Open Thread

[filkertom]

Memorial Day in the U.S. May your day be peaceful.

Comments

I'm sorry, but...

[joshbrown.livejournal.com]

Americans really don't understand the concept behind a Memorial Day. Yes, those who have lost do. But to the vast majority of Americans, Memorial Day means only one thing - sales.

Re: I'm sorry, but...

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

You're not wrong... but I actually do believe more people than not are aware of it, at least on a subconscious level. I'm hoping that they'll be more aware this year than most, because we are dealing with new losses every day.

[the-gwenzilliad.livejournal.com]

Morning, Tom.

I added you to my journal because I wanted to get to know you better. We've met at a couple of conventions, and I'm a member of a band called Three Weird Sisters. Anyway, you've been on my reading list for awhile now. I wasn't sure you'd noticed.

-Gwen

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Hi, Gwen! I absolutely know who you are, and I'm in awe of your skills with the harp. You guys rock and a half. Tell Brenda Hi! for me.

[the-gwenzilliad.livejournal.com]

I will, if I can dig her out of the mire of Mythic Journeys. (http://www.mythicjourneys.org) She's ladyat, by the way.

[andrianna.livejournal.com]

Mornin'...
And when do we get an update on how MarCon went?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Actually, I have a brief one on the main site (http://www.tomsmithonline.com/news.htm). It went pretty darn well. Two very good concerts -- I thought they were okay, people were telling me I was amazing, so it averages out to very good ;) -- lotsa hugs, lotsa friends, quality time with several of them, hangin' with Dr. Demento and Luke Ski, good sales on the CD-Rs, didn't spend too much money, pleasant trip home except for the deluge just south of Toledo (literally, you couldn't see ten feet past the front of the car). All in all, a very, very successful MarCon. Next year, when I'm Filk GOH, should be even better.

Just Follow His Nose

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

You must check out Leader of the Free World? (http://www.andyfoulds.co.uk/amusement/bushv2.htm). It's kinda creepy-looking, actually. And don't forget the "Blair" option.

Re: Just Follow His Nose

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Thank you. THe Blair option was kind of obvious. But nice, nonetheless.

[andrianna.livejournal.com]

Glad to see/hear that things went so well. Wish I hadn't missed such a good version of "PQR" (as that is one of my favourites - Hey, what would you expect out of someone that worships the ground that Mr. Barker walks on? ;) ).
I'll have to keep in mind that you're going to be GOH next year, and make the plans to go out.

Glad you had such a great time! :)

[braider.livejournal.com]

It was indeed a really good couple of concerts, and I'm glad that I stayed to listen to PQR as I was on my way out the door when you started it. It was just delightful, but the way, to see you crumpling in your chair, face in your hand, laughing at the Dysfunctional song.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Well, that woulda been because it was hilarious. ;) So when are you coming out with an album of your songs (http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/My_songs.htm)?

Grrrrr....

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

VH1 had a program called "The 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs... Ever".

Their choice for #29 "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I won't Do That)"...

One of my all-time FAVORITES!

Now don't get me wrong, I'll be the first to admit that Meat's done some real stinkers ("I'm Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us" or "Midnight at the Lost and Found", anyone?), but "Anything For Love"? Quite possibly the last of the great rock-ballads? One of the worst EVER?

I wouldn't mind so much, except that the reasons they gave were absolutely MORONIC!

Complaint #1 - (engage "airhead" voice) "He never actually SAYS what he won't do!"

HELLO-O-O-O-O!!! Do you ever actually LISTEN to a songs LYRICS?!

"I'll never do it better than I do it with you"
"I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way"
"I'll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life"

It's RIGHT THERE, and should be CLEAR, even to a bunch of boy-band worshipping HOMONUCLEII such as yourselves!

Complaint #2 - "There's just too many instruments, and chorals, and stuff like that!"

.............

Everyone who gave THIS reason should be SENTENCED to NEVER HEARING ANY MUSIC except "In Cars" by Gary Numan for the REST of their LIVES!

Still, I will give them credit for one thing, they named "Red, White and Blue" by Toby Keith as #20, so they do have SOME merit!

Re: Grrrrr....

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

That's utterly mystifying. I love that song, and I love the video. Heck, I use it for an example of how to mix and use reverb.

Here's the list so far (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/50_most_awesomely_bad_songs/series_countdown.jhtml) (seven to go, as of this posting). And several choices seem to be utterly fatuous -- not the songs, the choice of those songs:

Everybody rags on "Sussudio", but I think it happens to be a good-sounding song about someone with an unusual name.

"We Didn't Start The Fire" -- another example of someone not listening to the lyrics. What, they didn't like the song because they don't know what it's about?

"Will 2K" -- song for a specific occasion. Fun, rockin'. I still play it. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm", "Breakfast At Tiffany's", "The Heart Of Rock And Roll" -- what's the problem?

Almost wish I had cable, so I could hear the "reasoning" behind this.

Re: Grrrrr....

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

They can't even get their OWN LIST right!

"We Built This City" was #1 on the countdown!

Re: Grrrrr....

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

In a world with "MacArthur Park", "One Two Three Lockbox", and "My Baby Takes The Morning Train"? I don't think so.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Anyhoo, I got some new songs on my LJ.

Lemme know what ya think!

[jedilora.livejournal.com]

The reasoning was terrible. I watched part of it, but our group sat around and disagreed with a substantial number of them.

I'm waiting for "I Love the '90s" now though. Now that series (80s, 70s, 80s Strike Back) is more worth cable.

[braider.livejournal.com]

Well, now that I no longer curl in a fetal ball and whimper when I hear the sound of my voice recorded, we're moving infinitely closer to this happening. Now I've got to get well practiced, try it out on my 4-track, practice some more, and then find someone to record me. Probably all three CDs worth (I still owe an Irish CD to my university, a general filk album, and one of breakup/love songs, I think....Hey, I could create a poll!)