Head's Up

For various reasons, I have decided that after several years on Blogger that it would be best to head over to WordPress. I hope that you will all join me over there and enjoy! I've got a bunch of stuff coming...

Wordpress will be where I post the pay it forward blogfest.... head on over to meet some great bloggers on October 14. I also have a really special interview coming soon I'm very excited about. Can't spill any details yet but it's gonna be cool :)

Besides that, there will be more blogfest posts, the 30 Day Song Challenge and much more! I also am very excited to annouce that Call of Poseidon is now available as a print book on Amazon.com. I hope y'all will check it out. It is also available for free on smashwords this week. Just use the coupon code TM36W. I guess that's about it for this post. Take care and see ya soon!

30 Day Song Challenge Hits the Road

Today's topic for the 30 Day song Challenge asks "What's your favorite driving song?" This is an easy one. I chose SheDaisy's " I'm Taking the Wheel". It's a perfect song for heading out on a road trip. They're vocals are always great and the song is full of energy that will keep you going through a long drive. Enjoy! And don't forget to comment back with your own favorite....

30 Day Song Challenge: I'll Take the Chivas Instead

Hi, everyone! Today's is gonna be very easy cause there is really only one choice as far as I'm concerned. The category is "Your Drunk Karaoke Song". If you know me at all, you know I don't have be drunk to get up and sing. I have a lot of fun doing it and I'm a wuss who can't take the taste of alcohol anyway. If I were gonna do drunk karaoke, though, what song could be better?



This one was a hidden bonus track of the My December album, a very underrated work. The song is all about someone who is so fed up with a guy she has given up on true love and wants "the chivas instead".  What do you think? Would you pick this or is there another one on your list? Comment back and let me know...

Past the Half Way Mark on the 30 Day Challenge...

and ready to bring you another already to try and actually get it done in 30 days (we'll see how that goes....). Today's category is "A Song You Always Sing Along To". I have tons of these, unfortunately. I'm always playing music and singing along with it. I was gonna go with Pink's "Perfect" but it's already in one of my youtube playlists. Instead, I gotta pick Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone":



I love the rock influence in it and her vocals. It's one of those songs you can belt at the top of your lungs and has a lot of attitude (can you tell I love music with an attitude? I promise, I like more sensitive stuff too....). I remember when I first heard it I couldn't get enough of it. I had to go out and get Breakaway and blast all the songs. What about you guys? What's your song you have to sing along to? Comment back and let me know....

Challening Choices: Day 15 of the 30 Day Song Challenge...

Welcome to another post in the 30 Day Song Challenge. If you haven't taken it yet and want to join in just search for the "30 Day Song Challenge" in my tags to see what the categories are so far. Once it's over, I will post the entire list of categories for people on my Facebook page for those who want the whole list at one time. Today's category is "A Song That Makes You Cry".

If you have been following me for awhile you know that I do not cry at movies or while watching TV shows normally. In fact, I can literally count the times I have on one hand. I guess I just can't get myself so lost in the story that I have an emotional reaction. Music is a whole other story! In fact, most of those times I did cry at something on TV or in a movie involved music (but that's for another post). When I saw this catesgory, I immediately thought of the song I used for a similar question in the last challenge- Christina Aguilera, "Hurt". I decided not to use it a second time and instead chose Pink, "Family Portrait".



All I will say about this one is I really feel it on a personal level. In fact, I did actually break down and start to cry while singing along with it the other day. The lyrics are so raw and real and her vocals are great. I also loved what they did with the video, having young Pink interacting with a grown Pink as she experiences her parent's arguments and dreamed of that perfect TV family. So what do you all think? What's your choice? Comment back and let me know...

30 Day Song Challenge Returns! Day 14.....

So, I had to modify the song challenge again because I discovered that there was a couple of missing days somehow. I found another one that I will use to not only complete the challenge, but throw out extra categories from time to time. Here is today's challenge:

A Song You Always Turn Up

This is a hard one, cause there are so many songs that I love to crank up! There's nothing better than turning a favorite up and singing along at the top of your lungs. I finally decided to go with "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood. This one is great for blasting because it's fun and full of attitude. It's also a great one to sing along with....lots of big notes! So what is your song you always turn up? Comment back and let me know!

