V - Variety

This post is a part of the A to Z Challenge. This year I have decided to go themeless. Each day I will post about whatever topic pops into my head. The result of this spontaneity is anyone's guess. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

They say variety is the spice of life. Whatever, I just like to keep things different. I enjoy a variety of genres in books, music, television, and movies. A wide variety. Huge. I like Star Wars AND Star Trek. Yep, major genre switch. I read Lord of the Rings AND The Hobbit. I listen to Home Free AND Christian Kane. Does it get more varied?

All joking aside, I really do read, watch, and listen to a variety. I will listen to Metallica, followed by TobyMac, then Home Free, and Fallout Boy. Nightwish (symphonic metal with a fantasy vibe) and Abney Park (steampunk airship pirates) share space on my playlist when I'm writing science fiction. My favorite movies include Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, We are the Titans, and Princess Bride.

Don't ever let yourself get tied down to one genre in anything. That applies to all areas of life. Except spouses. Best to stick to just one of those. And kids should all be the same species. (They don't necessarily have to be human, but keep them all the same species if possible.) OK, things have suddenly gone off the rails. I better call it quits while I'm ahead behind.

Until tomorrow, sayonara, good evening, auf wiedersehn, ciao, bonjour, and other various salutations.

A - Abney Park and Ace of Base

Welcome to the first post of this year's A to Z Challenge. In case you missed the Theme Reveal, I will be posting about music. Songs or bands that I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love). So without further ado, or any ado whatsoever, let's begin the list.

Love
Abney Park - I got introduced to this band when I started doing NaNoWriMo back in 2011. While not my usual style of music, I fell in love with their sound and general weirdness. A former goth band that now sings steampunk inspired music while dressed up as airship pirates? What's not to love? Although I have to admit, some of their songs are a bit creepy. Herr Drosselmeyer's Doll? Definitely a creep factor of 10.5.

Hate
AC/DC - OK, I'll admit that hate is a strong word. And I'll even admit that there are a couple of their songs that don't make me want to dig my eardrums out of my head with a spork. But overall? Could do without them. Wouldn't miss them at all if they disappeared forever. I don't get their popularity. Don't get me wrong. I love their style of music. I like most of their contemporaries. Some of whom may very well end up in the "Love" section of some later letters this month. But AC/DC? I'll pass.

Hate to Love
Ace of Base - Yeah, yeah. I know I lost man points just typing that. But I can't listen to Ace of Base without head-bobbing, toe-tapping, and butt-dancing in my chair. Turn on The Sign and I'm groovin' and movin' and generally embarrassing my wife to no end.

And that concludes our first installment of music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love). Now if you'll excuse me, I think Ace of Base is playing on Spotify!