You’re An All Star, Get Your Game On

Jim Adams, aka Newepicauthor, the creator of A Unique Title For Me, is hosting SONG-LYRIC-SUNDAY and this week he has chosen the truly delightful theme: SPORTS SONGS

I have picked a song that makes me laugh, and it also reminds me of our trip to Houston, Texas to stay with friends, which happened to coincide with the All Stars basketball weekend in the city. It was crazy!!! The shopping malls were packed with people donning their bling bling. We went to so many parties and danced our hearts out. It was a lot of fun.

Before that weekend, I did not really know what an “all star” was – but learning about the US basketball real life version of a fantasy football league was quite an eye-opener.

This song is called “All Star” and is by a band called Smash Mouth.

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb
In the shape of an “L” on her forehead

Well, the years start coming and they don’t stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb

So much to do, so much to see
So what’s wrong with taking the back streets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow

Hey, now, you’re an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey, now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold

It’s a cool place and they say it gets colder
You’re bundled up now wait ’til you get older
But the meteor men beg to differ
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture

The ice we skate is getting pretty thin
The water’s getting warm so you might as well swim
My world’s on fire. How about yours?
That’s the way I like it and I’ll never get bored

Hey, now, you’re an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey, now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold

Go for the moon
Go for the moon
Go for the moon
Go for the moon

Hey, now, you’re an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey, now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars

Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas
I need to get myself away from this place
I said yep, what a concept
I could use a little fuel myself
And we could all use a little change

Well, the years start coming and they don’t stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb

So much to do, so much to see
So what’s wrong with taking the back streets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow

Hey, now, you’re an all star, get your game on, go play
Hey, now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold

And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold

Written by: Greg Camp

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We are in the middle of THE 2021 GREAT BLOGGERS’ BAKE OFF FESTIVAL OF LOVE!!! and we are asking everyone WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOVE SONG?

Please do visit this special BAKE OFF post and tell us your favourite love songs!

https://crushedcaramel.wordpress.com/2021/08/20/what-is-your-favourite-love-song/

Make It Special

I was out all day today, but I had seen Teresa’s writing prompt and I had a story in my head all day that I was looking forward to typing up:

Your challenge today, should you accept it, is to explore love and romance on the sports field. Write your take on the romance subgenre of Sports Romance and see where it leads…or whatever/wherever the prompt takes you. (Note: Sports romance can include any sport, but the romance traditionally includes at least one sport’s player.)

https://maplesswanderer.wordpress.com/2020/01/04/daily-writing-prompt-4/

I have used a slightly different picture to set the scene for my story. I am going back to school with Annabelle Riley, who like every other girl in her year has a crush on Trent Walker, the high school sports jock. We’ll also see Dean Mathers (before Mildew get their recording contract), who is a few years older than Annabelle. I will be honest with you, although I have a character who is a sports player…this story is not particularly sporty at all!

Annabelle had just finished her history lesson and was putting her books into her locker. Hearing a round of giggles a couple of metres away, Annabelle looked over to her right and saw some of the girls in her year who were on the cheerleading squad. As she made eye contact with them, their laughter erupted again. “Losers” Annabelle thought to herself.

“Hi Annie. How you doin’?” came a voice from her left.

Annabelle turned to find Trent Walker with one arm stretched against the locker and the other clutching the strap of the rucksack on his shoulder. He was smiling down at her. Her eyes could not hide her surprise. She felt flattered that Trent even knew her name. “Um, hi!” she responded.

“Have you caught your arm on something? That looks like quite a scratch you have there,” Jordan’s fingers gently stroked Annabelle’s forearm.

Annabelle felt butterflies in her tummy as she felt Jordan’s caressing her skin. But realizing that he was referring to one of the deep scratches she had inflicted on herself, Annabelle pushed her sleeve back down and gasped the edge of the cuff to prevent it from riding up her arm again. “Oh it’s nothing. Yeah I just caught it.”

Trent continued to flash smiles, revealing his perfectly white teeth “So, Annie, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the school dance with me?”

Annabelle nearly choked on hearing the question Trent had just directed towards her. “You’re asking me to the dance?”

Trent grinned on seeing Annabelle’s face flush with pink, “Think about it Annie. Here, take this, why don’t you send a message when you have decided.” He passed her a scrap of paper with a cellphone number written on it.

As Trent turned away and walked down the corridor, there were more chuckles heard from the crew of cheerleaders who had probably heard the entire conversation. Ignoring them, Annabelle shoved her entire bag into her locker and closed it.

Twenty minutes later, she was on the outskirts of the woods. She could detect a familiar aroma and moments later she heard a guitar strumming.

“Hey Dean.”

