So, how did the battle turn out between Justin Timberlake and David Fanning? Who did you think created a better version of Drink You Away? Not counting my vote...
Justin Timberlake: 7
David Fanning: 18
I was really torn. I really like both versions. In fact, when I wrote up this battle (and this post) back in June I was still undecided. I figured that some time to ferment couldn't hurt... In the end, I vote for Justin Timberlake. Yeah, I know my vote doesn't change anything. Ah well, such is life.
I bet you're wondering what happened after J1's grand pronouncement.
Turns out, he showed up at my door the next day. I don't think he did ten rounds with Southern Comfort, but I feel safe in saying that he also had a really crappy night.
However, he did spend his time introspectively (which was better than my choice of "working it out") and came to the conclusion that his problem was rooted in the fact that his sister had been his best friend. They were only a year apart and very close. He'd had several girlfriends over the years, but none came close to feeling like a best friend. I think I told you that we were good friends the previous year (before he left), so this was new territory for him... merging a close/best friend with a girlfriend.
Ergo, it felt too close to the relationship he had with his sister.
However, after giving it a try, he decided that kissing me was nothing like kissing his sister. What a relief!
Were you best friends with your SO before you became an item? Did you make the transition easily? Or was it more like a ride on this crazy train?
If you're enjoying these posts, feel free to share your own
Soundtrack. This isn't a hop. No requirements at all, but a suggestion
to do it one song at a time. (If you participated in the hop several
years ago, you can still do this. Just post them one song at a time,
with the freedom to add more songs if you'd like.) I'll link to all
participants at the bottom of each of these posts:
Well, it's been busy in here. Battle of the Bands. Insecure Writer's Support Group. All the while, I've maintained my Soundtrack posts.
However, I owe you some Battle of the Bands results before we get on to our Soundtrack post for today. The song was I Still Believe. The challengers were The Call vs. Tim Cappello.
The Call: 6
Tim Cappello: 17
As you can see, the version from the Lost Boys won this one handily. All 6 of you who voted for The Call... THANK YOU. Not just for preventing a shut-out, but for giving the nod to a version of the song that meant so much to me. So, obviously, my vote, though it makes no difference, is for The Call. I simply cannot vote against a song that was so powerful in my youth. This song really helped me through some of those Dark Nights of the Soul. I appreciate the TC version (and like it). I dig the sax and understand why so many of you chose it. But it wasn't the version of the song that kept my head above water in a difficult time.
Now, let's move on to a GOOD high school story. Yeah, you read that correctly... a good high school story.
I went to one of four junior high schools that fed into one high school. So many problems in junior high were magnified by the economic disparity between the low income kids and the richest kids in town. That all changed in high school. The other three junior highs rounded out the economic situation so that those rich kids now made up approximately 15% of the student body (as opposed to 55% or more of the junior high student body). Instead of money being the thing that divided and conquered, kids now were more inclined to choose their friends based on mutual interests.
It was a whole new ballgame.
Though I didn't know that YET.
Date: 1st day of 10th grade
Time: Before school started
Place: Outside looking for home room
My high school was so large that it was laid out college campus style. There were many buildings all labeled by letter. To a new person, it was all very overwhelming and confusing.
So there I am walking along looking for E building (just passed C and D, respectively) and anticipate that E will be the next one. Out of the blue, my bully (the girl who threatened to pour juice on my head in home economics... you gotta remember her... she was the one who told me I was "nobody in that school") comes up alongside me and starts talking to me. Yep, talking. Not ridiculing, mocking, berating or threatening. Talking. Nervous talking about the buildings. I think she said something like, "Do you know where you're going?" But I can't say for certain because I went into shock.
Then it dawned on me: My last name began with "R" and hers with "S." That biotch was lost and thought I could help her get to her homeroom. Not only was she lost, but she was lost, scared, and holy freakin' moly... INSECURE.
Since I felt fairly confident about the location of E building, a myriad of things hit me simultaneously. 1) She's not very bright, 2) She's afraid and insecure, 3) She thinks I'm pretty damn smart.
And I looked at her differently in that moment. And she saw me look at her differently. And we both knew that she would never bully me again (and she didn't). I knew her secret. She was more insecure than I was and not half as smart.
I really wish I'd known that three years previously. But I thanked the Good Lord I knew it that first day. It changed everything for me. I entered E building with a bounce in my step that no one could take away.
It tasted like freedom. Sweet, sweet freedom.
Did you ever have a light bulb moment in high school? When did you realize that bullies are just tiny, scared people trying to make themselves feel big by making you feel small?
If you're enjoying these posts, feel free to share your own
Soundtrack. This isn't a hop. No requirements at all, but a suggestion
to do it one song at a time. (If you participated in the hop several
years ago, you can still do this. Just post them one song at a time,
with the freedom to add more songs if you'd like.) I'll link to all
participants at the bottom of each of these posts:
