Blogging from A-To-Z Challenge: Theme

 Last year my theme was reptiles, this year my theme will be athletes and teams. It isn't that much of a stretch for me as I tend to blog about an athlete or team from time to time. I missed the official theme reveal as April kind of snuck up on me.

Are you doing the A to Z Challenge? If so what is your theme?

Well tomorrow is Day 1

Milestones: 300,000 views and climbing

 My blog hit 250000 pageviews in late April and has surpassed 300000 pageviews by late December. I am wowed that 50000 plus people (or bots) visited my blog in eight months. I'm surprised and humbled that people visit my blog at all. I am thankful for my visitors, my readers for taking the time to visit.

I guess it is safe to say this blog has an audience.  A purpose, probably not a defined one. Perhaps it is truer to my ramblings. At one point it was more as I phrased it as shameless, self-promotion of my other writings at the time. I have my struggles with the blog but the blog itself continues. I struggle with balance. I constantly struggle with balancing content. Someone called it a music blog and that offended me! (Not that it is a bad thing to be labeled that) It wasn't labeled that online, and who or where isn't important. You will certainly find posts about music here. I like music, it is a big part of my life so obviously it is strongly represented here. However, other topics that cross my mind are also blogged about. The other struggle is time. I can time manage my day job just fine. However, the blog time creates a struggle. Finding the time to write a post, time to visit other folk's blogs, that is the challenge. The day job takes up time, living an adventurous life takes up time, other hobbies and pursuits take up time. 

What's next for the blog? The blog with continue. The struggles will continue. The blog might find purpose or just wander around the interwebs aimlessly. Maybe my audience like trainwrecks? Perhaps my blog is a wonderful trainwreck reflecting the trainwreck I call life.

Blogging from to Z April Challenge: Z is for Zoos for Reptiles

 A zoo by definition "is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation or display" according to the dictionary on bing. Most zoos or zoological parks have a collection of reptiles. By the definition above Alligator Farms would be considered a zoo.

In fact one of the oldest if not the oldest alligator farm the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm is now branded as a zoo.

Below is a virtual tour..

I have been there several times and would recommend it. Closer to me is an Alligator Farm called Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama.

Me playing with a Carpet Python there, and holding an Alligator

Well until next time see you later Alligator

  

Milestones: A Quarter Million Page Views

 In just less than five years I went from 100,000 page views to 250,000. A steady climb of about 30k a year which isn't bad. Considering I haven't been writing for many outlets letter so the shameless, self promotion has basically left the building. It may return, I am working on a few things. The future isn't promised and it is unknown. I've never been one to plan out my blog. The A to Z, the Battle of the Bands, the random posts pretty much are all winged. A creative collage of passing thoughts. Personal with brief glimpses into my world. Yet drama free unlike reality. Thanks for visiting, reading and commenting. Without you there would be zero views, no milestones reached. Sometimes you are the catalyst for a future post. It is interactive. So passing a milestone and heading off t reach some more.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: Theme Reveal Reptiles A to Z

 I'm going to do something different for my A to Z Challenge. This year I am going with reptiles A to Z ! Each letter I will attempt to go with a crocodilian, lizard, snake, turtle, dinosaur or something related to them. Stay tuned and look forward to an April filled with reptiles!

Here is 10 of the largest for a sneak peak...

Blogging Break

Sorry no Battle of the Bands post this time around. March has come in like a lion and has nothing to do with the weather. So I wasn't able to do the last Battle of the Bands properly. (There is more than just writing the blog post). I also knew I wouldn't be able to do this one properly. So hopefully next time. Hopefully I will have some other posts up soon. So until next time may you be virus free, may all your Corona's be served cold and with a lime!

A to Z: Looking Back at April's Challenge

Probably too late for a reflections post on April's A to Z Challenge. I will just call it looking back. My theme was about my Mom. I never really came out and say why. My Mom had been battling cancer for some time. She was a fighter and she did win some battles. However, cancer is relentless.

Around my birthday she was diagnosed as Stage Four cancer and given six months to live.  That turmed out to be about 3.5 months. A nurse providing in house hospice  gave my Mom about four days to live earlier this month. Those four days ended up being eight hours and she had passed away.

In early May I told my Mom I used her in my theme for the A to Z Challenge. I hope she read a few posts. It was meant or at least an attempt to be a tribute to someone before they passed away. 

Blogging from A to Z: U is for Unbelievable

My word for the letter U during this challenge is Unbelievable.  My Mother's love towards me and my daughter is unbelievable. My love from my Mom is second fiddle to the love my Mom has for my daughter and I completely understand why!

Here her Grandparents dressed her up as St Lucia a few Christmas back to share some of her Swedish heritage with her.

My Mom also loves this thing..