More of the 30 Day Song Challenge... (Taylor Swift)

Hi, everyone. Today's category in the 30 Day Song Challenge is a song that reminds you of your partner. There is only one song I can use for this....



The minute we first heard that song, we both commented how well that fit us. He especially thinks the line "You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter" is fitting. I agree and it's one of my favorite lyrics period. What would you pick? Comment back and let me know. Also, feel free to follow me on twitter and facebook for more links, polls and other stuff.

30 Day Song Challenge, Day 12

Well, I am now officially waiting to find out Hurricane Irene is going to hit us this week in SF and decided to go ahead and get some blogging done to try and get a couple posts scheduled for publishing over the next couple of days just in case. Today, I wanna go ahead and talk 30 Day Song Challenge!

Day 12 asks for a song that reminds you of your parent/parents. One song immediately came to mind. (Well, actually two! But this category was on another version of the challenge so I decided to use the new option.)



This song makes me think of my mom for a few reasons. One... Bon Jovi was her favorite band. Even as our relationship changed and got more difficult, that band was one thing we could agree on! Musical really does connect people and can transcend differences. We'd put the tapes on in the car and she even took me to see them live a couple of times. Secondly, this song was one she considered her song to me. She even got me to sing it with her in one of the kareoke booths at a local carnival when I was a kid. So what song would you pick for this? Comment back and let me know!

Before I sign out for the day, I wanna remind y'all of two contests I have going on right now. One is the Heather Hildenbrand giveaway where you can get a free copy of her ebook Dirty Blood. Another is the Levi Lowrey challenge. Be sure to enter asap.... time's running out!

The 30 Day Song Challenge Strikes Again....

As promised, the challenge is back! Today's topic is a song that reminds you of your best friend. The first one that came to mind reminds me of friends I don't see anymore. I met them when I moved into this one house in the 4th Grade and we stayed friends for years after. As happens, we ended up doing our own things and lost touch after awhile.



One thing that makes me think of them when this song came to mind is we used to always listen to music and sing and this is one of those songs. We were huge TLC fans back then and I can't help but miss those days and that group. They were definitely one of a kind. We'd also spend hours in one of our bedrooms or outside making up dance moves to perform for our families. Yes, we were annoying with that :) Still, we had a blast. I can't remember a single move from that routine, but I remember the day and how much fun it was. What song comes to your mind when you think of this category? Comment back and let's share! If you're doing the 30 Day Song challenge on your own blog or twitter/facebook account, let me know! I'd love to read yours. Til next time...

30 Day Song Challenge! Day 10 (Madonna... Plus Heather Hildenbrand giveaway)

So, today's category for the 30 Day Song Challenge is your favorite song from a movie. After considering several songs (I loved the Dirty Dancing Sountrack as a whole and Nightmare on Elm Street also has some great music), I decided to go with this one. It's from the movie At Close Range and, according to the wiki page, was originally written for another film.



While I never actually saw this movie, this song is one of my childhood favorites and I decided to go ahead and add it. I think it's one of the best songs that Madonna has ever recorded and love the haunting sound and lyrics. What do you guys think? Do you like this one? What song would you have chosen? Comment back and let me know.

Before I head out, don't forget about the ebook giveaway I'm doing for Dirty Blood. Check yesterday's post for details about how you can win a free copy.

Randomness Ensues: 30 Day Song Challenge, Trace Adkins and Boyz2Men

Another day, another entry in the 30 Day Song Challenge! This time, the topic is "A Song You Associate with High School". I have also added my answer to my 30 Day Challenge YouTube playlist. Enjoy and comment back with your own answers...

I also have a couple of links for you. The first one is a little blast from the past. Shawn Stockman discussed a little bit of the band's early days in a yahoonews article. The group was the soundtrack of my teenage years. Loved the vocals, the music, everything. Glad to know they've stayed active over the years.

