Far Away Series: October 2013

Sunday, October 27, 2013

TRADITION

In one of my Battle of the Bands posts I took some heat over calling my regular readers traditionalists because of the way they voted. I was called unkind. That started me to thinking (always a dangerous endeavour) and it also started the above song running through my head.

So, I’m wondering what’s so bad about TRADITION or being a TRADITIONALIST (I consider myself one, although maybe not exactly where my musical tastes run)? What’s wrong with thinking that there are traditional roles that are ordained by a higher power for men and women?

Now, before you grab the torch and pitchfork or decide to burn your bra on my doorstep, think about some of the problems in the world today. Could they be avoided if mom was in the home more often? Might most children be better off in a two parent family? Could our schools be better with more parent involvement or if as I personally believe, more children were home schooled?

I mean what’s more important to the well being of the family…X-Box 2000(put your credit card away; I don’t think they’re actually making that one yet), a 2,000+ sq. ft. house, the latest model BMW, OR both parents in the home paying attention the their children, instilling their values and being the prime role model.

As we are swiftly approaching the holiday season, I’m reminded of all the traditions that were prevalent just a few short years ago that have been snatched from our lives by those who are so easily offended by EVERYTHING. Is it so hard to look the other way at my long running holiday traditions? Now a lot of you are probably thinking that I’m confusing TRADITION with RELIGION, but let’s face it, especially to the non-believers, religion is little more than tradition, unless of course, they want to use it as a weapon against the believers.

As Tevye tells us, in his little corner of the world, Anatevka, Russia, the people are all like fiddlers on a roof...sounds crazy, no? They are just trying to scratch out a pleasant simple tune without breaking their necks. How do they keep their balance…TRADITION? And, because of their traditions they know who they are and what God expects them to do.

Perhaps that’s the problem in a nutshell. So many of our TRADITIONS have gone by the wayside we no longer know who we are.

I know this is not my usual type of post. If you’re shocked maybe you really don’t ‘know me’.

So, tell me what are some of your favorite traditions. Do you have any that have gone by the wayside, due to conditions in the world today? What are you doing about it?

Monday, October 21, 2013

BATTLE OF THE BANDS VI Results and Tradition

Before I tell you who I’m gonna vote for in this BATTLE I want to talk about a few things. If you’re real impatient just scroll down and ‘work for it’.

First, you may be a little surprised when you see the final tally, not counting mine, there are 99 votes counted. Surprised? Shocked? Mystified? Me too, but only for a second. Let me explain.

On Friday October 18^th, while my BOTB post was still running I was BLITZED. Probably not what you’re thinking. You see, DL Hammonds over at Cruising Altitude 2.0 started a new kind of Blog Hop called Blog Blitz. If I try to explain it, I’m sure I’ll just confuse the heck outta you, so click on that link up there and check it out at the source.

Are ya back? If you read the Blog Blitz guidelines you know that when DL calls for a Blitz everyone on the Linky List is notified and we all go and visit the person being Blitzed. Of course, he doesn’t notify the chosen person, so they are kind of surprised when the comments start rolling it. Surprised doesn’t even begin to cover what I felt.

Now those of you, who know me, should know that I’m not much of a “head hunter’ either by nature, content or efforts. I pretty much blog for myself and hope some of you will find my posts informative, amusing or at least, worth your time. I appreciate all comments and have been fortunate to receive, for the most part, positive feedback.

Anyway, I was overwhelmed to see all of those people stopping by. Most of them actually read the whole post and even voted (well about two-thirds anyway) counting YOU my regular participants in BOTB. At one point when I was seeing the numbers grow, I clicked on IZ version of SOTR and actually had a few tears running down my face.

Unfortunately, I did have one negative comment, which kind of threw me for a loop. I was told that I offended the commenter because in my initial feedback to the people who know me best, I referred to those of you voting for Judy as traditionalists. YOWYEE! When did saying that someone believed in and voted for tradition become a bad thing. Anyway, I expect that the only people who will actually come back for the results are those of you who regularly vote, I certainly hope that none of you were offended. I really meant no harm. I mean, I love tradition.

Aside from calling me on the carpet, this person who also said I was unkind, stated that I had ‘tipped my hand’ and it was obvious that I was on IZ’s side. Ahem…

So…before we go any further, or I give you my vote I want to show what YOU GUYS said about IZ’s version of ‘Over the Rainbow’.

