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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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| 30 Day Blogging Challenge - Graceland, Mississippi Lyn says: https://www.graceland.com/elvisweek/schedule/ Have you got your Elvis impersonation mastered? I entered everyone in the annual Elvis impersonation/tribute contest. Share your favorite Elvis tune and why? We're staying in an RV I rented on another Graceland property. Didn't want you to miss out on genuine southern hospitality. https://www.graceland.com/elvisweek/schedule/ See the big brown and tan striped RV closest to the building, that's ours. Okay. Elvis in Graceland.. Memphis, Tennessee. God, I hope we are not staying the whole week. A little Elvis goes a long way. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind his music, but I am not a fan... especially not the older 70's Elvis. .Sideburns are such a turnoff. I bow to those of our group who are huge fans.... but I am going to keep a low profile today. Pool, anyone? I may go see all of you try out your Elvis Impersonations, but I will only be watching... As for his music... I like this one... Why do I like it.... But I prefer this cover version by the Fine Young Cannibals |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - San Diego, California Lyn says: We're here sunny San Diego, where it never rains. https://www.songkick.com/concerts/33413724-rick-derringer-at-humphreys-concerts-... Rick Derringer, Badfinger, Vanilla Fudge, Joey Molland, and Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 92106, San Diego, CA, US, 619-224-3577 www.humphreysconcerts.com We got a travel package deal that said we had to book 2 nights with this hotel chain so here we are our second night with Omni. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60750-d287392-Reviews-Omni_San_Diego_H... Lots of glass with a crazy view. 675 L Street, San Diego, CA 92101-7022 I've got us booked for an electric bike tour, ladies. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g32578-d11456697-Electric_Bi... Lyn picked a good tour for us.... a little exercise and lots of wonderful sites. We started at the shop and after a little orientation on how to maneuver the electric bikes we were off through the village. We stopped at the Children's Pool to see the harbor seals with their pups. Now that was cool. City and nature so close. We went through the coastal neighborhoods of La Jill which is home to the most expensive real estate in San Diego. We headed down to Windan Sea Beach, famous from early Beach Boys videos, where San Diego’s most elite surfers come to play. It was fun to watch all those surfers cut through the waves like that. I can appreciate the skill, but I wouldn't try it myself. The La Jolla Bike Path took us north - to see gorgeous views of the ocean. We climbed up Mt. Soledad - thank god for the electric bikes. We were able to cruise up with little effort. At the top we had time to explore the Mt. Soledad Memorial and take in the 360-degree views from San Diego’s highest coastal point. It was exhilarating when we rode down the mountain! We even got to see a few mountain side neighbourhoods. Lovely. Back on the coast trail we went to the La Jolla Coves to check out the playful California sea lions, dramatic sea caves and tide pools. That was awesome! By the time the tour was over I was ready for some food and a dip in the pool. I would have liked to dip myself in the ocean so that I could say I had been in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans this summer, but time was not on my side. Maybe if we have time in the morning.... The concert was descent. I had not heard of any of these bands so I was happy to hang back on the fringes of the crowd and watch the people. I get the impression that we are listening to classic rock.... but they are all new to me. The headliners was Rick Derringer. I was glad to get back to the hotel and drop into bed. My ears were ringing. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Austin, Texas Lyn says: We're going to get a little of those Austin City Lights https://www.songkick.com/concerts/32541514-erasure-at-austin-city-limits-live-at... We're seeing Erasure and Reed and Caroline. Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater, Austin, TX, US. I've not heard either one of the groups so we're all in for an experience. I'm hoping we'll find our missing in action and drag her and Joe out for the night. We're doing it up fancy this evening.We're staying at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g30196-d98453-Reviews-Omni_Austin_Hotel... We're going to check out Wild About Music and then split up for whatever else catches your eye before the concert. I would like everyone to see Wild Music, after all that's our goal to expand our musical tastes. Yay Groupies! https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g30196-d265499-Reviews-Wild_About_... We've got to Texas. Austin, Texas for a Erasure & Reed And Caroline concert at The Moody Theatre. It is a techno night... my kind of thing. Erasure. I really like them. They were one of my 80s favourites. Reed and Caroline I have never heard of; but a little listen has me thinking Techno Geek. Before the concert, Lyn had us all head down to the Wild About Music shop. It was pretty cool. Afterward I found a little coffee shop and did a little writing and people watching at Zilker Metropolitan Park. I am just taking it easy. Great concert. Erasure - A Little Respect. Reed and Caroline. