0 for 38, but at least he tried

Recently there was a songwriting competition that I was too afraid to enter. If you are a regular reader of this blog you have a decent grasp of the idiotic freak out sessions I have far too often when it comes to writing. (Speaking of freak out sessions, I've been listening to the compilation of songs to be considered for the CD our songwriter's group is doing. Maybe I'll post about that later. Maybe I'll spare you and keep it to myself.) (Never mind. Ignore that.)

The winners of the competition I started this post about were announced on the website earlier this month. I finally got around to checking it out. As I was scrolling through the songs I noticed a certain name popping up rather frequently. Actually, the name appears no less that 38 times.

Wow. To enter you had to pay the same fee for each song (no discounts), extra for a critique, and then pay more for your song to appear on the site. For a contest, dude dropped some serious coin. All of that and not a single song placed.

I felt bad on multiple levels. Number one, here is this guy that not only poured out his heart to write 38 songs that didn't place, he put them out there for the world to see. That is admirable. Just getting one listened to by a pro takes courage. Number two, I felt bad that I didn't even enter one. He had 38 misses, but that means he had 38 tries. And that was 38 more than me.

I guess you really do miss 100% of the pitches you don't swing at.

What's in a name?

I originally started this post by saying that I have a bad habit, but I'll let you decide for yourself. My mind automatically starts my mouth when I hear a name that somehow is part of a song. It is annoying and sometimes embarrassing. Mostly it is very distracting when I should be paying attention to what others are saying.

For example, one of the managers in my region at work is named "Dawn." You guessed it. Right away, "Dawn, go away I'm no good for you."

My niece is named Joanna...Here it comes -"Joanna, I love you..."

My wife was volunteering at my kid's school and working with another parent named Sherri. Every time she would come home and tell me something about Sherri - "Sherri, She-e-e-r-i-i."

(Kind of an old school vibe to these, no?)

My wife told Sherri (Sherri, She-e-e-r-i-i...um, sorry) about my, um, talent. Sherri requested a demonstration. Yeah! That's how I want to be known. The moron that breaks into name related songs at the drop of a hat. I guess there is no such thing as bad publicity.

It does not matter if you are a Rosanna, Billy (BTW, don't you lose my number), Billie Jean (not going there), Roxanne (really not going there), Gloria (this one requires a high energy level), or Peggy Sue. It happens before I know it. I apologize in advance if my eyes glaze over as someone says your name. I'm trying REALLY hard to not sing.

Thankfully I've never actually met a Sloopy, Luca, or an Amadeus (although that would be kinda cool). Interestingly enough, I've never heard "A Boy Named Sue". Don't think I'll ever have trouble with that one.

I hope.

Bonus points to anyone who knows where these came from WITHOUT searching the web :)

New spaces

The mini-flood in our basement has a positive side. I had been dragging my feet on sorting through and thinning out all our stuff stored in the extra room. The water kinda forced my hand, so now that is all done.

I have to share some space with our "stuff", but I am now working on a little writing room. Nothing fancy, but I'm excited about having my own little space to create. My wife is happy I'm not taking up a corner of our bedroom with my gear (and wires) anymore.

Everyone's happy. Life is good.

The object isn't to be perfect...

Marketing guru Seth Godin has an outstanding post on his blog that could have easily been written about songwriting. Actually, it is applicable to every area of life.

In case you don't click the link, the last paragraph is the best...

The object isn’t to be perfect. The goal isn’t to hold back until you’ve created something beyond reproach. I believe the opposite is true. Our birthright is to fail and to fail often, but to fail in search of something bigger than we can imagine. To do anything else is to waste it all.


Read the whole thing here: Seth's Blog: Is it worthy?

Way cool for on the go composing...

Music Tech: Korg nanoSeries Music Modules are Laptop Musician Gold



Can you imagine the possibilities?

Cowrites @ a coffee shop with a tiny portable keyboard? Sweet!

Record a work tape in your car? Why not?

The nanoKEY could have a few more keys, though.

We'll see.

And the hamster wheel keeps spinning...

Things have been crazy busy. A rather tragic funeral, a flood in the basement, many late nights renovating our church basement, the frenzied pace at work has amped up, I've been filling in here and there and everywhere while my Pastor was out of town... Crazy.

All the while a little voice in my head keeps reminding me about needing two songs (two FINISHED songs) for the CD contest our writing group is holding, as well as a half decent song for critique at the seminar on Saturday.

The odd stuff of life happens at the most inopportune times. I just want enough time and energy left at the end of the day so I can finish a few of my bad songs, THEN I'll worry about writing the good ones. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty excited about some of the ideas I have (melodic and lyric)...I just have to catch up to them. Some of them seem pretty good (maybe even great), but the reality is, right now I'm not. But I can't let that stop me from reaching beyond myself for just a glimmer of something that moves the soul.

That will be quite a journey. I've never had the ups and downs in my writing (both time- and desire-wise) that have visited me lately. I can't control a lot of what is swirling around me, but I can embrace every season and try to hear God's voice above (and through) it all. I have to realize that He is still speaking, even while the hamster wheel keeps spinning...

VIP - Chapter 2

Our CEO's flight was canceled due to the weather and he could not get a charter flight.

Possible disaster averted.


(Really, I wasn't going to say anything stupid...I just wonder what would happen if the unvarnished truth showed up to one of those meetings.)

VIP

Tomorrow the CEO of the company I work for is in town. FYI my company is in the 140's on the Fortune 500 list. Global operations. Heavy hitter. Understandably, everyone was scrambling to get everything looking nice in the office. All staff have been instructed to wear business suits. Everything is polished and in place.

I can't help but wonder how he sees our preparation. For one, the company dress code is business casual. He knows that. We know that. Yet, tomorrow he will come and see us all in our best suits. You know he knows every office is not always squeaky clean. Not everyone is happy with their jobs. Hey, he may not even be happy with his job.

Yet we will stand around with sappy smiles spouting the company line like good little robots. Maybe a mission statement here and a vision statement there.

It cracks me up that CEO's and EVP's always ask you direct questions. They really want to hear what you think. What issues you face and how they can be solved. The funny thing is, your boss and your boss's boss want to to say that all is well, you are engaged in your job, and your work for the greatest company on earth. Whatever you do, don't bring up any uncomfortable subject.

At this point in my time here, I am sooo tempted. You dare me? Do you?

I'm not gonna say anything stupid. I just think it would be funny for someone to actually be honest when the CEO asks a question.

Imagine that.