Not Exactly, Perhaps ( #BOTB Results )

Call me capricious.  Call me irresponsible.  Sure, I might vacillate at times--or even frequently--but that is our right if it comes to little things in life...

I guess I don't care about much these days

Battle of the Bands Results

       First off, let me get to the main point of this post--the results of my most recent Battle of the Bands match up which was between the jazzy duo Jackie and Roy and the psychedelic vocal group Rotary Connection.  As is usually the case, I liked both of my selections quite well, but one comes out on top for me.  My preferred pick is Rotary Connection.  Diedre Knight  summed it up well for me: 

Jackie and Roy were good, real smooth. I can imagine them smiling as they sing together. But the lyrics suggest an entirely different mood, one I thought was well conveyed in the somewhat cosmic background sounds and fetching vocals of Rotary Connection. A vote for RC from me, please.

        A dose of psychedelia is something I welcome in music and a few others seemed to agree. This was another back and forth close race.  It was what I needed to rekindle things for me and my blog. 


Final Vote Tally

 Jackie and Roy              11

Rotary Connection         13


Piece of My Mind

      Now as to the point on the periphery of my  recent thinking,  I had mentioned previously that I was pondering a decision.  Part of the clue was in the title of my song choice "Didn't Want to Have to Do It".   "Do what?" you might or might not say.  Respond to the frustrations and exasperations that I've been feeling of late is my answer.

       To expound upon this thought, I was strongly considering taking a blog break until at least September and maybe longer.  But then I was seeing where I was not the only one pondering these thoughts.  Maybe it's an offshoot of recent events and moods.  Maybe some of us have been blogging too long in a social media environment that isn't always very nice and frequently not very receptive to different opinions.  I don't know, but so much of the time I just don't feel so much like "tossing it out" anymore.

       Then I have a pretty dynamite Battle of the Bands with an excellent response (24 votes isn't too bad) and I get inspired for the next one to come.  I do enjoy these Battle posts.  Maybe I won't take that break that I was planning--yet, if ever.   However I am going to cut back for summer to just one Battle on the first of the month which will continue to be in tandem with my post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group along with my follow-up results post for that Battle.  That will keep my monthly posting to just two entries per month unless I get worked up enough to post something else in a month. 

       I'll see how things go and be flexible.  Right now I feel tremendously discouraged about our country.  Hopefully things will get better soon.  Sometimes hope is all that keeps us going. 


Next Battle of the Bands on Wednesday July 1st

        This post will also be for Insecure Writer's Support Group.  Hope you'll join me then--unless I have something that I feel I must say before that time.  I'll try to keep visiting your posts and commenting,  Seems like I should have time on my hands since I probably won't be going back East to visit family this summer.  That hurts, but I guess it's not as bad as a kick in the head from some irrational mindless idiot protester.   As far as I"m concerned, all of the people with their causes can take those causes and shove them where I don't have to see them.


        Do you still enjoy blogging as much as you used to?   Has producing new blog posts become somewhat of a chore to you at times?   Where do you think the world is heading these days?

Didn't Want To Have To Do It (#BOTB) ( #IWSG )

        Been watching new episodes of the Los Angeles riot series that seem to be on every local channel.  I guess these riots will be going on through the summer.  Coverage can get a bit tedious at times, but it sure beats the wall-to-wall COVID coverage we had before this...

After watching riots all day I wanted to see a picture that makes me think of better times.

Didn't Want to Have to Do It

        This might be an excuse from some of the rioters and looters, but they seem pretty willing do be doing what they've been doing.  Personally I don't get it.

         In everyday life we all have to do things we didn't want to have to do, but hopefully none of us are responsible for feeling a need to do useless destructive things.  Right now my mind is a bit weighted down with considerations of certain things.  Things that I might not want to do, but probably need to do. 

          But I'm still thinking and will discuss it on my Battle of the Bands results post in about a week.  So first we need to have a Battle of the Bands, which is something I always enjoy doing.  Besides this song by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful being a favorite of mine, the song contains a thought that's at the center of what's been on my mind.   Listen and enjoy...



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.



       

Jackie & Roy   "Didn't Want to Have to Do It"  (1968)

      This husband and wife team performed together for over 50 years and left a slew of albums in the wake of their long career.  They were a Vegas smash back in the years around 1960.  I first saw them on some old television reruns of The Danny Kaye Show and The Dinah Shore Show and was impressed enough to find some of their songs on YouTube including this old favorite song of mine...