Unbelievable sometimes since they adopted this cat which still clings strongly to it's feral ways. The cat loves them back in her way. She likes to be near them and will check on them. Pet the cat at your own risk! Lately we have been bonding.

Talking about unbelievable things my Mom actually took my daughter for Surf lessons..

Yes my Mom's love is unbelievable. She has given so much and would give so much more if she could.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2019: Theme Reveal

I have been doing the A to Z Challenge since year two. Most of the time I just wing it coming  up with a new post each day. Most of my posts relate to entertainment, mostly music. I throw in some movies, theatre news, celebrity birthdays and deaths. I sprinkle in some sports an book posts from time to time. Maybe a creative writing piece or something personal once in a while. That is how my blog is the other 11 months, I just follow the alphabet in April.



This year I am going to have a theme to my A to Z Challenge. My theme will be about my Mom using primarily my usual content with a few twists. I may stray from my theme from time to time but we will see.

Only a few days until the start of the challenge! If you are doing the challenge I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to leave a link in the comments and I will check out your blog in April!

The Battle of the Bands Chronicles: Volume Four A Big Blender of Sound

Battle 41 March 16, 2016 took a folk turn with Pete Seeger's classic "Where have all the Flowers Gone." The Searchers won big over Earth, Wind and Fire.

Battle 42 Star Date April 1, 2016 This Battle was a drum battle and nothing but fun! Just one video on this one. Dave Grohl against Animal. The red furred drummer won easily!

Battle 43: April 15, 2016 "Always Something to Remind Me" featured Sandie Shaw and Naked Eyes. Naked Eyes won 7 to 3.

Battle 44:May 1, 2016 "Nothing Compares to U" Chris Cornell vs Sinead O'Conner. Chris won this battle.

Battle 45: May 15, 2016 Prince was still on my mind. I went folk again with Joni Mitchell "A Case of You." I put Prince against jazz singer Diana Krall. Diana Krall won a close battle.

Battle 46: June 1, 2016 I kept it laid back with Guy Clark's "Boats to Build." Two friends pitted against each other Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker. Alan Jackson aided Jimmy. Jimmy won by many boat drinks.

Battle 47: June 15, 2016 "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood now that was a twist! Lika Morgan against Powerman 5000. Lika won.

Battle 48: July 1, 2016. I went with the traditional "O Death" to remember Ralph Stanley who passed. Lauren O'Conner and Jen Titus were the contenders. Lauren won this round.

Battle 49: July 15, 2016 I was marking my two year anniversary reusing the Stones "Dead Flowers" this time I changed the contenders to Cowboy Junkies and New Riders of the Purple Sage. NRPS won this one.

Battle 50: August 1, 2016 Decided to use "The Presence of the Lord." Larry Norman against Glenn Kaiser. Glenn won this Battle.

Battle 51: August 15, 2016 "Here Comes The Sun"  was the song. I pitted the great Nina Simone who was shut out by Phil Keaggy. Guess the Lord was still hanging out.

Battle 52: September 1, 2016 My Battle's often feature "Good Rocking Tonight." The rockabilly classic brought out rockers Montrose vs Lemmy and Johnny Ramone. Montrose came out victorious.

Battle 53: September 15, 2016 I was "Willin'" to feature some Little Feat! It went to the birds with The Black Crowes meeting The Byrds. Feathers were twisted and it ended as a tie.

Battle 54: October 1, 2016 Rocktober came and it was "Helter Skelter." Aerosmith and Motley Crue joined the party.  The Crew one!

Battle 55: October 15, 2016 Roctober was wild getting out of hand. Wild Thing was being covered by Sam Kinison and The Divinyls. The later won 9 -2.

Battle 56: November 1, 2016 We went back to "Willin'" to break up the tie. This time Linda Ronstadt  and Steve Earle squared off. Linda was the winner.

Battle 57: November 15, 2016 "A  Song for You" Christina Aguilera aided by jazz giant Herbie Hancock took on Ray Charles. The blind legend won!

Battle 58: December 1, 2016 Taylor Dayne's "Tell it to my Heart" brought the 80s back but millennials performed the covers. Nicola Marie and Lynsey Cawthra. Lynsey won.

Battle 59: December 15, 2016 "I Believe in Father Christmas" was my Christmas song. U2 and Vertical Horizon were my contestants. U2 lost big time.

My next Chronicles will start in 2017.

The Battle of the Bands Chronicles: Volume Three the start of year two

My 25th Battle (labeled 24) celebrate one year of Battle of the Bands. In reality it was kicking in my second season. It featured The Band's classic "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." I pitted Charlie Daniels against Johnny Cash. It was 9 to 8 for Mr. Cash. 17 votes is great for my blog.

