Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Battle of the Bands ~ Starships and IWSG (early)

I've been out of the IWSG loop for a while, and now I'm posting early. What can I say? I'm striving to multi-task here.



So, what is going on with my writing? WELLLL, I planned to get a whole bunch of writing done at camp. That didn't work out at all. I wrote exactly nothing. BUT, I did have about a week after I got home when I felt super inspired to get it done. To long story short this, I needed to insert a thread into the novel for the sake of continuity. I'd already started before I left, got stumped, didn't write a word for several months, and came back ready to try and give it a go. The good news is that my new rough draft is done. The bad news is that it is a very rough draft, and I'm already aware of some trouble spots I'm going to have to revisit. The good news is that it's easier to smooth out a trouble spot than to start from scratch. The other bit of good news is that I finished this project before a ferocious migraine set in. More on that later.

So, am I feeling insecure? Well, yeah. I think I tend to live there. However, this entire writing process has been incredible. I know I've stretched as a writer. If you read my very first rough draft you would agree. That bit of writing was heinous. Just heinous. The other thing that astounds me is how much my original story has changed. It's fairly unrecognizable when compared to that very first draft.

I guess it's okay to be insecure. Just don't give up. That's all I've got!




If you took the time to read the comments on my last blog, you know that migraines have taken over my life (again). The vast majority of my life since I got home has been spent in bed with a migraine. Uggghhh. I seriously considered just opting out of this battle. However, I'm really hoping to see improvement in the future.

I don't think I told you that I ended up getting a new cell phone. I just loathed the IPhone I had. I would say hated, but I mean loathed. My mom's quit working altogether while we were in Ohio, so we made a trip to the Verizon store to see if they could fix it. Did you know that Apple phones don't have a battery in them? Once they die, they are dead. I highly recommend backing up your IPhone immediately, if not sooner. They offered her a (fairly) reasonable deal on an Android phone. She took it, and so did I. I did mention my loathing of my IPhone, right? Anyway, the screen on the new phone is so much larger and I can do more with it. I still can't easily read blogs with it. Probably because I'm not smart enough to know how to negotiate my blogger dashboard with it, but I can still do way more than I could with the old one. And that has been handy since I spend most of my time in bed.

Where is this all leading? Well, I like to just troll around YouTube. You know, just to see what's there. I end up in the most unlikely of places, which can be good and bad. In my YouTube travels, I discovered a couple of pretty cool covers of this song Starships. You must keep in mind that I've never actually heard the original of this song. It's by Nicki Minaj, and I'm just not all that fond of her music. But, these two videos really cracked me up. I think the singing is good in both AND the videos are good.

So, this may be the only time that I encourage you to actually watch the video and actually make the video presentation a part of your vote. Both videos are clever in their own way. Your job is to decide which you like most. Your decision may be tough if you like the singing better in one, but the video better in the other or vice versa. In this battle, that's all part of the challenge.

So, sit back listen, watch, and vote.

First up is Penatonix with their cover of Starships:


There was so much video goodness in that to love that I could go on and on, but I won't. Let me just say that I laughed for a long time after watching that one. And then I went on a quest to find another Starships cover that I liked just as much. And, yep, I found one!

This is a video by Mike Tompkins, the cast of Pitch Perfect, and a whole bunch of random people who sent in footage of themselves for this video. I freakin' love that.

Here is Pitch Perfect and the gang with their cover of Starships:


We've got so many new Battle of the Bands players that I'm having difficulty keeping up. (We post a new battle on the 1st and 15th of each month.) For those who've been following this feature/blog for a while now, can you believe that once upon a time -- for a long time-- there were only five of us??? Well, now the list grows each battle. So, if your name is not on here and you're participating, please leave me a message in the comments. Thanks for your patience!

 Also, please vote for the version of this song you prefer. If you want to get into the Ins and Outs of why you like one better than the other... I LOVE long comments!

