Garage Sale Time! (#BOTB results)

If you are looking for my #IWSG contribution for October then scroll down to my next post.  Otherwise, keep on reading for BOTB results after an opening word from our blogger...

Out of Control

       How can I rule the world if I can't keep my garage in order?   Forget about wanting to run the world.  I don't need that headache.  So next best thing is a garage sale, right?

       Our community has scheduled a neighborhood sale this coming Saturday.  Since this is a gated community we all have to do sales at the same time, which is good if a lot of home owners participate.  For the most recent sales it doesn't seem like there were many participants.  Consequently browsers and buyers have decreased over the past few years.  But no matter.  Being the community minded guy that I am I'll participate.

       Really it has nothing to do with my community spirit.  I just need to get rid of stuff in case I move in the coming years.  I sense that a move is imminent so I want to start getting ready. And if it's a matter of something else then I want to be ready for that as well.  Whatever the case, I've got a lot of stuff in my house that my wife and I don't need.

         I've also been running across some things that are making me think about my life and also my blog.  Maybe I'm going to take a detour with my blogging in the upcoming days or weeks.  I'll just have to mull this around a bit and see what I think next week.  After that stupid garage sale.

         At least I've been finally cleaning our garage.

Battle of the Bands

 

         Speaking of ruling the world, my October 1st Battle was two artists with their versions of the Tears for Fears hit "Everybody Wants to Rule the World".   First up was the version by Lorde which a good many concurred as being dark.   Since this version came from the Hunger Games soundtrack I figured some fans would lean toward Lorde.  But it was the perky version from Christian group Relient K that won most voters over including me.  I also think that version stepped things up from the original version.  Relient K does some excellent music.  And we needed some perky music this past week.

Final Vote Tally

Lorde                 6   votes

Relient K          15 votes 

Next Battle on Sunday October 15th                                           

        I'll probably have more posts before then.  Most likely I'll post again this coming Monday the 8th.   Let's see how this garage sale turns out.  It's supposed to be hot on Saturday so I'll likely only stay out until ten AM--or at the most eleven.  No point in wearing myself out selling stuff.  It's going to take a week to get that darn garage back in order. 

         How often do you have garage/yard sales?   Do you ever shop at such sales?   Do you think you are capable of ruling the world?

Everybody Wants to Rule the World (#BOTB & #IWSG)

    Who is in charge of your life?  The answer to this might not always be easy.  However, the characters in a written story have an obvious answer--the writer is in charge of their lives...

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. 

Co-hosts for the October 4 posting of the IWSG are Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Jennifer Hawes, and Tamara Narayan!

It's My World and I'm the Boss

October 4 Question: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

        In my view the writer is in charge of the story as well as the characters of that story.  As the creative director of the world on paper (or wherever the story ends up), we channel ourselves into that world we have created and all inhabitants thereof.  No character slips into the story unbeknownst to the writer.  As a matter of logical deduction, my premise goes on to say that every character contains some part of us whether intended or not.  

        Sometimes writers will say that their character took over and carried the story in a different direction.   Okay, that's a fun way to dramatize what happened, but let's be truthful:  A writer controls story and character and that writer's mental DNA is all over the creation.  Write enough of what you know then you will undoubtedly slip some private information into the mix.

         In stories I've written, my characters are often modeled on composites of people I know, have observed, read about, or the actors who portray characters in movies or television shows.  More than once have I inserted actual conversations I have heard or events that have been a part of my life.  If someone relates something that I find interesting then there is a possibility what I've heard will be disguised and used in some future story.  I've done it many times and will likely continue to do so as long as I continue to write.

          The way I see it is that we are all like blenders.  Life pours in the ingredients and our brains mix it all up into a ever growing mishmash of knowledge, facts, and anecdotes. A writer might not be aware that they are tapping into that mixture on a regular basis to personalize the information they use in a story, but when the personalization happens then there's that writer smack dab in the middle of the story somewhere.  Or woven and blended all through it. 

         When you think about it, you'll probably come up with writers who write about a geographical  area they know well, their occupation, or a field of special expertise.   Lawyers sometimes end up writing about the law profession, doctors about doctors, and even writers about writers.  And when you get so close to who you are then some information will slip into the writing by habit or instinct.  Other information you will purposely use because you know it is real and that's when your story becomes more real.  

         We are our stories.  We live and breathe them until we move on to the next one.  We invest our time and energy into the writing.  Even our soul and spirit.  With that much of us in the story we write, we will slip in some personal information now and then, whether it be accidental or on purpose.  But maybe our stories could be thought as crime scenes where leaving fingerprints isn't really all that big of a deal.  Besides, having the bits and pieces of the writer scattered throughout the writer's work gives the critics and scholars more to chew on later. 

         Do you believe a character could actually wrest control of the story away from the writer?   Do creative endeavors drain you or energize you to keep on doing more?   Is writing a catharsis for you or is it an escape from your real life?

        


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 on the 1st of the month.   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.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

       Almost everybody has some kind of opinion about how things should be run and what current administrations are doing wrong.   "If that person can run a country, then why not me," some might be inclined to say.  And I say thank goodness they are not.  The United States has so much incompetence in government and we don't need any more.   From my perspective I think things in our government are being run well, but the media and the liberal leftists loudmouths would have us believe otherwise.  But I also think they are trying to rule the world.

