A long long time ago I was a part of several prompt writing blogs that no longer exist. They were more like open Writers Group. We'd post to prompts where everyone added a line or paragraph to the shared story, or invent concepts where everyone did some research to justify. And we'd share our own writing progress. Long time ago, things that just died out over time. Somewhere in those first few blogs I participated in (2007 or so) is where I think I first met/friended FAE.
Anyway, I friended FAE long before BotB, before IWSG, or Write Edit Publish or . . lol, long long ago. FAE is one of the first online/blogger friends I met IRL. I visited her during my travels at a few of her homes - she moved a lot. She was such a character. Had a vivid outlandish life. I really enjoyed her company, both online and in person. We had great talks about family, life, writing, and the crazy shit we did in our younger days. I loved listening to all her stories, real and created, and sometimes I could not tell the difference.
Maybe I should have made this post a year ago, but FAE had become reclusive and family oriented during the last year of her life and I respected her wishes. I was happy to see some of her family's Face Book posts about her last days with them; the love that was rekindled, the relationships that were mended, the joy FAE gave and received. We should all be grateful to be that loved and cherished at the end of our days.
I'm hoping FAE would approve of my choice of a battle on this day. A message I'm sure she would send to all her family, friends, and online community. And, I send this to FAE, my friend. I miss you.
First up is the original artist Christina Perri singing A THOUSAND YEARS. Christina Perri's song "A Thousand Years" is about the romance between Bella and Edward in The Twilight Saga. Perri wrote the song with her best friend David Hodges after seeing the movie. The song plays during the credits of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, and fans adopted it as their anthem for the couple's love story. wiki source
If you really know FAE, you know she was sooo into The Twilight Saga. She loved all things YA romance, but this vampire romance in particular. We had some interesting conversations about this Saga over wine and pizza. Yes I've seen the movies (I have grandchildren of the female persuasion, but I have not read the books.) So, it seems fitting to post the Twilight Saga video. Forwarned, here's a virtual tissue. Yep, I cry when I listen to this sappy song.
A THOUSAND YEARS by Christina Perri
Its probably unfair to give a popular, well known artist cover a place in the battle, but FAE loved the controversy and had a stubborn streak when it came to matters of opinion. One of the traits I adored most about our conversations. So here I am, a die hard Metal music fan - but when it comes to evocative Romancey type music, well I'm all about the Pop stars. And James Arthur can sing anything to me, and my saggy boobs and butt will melt to his crooning. No alcohol needed to make me sing along. One of those "guilty pleasures" things.
A THOUSAND YEARS by James Arthur
So there's my battle of the bands submission. Click the linky here to find other BotB participants. And please, don't forget to leave a comment and vote for your favorite version of A THOUSAND YEARS.
What a wonderful tribute! Amazing how close I feel to many of my blogger friends and miss them when they stop sharing or have passed on.
ReplyDeleteSo, to share in the tribute I am going to vote, though it was super hard to choose! My vote goes to Christina.
Both ver
A lovely tribute to FAE! Sincere condolences on the loss of your friend.🌹 I only knew her through Battle of the Bands, but it's sad, nonetheless, when someone you've interacted with dies. I'm a fellow metal fan, but am also drawn to James Arthur's version of the the song.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute and very sorry she's gone. I certainly remember her.
ReplyDeleteI like the first version best.
WILD THING ~
ReplyDeleteThis was so awesomely nice of you to do! Thanks for joining me in honoring FAE in a form that she herself got started 11 years ago. I really had to smooth-yak her into doing this with me. At first she seemed rather reluctant. I'm not really sure why that was. Maybe she wasn't convinced that it was something she'd want to commit to for the foreseeable future; or perhaps she wasn't certain that she would be able to continue dreaming up good musical match-ups. But it became so popular that before long other bloggers were asking if they could join us in it, and what was never intended to be an open blogfest became one. Plus, FAE came up with a very great many top-notch Battles, which came as no surprise to me.