       




Rotary Connection    "Didn't Want to Have to Do It"  (1967)

        Among my all time favorite groups, Rotary Connection was noted for mind-bending song covers and psychedelic pop.  I first became intrigued with this group after reading about them.  When I saw their album Aladdin in about 1970 I bought it and have it in my vinyl collection to this day.  In more recent years I've added some of their other albums to my CD collection.  I think their music still holds up pretty well.  Let us know what you think...





Time to Vote!
         How does this song make you feel?    Which song 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

 ‘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 Monday June 8th

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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 3 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, J.Q. Rose, and Natalie Aguirre!

   

June 3 question - Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

             Seems like my work is based on my life for the most part--or at least life experience.  My work is mainly on my blog so there isn't much left to the imagination if one reads enough.  And maybe I'd ultimately have to say "What work?" since nothing of note has been published. 

            But of course there are secrets.  Some very big secrets.  And I'm not going to reveal those here or perhaps anywhere.  That's why they are secrets.

         

          Maybe I'll figure out what I'm going to decide by the time of my next post on June 8th, but do come back to find out.  Or just come back because I'm here.  What are your big decisions for this upcoming potentially tumultuous summer?

Take Your Mask and Shove It! ( #BOTB results )

       Okay everybody!  Comply!  Wear your masks!  Stand in lines!  Keep your distances!  Forfeit your humanity!   Listen and obey!   The New World of the Future is coming for you!


Take Your Mask and Shove It!

Traditional Tragedy and Comedy Masks

        Ugh!  I'm uncomfortable having to wear those crazy face masks--not just physically, but mentally.  Something's not right here.  Looking around at all of the other folks in masks I am a bit disturbed.  Where exactly is this all going if we stay with this trend?  What will be next?

          You might be the compliant type who insists that everyone should be wearing a mask.  I say go ahead and wear yours if you wish.  Or better yet just quarantine yourself in your locked down house and wait until the world is a totally safe place for you.  Enjoy your wait.  As long as the power and water stay on you might be okay.

         About these masks though...

          After reading an article recently, I was reminded of something I had heard about a few years ago.  The word "hypocrite" comes from a Greek root word that refers to someone who is a fake, a cheat, or a liar which is based on the stage actors of ancient Greek theater who wore masks instead of showing their true faces.

           This article discussed how much we rely on facial expressions to provide some indication of the intent or emotion of another person.  As humans--as well as many animals--we use the outward appearance of a person to read what that person might be thinking which in turn might help us determine their potential action in a certain situation.  A mask covers that up.  It's not only difficult to read another person who is wearing a mask, but sometimes it's hard to even recognize who they are.

           Shades of masquerades!   Or perhaps banditry? 

           So today we accept mask wearing as a norm and even a requirement.  So how about another practical solution to maintaining order in society?  Maybe some kind of mark or number on each of us?  What a great idea!  No more ID cards needed and all of the information about each of us encoded in a mark that can be read by a scanning device.  The fast track solution to getting through security checks and moving easily about society.  Much easier than a mask too--you can breath better and it doesn't hide your face.

            If you don't mind the mask then the world government mark will be a breeze for you.  How about it?  Are you ready to accept that as well?


Battle of the Bands Results

        This recent Battle of the Bands contest between Dorris Henderson and Melody Gardot performing the traditional work song "No More My Lord" was one that I went back and forth on.  The guitar work in the Henderson version was appealing to me, but I preferred the vocals on Gardot's version.  The delivery of the Melody Gardot version was more entertaining and listenable in my estimation so that is the one I settled my vote on.

        At the outset it looked like Dorris Henderson was going to run away with the win, which she did, but in the end Melody didn't have too bad of a showing.


Final Vote Tally

Dorris Henderson        11

Melody Gardot              8



Next Battle on Monday June 1st

         Hard to believe that summer is almost here again.  For now I'll plan on doing this next Battle, but a break might still be in the cards for me.  Come back on June 1st for the Battle and maybe something else...

Do you have any special summer plans?  Or have you put plans on hold to see what is going to happen with the pandemic scam?   I'm not saying that the COVID disease isn't real, but the response to it is indeed a scam.  Have you figured that out yet?  If you don't think it's a scam then are you ready for that identification mark?