  That's my opinion based on well-reasoned logic.  Besides, I don't guess I need to be going anywhere anyway.  Except the grocery store now and then and then I'll wear my mask.  

A to Z Reflections Post (#atozchallenge) #BOTB Results

          Of all blog events, #atozchallenge is the best by far!   The 2016 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was for me perhaps the best one yet.  After seven years of doing this Challenge, the writing of the posts is much easier.  My Manhattan Project theme was my favorite that I've done so far, something which probably made the writing easier and the month more fun.  I'm pretty pleased with the way things turned out for me this year.

          Oh sure, I could list all of the usual things that I've seen as problems in the past, but if you are really interested in those you can go back in my archives and read my past Reflections posts.  A lot of those negatives still remain to be remedied.   Likewise, you'll find positives enumerated in those older posts that still held true in this year's Challenge.  I don't want this post to be a rerun or a rehashing of stuff I've said before.   I'll just leave my view of 2016 as it having been a very good Challenge.

          This year I found many exceptional themes presented and met more new bloggers that I've not come across in previous Challenges.  As always, the A to Z Challenge is an amazing showcase of creativity and fine writing.   So despite those smaller irritants that we find while making our way through the list, in the end I think the good outweighs any bad elements of A to Z.  The Reflections posts that I've read already substantiate this positive view of A to Z.

           My utmost thanks go to the incredible talent and diligence of the A to Z Team of co-hosts who expend a great deal of time and energy to make the April Challenge the wonderful event that it is.  Special kudos are due to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the blogger extraordinaire who has participated in every Challenge so far and who devoted hours in managing the Linky List for us.   Also I am deeply grateful to Heather M. Gardner for her very capable leadership of the A to Z Team this year.   We all appreciate the artistic talents of Jeremy Hawkins who provided the artwork and graphics used to promote the Challenge and identify participants.

             Every Team co-host (names can be found at a-to-zchallenge.com) and the other assistance from each co-host support team (list found here) contributed time, effort, and talent to make the 2016 Challenge a success.   I hope you will stop by all of their blogs to say hello and thank them for what they put into A to Z this time around.

            And finally, thanks to all who participated as well as those who watched from the sidelines faithfully reading and commenting on our posts, providing that much needed encouragement that we all need to keep us in the blogging game.  This blogging community is the best in the world because it involves the whole world.  A to Z is a blogging phenomena!

      If you have a Reflections post ready or you would like to write one, please visit the A to Z Challenge Blog to sign up.   Be sure to read the directions before adding your link to the list! 

Battle of the Bands Results

 
       For my most recent Battle of the Bands I wound up my A to Z Manhattan inspired theme by using Leon Russell's song "Manhattan Island Serenade".    Since I figured Leon's original version was not all that well known, I put it up against a version renamed "Oude Maasweg" by the Dutch band The Amazing Stroopwafels.   Their version begins with Russell's English lyrics and ends with additional verses in Dutch.  If you missed this Battle and would like a listen to the versions you can find it here.

      The Dutch version by the Stroopwafels took an amazing lead from the very start.  Though Leon Russell made a valiant effort to catch up, the Stroopwafels retained their lead throughout the contest.  This was surprising to me since I had figured that the majority of voters would go with Leon Russell's original version.   However, some were not familiar with Russell's version and the Stroopwafels swayed voters with their harmonies, smoother sound, and the guitar solo in the break.  This is what won me over as well, putting my vote with the majority who voted for The Amazing Stroopwafels.  Another surprising outcome in Battle of the Bands.


Final Vote Tally:

Amazing Stroopwafels     19

Leon Russell                      10    

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Don't Miss the Next Battle!

       My next Battle of the Bands post will appear this coming Sunday May 15th.  This Battle might be my most controversial yet.   The reactions might encompass a range including derision, appreciation, mirth, and perhaps even anger.  The song will be from an album that I have enjoyed listening to over the past month and think is one of the better albums released in recent years.   But what can I say other than, again, it all comes down to taste.  I like what I like.   I'll be offering a clue to the upcoming song with a post on Wednesday which will be part of my series on "Love and Ego".    Hope you will join me for these upcoming posts.

         Do you agree with my assessment of the 2016 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge?   Would you consider yourself to be a Leon Russell fan?   What do you think might be a highly controversial artist or music style for me to use in my upcoming Battle of the Bands match up?

Oude Maasweg (#BOTB)

Rear-view mirror showing cars parked behind the
vehicle containing the mirror
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         Another Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is now in the rear view mirror as we head back into blogging normalcy--whatever that may be. There will still be one more thing regarding A to Z and that is the A to Z Reflections post coming up on Monday May 9th and running up until May 13th.  You're free to put up your Reflections Post anytime between now and then, but the Linky List won't open until May 9th at which time you can add your link that leads directly to your A to Z Reflections post.  For more information please watch the A to Z Challenge Blog.

       However, today is May 1st and that means it's time for another Battle of the Bands!!!!

Battle of the Bands

          Battle of the Bands is the blogging event hosted by Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   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 Amazing Stroopwafels  "Oude Maasweg" (1981)

       Popular in their homeland, Dutch band The Amazing Stroopwafels recorded "Oude Maasweg" almost as an afterthought when they needed to fill their second album with more time.  Since this song had been part of bandleader Wim Kerkhof's repertoire for many years, the band decided to include it on the album.  To the band's surprise the song was one of two on the album that got picked up as a single though only receiving minimal attention at the time.  Peaking at #50 for one week the song faded back into Dutch music history.

       However in 2008 the song reappeared on the Dutch Radio's Top 200 year end show and has retained a position on that prestigious list ever since.  Initially underrated, this song has become a classic of Dutch pop music.  You might even recognize it when you start listening to it.





Leon Russell  "Manhattan Island Serenade"  (1972)

        Many of you recognized "Oude Maasweg" as the Leon Russell song "Manhattan Island Serenade" from the 1972 album Carney.   Sorry, but I wanted to make one more stop with my April Manhattan theme.  This is such a great song that I had to squeeze it in before I left Manhattan.  This song is probably already a favorite of some of you.  If the song is new to you, please listen and enjoy...






Time to Vote!

        Choosing the winner of this sly Battle is in your hands.  Let us know what you think about these two versions. Is there one that you prefer over the other?   I already know my favorite, but what's your opinion?   If you're visiting a Battle of the Bands post for the first time then let me briefly explain.  Please give each song version a fair listen to decide which one you enjoy the most.  If you don't like either then at least tell us which recording was least innocuous to you. This comes down to your preference and it's as easy as that.

     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:

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Janie Junebug Righting & Editing.
  
J. A. Scott  

Quiet Laughter

Holli's Hoots and Hollers

Be ReInVintaged



Results on Monday May 9th

     On Monday May 9th I'll have my A to Z Reflections post on this site, but I'll be keeping it short this year so as not to overwhelm readers.  In this same post I will be announcing the winners for this current Battle of the Bands match.  Be sure to be here for both!

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Question of the Month

       
The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from A Life Examined. The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael prior to event day. Click on the link to his blog for more participants. 

This month’s question is:

“If a friend came to you looking for advice on starting a blog, what three pieces of advice would you give them?”

        I could elaborate greatly on this subject and indeed have in many past posts, but let me just give a simple answer this time:   Start a blog with a purpose in mind, but be prepared and flexible enough to change direction if what you are doing is not working or is boring you.  Focus on content that you find interesting, but that will be interesting to others as well.  And be intrepid in your blogging.  That's it for now.

        What is your advice to a person starting a blog?   Has your blog changed much since you first started it?    How do you handle a blogging slump or for that matter anything which loses its luster for you?