Battle 26th went Jerry Garcia bluegrass. I used the classic tune "Shady Grove" and brought out the bluegrass giant Doc Watson. I matched up against the eclectic Taj Mahal. Taj won 6 to 5 in a very streaky Battle.

Battle 27th didn't stray far from my last one. "Panama Red" featuring The New Riders of the Purple Sage against Old and in  the Way. The New Riders won!

Battle 28: It was September 2015 and I left the banjos behind (for a little bit). The song was "Gloria." The Doors versus The Shadows of Knight. The Doors won but it was closer than you might think.

Battle 29: Keep on Loving You. Lisa Loeb and Dweezil that is a weird combination. ZMight be as strange as Keith Urban covering this song. Keith won 12 to 1.

Battle 30: Gimme Shelter!  Merry Clayton versus Grand Funk Railroad. The latter won 9 to 5.

Battle 31: Shoot to Thrill! Halestorm versus Theory of a Deadman. Theory of a Deadman won this won solidly.

Battle 32: I Was only 19. This battle was one of my most successful ones and it was a total surprise! The Lancer Band versus The Herd. The Lancer Band won.

Battle 33: Fortune Teller. Robert Plant and Alison against The Rolling Stones. Robert and Alison won this by a mile.

Battle 34: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Jim Carey versus Straight No Chaser. The comedian lost badly.

Battle 35: Christmas Cookies! Loose Cattle and Scott McCreery. Loose Cattle won in a stampede.

Battle 36: Sympathy for the Devil! Guns and Roses versus Motorhead. Rocking into 2016. The Gunners won!

Battle 37: Louie, Louie! The Sonics against The Kinks. The Sonics win!

Battle 38: Three Desperados. Miranda, Linda R., and Karen Carpenter. Karen ran away with a victory.

Battle 39: New Orleans Ladies. Wayne Toups against Tab Benoit. Wayne won!

Battle 40: Midnight Hour. The Mirrettes versus The Young Rascals. The Rascals won.

Blogging from A to Z 2018: M is for Midnight

As Wilson Pickett sings it is "The Midnight Hour" and I am wrapping up my second week  of the Blogging from A to Z 2018 Challenge. Well today's letter is M  and that fits well with Midnight.

Is Midnight moving on from Friday the 13th a spooky time? Is it strange that today marks a transition in the challenge as the month is entering the halfway mark? After all midnight marks a transition between one day and the next.

The movie Midnight from 1939 is called a screwball classic. What is a screwball classic? Anyone ever seen the movie? If so any good?

On Sunday I will have my monthly Battle of the Bands post which will relate to my very first A to Z post of 2018. I invite you to come back for that, visit and vote. Then of course there is the Monday's Music Moves ME post on Monday and the challenge continues with N.

Well I hope Midnight was nice! I am going to sleep a few winks and go right into a busy Saturday.

Doing the A to Z

It is official, I signed up to do the Blogging From A to Z April (2018) Challenge. That means you will be seeing a lot of posts churning out of this old blog next month. If you want to sign up or learn more about the challenge you can visit this site.

What am I going to blog about? Something that starts with letter of the day of course. Yes, I'm going to wing it like I always do. Stay tuned!

2018:A New Year

Today was back to work day. Nothing like a 10 hour shift to bring you back to reality after yet another crazy road trip spanning 11-states this time. I rang in the New Year by pulling over into a gas station off the highway and listening to a random radio station pronounce it was 2018. 105 minutes later I as home.

Work was slow. I found out my schedule will be changing again. Change is the constant. 2017 changes to 2018.

What is on tap for this blog in 2018? There are things I wanted to blog about in 2017 that I will probably write about in 2018. There will be events and things that will happen in 2018 that I will ant to blog about. I will probably do the bloghops like the Battle of the Bands, maybe more Monday's Music Moves Me posts, and if I stumble to any interesting one off hop I might join in. Come Spring, I will more than likely participate in the A to Z Challenge.

As for me what are my plans for 2018? I plan to read about 30 books. Hopefully fish more. Schedule change at work will probably cut down on the travelling plans. Though I am sure I will probably visit some interesting places. I will probably see some interesting concerts. But really no big plans just looking to see where 2018 will take me.

Giveaway or Book Exchange?

I have a duplicate of a book that I am reading. I was thinking about either doing a giveaway on my blog or starting a book exchange. It could grow into a somewhat regular thing.

I am just throwing ideas out about my blog. Am I behind the times and no one reads regular books anymore? If I did a giveaway what is the fairest and easiest way to run one? What do you think of the book exchange or book trade?

Please let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon!

