IWSG Meets Battle of the Bands ~ It's Shameless Really

 This is mostly the IWSG colliding with Battle of the Bands.

However, I want to take JUST ONE MOMENT and wish all of you A to Zers well. Today is Day One. Go get 'em!

Second, for all of you interested in my dating story. I broke up with him yesterday. Not because of his addiction, which would have been enough, but his age. We went bowling and I felt like his mother. He said such immature things that I couldn't help but "correct" him or "guide" him. Honestly, it felt way too much like hanging out with my ex's kids. Except they're teenagers. But you get the idea. So, I told him it made me uncomfortable and I was Out. He countered with, "But it doesn't make ME uncomfortable." It got so much easier after that.

Third, the IWSG. I'm back to writing again on my revision. For me, this entire process has felt very much like life. Every now and again we get STUCK. (In life and writing) The question is whether we stay stuck and for how long. Sometimes it's good to just lie down where you are and take a nap, daydream, or study the clouds. Whatever. Good for life. Good for writing. But, if you stay down too long... it can be tough getting back up. And some don't. (Again with life and writing.) So, get up and go. It might be the wrong direction and you'll come back to this same point weary and frustrated (been there, done that... in life and writing). In fact, you might do this a lot. BUT, eventually you'll find a path that works (yep, for life and writing) and then woohoo! So, that's where I am. I'm merrily traveling the path again (after what felt like long naps and aimless wanderings). We're all insecure but DON'T GIVE UP. At least, with writing, you can come back and edit (unlike life) so go boldly!

Fourth, and finally, Battle of the Bands. I thought of this song while reading commentary on Dixie's last battle. You see, Dixie, you CAN choose songs. You and FAE chose/inspired mine this week. The song is Shameless. It was recorded first by Billy Joel on Storm Front, but he never released it. Then Garth Brooks recorded it on his Ropin' The Wind album and it became a Big Hit for him. I know this because I actually had the Ropin' the Wind CD. It might've been my FIRST CD. I got it during that time I worked at St. Martin's Press. Fun publishing fact: When you work in publishing, you can get any book you want free. All you do is call the publicity office and offer to trade books. Well, a friend of mine worked that strategy beyond the realm of books. He traded with all sorts of companies and got all sorts of stuff. One day a package came in with the aforementioned CD and a promo CASSETTE TAPE for John Mellencamp's next album. I got both. I have no idea what else was in the box. Anyway, I fell in love with Ropin' the Wind (and Garth Brooks). However, I'd been a long-time Billy Joel fan, but didn't have that particular record, and was happily surprised to discover Shamless was written (and recorded) by him.

So, even though I discovered them in reverse order, let's listen as they were available to the public.

Billy Joel with Shameless:



Now let's listen to Garth Brooks with Shameless:



For more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:

• Far Away Series
• Stephen T. McCarthy's Battle of the Bands Blog
• Tossing it Out
• DiscConnected 
• This Belle Rocks
• Mike's Ramblings
• Curious as a Cathy 
• Book Lover
• The Sound of One Hand Typing
• dcrelief ~ Battle of the Bands
• Alex J. Cavanaugh (sometimes)

If you are participating in Battle of the Bands, and you are not listed here, leave me a note in the comments. Thanks!

Now, is the critical moment. It is time to vote for your favorite version of this song. I even encourage you to leave me long comment explaining all the ins and outs of why you voted as you did!