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


79 comments:

  1. Hey Robin, yes maam please add my name to your list in the battles. I have played the last few months.
    My vote goes to Pentatonix. Not only are they all mostly from Texas ( Arlington right up the street)- they are amazing!!! I think they have such great voices and I was proud of their Christmas song that got tons of airtime on the radio last year.
    Both videos are entertaining though.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hey Holli, I don't know how you were left off the list. I think it's the fact that it's rapidly expanding! Anyway, you're added now:)

      I didn't know they were from your neck of the woods. Very cool.

      Delete
  2. I've never seen the Pitch Perfect movies, but I have to vote for Pitch Perfect and You because I'm a bad bitch, and I want to sing with them. It's a little too early in the day for Pentatonix. I'm sorry about the migraines. Mine have never been that bad, so I can only relate on a small scale.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. The Pitch Perfect movies are hilarious. However, if you don't love acapella singing, you won't like them.

      Be glad you don't have chronic migraines. They suck. Big time.

      Delete
  3. This is a difficult choice. I find Nicki Minaj to be disturbing in many ways though she is also very talented.

    Both these versions of "Starships" are very well done. There is a lot of talent in both collectives presented here. Since Perfect Pitch has less of the "hood rap" sound I'm going to vote for them. I thought their version was also a bit more fun. Pentatonix was very slick and as such reminded me of a production from Glee--not that there's anything wrong with that.

    It's close really, but I'm going to cast my vote for Perfect Pitch.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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    1. I'm not crazy about Nicki Minaj. I think I've watched a few of her videos (a rather long time ago) and found her to be off-putting.

      I just wanted to do something fun in this battle, which is why the videos were as important as the music. It's good to change things up every now and again.

      Delete
  4. Hello, Perfect pitch seems to take this one. Have a great month!

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  5. Glad you got the first draft done! That's not my favorite part either because it is easier to fix something that's already there than nothing at all.
    Sorry you loathed your iPhone. I really dig my iPhone 6.
    And sorry, I don't think I can vote for either of those...

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    1. Well, to be fair the first draft has been done for about a year. However, I've changed enough with this round of revisions that it feels like a first draft AGAIN. I honestly don't know how writers used to make a go of it with a typewriter. Hurts my head just thinking about it.

      Delete
  6. Sorry about your migraines, but I'm happy you've made progress on your writing. It is perfectly normal for a story to change drastically over successive drafts. I have a number of manuscripts like that! (Some published, some rejected. Maybe those ones didn't change enough.)

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    1. On the plus side, I do think this one is improving. So that is something!

      Delete
  7. I'm so sorry you're suffering from migraines! I used to get them when I was younger. Hope they stop soon.
    Personally, I'm not a fan of Nicki Minaj at all or this music genre, but I thought both videos were entertaining. The second one resonated a bit more and had an "anybody can join in" communal feel to it. Please give my vote to Perfect Pitch.

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    1. Got you down for Pitch Perfect.

      Thanks for the well wishes. I'm pretty tired of being all "I've got a migraine." It gets old. Fast.

      Delete
  8. Hey Robin!
    Good to hear about the writing progress. Hanging tough can be tough! Praying for you, regarding the migraines. I'm a huge Pentatonix fan. My vote goes to them. Glad you could join in today (smile).

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    1. Thanks Dixie. I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be back here posting a battle and commenting. That's fantastic!!!

      Delete
  9. GIRL WONDER ~
    First of all, I hope the migraines let up 100% very quickly.

    In this Battle, I hate to say it but I didn't really care for the song, so neither version really Wowed me (or Hoo-Wee'd or Hokey-Smoke'd me). I think the camera folks (Penatonix) have better voices, so I give 'em my vote.

    Yak Again Soon, GW.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. Well, since we've yakked about it you know how I feel about these vids. Thanks for voting on something you didn't really care for all that much;)

      Delete
  10. Wut? They told you iPhones don't have a battery? Of course they have a battery. They just make them really hard to get to so you don't try to replace one on your own. If the battery dies, you can replace it, to at least get your data off. What kind of BS is that?