Sia McKye – soft lilting version

Suzanne – haunting

Heather M. Gardner = happy, breezy, good feelings

Berverly Fox – Iz’s song makes me so damned happy

Tina – hauntingly beautiful as though he is humming to himself in a dream

Joan Strading – Touches me in a way Garland’s never did

Rhonda Albom – I’m a traditionalist, hovever…I have to go with IZ

Pk Hrezo – it’s just so tranquil

A Beer for the Shower - I thought I'd pick ol' Izzie's version without even thinking twice, but listening to them back to back, I like Garland's version a lot more than I thought I would.

With that said, though, I still find IZ's version to be more haunting. I love that aspect of it. Plus, who isn't a sucker for a morbidly obese man in a grass skirt with a tiny ukulele?

Jaybird - Hey Lady! I'm pretty sure this won't be the popular decision, but I am voting for the big Hawaiian. (IZ) Everything about him and his cover of this song speaks to me. No disrespect to Miss Garland, but I must vote honestly and I'm very partial to the covered version.

Luckymama - IZ all the way. Love this song, always have but he completes it for me. His style and emotion is how I feel when I here this song.

But you already knew that. This is my all time favorite song, will be forever and always.

Susan Kane - IZ made me weep, absolutely.

Stephen T. McCarthy - Now, for IZ... I had never heard of him before. Hokey-Smoke! What a surprisingly original and enjoyable take on '...Rainbow'! I really dug it! And unlike a couple of the earlier commenters, I enjoyed it just as much the second time I heard it as I did the first.

Not sure I would want to hear an ENTIRE album full of songs recorded in that same style, but it worked great for '...Rainbow'!

I could be mistaken but here's how I "interpret" the two versions: Garland's version is meant to be somewhat bittersweet and wistful; she's hoping for an ideal place in "this world" but secretly suspects down deep that this ideal is unattainable. So it's a "wishing" song for a better place on Earth.

IZ takes it higher, into a more spiritual realm. Just my own personal impression, but when I hear him singing it, he's thinking about a Heavenly Spiritual Place; he KNOWS it exists, and he KNOWS he WILL eventually be living there, if he isn't already.

Score another (pleasantly surprised) point for The IZ Man!

AND, I agree with each and every one of you. My vote also goes to IZ.

The final tally looks like this:

Judy Garland 53 votes The winner by 10 votes!

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ) 47 votes

As promised, here is Miss Garland in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ one of my top ten all time favorite movies, singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

And here is the Official IZ version. The big man died in 1997 at the age of 38. This video ends with a JOYFUL celebration as his friends spread his ashes in his beloved Pacific. Enjoy!

I admit I really thought that Judy would run off with this one. It ended up a lot closer than I could have predicted.

NOW, scoot on over to Tossing It Out and Ferret Faced Fascist Friends to see how Arlee and Stephen's BATTLES turned out. also, check out anyone else who may have left a comment and participated too.

Until, November 1^st. Enjoy the music – whatever your pleasure may be.

POSTSCRIPT – I apologize for the length of this post. I wanted to draw your attention to those comments made by others without suggesting you read through all 155 comments.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

BATTLE OF THE BANDS VI

October 15, 2013 - here we are, and it’s time for ‘BATTLE OF THE BANDS VI’. I really, Really, REALLY thought that I was going to post something in between my Battles and Results posts, but you guys know me, and that didn’t happen. I’ll try to be better. I know you are all starved for some of my witty repartee.

ANYWAY… let’s get right to the dueling banjos or voices, as it were.

I decided to return to something a little more traditional…ahem. So as to NOT have so many of you voting for the ‘lesser of two weevils’.

First up the traditional. Miss Judy Garland singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. I was able to find a video with images and lyrics but no pictures of Judy or scenes from the iconic movie ‘The Wizard of Oz’. No being swayed by that cute little woman in pigtails.

Next up same song by a very different singer. Here’s IZ or Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Please don’t strain yourself trying to pronounce his name. Once again I was fortunate to find a video with images and lyrics but no pictures of this very big Hawaiian boy, BUT unfortunately this video is also a mash-up of ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘Wonderful World’. I’m going to use it anyway and just suggest that you cut it off at around the 2:15 minute mark, which makes it about the equivalent of Judy’s version.

