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  marcoujor's musings

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Marcoujor: What Do You Say?

5/15/2016

25 Comments

 
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A few years ago I started interviewing fellow writers. This process was inspiring and enlightening.

As a writer, teacher and nurse, I believe there is much we can learn from each other.

I recently decided to send a survey of 20 questions to 50 people in my circle (family, friends, work colleagues) with the option of participating via sharing perspectives; beliefs and values; and life experiences in the answering the questions.  In my simple directions, one's answers can range from brief as a word or two to a lengthier essay, on any / all of the questions.

The subject matter of these twenty questions is of interest / potential inspiration to me.  I wanted to see how others felt about these issues as I continue to develop my own answers to this survey. 

Over the summer I'll focus on one of the questions, whether monthly on Inspiration Station or on my weekly desk posts, published each Wednesday.

Thanks to those of you who have already sent their answers to me.  I've decided to keep your responses general, without identification, unless the answer will be featured as a distinct post.
I invite any reader who is interested in 'weighing in' on some / all of my questions to contact me directly, via this website, e-mail or FaceBook message.

I was inspired, enthralled and amused at this essay-length answer from our friend, author, illustrator and publisher, Michael Friedman of Mockingbird Books.  I'm including my question. Mike's answer speaks for itself... take a look! 

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Mockingbird Books (Click the pic to visit the site.)

What do you say?

Does / what kind of music inspire(s) you?

"As a young man, music did not really move me. Sure, I listened to the popular radio stations and had some favorites. The beach music was all the rage in middle and late sixties in California. The Beach Boys My Little Deuce Coupe, played on every radio station. Also, Jan and Dean’s Dead Man’s Curve, and who didn’t want Ronnie & The Daytonas’  Little GTO. 
“Heck, I would drive a GTO today if it were in my means. I did have an Oldsmobile Delta 88 that did 120 MPH, but no one ever wrote a song about it.
 
“That phase ended quickly with an Army haircut and free travel, as long as they picked the locations. 

“There were many more musical choices to listen to in a barracks full of young men from all walks of life and all over the country. They all were offered the same free travel deal that I received.
 
“The Supremes were shouting about where their love went. And a whole bunch of people were suffering through boogie nights, with jungle boogie, that lead to boogie fever. Seems there was some kind of superfly and War was singing about slipping into darkness. Which seemed apropos at the time.
 
“Once the jungle days ended, along came Elton and Stevie and Donna and of course the kids. That changed the music again. There were Carpenters, and Bread (to be made) and Rocky Mountain Highs. There were Mamas and Papas. And there was work from before dawn until it was time to go to bed.

“Then, about the end of the decade, the music stopped.
 
“It became clear a house is not a home and there was love on a two way street. Whitney asked where do broken hearts go and Dionne swore, I’ll never love this way again. Donna was still going strong, on the radio.
 
“The 80’s were blacked-out. I didn’t take the rap. The hip-hop hopped right by without me noticing.

“The music was turned off, tuned out, toned down, timed out, truly. Though I knew of Dolly Parton. I don’t know what it was about her that caught my attention.
 
“Never asked for my Nickelback, or to pass the Black Eyed Peas. And Backstreet Boys were to be avoided. If someone said Weezer, I reached for asthma medicine. (Though they played at the Playboy Mansion, where I would have to reach for asthma medicine.) I did have an Uncle Kracker or was that a brother-in-law? “So-be-it  the 90’s.
  
“What was the question? Oh, what kind of music inspires me.

“These days, I don’t always listen to music, but when I do, I reach for The Rolling Stones. Today, I appreciate their music much more now than through their decades of success. Gimme Shelter, You Can’t Always Get What You Want,  Under My Thumb, Get Off Of My Cloud, and Play with Fire. They somehow found the philosopher's stone (I know a rolling stone.)
 
“If I go searching for inspiration and think, “That’s it, the well is empty...” I search for Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones or others. We were all young. We were all beautiful and sleek, trim, eyes open, running toward our futures, wild horses everyone."
I thank you for kicking off this initiative in such a meaningful way, Mike.  You reinforce that everyone has a story. Sharing with each other is a way to foster connection - through our differences and similarities.

Looking forward to sharing more over the months to come.  Looking forward to hearing from 'you' with your answers. Looking forward to next Wednesday when I'll share more musical favorites from my 'poll' on my desk post.

Until then, sending you inspiration and a song in your heart,

mar
25 Comments
Peg Cole link
5/15/2016 09:57:23 am

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away" from this fascinating journey. Our mutual friend really captured the best of his world of musical memories and the road he traveled while listening. This high speed trip down memory lane brings back all the best of those years.
I always look forward to your interviews and featured articles about our shared favorite authors and artists. Looking forward to your future releases and more answers from your questionnaire.

Reply
Maria link
5/16/2016 08:24:54 am

Thanks, Peg! I agree with your appraisal of Mike's answer here.

Thanks also for your feedback on the questions - looking forward to a great series.

Have a peaceful week. Hugs, Maria

Reply
paula link
5/15/2016 12:16:22 pm

Maria....I was so happy to receive your email of questions. Please know I am working on them, one question, one day at a time and will send them on to you when completed. You said, "No rush," (my favorite words!)....so I am taking my good old time. Sounds like another wonderful project. No doubt you'll do a superb job. You always do! Mike is our very own "Magic Mike," is he not??
Love you, Paula

Reply
Maria link
5/16/2016 08:26:41 am

Yeah, will look forward to your answers as well, in your own time, dear Paula...!

Magic Mike? You may be on to something here... :)

Love you too, Maria

Reply
Mike
5/15/2016 01:02:18 pm

Hey, I am going to be famous. I see I missed a chance to squeeze in,

Hey, hey, Paula!