        The song for this Battle is in honor (and rebuke) to all of those who complain and think government is not running the way it should be.  Released in 1985 by the British New Wave band Tears for Fears, this song became the group's most iconic hit.   Don't vote on the original, but if you want to listen the version by the group that introduced the song then you can find the video by clicking here.  Below are the two competing cover versions of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"...


Lorde "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (2013)

        Lorde's version appears on the soundtrack for Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  Dark and foreboding, this version drags the rhythm to a dirge--a far cry from the original version by Tears for Fears.  Appropriate for the movie as well as a dramatic rendering of this eighties classic.





Relient K    "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"  (2011)

          This Contemporary Christian group from Ohio has delivered a number of albums since they first got together in 1998.  Their version of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" comes from their 2011 album K Is For Karaoke which is a compilation of song covers.   The group stays fairly faithful to the Tears for Fears original.






Time to Vote!

        You might not rule the world, but you are in charge of your opinion in this Battle.   Do you have a preference between these two choices?   Which version do you like the best?   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 (though this round I might be the only one):

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  '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 


Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday October 6th

          This year is rapidly winding down to its end.  Maybe I can gear up for more frequent posting.   I'm going to take things as they go.  But you can count on my BOTB results post coming this Friday.  Hope to see you back then.

Royals (#BOTB) & A Question

         My Question of the Month answer can be found after this current Battle of the Bands post.  I hope you'll enjoy the song picks first and vote on your favorite version before continuing on to this month's Question.

         It's the first of August which means it's time for Battle of the Bands.  This is an event that takes place on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Far Away Eyes at Far Away Series gets the credit for first conceiving this study in song version comparison. Stephen T McCarthy maintains the participant list and answers your questions about the event--you can find his blog with a list of participants at  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This is not at all complicated:  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 Battles to vote on.

Royals

        It's the silly season of summer so I've decided to get a bit silly with Battle of the Bands.  You may have seen one or both of these videos since they've been making rounds on Facebook and elsewhere.  Each has over ten million hits--not too shabby I'd say.  

        The song "Royals" (click link to hear original version) was written and first recorded by New Zealand artist Lorde and producer Joel Little.  After its release in 2013 the song went on to achieve worldwide acclaim and chart hit status with millions in sales.   The song has been covered several times by many artists.

         There are numerous interesting covers to be found on YouTube.  The ones I've chosen are particularly visually interesting which might influence some voters.  However, listen to the actual music in order to make your judgement as to which performance is best.  Vote on the following and not the original:

 Walk off the Earth "Royals"    (2013)

          Walk off the Earth is a Canadian band known for its quirky YouTube videos of cover songs.





Puddles Pity Party "Royals"  (2013)

      The 6' 8" Puddles the Clown and his band work out of Atlanta, Georgia. Their viral YouTube videos have gained them international fame which has lead to touring as an opening act for alt rock band Eels as well as other featured performances.







Time to Vote!

          Now it's your turn!  Which song version do you like the best?   Surely you think one is better than the other even if you don't like the song that much.  Just judge what you hear.  Which version do you prefer?    It's up to you to help determine the winner.   

        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 (or which one was the least objectionable to your ears).  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

Shady Dell Music and Memories   

The Doglady's Den 

Angel's Bark  

Cherdo on the Flipside  

Jingle, Jangle, Jungle 

Women:  We Shall Overcome  

Alex J. Cavanaugh 

Book Lover

J. A. Scott  

Results on Wednesday August 5th

         There's a short window of opportunity to cast your vote for this Battle, but I don't think that should be too much of a problem since most voting usually happens during the first couple days.  Also since this Battle post falls on a Saturday I'm going to forego my Monday post to allow more visitors to find the post on Monday and Tuesday to vote on those days.   I'll tally up votes on Tuesday evening and announce them in my #ISWG post that will appear on Wednesday August 5th.  Please vote!   Battle of the Bands works better when I have votes to count.

         Had you seen either of these videos before?    Have you watched any other of the videos on the Postmodern Jukebox YouTube channel?   Do you think the lifestyles of music stars and other pop icons are obscenely self-indulgent and egocentric?  

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.   

      Here is this month's question:

"If your parent or child committed a major crime, would you turn them in?"

       This is one of those "it depends" questions.   In other words what is meant by "major crime"?  If the crime had to do with drugs or some other crime with political implications, I would not turn anyone in.  I don't consider those types of things major crimes.

       However if we are talking about a evil against another person such as robbery, rape, brutal assault, or murder, yes, I would turn them in.  For one thing I would not want to be considered an accessory to such a crime.  But perhaps more importantly a crime of this nature might be repeated if the perpetrator were not stopped and I would not want to see such a thing happen again.  

      There is somewhat of an ambiguity to this question when you start thinking about it extensively.  Perhaps it would be better to replace "major" with "heinous" or "evil" and even using those terms the meaning of the crime might be up for debate.  A crime that frightens and/or appalls me would be one that should be punished no matter who has committed it

       

Related articles

• Posting Cover Songs on YouTube? What You Need to Know
• Walk Off the Earth singer Sarah Blackwood kicked off U.S. flight over crying son
• PRESENTING: The stats that show Facebook is hurting YouTube (FB, GOOG)
• Music: Why Karmin should be superstars