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.
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.
I'm not going to start off the new year talking about any of my insecurities as there are bigger things for the #IWSG with the announcement of the story picks for the new #IWSG short story anthology. The winners have plenty to feel secure about in being included in what will be an outstanding collection of stories. For details be sure to visit Alex J Cavanaugh and get your copy of the book today.
Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition Blog Hop
Sign ups started on Monday and have been going well. This should be a fun event with a lot of interesting and varied entries. You've got until the end of the month to sign up for Lost & Found which will happen on February 1st.
If you haven't signed up yet, here is another opportunity:
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Battle of the Bands
My current Battle of the Bands contest is still open for voting. For those who might not be familiar with Battle of the Bands or have not voted in my current Battle, be sure to stop by my What's New post and vote for your favorite song version. Read about Battle of the Bands at the blog of Stephen T McCarthy. The winner of my Battle will be announced this coming Friday January 8th.
Our Old Friend A to Z Coming Soon
Another Blogging from A to Z Challenge is coming in April and sign-ups will open on January 25th. Have you started getting posts ready yet? Visit the A to Z Challenge Blog tomorrow (Thursday January 7th) for some helpful tips from A to Z veteran Jolie Du Pre.
What big things do you have in store for 2016? Did you submit a story to the #IWSG anthology? Will you join us for the Lost & Found Blog Hop?
After the Question of the Month for January 2016, I'll be announcing a brand new blogfest coming on February 1st. Don't forget to keep on reading to the end and be sure to sign up for the special Valentine's themed event we've got planned for you!
The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostinofrom 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.
In honor of the new year, this month’s question is:
What are some new year’s resolutions you’ve had in the past?
I've never been much of one to make New Year's resolutions. A few times in the past, in order to be in the spirit of the season, I might have said something about a resolution to someone else, but I can't recall specifically whether I did or not. Likewise I don't remember ever putting any resolutions down in writing for my own reference. If I ever did, it would have been something to do with health, finances, personal accomplishments, or improved habits--the usual cliched stuff. Not necessarily bad, but usually another failure of my own initiative. Making resolutions is not a bad thing by any means and I admire those who keep up with them even if they are not fully realized in the end. And the way I see it, if I were going to make resolutions I'd probably keep them to myself anyway so that others would not hold me accountable to them and see me in a lesser light if I didn't follow them through. There's enough that I have to account for without adding a New Year's Resolution to the mix. And now...BIG NEWS!
Coming on Monday February 1st!!
Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition Do you remember that special feeling of love found? And who hasn't experienced the emotional experience of love lost? Some of you might have even lost a love only to find that person later for another go around. Tell your story about love lost or found in our special Valentine's blogfest. Your post can be a short fiction, an essay, poetry, or even a song--let your imagination run free. Any genre is fair game, be it romance, historical fiction, memoir, or even science fiction. After all there are no limitations when it comes to love. This special blogging event was inspired by a collaboration between myself and Guilie Castillo-Oriard. Joining us will be Elizabeth Seckman, Yolanda Renee, Denise Covey. and Alex J Cavanaugh. Don't be left out! Sign up to participate by adding your link to the list below.
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A note for Battle of the Bands participants--Guilie and I will be posting our BOTB offering as a tie-in with the romance blog fest. We will be using songs that tie in with the Lost and Found Love Theme and incorporating our song picks into that theme. We invite other BOTB participants to join us by doing the same. For those who might not be familiar with Battle of the Bands or have not voted in my current Battle, be sure to stop by my What's New post and vote for your favorite song version. Read about Battle of the Bands at the blog of Stephen T McCarthy. Guilie has prepared the following badges and banners for you to use if you are participating in the Lost & Found blog fest. Please add them to your site if you are joining us.
There's something sad about New Years Day--or maybe melancholy is the better word. That's how I see it at least. It's another year of life gone by with a new one looming ahead. When I was much younger that old year seemed like a lifetime, but now I have a lifetime of many years that now seemed to have passed much too swiftly.
Those many many years ago I saw the future as an unfathomable distance in time. Now the future is an unknowable destiny that could be reached tomorrow or in still many more years. I'd like to think the latter is the case. Ten, twenty, eighty more years--I'll take what I get and only hope that I have used them wisely.
And so at hand we have yet another year ahead of us. It's a new year now, but it's getting older with each moment that passes. So what about you this year? What's new?
Battle of the Bands
Another year has come to an end which brings us to the start of another month which means it's time for another Battle of the Bands,the blogging event first introduced by our friends at 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. Here's the song for this round: "What's New?"
Originally composed and recorded in 1938 as an instrumental called "I'm Free" for Bob Crosby's Orchestra (click the link if you're curious to hear this version), the song title was changed to "What's New" when the lyrics were added the following year. The song has since been recorded by many. My Battle pits an early version with a female vocalist against a later version also featuring a female vocalist. It's a bit of old and new with the song "What's New?"
Artie Shaw with Helen Forrest "What's New?" (1939)
Here's one of the early renditions of the song with a female vocalist. It's upbeat, but still to me there's a sadness to this. For one thing the melody has a bit of a sad sound and the lyrics are a bit poignant. Then again it just might be that the song is an old one--can you believe over 75 years? It's many yesterdays ago. Still it's nice to hear again.
Linda Ronstadt "What's New" (1983)
Some 44 years after the previous recording came Linda Ronstadt with her genre changing album backed by Nelson Riddle's orchestra. I think she was at the top of her game with this exquisite release. She puts a classic touch on some of the classics of pop music. After this came out I purchased a copy on cassette. Ronstadt's album was a regular in my listening rotation back in the mid-80's. Now enjoy and compare to the first version.
It's vacation time right now, but I should have a week to catch up and get back to a norm of sorts. Since I'm traveling right now I might be a bit slow getting to your posts so bear with me. I've got lots planned for January including another blockbuster combo post for the next Battle of the Bands on the 15th. At that time not only will I be participating in the Backstage Blogathon, but I'll be presenting a song that corresponds to my movie pick. Click the link if you want more info about the Backstage Blogathon.
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. 
My current Battle of the Bands contest is still open for voting. For those who might not be familiar with Battle of the Bands or have not voted in my current Battle, be sure to stop by my What's New post and vote for your favorite song version. Read about Battle of the Bands at the blog of Stephen T McCarthy. The winner of my Battle will be announced this coming Friday January 8th.
Another Blogging from A to Z Challenge is coming in April and sign-ups will open on January 25th. Have you started getting posts ready yet? Visit the A to Z Challenge Blog tomorrow (Thursday January 7th) for some helpful tips from A to Z veteran Jolie Du Pre.