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Nashville, Tennessee. Lyn says: Gordon Lightfoot is who we're seeing this evening. Bob Dylan calls Gordon Lightfoot one of his favorite songwriters - a fine tribute to a legacy that is still being written. In a career spanning nearly 40 years, the Canadian folk legend has recorded over 200 songs, written many more, and influenced the sound of so many highly successful artists. a homie for you. https://www.nashville-theatre.com/category_dates.php?category=concert&year=2018&... Ryman Auditorium 116 5TH AVE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37219 We're staying at Nashville Jellystone Campgrounds for the night. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g55229-d248303-Reviews-Nashville_Jellys... 2572 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214-1096 We're going to have a good time at the campground, who's up for a barbecue? Hey, Hey Bo Bo. We got to get us some Pic-i-nic baskets! Jellystone Park... look out for Yogi Bear and Bo Bo. I am keeping my camera close in case I see them! I am also going to get me some stuffed bears of the two of them and definitely a t-shirt! I hadn't brought my camping gear, so I was lucky to get one of the cabins and let as many of us bunk in. It was nice and big with a great veranda to sit out at night and not get eaten by the bugs. I stayed out there after we got back from the concert and just let my body find the equilibrium to quiet again. There has been a lot of hustle and bustle these last few days and the jet lag was starting to get to me. Some down time was nice. I would almost be happy with a campfire sing along instead of a concert. Or a kitchen party caliah like my grandparents used to do... and they still do in Cape Breton... and a lobsterfest! But that's dreaming... and the coolness of the night helped me settle and reconnect with my creative heart. I even did a little writing while I sat out there with my pad and pen and a good cup of coffee - yes, I can drink it anytime, it does not keep me awake. When we got here earlier I was only to happy to get in that pool and do a little exploring of the park. I definitely got my step count today. I also got some photos with Yogi and Bo Bo as well as a few silly gifty items and a t-shirt. The barbecue was great fun as well! Gordon Lightfoot is tonight’s concert. I was a kid in the seventies and my mother was a fan. We lived in a small town and the only radio station played a lot of current hits of the day. I know most of the words to all his songs. Lightfoot did the last two shows at Toronto's Massey Hall before it closes for its 2 year renovations. My mom was supposed to go with my Aunt and Uncle, but she worried she would hold them back so she didn't go. (My mother is 80. My aunt and uncle are 70). The concert was great. I sang along to all the songs. I love how he can tell a story with his lyrics... there are several artists from the 70's that did that. Gordon Lightfoot I love the story telling of this song.... The history of the Edmund Fitzgerald: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1NNFbR1W88 |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Canton, Ohio Lyn says: You're going to love this, we scored front rows seats with none other than Maroon 5. Compliments of Adam Levine, he was happy to grant us, crazy groupies, this big favor. The Red Pill Blues Tour, which will also feature Julia Michaels, who sings alongside frontman Adam Levine on the album track "Help Me Out." https://www.stubhub.com/tom-benson-hall-of-fame-stadium-event-tickets/venue/7265... https://redpillbluestour.maroon5.com/ Can you believe it? Maroon 5 I'm so excited. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroon_5 We're staying at the Embassy Suites. Everyone seemed to enjoy our last stay at one of their properties. http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/embassy-suites-by-hilton-akron-c... {{size:5}c:red} It's Sunday, so we're not going to tackle too much since we did go east again a time zone. Hang out at the pool, catch up on your laundry, chat with family because on Monday we're heading south and we're going to use our backpacks and rough it a bit. Sunday. I made today a more relazing day and headed to Anderson's in the Village near historic Rochester Square, It's a coffee shop, cafe and gift shop full of handcrafted candles, soap, lotions and bath products. I tried the fresh soup and a panini grilled sandwiches. I also could not resist the fresh bakery goodies. It was so nice a day, I sat out on the porch and watched the goings on of the village life! a nice way to spend Sunday. I went back to the hotel to chill and grab a swim before taking a nap. I also took Lyn's suggestion to do some laundry. I knew tonight's concert would be a blast and I needed to be rested up for it. I also took a little time to look into it... the tickets in section B are $451.25 US! Whoa! Thank goodness we are going virtually! $142.50 US is the cheapest. Seeing as we got tickets in the front row... thanks to Adam Levine... we also got this package: WHAT LOVERS DO VIP Package . One premium reserved ticket in rows 1-5 on the floor!