I think you’ll do better just listening to the music and not judging by the visuals of the performers. (Just me – I guess)

When I come back with the results, I promise to post IZ’s official video, including the spreading of his ashes in his beloved Pacific and Judy’s version as sung in the movie ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Now, you should know the drill, but just in case. I insist you click on over and visit the irresistible Mr. Stephen T. McCarthy at Ferret-faced Fascist Friends and see what he has chosen for his ‘Battle’ and then you’re just another click away from the famous Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out and his bi-monthly ‘Battle’. These of course, are the official sites – as in the ones participating in the contest with prizes. For anyone else who is also posting a BOTB, please leave a comment and a link (if you know how to do that), so as to direct my numerous readers to your post also.

As another reminder –– here are the rules for the contest.

Find The True Purpose For Voting On ‘Battle Of The Bands’ Installments: Win Compact Discs!-Compact Discs!-Compact Discs! Spectacular, Super-Colossal Blogosphere ‘Battle of The Bands’ Voting Contest!

Here’s The Deal: By voting on the ‘Battle Of The Bands’ blog bits here and at the ‘Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends’ blog, you can win the compact disc of your choice. Every 4 months, Stephen and I will add up how many times you voted on our blogs, and the person who has participated most often (i.e., submitted the most eligible votes) will get to select one compact disc that contains any one of the songs that were included in either of our ‘Battle Of The Bands’ installments (“Super-Colossal” expensive boxed-sets, imports, and ‘out-of-print’ compact discs not included). In the event of a tie, the names will be put in a Stetson and the name drawn from the cowboy hat will win the CD.

Rules For Voting: Stephen and I post new ‘Battle Of The Bands’ blog bits on the 1st and 15th of each month. We also post our own personal votes for the respective blog bits on the 7th and 21st of each month (i.e., six days later). For your vote to be counted, it must be submitted in our comment sections BEFORE we post our own votes (BEFORE we make our own votes known on the 7th and the 21st).

Every 4 months there will be a new compact disc winner. In other words, ‘Battle Of The Bands’ #1 was posted on August 1, 2013, so at the end of November, one of you lucky voters is going to win a CD that includes one of the songs we’ve featured in our ‘Battle Of The Bands’ installments (you get to choose, and it doesn’t matter if the song won or lost its battle – if you like it, it’s YOURS!)

Alright, now... VOTE ON and ROCK ON! (while we ‘Count On...’)

I’ll be back on the 21^st with my vote and a little more information on each of these performances. For now I want to ‘zip it’ and do nothing to influence your vote – I mean – what do I look like to you? A Chicago politician?

Monday, October 7, 2013

RESULTS for BATTLE OF THE BANDS V

I have really been neglecting my blog lately. If it weren’t for my commitment to the Battle of the Bands, I don’t think I would have posted anything. I promise not to whine, but I have been dealing with a health issue lately that I thought I had licked, but this past weekend it came back with a vengeance. I am in extreme pain and sitting for any length of time is excruciating. Anyway…enough with the excuses.

I do promise not to do another three-way in these ‘Battles’. I know it’s very time consuming to have to listen to two songs play all the way through, and then to add a third becomes a bit tedious.

As I counted up the votes and looked over the comments in this particular battle it seems most of you voted for that person that might not have been your favorit, but was the most familiar. I believe that there was only one person who voted for their favorite and then admitted they were a fan of the singer. That got me to thinking; do we really develop our own musical tastes or are we once again programmed by the music we publicly hear. Interesting Huh?

Anyway…I have never been a big fan of Janis. I think she was more popular for her rebellious nature than she actual screeching (singing). Also, at one point in my life something bad happened to me, and I went through a very self-destructive period (see I really and truly can be a dumb blonde). A good friend compared me to Janis and her self-destructive ways. Needless to say I was highly offended, but it worked. I saw the futility and more important the stupidity of my current lifestyle and cleaned up my act. Recently, someone joking referred to me as Janis and I seriously overreacted. Anyway… over-exposed airtime or not. there is no way I would vote for Janis.

There are a few songs that Melissa has recorded that I do like, although she tends to scream and screech her way through most, but this is not one of them.

I vote for Faith Hill. She’s easy to listen to and does a nice melodious rendition of this song. I’m also a big fan of country and western music. Faith may not be my favorite female vocalist in this genre, but in this song it’s my opinion that she does it better.

