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Right out of the box, I think 2015 is going to be a fun year for
BATTLE OF THE BANDS. We have several new participants and the BATTLES put up on
January 1, 2015 were exciting, innovative and just a whole lot of fun. I’m
excited for another calendar year of ‘Musical Battles’.
My first BATTLE of this New Year was fun, at least for me. I
really like both version of this little wintery tune; ‘I’ve Got My Love to Keep
Me Warm’. There are a lot of covers of this 1937 tune by Irving Berlin. Here’s
what Wacky Watchee has to say about it.
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" is a popular song written in 1937 by Irving Berlin. It was introduced in the musical film On the Avenue (1937) by Dick Powell and Alice Faye. Les Brown's instrumental version, arranged by Skip Martin and recorded in 1946 as Columbia #38324, became a million-seller and Billboard top ten song in 1949. That same year vocal group The Mills Brothers also had a chart hit with their version on Decca #24550.
Although not strictly a Christmas song as the lyrics make no mention of the holiday, the tune has been recorded for many artists' Christmas albums and is a standard part of the holiday song repertoire in the U.S.
Well you can’t beat a million-seller, you guys proved that right here. The voting goes as follows:
Les Brown and his Band of Renown 12 votes
Django Reinhart 5 votes
Those totals don’t include my vote, cause it wouldn’t make one speck of difference in this BATTLE. I do cast my vote along with the majority and give it to Les and his band. Can’t top that Big Band sound for me either, but I do have to say I don’t think you could go wrong with a vote for Django if you’re in a mellower mood. It’s my opinion that both of these versions are winners.
Pop around to all of the other participants and see the outcome of their BATTLES. As always I’ll be back on the 15th of the month with another BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Thanks for your votes and support
In another matter it’s the first Wednesday of the month and time for the INSECURE WRITERS SUPPORT GROUP. This is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh and to learn more about it and see the linky list of participants head on over to his site and get the details. You can do that by clicking HERE.While you’re there take a moment to give him a big THANK YOU for all of the efforts involved in the IWSG and also THANK this month’s co-hosts.
When it comes to my writing 2014 was a bit shaky for me. I was dealing with some health issues that made it hard to sit for long periods of time and my level of concentration was worse than my normal state of ‘dumb blondeness’. By the Fall I had gotten the health issues pretty much under control and started back with some critiques of other peoples work. This is something that really helps me get excited about writing again. I set some goals for 2015 and was all ready to go. No insecurities there. I had a real feeling of ‘I can do it’. THEN…
Right after Thanksgiving I applied for a job. This employer had a three part interview process. Step one: a one on one interview. Sept two: a group interview. Step three: a one on one interview specific to the position you applied for. It was a process of elimination and you needed to make it through each step to proceed to the next.
I proceeded to step three where I interviewed with the guy who was second in command of the whole operation. We had what I thought was a pretty good interview and at the end he told me that I really interviewed well. ‘As a matter of fact’, he said; ‘this is the best interview he had had.’ During the course of this interview he also talked to me about two positions other than the one I had applied for. When I left he told me I would be hearing from them.
So…this past Monday I get a ‘Thank you, but NO Thank you’ email from them. To say I was disappointed would be putting it mildly. I was shocked, disappointed, saddened and well, to tell the truth it brought up ALL of my old insecurities about EVERYTHING.
I know this has nothing to do with my writing, but on the other hand it has everything to do with my basic feelings of insecurity and mental meanderings into the realm of ‘I’m not good enough’. Friends have suggested that perhaps they thought I was over qualified for this particular job, or that I would become bored and not be a long-term employee. My insecure self thinks I simply was not good enough.
I’m working to put this behind me. I really didn’t need this job, but I wanted it. It really is not reflection on whether or not I can write a good story and have a good story to tell, BUT…
How about you? Are you generally as insecure as this or do you confine your insecurities to your craft?
We were supposed to tell something about ourselves in this IWSG post, but I think you get a pretty clear picture of me and my general insecurities from the above. ‘Dumb blonde, who struggles…with way too much!’
I'm not at all surprised that Les Brown won this Battle. That was some pretty ferocious playing by the band and it had that classic Big Band sound. The other version was fine but I think it really got overpowered by all those rhythmic horns.
ReplyDeleteGood Battle though. I too thought there were a number of really good Battles this go-round.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
YEP, this was a pretty stellar BOTB go round for everybody. I hope it will keep up that way.