    As for the battle... Erm, this is one of those battles where I just pick the one I dislike the least. I can't stand Nicki Minaj. I also can't stand Pentatonix. Honestly, I don't think it's their sound. I think it's their videos. I can't stand watching them eye-f*** the camera. I get it, you want to plow me...with your music. Stop doing that.

    I'll give it to the Pitch Perfect crew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Again, we've talked about all of this.... so, thanks for voting. And sorry about that working over you got. I should've told YOU not to watch the videos. Since you can't unsee something, I guess that's pretty well useless NOW.

      Delete
  11. Hey Robin, so sorry I didn't have you on my participant list. I thought I had an updated list but it's all fixed now so you'll be there from now on. Sorry 'bout that! I didn't even know. I feel bad! :( Thanks for letting me know. Which also means I probably haven't visited your battles in the past because I always just go off my list. Geez, I really feel bad now! But that's all in the past. All fixed!
    As for your battle, I'm going with Pitch Perfect. I liked both their sound and their video much better. Fun battle!
    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. You've voted here before. Maybe you accidentally deleted me? IDK...

      Anyway, glad you're here and got you down for the Pitch Perfect crew.

      Delete
  12. Cute vidoes, both of them. I was not familiar with this song either, so I can't compare either to the original song. Which I think is a good thing.
    I like the singing and the video of Pentatonix better.

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    1. I've never heard the original either. I didn't even provide a link for it... hahahaha. Sometimes it's better that way:)

      Delete
  13. Hope your feeling better soon! I had a friend that lived with migranes and a touch of Parkinsons, and it sucks!

    As for the battle, this one ain't in my wheelhouse either. I'll give it to Pent just because THEY I know have talent. If one of them isn't song selection (Just my HO).

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Pentatonix covers a wide variety of music. I rather like that about them.

      Ah yes, migraines. They do suck. I'm sure Parkinson's is really bad, too. I don't wanna know firsthand, though.

      Delete
  14. I gots-ta, gots-ta, gots-ta go with Penatonix....

    But really, though I'm not crazy about the song, I like BOTH groups and they deserve a hearty round o' applause. I'll stand up and do it now. Okay, I'm done. Now I don't feel so bad about throwing my one vote at Penatonix.

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    1. Good enough Cherdo. I haven't tallied the votes as I've gone along, but I think this is fairly close, which is good:)

      Delete
  15. Penatonix gets my vote. I simply enjoyed their version better!

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    1. Oh, and I hope you're feeling better soon. Migraines are a bitch!

      Delete
    2. Thanks for voting Yolanda AND the well wishes. I think maybe things are getting better. Fingers crossed.

      Delete
  16. I have never heard either version of this song but I enjoyed listening to both of them. I liked the beat of the Pitch Perfect so they get my vote. I felt like I needed to get up and dance!!

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    1. It's a dance song for sure. Got you down for the Pitch Perfect crew.

      Delete
  17. Oh I am not much into this type of music even though it is catchy. I give it to Pitch Perfect because I found it less irritating and I enjoyed seeing all the people singing and having a fun time. The woman's voice in the other contender was too annoying for me.

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    1. Less irritating and annoying... words that are music to my ears when I post these things. hahahaha. I know I can't please everybody all the time. Thanks for listening AND voting:)

      Delete
  18. This was an interesting pair for me-I'll tell you about it after my vote.

    I liked the tempo of the second, but the Pentatonix version was far less annoying on the rap part, so Pentatonix it is.

    Why did this interest me so much? Because my favorite musician had this idea three decades ago!

    Way back in 1985, a certain musician (Todd Rundgren) released an album called A Cappella, an album where all sounds were made by his voice (or body, as he included hand claps and fingers tapping for percussion).

    Here is the most "radio friendly" song from that album....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYPv5BiAnhg

    LC

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    1. LC, you always share the most interesting things. You are a musical knowledge trough. I really hope you decide to rejoin BoTB in the future. Notice I haven't taken off my list...

      I shall check out your link!

      Delete
    2. Robin-

      I wish I could regale you with all of the fascinating stories of the wild life that prevents me from blogging...but I'd be fibbing.