* . Group photo opportunity on stage before the show* . Exclusive access to the Maroon 5 Sugar Lounge, including: -----Appetizers, beer, wine, and soft drinks* -----Sugar Lounge Sweets Station filled with the band's favorite treats -----DJ playing Maroon 5's favorite hits -----Memorabilia display including: performance wardrobe, show photography, instruments and more -----Interactive games, photo booth, and raffle . VIP parking space (where available) . Commemorative VIP Sugar Lounge laminate . Collectible Maroon 5 gift item . Pre-show merchandise shopping before the venue opens . Photo opportunity at the red carpet entrance in front of the Maroon 5 VIP backdrop to commemorative your night . On-site VIP hosts *Location may vary by venue. See specific date for details. **No Artist Participation in the On-stage photo ***Subject to local liquor laws (Now that would be so cool!) I was so excited to see Maroon 5. I love their music... not so much their videos... they are a bit risque. The video for Sugar is fun though. Maroon 5 Sunday Morning for a Sunday morning: I really like this song by Julia |Michaels: And this is the one Maroon 5 did with Julia Michaels. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Denver, Colorado Lyn says: Sorry ladies, rise and shine our flight is out of Philadelphia at 9 am which means we're leaving here by 6 am. Don't worry if you've forgotten anything I'll make sure you get it. We're going to see Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Morgan Wallen and John Pardi https://www.songkick.com/concerts/32678304-luke-bryan-at-sports-authority-field-... Hope you got your cowboy boots and jeans packed. It's going to be a country night at Mile High Stadium and we're hoofing it there from our hotel. 1.3 miles, ladies and gents. We got this. http://embassysuites3.hilton.com/en/hotels/colorado/embassy-suites-by-hilton-den... If you're up to seeing Union Station, it's worth the time https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33388-d130318-Reviews-Union_Stati... shopping for anyone. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33388-d251918-Reviews-16th_Street... 4 different musicians, Enjoy! 6 am was an early start, but the coffee and those baked goods were definitely worth getting up for. I really loved staying at your place Lyn. That garden was magnificent. I enjoyed sitting out there sipping my coffee and taking in all the sights and smells. A few of the ladies joined me. It was almost a shame to leave. But leave we did. We had a flight to catch and this time we were heading off to Denver Colorado. The concert is country. I am not the biggest country fan. The only one of these artists - Luke Bryan - but I am not sure what his music is like. I do like Shania Twain, so if any of these bands are like that I will be fine.... otherwise, I will start howling - my Mother's friend used to love old country and when I got into his car and he turned on the tunes I could not help letting out a howl. My mother thought it was hilarious, but then she was not all that crazy about his taste in music. Newer country artists, I like... like Faith Hill. So tonight will be an experience. Besides there are 4 of them, so I am sure I will enjoy myself. The doors don't open until 5:30 pm so we will have time to explore. The concert is at the Mile High Stadium - home to the Denver Broncos. That's cool. I decided to get a couple of my friends to join me in the Denver Scavenger Hunt. Our adventure began at the state capitol. We were taken on a well-designed course through some of Denver’s art and culture, among shops along the 16th Street Mall and through courtyards and buildings steeped in rich Denver history. The tour requires approximately 2 miles of walking and uses the free 16th street mall transportation at one point in the game. The game software tracks team points and posts the final score to a city leader board for those with a competitive edge. None of us were highly competitive; I just liked the idea of hitting all the highlights of the city. We used our smart phones as “the guide” which allowed us to start when we wanted. We could set our own pace of play, which left us plenty of time to stop for a bite to eat, enjoy the best sights of the city and do a little shopping. It was well worth the $19.95. By the time we returned to the hotel I was ready for a shower and a change. I decided to toss on a new dress I bought this afternoon. A swanky light tan coloured dress that is down past my knees at the back and over the knee at the front. There is even a little fringe on the bottom. It's all very feminine. I also picked up a pair of cowboy boots and a straw cowboy hat with an aquamarine gem weaved into it. I am so ready for this concert. I also picked up a lacy cream shawl to go over my bare shoulders in case I got cold. Now to tell you about the concert. Luke Bryan was the headliner. I like the message in this song... Sam Hunt has a really nice voice. I loved this song... Morgan Wallen - this says it all... twang. Catchy song. and John Pardi Okay, I have listened to 4 songs and I've had enough.... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge: - Wantagh, Long Island, New York. Lyn says: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wantagh,_New_York We're going to take the train up from my home explore the town of Wantagh on Long Island before heading to the concert at Northwell Health. Jones Beach Theater is an outdoor amphitheater at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, New York. It is one of two major outdoor arenas in the New York metropolitan area. The weather is supposed to be perfect. We're seeing Chicago and Reo Speedwagon this evening. There are different historical things to see, hope something appeals to you. What's your favorite Chicago song? Reo Speedwagon? We'll be taking the train back and crashing one more night before we leave this part of the U.S. Maybe will have time to join us. AHHHH! I LOVE CHICAGO! And Reo Speedwagon is pretty great too! And in an outdoor venue. Oh Lyn you outdid yourself!!! Sorry if my squeals overwhelmed anyone. I am just so thrilled. Here is the write up about the concert: Fans will be treated to a night filled with a deep catalog of hits from both bands. Chicago, in planning a show unlike any other they’ve done before, will perform their historic album Chicago II in its entirety followed by the “world’s longest encore” as the band jokingly refers to it, filled with their greatest hits. REO Speedwagon will electrify audiences with hits and fan-favorites such as “In Your Letter,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Time For Me To Fly,” “Roll With The Changes,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On the Run” and more. I can hardly wait! But first, I have to say, the scones were to die for Lyn! And you do make the best coffee. We took the train into Wantagh for the day. I noticed a wonderful little coffee house that I just had to spend some time in. The Cup Coffeehouse. It is located directly across from the Wantagh train station on Railroad Avenue. The Cup is often compared to a Brooklyn style coffee shop straight out of the 70's. I loved it. Now, Wantagh is a hamlet that consists of two-designated place located in Nassau County, on the South Shore of Long Island, New York. So I can actually claim to have looked into the world of Long Island life. Given that we will be at Jones Beach State Park, I decided that my bathing suit needed to come with me and I am glad I brought. After walking the boardwalk trails I hit the beach... and I was not alone. Several of my WDC friends were eager to join me for an easy day at the beach. Now this is the kind of day I love. Relaxing with a chance to explore and enjoy myself.... and end it all off with one amazing concert. The concert was phenomenal! The venue was fabulous - The Laid Back Festival was well named. Great music and it was featuring over 20 regional Restaurants, Food Trucks, Breweries & Wineries. the gates opened at 5:30 pm and although the music didn't start until 7 pm, most of us were enjoying the food and the drinks. It was a rockin' good night. Wow! http://jonesbeach.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=100... Here's some of the details: NEXT EVENT: LAID BACK FESTIVAL featuring CHICAGO / REO SPEEDWAGON- FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 Event Times: All times subject to change Box Office: 12:00pm Parking: 8:00am Gates: 5:30pm Oasis Stage 5:30 Dan Orlando Main stage 7:00-7:20 Michael Tolcher 7:30-8:43 REO 9:00-10:05 CHICAGO 10:25-11:35 CHICAGO As for the bands.... Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 (the year I was born) in Chicago, Illinois. They have recorded 36 albums and sold over 100,000,000 records. I started liking them in the 80's when I was a teenager. 'Your My Inspiration' and 'Hard To Say I'm Sorry ' are a couple of my favourite songs - from Album 17. I think I only bought albums 17 and 21. Chicago is also a favourite of my Uncle John and he is 19 years older than me. https://chicagotheband.com/ Hard to Say I'm Sorry: You're the Inspiration REO Speedwagon (originally styled as R.E.O. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Hi Infidelity (1980) contained four US Top 40 hits and is the group's best-selling album, with over ten million copies sold. A favourite of Reo Speedwagon is I Can't Fight This Feeling After listening to both of these bands I can see were a lot of my inspiration comes from with my own writing and outlook on life - the formative years of my creative life. I love the lyrics as well as the sounds. I alco liked that the night was not to late. Man did I have a great time! I will sleep well tonight... if I can stop singing long enough to fall asleep. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Day 2 - Manhattan and Rutherford, NJ Lyn says: Hope you caught a snooze on the plane cos we're going into Manhattan for the day after we land into Newark and then heading to Met Life Stadium to see Beyonce and Jay Z. Hope you brought your walking shoes because by the time this day is over your legs are going to know it. The On the Run II Tour is the second co-headlining stadium tour by American singer Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z. It was officially announced on March 12, 2018, and began on June 6, 2018 in Cardiff. It is scheduled to end on October 4, 2018 in Seattle. http://www.ticketmaster.com/OTRII What's your take on Beyonce and Jay Z's music. Tell me your favorite and why. What did you think of the Big Apple? interact with the rest of the groupies. Have fun. A car service is delivering your baggage to my home. Yup, we're crashing at my place. It ain't the Hilton but I don't think you'll be disappointed. I live in a 3 story townhouse, looking forward to sharing some scones and coffee with you in the morning after the concert. Oh my goodness Lyn! We get to stay at your place. Talk about generosity and kindness. I did a whole bunch of research on Manhattan and I lost the information when switching from one computer to another... on an online website too. (This is the second time this has happened). So in a nutshell - I went to Central Park. Had coffee and a sandwich at Wollman Rink and went to sit on the steps of th Metropolitan Museum, then checked out The Strand Bookshop. https://www.strandbooks.com/ https://www.strandbooks.com/about-strand-books/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWX6pYmtECQ Then the concert: wikipedia had this to say about the tour: The On the Run Tour was a co-headlining stadium tour by American performer Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z. The joint tour came shortly after the two had finished their own solo tours — Beyoncé's The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour and Jay-Z's Magna Carter World Tour (both 2013–2014). The tour's name spins off from the 2013 song "Part II (On the Run)", included on Jay-Z's album Magna Carta Holy Grail, on which Beyoncé features. An official poster for the tour was released along with the announcement of the venture, showing Beyoncé and Jay-Z embracing whilst dressed in black ski masks, following the criminal "on the lam" narrative found in the couples' 2002 first single together, "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" and "Part II (On the Run)". To promote the tour, a faux movie trailer video was premiered in May 2014 entitled "Run" (stylized as "RUN"). The video, which features eight celebrity cameo appearances, showcases the couple in a variety of Bonnie and Clyde style, action and gun packed situations. The tour itself was noted to follow this same theme throughout, with similar video interludes incorporated into the production of the show. Critics generally lauded the tour, praising the extravagant set list, dynamic and detailed theme and story of the show and both artists' performance abilities, however some felt the on stage chemistry between the couple was not what it could have been. I did check out the trailer, but fond it a bit too graphic for my taste.... I also checked out the ticket prices $87 US is the cheapest - Sec. 319 row 21. The most... closer to $400 US. Wow that is a far cry from last nights $17 US. Not sure what to expect, but I will keep an open mind. Beyoce -Crazy In Love - Featuring Jay Z Beyonce is a beautiful woman with a great head for business, but I find her a bit too overtly sexual for my tastes. Don't get me wrong. I love her music and I love dancing to it, but I find watching the videos a bit too graphic for my liking. Part of it is my age, but I find my Feminist hairs raising up on my head as she uses her looks and sexuality to sell.. it works, but it makes me disappointed in the way of things. As for Jay Z.... I am not into rap. Small quantities are fine, but that's about it. Song Cry - this one is not so bad.... I also took a look at this article... https://nypost.com/2018/08/01/breaking-down-beyonce-and-jay-zs-love-through-thei... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge - Day 1 - The Social - Orlando, Florida Lyn says: Hi Concert Junkies, are you ready to do 30 days straight of music, backpacking, and some hotels but don't expect high-end lodging we're stepping out of our comfort zone to become groupies? In the past we've talked about planes,or trains this time we're going to know it happened but it's not going to be discussed. Rules are I'm going to tell you the venue and where we're sleeping and who the band is for the night. You need to find a song by them and blog about the song, the venue and your interaction with your groupie co-horts. Make it up anything goes when it comes to the interaction. The venue and song please make an effort to find something. Thanks. https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/orlando/disfs/hoteldetail From an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at