DeleteI am disappointed that some of the participants don't make it around to all the other participants though. What's up with THAT?
Really sorry you didn't get the job. Did the people after you offer bribes or something? Remember it's not you, it's them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, bribed, that must be it. Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteThere's a touch of the dumb blonde who struggles too much with everything in all of us. Not getting the job or not getting the recognition we hoped for doesn't help at all. That I know. I just keep telling myself that there are other jobs and other ways I can gain recognition. Then I wipe my nose and go for a long walk.
ReplyDeleteA long walk sounds like a good idea. Actually enough time has passed that I'm over all of this, but initially it really stung.
DeleteThe job application process is hard-it's hard not to take the rejection personally, although having been on the other side (you get a thousand resumes, and if you have five good candidates you have to somehow choose).
ReplyDeleteSo while I wouldn't say do not feel what you are feeling (you are, after all, feeling it), I would say hang in there.
My insecurities all relate to dating relationships, which explains how I got to fifty-three and remained single. That rejection still bums me out as much as it did when I heard it at fourteen.
Those feelings were the fodder for thousands of song lyrics over the years. I guess that's an upside...
I suspect everyone has insecurity, and some people are just better at sucking up those feelings and pushing through.
I too have had positions where I was on the hiring side of a job interview and I know it's sometimes tough to narrow the field, but this guy built me up so much, it was quite a shock to get that email.
DeleteAs far as rejection in relationships. I hear ya. I DO find it hard to believe that a nice man like yourself can't find a mature woman, (meaning someone near your age, who it smarter than the average dumb blonde) that would appreciate the 'nice guy' you seem to be in print.
Women in their teens and twenties suffer from the Y & S Syndrome (that's young and stupid), by their thirties and forties most are just 'so into themselves', but after fifty you expect a little maturity, and an appreciation for a gentleman (which you seem to be, at least in print). Maybe you been looking in the wrong category (at fourteen I hope you were).
Just circling back to this-your BOTB post is gone?
DeleteI do look for close to my age (too young and they won't understand any of my obscure pop culture references)-the hard part is always where to look. And working up the nerve to ask.
My life ain't so bad, so I am not complaining!
And for the record, I do believe i qualify as a gentleman....not just in print!
I too believe you are a gentleman. I think maybe the women of AZ just don't know what they're missing.
DeleteIt's probably better to be alone than have any sort of relationship with someone who doesn't take the things that are important to you seriously.
I am glad you replied-I worried with the "Close" post if everything was OK.
DeleteHope all is well- Even with it's pitfalls and disappointments, I believe life is something we should savor, and I hope 2015 allows you to do that-enjoy life!
Well played....I still prefer Django, but to each his or her own, right?
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the insecurity front. I am currently working retail (which honestly, I don't mind. Except that it doesn't pay me enough to live on), so I am constantly applying for other jobs and constantly being turned down for jobs. At one point two or so years ago, one bank interviewed my many, many times for different positions at their different locations, and I never got any of the jobs despite having years of banking and customer service and sales experience. That stint really made a mess out of me. I just gave up for a while....then went to another retail place for seasonal part time. So far, I can't really tell how it's going or if they'll keep me on there. I just hope I don't take it personally if they decide not to keep me. It's not like I need the job, but it's nice to have just a small bit of extra money.
Now I am about to have to start the whole process over because I anticipate a move out of state about mid-summer.
As for my writing? I let that go a LONG time ago. I'm not sure where my voice is anymore, honestly.
Best of luck getting back into the job market if you feel like you need to. I know it's cliche and corny, but the right job will fall into your lap at the right time! Okay, maybe you'll have to go get it rather than it falling into your lap, but you know what I mean!
I know you're right about the right thing coming down the pike. I also know that this most likely wasn't it and I probably would not have been really happy there, but dang it, I wanted to find that out on my own and not be turned down.
DeleteI will say that it makes me sad to hear that you no longer write. I get not wanting to take further rejection - assuming that you felt your work was rejected. But, I think if you have stories to tell, you just need to get them out, even f no one reads it but yourself.I'm sure that's 'just me', but it still makes me sad to hear someone say that they've given up.
Not good enough. It's on my list of insecurities, too, just recently listed on my second boundaries post. I think maybe this is one that most everyone struggles with in some shape or form. I wish I could give you the Magic Answer that would make you feel better, but I don't have it. I do think that a better job (a better fit for you) is out there and you'll find it. Or you won't and you'll write the novel you've always wanted to write. Something will happen. I'm praying it's something Good.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, girl.