      I spend so much time in front of a computer at work, it becomes a struggle to repeat when I get home...and when I do I try to whittle away at my project to get my CD collection up on the cloud...so blogging has taken a back seat to that dull task.

      My cats get a kick out of watching me go upstairs to fetch CD's, so I feel like this task has a purpose, bringing joy to the lives of two furry creatures.

      Of course, the cats also get a kick out of those plastic things that come off the top of a milk gallon, so we're not dealing with a high level of sophistication.

      Most of the world is probably mourning the approach of Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer, but as we've had the most humid summer I can remember since moving here (and a lot of days over 110 degrees), all I can say is, "come on autumn!"

      Have a great long weekend!

      Larry

      Delete
    3. I think anyone who spends a whole lotta time in front of the computer struggles with blogging. When my writing is going well (and I'm actually writing a lot) I don't feel like blogging. Of course, when my writing isn't going well it's usually because I have a migraine. Then I don't want to get out of bed. Gah.

      Bottom line: I think we all struggle a bit with achieving balance here. I'm just glad you haven't walked away from it entirely!

      Delete
  19. I liked the Pitch Perfect version better. I also found it a little bit easier to listen to. I have to give both groups credit, as I know how difficult singing a cappella is.

    Hope you feel better soon, Robin.

    Julie

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  20. The Pitch Perfect version was much easier to listen to.. They get my vote!

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  21. It's great when your story changes drastically, especially when it's for the better. If it keeps improving, you're doing something right. If it stops improving, you're done. :-)

    Oh, and Pentatonix all the way.

    IWSG September Post

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    1. Thanks for voting C.D.

      Sidenote: I visited your blog and wanted to comment, but I refuse to join Googles Circles, which was required in order for me to comment. I really hope you get your pre-orders. I admire you battling the social media dragons to make your dreams come true!

      Delete
  22. I like the second one better, a lot better. It was more fun.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I missed your posts. Sorry about the migraines. I hadn't had any for YEARS. So long I couldn't remember the last one. And then, for no apparent reason, I got one last month. I immediately drank a small bottle of water, then used blinders, and climbed into bed. The next morning the migraine was gone. And I was very very grateful. I hope yours leave soon. Good luck on your rough draft. So true, rough is better than nothing. I've been stuck on chapter 42 of my current WIP for over a year!

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    1. I wish that would work when I get a migraine!

      If you know where your book is going beyond Ch. 42, I would skip ahead. Sometimes that makes the previous stuff super clear. Now that this has happened, I know what had to happen BEFORE this.

      Delete
  24. Tough battle I will vote for Pitch Perfect!

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  25. Replies
    1. The dreaded one word vote. You either really disliked both of these AND/OR you're feeling dreadful. I hope it was the former. If it was the latter, thanks for even dropping by to vote and feel better soon!

      Delete
  26. Hard competition. It's more of a "What style of music works for you?" - I'm thinking. There's too much going on in the second. Pentatonix is a class act. A cute one, too. They get my vote.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. PS I meant to say congratulations on finishing your rough draft. That's a huge milestone.
      And I'm sorry about the continued hellish migraines.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Robyn. I think I should've clarified that all of the revision makes this feel very much like a first draft. I actually finished the first draft about a year ago. It's just when it gets a huge overhaul it feels very rough again.

      Delete
    3. Nonetheless, it's a big milestone, Robin. Congratulations and be proud. =)

      Delete
    4. Nonetheless, it's a big milestone, Robin. Congratulations and be proud. =)

      Delete
  27. Pentatonix for me. It is easier to fix it than have a blank page.

    Susan Says

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  28. Congrats on completing your project! Hope your migraine goes away soon :(

    I think my vote's for Pentatonix. Just.. sounds better to me! :)

    - Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews

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    1. Thanks Madilyn for all of the well wishes.

      Got you down for PTX.

      Delete
  29. Damnity damn damn. This one was tough, as I LOVE both Pentatonix and Pitch Perfect. I will have to go with Pentatonix, because their vocal BASS is unstoppable. I haven't heard too many acapella groups with such a true bass voice providing that foundation.