The Lakeside Cafe to Cravings with coffee and sweet treats, we have a dining option for everyone. The Food Court features Subway, serving sandwiches & salads & our team cooks up freshly fired, hand-tossed pizza. Breakfast at the hotel, some time at the waterpark, around the pool or taking a nap and then off to the concert. Have fun, we're going to be back very late. The Social 54 North Orange Avenue and the band is Lydia, Jared and the Mill. If you google the The Social they show you Lydia and Jared and the Mill. So here's what happened... So it's Florida! Florida and a wicked hotel with a pool! And a superb pool at that... I have to keep reminding myself we are supposed to be here for a concert, but I can't resist dumping my stuff off and heading straight for the water.... check in can wait. I see a few of my WDC friends arriving and wave. It isn't too long before most of them have ventured down to take some time in the sun with a little fun. I made sure to get my head wrapped around the groups we are going to see at The Social tonight. Lydia, Jared & the Mill and Cherry Pools. I had not heard of any of them, but let's face it, I also did not want to be showing my age so I needed to check out some YouTube links and see what I was getting myself into... Jared and the Mill These guys were fun to watch and seemed to be really enjoying themselves and their music. The crowd picked up on that vibe. I found it interesting to see how many interesting instruments they use. I don't think I have seen any band that uses a washboard. Their instruments were as eclectic as their music, but I got a good feel from them. Lydia This group seemed a bit more polished. Another indie-rock band. Interesting. I would not call myself a fan, but it was enjoyable. Cherry Pools This group had a more techno sound and I liked it the best of all. And a little research let me know they are a Toronto, Canada based band! Their sound I could listen to all night long. This band got me dancing. The Social was a good size. Not too huge, but not intimate either. It boasts a capacity of 450 and I think it was up to capacity. People were packed in pretty good. Although the event was all ages, you could still get alcohol until 2 am. I had a few drinks, but with all the sun I had gotten earlier, I figured I would only have a few. Some of our group can really party. A few even made their way up to the front to get up and personal, but I was happy to hang near the back where I was able to find a little bit of space. |
Blog City - Day 1666 Prompt: Jeff Vandermeer, in his Wonderbook, talks about a “scar” or a “ghost of a scar” or a “splinter”, which exists in a writer’s background that inspires or causes him to begin to write. In his case, it was his parents’ divorce when he was a child. What other kinds of “ghosts of scars” can inspire the urge to write? Do you know of any real-life examples of it? For me in was the breakdown of my parent's marriage. The vibrancy of the emotions, the tension. Life began to move in slow motion and I, even at seven, could feel the tension - it could be cut with a knife as I watched my parents go through the motions of fixing the evening meal. I remember writing those first stories of happy families with perfect children as a way to compensate for all that we were lacking. In my own small way I was internalizing the breakup and thinking 'if only I was more perfect' things would be alright. It does not matter what parents tell their children, the children will always take some responsibility in the breakup. How could I not, when stories of their past included parties they never had after I was born. My dad's life seemed unchanged by my birth, but my mother spent more time with me. I have come to learn that they were very different people not fully suited to each other. I was a product of their union, and they both loved me, but they could not sustain their own love. Teenage angst could also be a time when "ghosts of scars" can emerge. Life changes then and so do the expectations on you as you move into adulthood. Learning to navigate the world of relationships brings heartache and pain. No one makes it through unscathed. Some of us turn to writing as a way of making sense of the situation. I wrote a lot of poetry while I was in high school. I also wrote stories of my cherished grandparents who were a strong underlying presence through my life at that time. Life events, particularly the more darkly emotional ones, like breakups and divorce, have also added to the cauldron of my life experiences and each thing adds to the broth that is my life. All those things marinate and compost themselves into something far richer and nutrient dense than they were initially. Writer's live lives. They experience and turn their hardships and scars into stars - moments when universal connectedness can be achieved. We see the deeper essence of the experience and we share that... hoping our words and stories open up the moments and bring light and understanding to others. Reaching others - that is my goal and how I gauge my success. |
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