“Alright Nan, are you skipping class again?”

Sitting down on the dry grass near to where Dean sat with his guitar, Annabelle drew ler legs up and hugged them, “It’s phys-ed after lunch.”

“Bleedin’ waste of time” scowled Dean breathing in a drag of the roll-up perched at the side of his mouth.”

Annabelle laughed, “You’re no Trent Walker.”

“Who the hell is Trent Walker?”

“The guy who has asked me to the school dance,” she smiled with pride.

Dean was surprised, “You’ve never mentioned him before. How come?”

Annabelle hesitated before answering, “It’s kind of new. He only asked me to go to the dance with him today.”

“Do you hang out with him?” he asked.

“No, he’s on the football team. He hangs out with other guys on the team and the bitchy girls on the cheerleading squad.”

“So he’s a popular kid then?”

Annabelle nodded, “And he is soooooo gorgeous.”

Dean seemed amused, “So why’s he asking you to the dance?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? What am I that repulsive that you think he wouldn’t be interested in me?”

“Nan, you are pretty. Any guy would be lucky to get your attention. But you don’t sound as if you have any connection with this Trent guy. So why, out of the blue, does he invite you to the school dance? What about the other girls he hangs out with? Has he hooked up with any of them?”

“Hooked up. What? Do you mean actually hooked out, like making out and stuff?”

“If he’s really sooooo gorgeous as you say, and on the school football team, he’s probably screwing half the cheerleaders. Why doesn’t he ask one of them to the dance?”

“Don’t say stuff like that! Trent seems nice. Maybe he doesn’t want to ask one of them because they are all nasty cows.”

Dean put his guitar down and moved over to sit besides Annabelle, “I’m going to tell you something now, and you are not going to like it. Either he is planning on pranking you and getting your hopes up before the dance only to stand you up. Or he is hoping you will be so chuft that he asked you to the dance that you’ll let him shag you.”

Annabelle’s eyes opened wide, “You don’t even know him. Why would you say something like that?”

“I might not know him, but I know enough about guys like him. I’m not trying to be unkind. I’m telling you, he’s a jerk.”

A few tears began to trickle down Annabelle’s face, “Do you really think that?”

Dean put his arm around Annabelle, “Nan, I would never want to hurt you. You know that don’t you. I don’t want to see anyone else hurt you though.”

Annabelle tried to wipe her eyes with her sleeves, “I didn’t actually say yes when he asked me. I was so surprised that I couldn’t even speak. He gave me his number and told me I could think about it and let him know.”

“Do you have it?” When Annabelle nodded, Dean thought, “Don’t use your phone to reply. Use mine. Here, let’s send him a text message, just to kind of suss out what his game is.”

“What do you mean?”

After Dean had typed a message, he presented his phone to Annabelle to read it: THANKS FOR THE INVITE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET UP SOMETIME BEFORE THE DANCE? MAYBE WE COULD GO OUT FOR A DRINK.

“Dean, Trent might not like it.”

“It doesn’t matter Nan. Let’s just see how he reacts.”

Trying to distract his younger friend and cheer her up, Dean began showing Annabelle a song he had been working on. He played the chords and sang some lyrics that he had scribbled down onto a notepad. Annabelle was enjoying his playing when she noticed his phone flash up and sound a message tone. Dean picked up his phone and read the message: I THINK YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER.

Annabelle’s face revealed her confusion, “Did you type the number in properly?” Dean sat next to her again and the two of them carefully checked the number against the one Trent had given her. Dean asked Annabelle if he should reply. She shook her head. Dean could Annabelle’s disappointment. He pushed her hair away from her face and brought his face close to her’s, “It looks like all he’s done is give you someone else’s number. It’s just a stupid little prank. He’s being a jerk. Better that you realized now, rather than getting all excited about going to the dance with him.”

Annabelle nodded, “I feel like such an idiot.”

“He’s the idiot!” cried Dean. Softening his tone he added, “I’m just relieved he was just pranking you. I was scared that he just wanted to…Well, I’d have killed him if he hurt you.”

Annabelle was silent, “Have you ever done something like that to a girl?”

“I’ve never pranked a girl. They wouldn’t have been impressed enough by me anyway.”

“No, I mean have you ever had a girlfriend? Have you ever made love?”

Dean smiled at Annabelle, “I’ve fooled around with girls. I’ve never had a steady girlfriend.”

Annabelle pursed her lips, “How many girls?”