The second (and last one) is about Trace Adkins and his new release, Proud to Be Here. He's not only a great artist, but also seems like a guy with his priorities straight. I can't help but be a fan and am looking forward to hearing that duet with Shelton. Here is one of my favorites of his:

Challenges and Farewell Desperate Housewives

Before I get to the farwell, let's get back to the 30 Day Song Challenge shall we? Today's asked for a song from the first record you remember being given as a gift. I also added my answer to my 30 Day Song Challenge playlist on youtube.

So, word was leaked today that Desperate Housewives will be ending in May after 8 seasons. I'm a bit surprised at this, as a deal had been reached a season or two ago that would take it through 2013. Instead, Desperate Housewives will go off the air in 2012. I'm a bit disappointed and curious as to what caused this change, but looking at the situation, this is probably for the best. Too many shows have lasted past their expiration dates and ended up becoming a joke and something people were happy to see go. Look at the last seasons of Roseanne and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for example. As it is, last season was a pretty iffy in many spots. Off all the characters, I would say the Solises were the only ones who were just as good or better than they used to be. Even Bree (one of my faves) isn't quite what she used to be. What do all think? Who are your favorites? What do you think about the show ending? Comment back and let me know! Til next time...

Challenges and Channel Surfing (Plus a couple new songs....)

Hey guys! Another day, another song down! Check out my FB Page to see what I picked for today. The category was "Your Sports Entrance Song". I immediately thought of Queens "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" but I decided that was too obvious a choice. So, I went with plan B.

Remember when I said that I had entered a covers contest with Sound Underground? Well they have picked a winner and it's Heather Traska. Check the link to her channel out- she's amazing. The video editing is great, too. I really need to learn how to edit.

Finally... I got a couple videos through the grapvine I wanted to go ahead and share with you. The first is by Amy Lavere and it's a bit... different. I think it's pretty cool, though. It's got a very rough sound to it that is unlike most of what's out there so that definitely got my attention:



The second one is by Amy Hayes and it's called "Wait". If you like pop/country you're probably going to like this.

Tags: Wait, Amber Hayes, Amber Hayes Videos

Well, that's about it for now. Take care and see ya next time...

30 Day Song Challenge, Day 5 and MTV Turns 30....

Hey guys! I have just posted my answer to the 30 Day Song Challenge (Day 5). Check it out in the notes section of my Facebook Page. I also have made a playlist on my youtube account for it. Here it is...



In other news, at midnight tonight, MTV turns 30. VH1 Classic has been playing all kinds of old shows and specials this weekend to celebrate. At midnight, they are going to air the very first hour broadcast on MTV. Here is a cool write up about the famous logo, the changes it went through with some old promos thrown in.

Another Challenge: Miranda Lambert

Hey, guys.... posted a new 30 Day song challenge answer on my facebook page. If you haven't "liked" the page yet, please do... and pass along your page as well!

Today's was asking what your political campaign song would be. I think there was only one answer I could give given our current political climate on both sides. What do you think? Comment back and let me know...

Day 3 of the Song Challenge and More Channel Surfing...

Hey, everyone! I just completed day 3 of the 30 Day Song Challenge. Here's the link to my answer for the day. What do you think? Would you have picked something else? Comment back and let me know....

Before I go, I want to link you to a new channel I have just started following: Melina Says. She's got a lot of great commentaries of different things in pop culture as well as politcal and other subjects. Enjoy! To start you off, I want to share her thoughts on a Buffy reboot:

30 Day Song Challenge, Take 2!

You might remember awhile back when I was doing the 30 Day Song Challenge (Most of it is on my personal FB). Well, I'm doing it again! I found a new one thanks to Metro Lyrics that I will be doing in the notes of my FB Page. I will also be doing some video blogs for this challenge as well. Check it out and play along! :)

Speaking of videos and favorite songs... I have also been busy adding playlists to my youtube account so check those out as well and let me know what you think. What would you add/delete? I also have my latest video blog up talking about the Adele/Gaga fans situation.

In other news... I have started working on a new short story for a book called Duets with my husband, CP Bialois. It's theme is "haunted" and is based on a writing prompt. Can't tell more than that at the moment, but I hope you'll enjoy when it's done.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Take care and I'll see you next time!