And BTW, this one you've created is top-notch and a cool tribute to our friend! I'm sure she appreciates it... if she's able to hear it with all that hair blowing around her as she flies here, there and everywhere. Guffaw-OutL-Loud!
I was not familiar with this song nor these artists. And although in general I seem to prefer male vocalists to female singers (yes, males vocalize and females sing - shirley you knew that already), in this instance, I preferred the Christina Perri recording. I thought it was more fluid sounding, and I was unable to un-hear James Arthur's inhaling before and after each new line he "vocalized". Who does he think he is, Steve Miller?!! Ha!
Incidentally, my brother, Judge Al Bondigas, was in the room with me while I was listening to these songs, so I asked him which one he was rulin' for (the Judge doesn't vote, he "rules" in musical cases) and he too slightly preferred the Christina Perri rendition.
So that's one vote and one rulin' for the gal in this contest.
>>... "and the crazy shit we did in our younger days."
Huh?! You and FAE? You two did crazy shit in your younger days? That's a little hard for me to believe. Are you sure you aren't confusing FAE & you with two other women somewheres? GOL!
Thanks again for your participation and wonderful tribute, Wild Thing. It was a terrific surprise and I am genuinely grateful! (Psst! You can expect another E from me well before 'A Thousand Years' have elapsed.)
~ Saint D-FensDogG
Great tribute to FAE! So glad you got back into the BOTB mix to give us this. Don't be a stranger.
ReplyDeleteIn your match I'm going with Christina's version. Both versions are good, but hers just worked better for me.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Stephen asked me to come by. James Arthur really didn't sound right singing this one, so I'll go with the majority here and vote for Christine, who I think has a quite lovely voice.
ReplyDeleteOh, Donna, oh, oh, Donna,
ReplyDeleteI received the following from my friend Sheboyganboy Six in an Email & he asked me to convey it to you on his behalf:
ATTN, DONNA (Wild Thing) - If you see this, I loved your tribute to Barbara and would - if I could - cast my vote for Christina. I never
sign in to anything with Google, hence I cannot get to the page that allows me to vote.
VOTE = JAMES ARTHUR
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Christina's version, too; and I almost voted for her because personally I would rather have the sentiments in this song relayed to me by a gorgeous female with a gorgeous singing voice. But I could not get past James' soulful rendition. So, James it is. But I'm pretending it is Macy Gray singing to me.
Hey guys: thanks for stopping by. Sorry I'm so late responding - just know I'm a flake, lol.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: I'm closer to many of my on-line friends than IRL.
Debbie: Thank you
Alex: good to see you
Saint Mac: FAE was ALWAYS good at starting things, then wondering how long she would need to "commit," lol. She was an awesome conundrum. Glad you liked this *kisses* As for our younger days - well I'm not too old to get up to the crazies! Thanks for yours and the Judges vote and rulings. I agree, James' deep breathing was a tad of a turn off. Always a pleasure to talk with you.
Arlee: I've missed you too
John: thanks for stopping by
Six: thanks for finding a way to hang here :)
boromax: yes, Macy Gray has a spectactular voice :)
Vote so far:
Christina: 6 James 3
What a beautiful thing to do for a friend.
ReplyDeleteChristina Perri gets my vote.
Hi Donna - great to see this post with its connectivity to friendship, the world and blogging - yes I'll go with Christina. Love the photo - fun to see ... cheers and with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHey Donna, a wonderful tribute to a friend. You've done her proud. Don't know if you know that we lost Sally Stackhouse and Nancy Williams. So sad that their writers' voices have been silenced
ReplyDeleteOn WEP, we're alive for a special event in October. You know how we love our thriller October. Details on my blog and on WEP. I've been away from blogging for 4 months and trying to make a comeback.
Dx: I'll check it out. I knew about Nancy, but not Sally. Their voices will be missed.
ReplyDelete