Thanks for including me Maria.



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Maria link
5/16/2016 08:29:07 am

Note to Mike: You ARE already famous...didn't you get the memo?!

Never too late to stop by my musings...and thanks for this awesome response for all of us to enjoy.

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Sunshine
5/15/2016 04:28:20 pm

Hip hop hopped right by, Ha!! A great question and a very entertaining response. :)

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Maria link
5/16/2016 08:30:54 am

Here comes the SUNshine... always a delight to see you - thanks! :)

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Martie link
5/15/2016 06:20:23 pm

Mike's response on 'Does / what kind of music inspire(s) you?' is touching in more than one way. It pulls tears as well as smiles.

This is going to be an interesting series, Mar. I look forward to the next installment.

Hugs,

Martie

Reply
Maria link
5/16/2016 08:33:13 am

What a beautiful comment about Mike's answer, dear Martie - you two are becoming quite the team (at least in Kylie's eyes...)!

Thanks to you for your answers - having your participation means the world.

Hugs and love to you, mar

Reply
paula link
5/25/2016 01:44:15 pm

Whoa!! Hold up. When & if Magic Mike is available, I have FIRST dibs!
Martie my good friend....I love you, but back off baby!
Maria, I only say these things to make Mike BLUSH....because I'm bad. I can't help it. I am part devil..............LOL :)

Maria link
5/26/2016 10:05:04 am

So, for the record...I can say that Mike has partnered with BOTH of you 'adorable Aries', Paula and Martie...

Paula, in my Spanish edition of Kylie's Blossoms... and

Martie, in my upcoming Afrikaans edition of Kylie's Blossoms

After Mike is done blushing, he will no doubt need a nap... :)

Martie link
5/26/2016 05:22:49 pm

Dear Paula, I will hold on to the saying, "The best comes to those who wait."

:)))

William Holland
5/16/2016 10:09:17 am

A fun interview for sure. I had to laugh when thinking about music...I still listen to the Oldies with some country mixed in...six months ago I "discovered" a singer named Adele. I was amazed when Bev told me Adele had been around since 2009. LOL Anyway, thanks for the wonderful glimpse into Mike's psyche.

love,
bill

Reply
Maria link
5/18/2016 08:05:45 pm

Your comment makes me smile, dear Bill - rather adorable to be 'discovering' Adele.

Hope all is well with you and Bev. Love, Maria

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Ruby link
5/16/2016 07:10:34 pm

Mike's response took me back to 'the ole days ' Many of the songs he listed were great, especially The Rolling Stones.

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Maria link
5/18/2016 08:07:54 pm

Loved your detailed comment on this week's desk - our musical tastes are identical.

Thanks for stopping by. Love you lots, dear Ruby.

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femmeflashpoint link
5/18/2016 10:18:07 am

I'd make room for a GTO these days, too. I'd take it on spins when the 64 and a 1/2 Mustang was busy being detailed. ;)

Reply
Maria link
5/18/2016 08:09:04 pm

LOL...you are adorable, dear femme :)

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crazyhorseladycx
5/20/2016 03:29:15 am

howdy, ms. mar!

how truly delightful! i went'n that journey'f mr. mikes. not into the rollin' stones much these days, but'm quite fond' the ol' country songs. i confess to e'en dustin' off the stereo 'n playin' a bit'f bread e'en.

i'm wonderin' why i've not 50 folks to send anythin' to, lol. oh wait! i dunno 50 folks :D one'f the "perks" 'f bein' a recluse i reckon.

big hugs 'n love!

Reply
Maria link
5/20/2016 08:31:28 am

Thanks for sharing your musical favorites with us, dear Lady - great choices for sure.

Love you and your ability to make me smile every time, mar

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Sannel link
5/21/2016 11:38:32 am

Dear Maria and Mike,
I enjoyed this hilarious and fantastic narrated journey down memory lane! It brought back some great memories from my own youth. So much so, that I entirely forgot to leave a comment here and instead spent the evening, and half the night in the world of YouTube, listening to all the greatest disco hits, I used to wildly dance to at Studio 54. Oh, boy, it's been a long time since I have listened to that music. So much fun! So anyway, I'm back here today to leave a comment. (Quite tired though. Not used to late nights any longer, haha. )
Thank you, Maria for another great post and Mike for sharing your story, and for reminding me of my own.
BTW, who else but Mike could be more proficient and apt to write the very first song about an Oldsmobile Delta 88? Don't you agree, Maria? :)

Reply
Maria link
5/26/2016 10:09:06 am

My heavens, we are Sistas, dear Sannel...I can also get thoroughly distracted from task when I get a 'musical bee in my bonnet'!

And I agree Mike is the natural choice for this car tune... ;)

Love you and your comments too, Maria

Reply
Shauna Bowling link
6/15/2016 03:04:18 pm

I'm so glad you posted Mike's answer to your question, Mar. What a creative response! I really, really enjoyed reading. I had a smile on my face throughout the entire read.

"Wild Horses" is one of my favorite Stones songs. Way to go Mike and Mar!

Reply
Maria link
6/15/2016 05:05:01 pm

I'm happy you enjoyed this post as much as I do, dear Sha.

Mike certainly has a way with words...almost like an author or something ... :)

I share you love of "Wild Horses"...listening again.

Reply



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    marcoujor

    Something awaits us all.

    Know your possibilities.

    There is inspiration all around us--in those people and situations we encounter along life's way.

    Share your wonder with me as well.

    I treasure your comments.

    mar


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  • BOOK SHOP
    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
  • BLOGS
    • mar's Desk
    • Inspiration Station
    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
  • Contact Me