My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2025 the theme is a random assemblage of things that are on my mind--or that just pop into my mind. Whatever! Let's just say I'll be "Tossing It Out" for your entertainment or however it is you perceive these things.
I'm late according to my usual schedule, but I'm still reporting my results on Friday like I said I was going to do. In the interest of brevity I'll just give you the results of my most recent Battle of the Bands which saw the duo of Kevin Costner/Amy Grant go up against Astrud Gilberto and son with versions of the song "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice".
This was a much closer outcome than I had expected. I was sure that at least a few voters would go for the sweet duet of mother and son because I knew that there were some solid Gilberto fans out there. However I didn't expect her version to do so well.
I like both versions, but my preference is with the Costner/Grant pairing. My vote brought the outcome closer to a tie, but the "girl from Ipanema" captured the most hearts.
Before I begin the order of this day, let me express my gratitude to all of you who have subscribed to my granddaughter Marley Lego's YouTube channel. We didn't get her to 100 by her birthday, but she was close. And now she's at 100!
If you haven't subscribed yet then rush on over to Marley Lego's YouTube channel right now and subscribe. This busy 13 year old is showing a lot of ambition in her musical pursuits and can always use encouragement as well as fans. And please share with others! Now let's aim for 1000 subscribers!
Here's the latest video she's posted:
And now let's move on to...
The Insecure Writer's Support Group
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh'sInsecure 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.
October 6 question - In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?
The last time I attempted National Novel Writing Month was in 2011. My story idea ironically was about a pandemic. It was very dark and evil and it didn't take me long to back away from the idea and just shelve the project. That was about the time when I decided to avoid writing about any such topics.
Since I was a kid I've loved horror and sci-fi genres--the scarier, the better. These days, while there is still much that is interesting, so much has gone beyond the pale in my view. I avoid many horror films these days because they just don't sit right with me. I'd prefer to be elevated rather than cast into a pit of dark introspection and fear.
Don't let me mislead you because I do still watch and read some rather dark stuff. Just not like I used to. What I have been avoiding though is the consideration of writing my own dark works of fiction. It's just not the place where I want my thoughts to dwell these days. Especially in our current times.
Likewise this would apply to the use of profanity in my writing. In my everyday speech I've never been one to use profanity other than in extreme circumstances of mishap or anger and I try to stay measured in those times as well. It's not that I'm a prude or a holier-than-thou type, but profanity was never part of my upbringing and I never really heard much of this type of language until the 70's when it became more commonplace in movies. Profane language still seems a bit alien to me from my own speaking perspective and it makes me cringe a bit when I hear it.
Years ago during an early Blogging from A to Z April Challenge I got into a protracted debate with some other bloggers about the subject of profanity or coarse language in blog posts. If the language in a blogger's post gets a bit too much for me and there's not enough return in value in reading the post then I will tend not to read as often if ever again. And as for me writing in that type of language is like me saying, "I'm hip. I'm cool. And I can talk like a fool."
However, I occasionally use a profanity for greater impact, but I try to avoid any gratuitous use even if it is a matter of trying to achieve more "realism." Using expletives as my main adjectives, verbs, or nouns is not my thing.
I'm sure many of you have similar or thoughts otherwise. You might have even commented in my post years ago. If you have any thoughts you like to share about this then bring them up in the comments.
It's nice to be nice and it's nice when others are nice to us. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone would be more nice? Thanks to all of you who are nice...
In my most recent posts I requested that my readers check out the YouTube page of my granddaughter Marley Lego. I was trying to help her reach 100 subscribers and she's almost there (94 as of writing this post). I know she'll get there, but I'd like to see her start on her next 100.
If you haven't subscribed to her channel yet then it would be nice if you would support this young artist who at age 13 is showing a lot of musical ambition. She's been playing and singing now for several years and I think she shows a lot of potential in her talents as well as her persona as an entertainer.
If you want to do something nice then subscribe to Marley's channel (it's free to subscribe). And if you already did, you didn't have to be so nice but Marley appreciates the support.
And that sounds like a cue for my next...
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 Didn't Have to Be So Nice
This song was first released in 1965 by the group The Lovin' Spoonful. It reached number 10 on the Billboard chart and was subsequently covered by a number of artists. Here are a couple of the more well known covers...
From the soundtrack of the dystopian movie The Postman comes a version of the Spoonful song as performed by Christian singer Amy Grant and the star of the film Kevin Costner...
You might remember Astrud as the singer of the sixties hit "Girl from Ipanema" which she recorded with Stan Getz. Here she pairs up with her young son to sing her sugar sweet version of "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice". ..
Time to Vote! Hope you'll be nice and please join in and play along in this Battle of the Bands. I hope you'll at least give the versions a listen to discern your favorite. Which version 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'SRAMBLINGS' 'Curious as a Cathy' Sound of One Hand Typing Jingle, Jangle, Jungle Winner of this Battle Announced on Friday October 8th
On Wednesday October 6th I'll be posting my entry for Insecure Writer's Support Group. Do stop in for that one. Then I'll have my results post a couple days later. Have a great weekend!