So, the final tally, including my vote, surprised me some. Here it is;

Janis 8 votes the clear winner

Melissa 2 votes

Faith 7 votes – not bad Mrs. McGraw.

I guess not everyone went with the familiar screaming’ and screeching’

Go check out the other official sites for the winners there. Stop on over at Tossing It Out the home of the ever funny and controversial Mr. Arlee Bird and Ferret-Faced Fascist Freinds the home of the ‘Music Man’ himself, Stephen T. McCarthy. There were some other entries that you might want to also look into Your Daily Dose was onE and DiscConnected the other. If I missed someone, please leave a comment with a link so others can find you.

By the Way…I thought it was very interesting that Mr. Bird took a popular/familiar song and pitted two relatively unknown artists AGAINST EACH OTHER, and not the more played version. Interesting that he had two ‘write-in’ votes for that more popular/familiar version. See what I mean about the programming.

See ya back here on the 15^th of October for Battle of the Bands VI. I’ll even try to post something new in the meantime.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

BATTLE OF THE BANDS V and IWSG (a day early)

Woo-Hoo! It’s October 1^st and is it ever ‘BRISK’ here in the high Sierras. The leaves are changing, and we’ve even had snow; once up on the peaks, and once down here at the lake shore. I’m still freezing, but loving it all the same. Have I ever mentioned that fall was my favorite season? Well, now you know.

October 1^st also means it’s time for ‘BATTLE OF THE BANDS V’. Up until a few hours ago I hadn’t decided which tunes, from my vast list, I wanted to pit against each other for this go around. While perusing the blogs earlier today, I landed at ***** the home of Arlee Bird one of the other participants in the ‘contest’ version of BOTB. Today Mr. Bird was hyping his BOTB posting with the topic of being hurt so bad and holding grudges. I refrained from leaving a comment (sorry Arlee), cause you all know how I hate to over-expose myself, especially in matters that can become so personal, but it did give me an idea for this little battle.

Also, during the last BOTB, in the comment section of *****the home of Mr. Stephen t. McCarthy the first participant in this ‘contest’ version of BOTB, Mr. McCarthy (otherwise known as TSMIK) let it slip that he was planning on a ‘ménage a trios’ for this fight. So…while I was surfing the YouTube channels looking for suitable versions of my choice, I found a third and thought…WHY NOT?

So without further delay, here is my three-way Battle of the Bands V. I like to call it ‘the screamers, the dreamers, and the indomitable (I let you decide for yourself exactly whom those epitaphs’ fit (well, I guess in reality epitaph is only appropriate for one, but I digress – as usual). I better just ‘shut it’ and let ‘the ladies’ (ahem) take it away.

First up with 'Take a Little Piece of My Heart', the veritable girl next door. Janis Joplin

Next, everybody’s friend and lover Melissa Ethridge

And, finally Mrs. Tim McGraw, ah… everybody knowsthat is…Faith Hill (yeah, surprised me too).

No offense intended to any of these ladies, just a little added ‘snark’, for your entertainment.

Now, it’s up to you. Make your choice and let me know who you prefer and why in the comment box. Once you’ve done that head on over to Tossing It Out the home of the every kind and gracious Mr. Arlee Bird and, Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends the hangout of that cool dude, Mr. Stephen t. McCarthy and vote at these sites also, for your chance to win an amazing prize.

Check the comment section at each site for other participants. Likewise, if you want to join in the fun, leave a comment that not only registers your vote, but also lets everyone else know that you have a ‘BATTLE’ going on in your space too.

Last but not least the contest rules:

Alright, now... VOTE ON and ROCK ON! (while we ‘Count On...’)

I know this post has gone on long enough, but since tomorrow is the monthly posting of the IWSG and I don’t want to completely cover my BOTB V, with another post so soon, I’m just gonna tack it here on the end, short and sweet like.

That about sums up my feelings about being insecure this month. No matter what your insecurities might be. No matter how big or small they are today. Whatever you do --- Never Quit!

If you’re reading this on Wednesday October 2^nd, the official day for posting on the IWSG, then head on over to The Home of Alex J. Cavanaugh where you’ll find a Linky List. Click on some of the other blogs and see what their insecurity for October is. Maybe you can help encourage someone else, or find some encouragement yourself.

Whatever else you do ENJOY THE GLORIOUS FALL!

Whew! I bet you thought I was never gonna shut up.