A to Z: Visitors and visiting

First off to my visitors, I want to say thank you for visiting my site. Your visit is very important to me. If you visit my site and leave a comment I try to reciprocate. Even when there isn't a bloghop going on I try to visit blogs I follow. It is very random and I usually hit the ones showing in my reading list. Sometimes, I try to look up bloggers who in my mind have been special to me and I haven't seen in a while. Some vanish without as trace and I haven't seen them on milk cartons.

I don't respond to comments very well. I read them all. I approve them all. I don't censor. I do it because I had issues with captcha crap that was upsetting my visitors. I like it when you tell me something doesn't work or isn't there.

So, no I don't respond to every comment, I respond to a few once in a while. Sometimes I'll quote it in another post. Sometimes I'll write a blog entry on it. I like to do shot outs once in a while. Sometimes, if I am visiting your site I'll get lost in your site.

My goal was to visit 300 posts during the A to Z Challenge. I'm over 200 so I am going to meet my goal. I also usually check out some in May and do some Road trips later. I haven't been good about posting my posts on the official blog or facebook page. However, I have used them to find some new blogs quite regularly.

I'm surviving! It is challenging enough for me with Easter and my daughter's birthday falling in this  month. Add in the fact I've been working close to 60 hours a week and trying to either spend time with family, do the non-fun adult things, and play hard. Not complaining. My off days have been pretty epic. Example yesterday, my day included watching the Navy Blue Angels, the Air Force Thunderbirds, a beach, and a shark encounter. Then I had a nice dinner date with my daughter. Having a job is better than having no job when you rely on paychecks. Just saying I've been busy.

Again thanks for visiting and I look forward to visiting your blog.

A to Z Challenge: Night or Day?

Starting off the second half of the A to Z Challenge. I'm keeping my post simple and short.

My title Night or Day satisfies for the letter N.

When do you write more Night or Day? I write more at night. I am more nocturnal by nature. Most days I am working so it is hard to write in the morning. Night time after the kids are sleeping and the wife is doing her thing provides a better opportunity. Unless I am not working that day then it could be night or day.

Neat fact, this is the first challenge in about three years where I am working a day shift. It hasn't been a big difference since I have been working so much lately it has been day and night shift.

What has been working for me during the challenge is writing the post at night, saving it and then publishing it during the day. What works best for you, or do you just publish it when you finish writing it?

When do you read other blogs? I tend to do both night and day. Smart phones help since I can scan a blog during a break or lunch at work.

See a quick post on blogging. I wish you the best on the second half of the challenge and tune in tomorrow for an O post.

Half Way Through the A to Z Challenge

Half way through the A to Z Challenge. How is it going for you? I've been good at keeping up with the writing part pretty well. I'm behind on my pageview/comments for visiting other blogs. However, I am not that far behind on it.

There have been a lot of changes this year to the A to Z Challenge. I completely understand the changes. However, what do you think about them? Like most things there are some pros and cons.

I've been using the facebook list for the days to find interesting blogs to visit. When I have time. I have posted a few posts in there. Again it has been when I have time, which has been at a premium this month.

Anyway if you are a usual reader of my blog, or a newcomer who has read a few of my posts do you have any recommendations for blogs for me to visit? Don't recommend your own, I will visit your site just for commenting, but play it forward. Whose blog do I need to see?

Well it is about time to start the second half. Are you ready?

A to Z Challenge: Amazing Grace Battle of the Bands

Welcome to my blog. This is my first entry for The 2017 A to Z Challenge. April 1st is also a day I normally would post my Battle of the Bands post. Today I am fusing them all into one post.

This time around the song I am going to use is "Amazing Grace." Usually for my Battles of the Bands post I would insert a version of the original song or a well known version for a reference point. I am going to forego that on this post since the tune is one of the most recognizable hymns in the Christian faith.

How it works: I post two versions of the songs. You listen to the songs and let me know which one you thought was the best in the comments. I count up the votes and announce a winner at a later day which will be Sunday, April 9. Adjusting the result the day due to the A to Z Blogging Challenge.





Contestant One: Celtic Woman

Contestant Two: Charlotte Church

If you are interesting in visiting other Battles or interested in the Battle of the Bands please visit this site for the complete list and more information.

Please vote in the comments. I'll be back with the results on the 9th. I will have my A to Z Challenge post on Monday, April 3.

The Eve of A to Z

It's the eve of the A to Z blogging challenge. If my math is correct this will be my seventh A to Z Challenge in a row. So my seventh time around, winging off A to Z challenge posts on the whims of my imagination. I don't pre-write, don't plan out the month I just write the posts.  The pre-writing and the planning might be sage advice. However, I do the challenge like I do my blog. What you see is what you get.

If your new, welcome! If your an old reader welcome back! It is going to be a challenge. My life has been busy. I haven't been blogging everyday and now I am going to have to shift gears. The beauty of the challenge is that some how it all works.