“I dunno, a few. When I was fifteen, we went on a family holiday to Tampa. There was a girl at the fair who was cute. She looked like Avril Lavigne. She was the first girl I ever kissed. There was a girl who worked at Taco Belt over at Claremont. I asked her out. We went out to see some lousy movie. The movie theatre was empty. She had different ideas than watching the film though. It’s a good job she had a packet of Kleenex in her purse. After that experience, I really wanted a girlfriend. But I’ve been out with other girls and it’s not worked out. I haven’t made it past second base with any of them.”

Annabelle didn’t understand everything that Dean was telling her, which he realized by the hazy look across her face. Feeling embarrassed and not knowing how to reply to Dean, she muttered, “Ok. I have never even been kissed.” She was staring into Dean’s eyes.

Dean looked at Annabelle. It wasn’t the first time he had noticed how pretty she was. She was still sitting next to him but had started to lean against him. Dean gazed at her, “Nan, promise me that you won’t let the first guy who kisses you be some jerk from the football team. Guys like that are only interested in shagging as many girls as possible so they can boast to their mates. Promise me that you will make it special. Make sure it’s someone that you know really cares about you.”

Annabelle stood up, “I’ve got to go Dean. School will be out soon, I need to go and pick up my bag from my locker.”

Dean jumped to his feet as well, “Nan, promise me.”

Annabelle turned to look at him, “Promise you what?”

“Promise me to make it special. Make sure it’s someone who cares about you. It’s important.”

Annabelle shrugged, “Whatever Dean.”

Dean grabbed her hand, “No Nan. You’re not listening. You’re special. When it happens, make it special.”

Annabelle let her hand linger in Dean’s as she gazed at him searching his face for signs of something he had never said to her. “I have to go.”

 

 

My Dusty Flip-Flops Has Nominated Me For The Entertainer Blogger Award! And It’s Not For My Singing…It’s For My Blogging!

 

“The Entertainer Blogger Award” is one blogger nominating a fellow blogger whom he or she finds fun, inspiring and entertaining.  As far as I can see, it’s a great way to encourage each other and get to know more about who is behind the posts you are enjoying.

I have been nominate by mydustyflipflops as you can see below in her fascinating post:

https://mydustyflipflops.wordpress.com/2018/06/11/the-entertainer-blogger-award/

My Dusty Flip-Flop is a very lovely traveller who has been to places I would love to go to one day.  I love reading about her travels and seeing her photos.  She is also a very encouraging and supportive blogger.  She is one of the first people who commented on my posts and I am very grateful for her kind comments.

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There are some specific instructions in connection with this award:

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you to add the link to their blog
• Add the rules so others can follow
• Answer the same questions
• Nominate people who you find fun, inspiring and entertaining!
• Include the graphic in your post

 

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So here we go with the questions:

Why did you start blogging in the first place?

I have been writing and receiving letters and e-mails since I learnt to write.  In fact I  still possess thousands of beautiful letters that I have received over the years.  I also have never deleted a personal e-mail.  I wrote long letters full of personal details and accounts of the antics my family members and friends were involved in.  In recent years many of my friends have said, you should start a blog.  I was not keen on the idea at all, it seemed like a waste of time doing something trivial when I could be spending those precious moments on more important things.

One of my friends, who has a well established blog, set me up on WordPress,  posting some of his favourites from a collection of short stories I had sent him.  I could not believe it when people started reading and sending me lovely comments.  What has encouraged me to keep going is the feedback and encouragement of other bloggers.  I kind of feel as if I am writing to friends that I have recently met.

I have also found it helpful as I had a challenging situation to deal with some time ago.  At the time, I found it overwhelming.  It lead to me going to a park on my own one night instead of going home.  That night, I was the victim of a crime that has temporarily removed me from the life I love. Sometimes I have found it hard to talk about what happened.  But when you write, you can go at your own pace, little by little.   If you have had enough, you can save your words and resume later when you are feeling up to it.  So I have been able to communicate feelings I have not yet done so verbally.

At the same time blogging has helped me to reinforce my determination to make life beautiful.  (Reference to one of my favourite films “La Vita È Bella” where a man in a concentration camp for being Jewish tries to keep his family going through their ordeal.)  I want to dwell on all of the wonderful in life…and I want to look forward to the future with a gigantic thirst for life and love.  I try to make sure my site is generous with posts that reflect how joyful life should be despite challenges that may temporarily bruise us.

What is your favourite book?

          

If we are talking about novels, these are my favourite three.  I must admit I am far more comfortable with classic novels in general and I am happy to read my favourites over and over again.

Persuasion by Jane Austin is a favourite because I read it without knowing Jane Austin and without having any idea how it ended.  So the book took me through an emotional roller-coaster and I could not believe the ending.  I also love “North and South” by Mrs Gaskell for that same reason.  I had no idea how it was going to end.  I think I relate to a character who has had their hope destroyed and suddenly quite out of the blue someone turns everything upside down and the pain turns to joy.

Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Muskateers series…when I read these, I feel at times I am sitting on the edge of my seat with the action that throbs through the pages of these books.  Uggggh…would I love to be able to write like that!  To be able to pack that kind of excitement into each chapter.

But the question was not what is my favourite novel, but rather, what is my favourite book?

My Dadda was lost in his life.  He had made some bad decisions which had consequences that would tie him for the rest of his life.  He was intensely sad.  His father had died in childhood as well as two of his siblings.  He had many questions.  He was disillusioned with those he thought he could get help from.  My Dadda read a book, a book which answered his questions…and it motivated him to change his personality and stop his harmful habits.  He became a loving husband and father.  He is one of many I know who have made changes after reading this book, however, the changes he made directly effected my life as a small child and meant that my parents would ensure I had access to the best education available.

Well, which is the most popular book of all human history?  Available in thousands of languages, available in the “mother tongue of the vast majority of people today?”  A book that moved brave men and women to risk their lives to make sure that people could read it for themselves in the language of their hearts?  For every good reason!  I have been reading it’s pages since childhood and they are to me quite simply better than gold, or pearls or honey as many  others have said.  I can read it over and over and it still makes me marvel.  I learn more and more. Ingenious…revealing aspects of the human heart in clear light.  One thundering theme…how the original purpose for this earth and the human family will be accomplished…nothing and nobody in the universe can prevent that.

What do you dislike the most?

Broad beans…I don’t get on well with broad beans.  I wish I did, because I love my veggies.  Something strange to me about the texture…I just cannot warm to them after many attempts.

However on a far more serious note:

I don’t like what is very obviously nuts…racism, abuse, war, crime.  But what grieves me deeply, is that there seems to be millions upon millions spent on this:

….despite disasters like this….

PAIN IN MY HEART!

No matter how many words are spoken or printed justifying this…they are essentially hot air.  The reality is, things like this are monstrously wrong!  It is just one example of how much we need help.  This world is so upside down…law is numb, life is cheap, love is shallow and self-serving.  There is a definite limit to how long these ridiculous injustices can go on for.  Things will change.  This is not what this planet and our human family were designed for…and I long for the day the whole earth is at peace.

What is your favourite food at the mall?

I am not a frequent visitor of malls or shopping centres as we call them here in England.  Nope, best to avoid places that would make me spend my pennies on fluff and glitter.  Charity shops are my favourite place to shop, except for shoes and underwear (I will buy these brand new and make sure they fit perfectly and are good quality).

However, when I worked in the infirmary we were sometimes asked to take some of our patients out for the day.  We often went to Brent’s Cross Shopping Centre because of the free parking and other facilities that made life easy for us.

We used to take the ladies to a lovely little spot named Lola’s.  Before 11.30am, if you bought a coffee, you could have a free cup-cake.  The ladies loved it!  The team who worked there were super.  They used to treat the ladies, who were all over ninety years of age, like members of the royal family.  Big thank you to the team at Lola’s Cupcakes.

What is your favourite pastime?

Top of my list is:  Climbing trees!

I like being outdoors.  I love hiking.  I like playing sports….far more than I enjoy watching.  I used to play basketball every Friday evening.  I miss it so much.  I like playing any sport with a lot of running around.  I am not particularly skilled myself, I just love joining in and I can burn off my energy.

My sisters and I were brought up swimming many hours each week – at least ten hours a week we would swim.  We have always had a lot of stamina and energy…but I am really deficient when it comes to hand-eye coordination.  So I try to play in defence.  I am great at running around and getting in the way…but as soon as I manage to win control of the ball I have to pass it to someone else because I am useless.

None-sport related…top choice is karaoke.  Have I won Entertainer Awards for my singing?  You will find out in a future post!

 

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That is quite enough of me.  Let’s get to the exciting bit…

My Nominees:

I have no idea how many bloggers I am supposed to nominate…and I have nominated quite a few already for other awards, so I am going to nominate some of the blogs I have discovered recently and I am loving:

Thegirlwhobakes   https://rimjhimbathla.wordpress.com/

Gbolabo Adetunji  Akosile    https://gbolaboadetunji.blog/

Laleh Chini   https://avoicefromiran.wordpress.com/

averyj0624    https://caffeineandbookmarks.wordpress.com/

GRACELIFECOLLECTIONS    https://gracelife2017.wordpress.com/

 

There is a world of bloggers out there…it is fun to get to see what other bloggers are coming up with and publishing on their sites.  I am really enjoying this blogging business.  Thank you for all of your support.  I hope you enjoy answering the questions and I look forward to reading your replies.

Have fun…and have a fabulous weekend!