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    1. I agree with that assessment Jay. The dude that sings bass kills it every time.

      Delete
  30. I think its a good sign when our stories change so much. It means we've done real work.
    Sorry about the headaches.
    Feel better soon.
    Thanks for sharing with the IWSG!
    Heather

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    1. Totally agree. My actual first draft was heinous. Absolutely heinous.

      Delete
  31. Working on it Karen. I'm glad the notion of thirds helped:)

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  32. I'm so sorry to hear about your migraines, Robin. So they're back and now what? :(

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    1. It's a bit like Square One. Go back to really watching what I eat. Spending more time in bed than I'd like. Not allowing myself to stress out over stuff. I'm not really sure, but I think it also involves not taking on more than I can handle. I'll keep everyone posted.

      Delete
    2. Square One... That sucks big time. Well, I guess we both spend more time in bed than we'd like - well, a couch downstairs, really, on account of my unrelenting snoring. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    4. Blue, I tried to reply to your comment from my phone. You can see from the above that didn't go so well. Let me take another crack at it (from my laptop). I mean Square One in terms of doing the things that made me better back in 2012 (when I began to see real progress). It's easy to get away from those things when you begin to feel better, but they are really important. Eating well. Whole foods. Lots of veggies. Good fats. In other words, less of those things I love that don't love me back (like Cheez-Its and Dr. Pepper). Not easy because I love Cheez-Its and Dr. Pepper:(

      Even tougher is what I think about. That sounds a bit crazy, but I'm one of those people who tends to beat myself up pretty good. I can live on one bad choice for years (just constantly berating myself for being so dumb, etc.). That really isn't healthy.

      As I got better, when I'd get a migraine I'd immediately take stock of my thoughts. Often I'd find the source right there.

      I WILL get these things under control because I'm really tired of lying in bed with a migraine. Really tired.

      Delete
    5. Ah.... Dr. Pepper.... Don't say those words. I love Dr. Pepper, but it doesn't love me.

      Well, for what it's worth, I think you are smart. Unless someone else writes this blog and the comments you surprsed me with, I think I'm right. (Say yes and smile.)

      Yesterday I slept all day, as in until 5 in the afternoon. It's depressing and worrying about it would make things even worse. Look in the mirror and focus on what you like about what you see.

      Delete
    6. Does someone else write this blog? Nope. It's just me. So I'm saying, "Yes," and smiling.

      I think worry is fairly useless (migraine-inducing for me), but identifying the problem is actually helpful. Then you can address it head-on. If it's "real" it might mean some work. If it's a false belief system it might mean doing what works best for you to toss it and put something that's actually true in place. I've been known to write positive statements on index cards and tape them around my house. Some people meditate. I don't know what would work best for you. But, we can't let the lies we tell ourselves take root.

      Delete
  33. Fae, I hope your migraine has let up...vanished...gone ka-poot! Do foods or environmental stuff spur them on? I'm saying prayers you're feeling better. Geez, sorry about your phone, too. What a bummer! I'm not a fan of Nicki Minaj, so this song is new-to-me. Both videos are entertaining and it's a tough call which I like the best. I'm a PTX fan, so I'm a bit surprised to find Pitch Perfect squeezed them out a wee bit for this battle IMO. Give my vote to Pitch Perfect, please! Have a bandtastic evening!

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    1. Thanks Cathy. Yes and yes to your questions. Thanks for the prayers. Those are ALWAYS appreciated. I think the phone was a blessing in disguise. I really hated that other phone;)

      Delete
  34. I love Pentatonix. I didn't think there would be one to compete with them, but Pitch Perfect did pretty well. Still, my vote goes to Pentatonix.

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    1. I hear ya. I like them both, too. I'm pretty sure how I'm voting on this one, but something COULD change...

      Delete
  35. I'm voting for the first one because I liked the sound better. The second one was cool though, it reminded me of my daughter and her friends who replicate the videos on their own (private) YouTube channel. :)

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