'Time heals all wounds' or at least gives you the ability to move on and see that something like this was really 'no big deal' after all.
DeleteI thought it was "time wounds all heels..."
DeleteAt least, that's what Nick Lowe said....
Djanjo has some lovely work, and I could be in a rut. I did vote for Brown. I listened again later, but it didn't change my mind. Still, I thank you for posting that soothing version of his.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I'm not a IWSG participant but I think the things I've read on here are really soul reaching. You peak my interest, and I find that to be a success key. You have numerous people who are loyal to your blog site. They obviously love what you have to share. I don't know the job you just missed out on but it might have been a sleeper. We never know. The right work will come along... and I hope it doesn't feel like work at all. You deserve that much and more!
Thanks for allowing to comment (smile).
Thanks, Dixie. That was nice to hear.
DeleteOh wow, he really got your hopes up. What a let down. I know my own writing ego hinges on success in my career, and vice versa. What affects one affects the other.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Dear, there are more opportunities coming you way.
That was the biggest problem here, this last interview really got my hopes up. during the first two interviews, I was like; 'oh well, whatever happens it good for me to be out interviewing again.' but after that third one, I was pretty sure they would offer me SOMETHING.
DeleteThanks for the encouragement. Enough time has gone by that I'm 'over it'.
Finding a job is so rough. Keep on searching. Here's hoping that 2015 brings better things to all of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThe job hunt sucks a ton, that I surely know. Those group interview things can be nerve racking.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Group Interview' was intimidating at first, but in the end, I thought I did pretty good, at least good enough to advance to the final round, but apprarently, not quite 'good enough'.
DeleteI like the line, "Things fall apart so they can come together." That job wasn't where you're supposed to be right now. There's something better waiting for you. And in the meantime, you have more time to write. Stay positive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right. Thanks.
DeleteI really struggle with my insecurities in all areas. So much so my doctor diagnosed me as having a a sever anxiety disorder recently and I now take medication for it. So I can relate. Sadly I am still working on my own insecurities and anxieties so have no good advice to give; however, if you ever want to let off steam I'd be more than happy to lend an ear. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI'm not surprised by your BOTB outcome, but I'm a bit surprised that Django came out as well as he did. His version was good, but just not what Brown had to offer.
ReplyDeleteHealth issues can really suck. I'm looking forward to the day when my mind can be downloaded into an unbreakable automaton computer run guy. First I want that unbreakable forever lasting computer on my desk. Actually there are more eternal things that I look forward to even more. We won't need computers in Heaven.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I was glad Django got the votes he did. I really liked his version, but it's hard to compete with that 'Big Band sound.
DeleteNot sure I would want my mind downloaded ANYWHERE. I AM sure no one would want to download it .
'Where your treasure lies...' and all that jazz.
I'm sorry to hear about the job, and that kind of stuff makes me feel insecure too. It's not too different from the writing field, sadly. I can't tell you how many times that we got rejections that would say, "This story was amazing. It was well written, it was fun to read, and it was one of the best books I've read in months... but we're going to pass."
ReplyDeleteUh, what? WTF did I do wrong?
You nailed my feelings exactly.
DeleteI'm gonna head back up to the top and try to reply to each of your comments, but first I want to apologize for taking so long to do so.
ReplyDeleteRight after the Holidays I came down with pneumonia and have been fighting it for about ten days now. I'm finally getting back into the swing of things, but it's been kind of a long haul. I do appreciate your stopping by and hope some of you will see this and forgive my absence.
Also, anybody know why (or how) blogger changed my format to this skinny edition with the mini print? I hate it and would like to go back to what I had before, but you know me, I know nothing about this whole blogger mess.
So sorry about the job. My husband does hiring on occasion, and he frequently tells me about how hard it is. He had several of the same experiences while interviewing, and really, hiring managers should know better than to open their mouths until all is said and one. They'll get hundreds of applicants for one position, and several may be very qualified and incredible workers too, but it really comes down to a complex dynamic of how much they want to pay a person, how long they thing the person will stick around at said pay, if they fit in with the whole company personality, and several other factors. There may have been someone they liked almost as much as you who would work for less.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I know that doesn't make it any less painful, but definitely take some time to get your emotional feet back under you, or write out your disappointment into a scene with the same emotion. Very cathartic. Wishing you huge success!