F - I'm Free... Aaghhh!

After two posts having trouble narrowing things down, I actually had quite a bit of trouble with the letter F. It took a while to come up with something for each category. Of course, after I finalized my choices, I began to think of others that would also work, but that's how it goes sometimes. Oh well.

Love
Faith No More - This one makes the list on the strength of one song; Epic. In fact, that's the only song of theirs that I can name. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the only song anyone can name. But, when one is that good and becomes such an instant classic, do you need more?

Hate
Free Fallin' (Tom Petty) - I am not a fan of Tom Petty. I don't think I have ever liked more than one of his songs. Most, I just don't care about one way or the other. But Free Fallin' just bugs me. It sounds like a bag of cats trying to serenade an irritated wolverine. While drinking. Heavily.

Hate to Love
Fighter (Christina Aguilera) - OK, at this point I'm hemorrhaging man points. Before this challenge, I didn't realize just how many songs I like that are less than manly. Oh well, it's too late to deny it now. I like this song. It's the best song Christina's had since Genie in a Bottle.

Any other F songs or bands like can name? Let me know in the comments.

E - Eagle Eyes

If you are here visiting from the A to Z Challenge, welcome! today's letter, as you well know, is E. If you are not visiting from the A to Z Challenge, welcome! For an explanation of the challenge, go here.

Here we go with E.

Love
Enya, no wait... Evanescence, no... Enter Sandman! Just like yesterday's post, I had trouble narrowing it down to just one answer for this one. Enya is great when you just want to chill out and relax. Mellow music for escaping the hectic, frantic, stressful normality of the typical day. Evanescence... strangely NOT the opposite. How can a band with such grinding guitars and slamming drums still be relaxing? I don't get it, but I'm not complaining. I can listen to them for hours. What about when I don't want to relax? That's what Enter Sandman is for. A permanent fixture on the list of greatest Metallica songs. Try to listen to it without getting your groove on. I don't care if you like Metallica or not, you gotta love that intro.

Hate
The Eagles - Who decided that the Eagles were a good band? Who inflicted this auditory debacle on mainstream America? Similar to my hate for A, I don't get the popularity. And Hotel California? WTF, mate?! Pardon my language. That song eats my brain and uncovers the inner animal... and the outer animal. And every other animal that wants to destroy whatever is making that unnatural demon-howl.

Hate to Love
Eyes Without a Face (Billy Idol) - It just ain't right! No one should enjoy a song that creepy. But I do. I don't know why. Watching the video just makes it worse. I like Billy Idol, but there are so many reasons to dislike this song. But I can't. I love it. Maybe I heard it while in animal mode after listening to the Eagles and it imprinted onto my inner mindless beast. It's as good an explanation as any, I guess.

What songs or artists do you love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love)? Let me know in the comments.

D - Dirty Turn Darling

A to Z Challenge Theme - Music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love).

It's D-Day at the A to Z Challenge. So let's get started with today's list.

Love
I had a hard time narrowing this one down. I thought about Dokken, one of the great hair bands of the '80s. Or Def Leppard, a Hall of Fame band if there ever was one. How about Darling Violetta? Lesser known, unless you are a hardcore Buffy and Angel fan. Then you'll know them for the Angel theme song in this post. So I'll just stick with today's band I love, Disciple. Disciple is a Christian rock band that's been around since the 90's. They have been able to do what few bands could. They have managed to change musical styles to stay current while still maintaining their own distinct sound. One of their best songs just happens to also start with D. Dear X (You Don't Know Me)

Hate
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - Why do I hate this song so much? Well, if you read my A post, you'll have a pretty good idea. I am not an AC/DC fan at all. I don't like listening to any of their music, but this song just annoys me to no end. The less said about this one, the better.

Hate to Love
Don't Turn Around (Ace of Base) - This again links back to my A post. Man points are going negative at this point, but I just love this song. It's one of those few songs that get stuck in my head without driving me insane. This song was popular when I was in college. Back then, it was a little more acceptable to admit to liking it, even if you aren't of the fairer sex. Today? Not so much. But it will be our little secret, right?

C - Cowboy Music Anyone?

Today's post for music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love) has it's own mini theme. All are cowboy  or country music. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened. That must mean the list is dead-on accurate. Right? Let me know in the comments.

Love
Chris LeDoux - Chris LeDoux was cool without even trying. He didn't go out of his way to be noticed, or to shock his audience, or to make the world look at him and tell him he was cool. He just got on stage and had a great time entertaining his fans. I think he entertained himself just as much. My favorite Chris LeDoux memory? Living 1/4 mile from the Tumbleweed bar and dance hall in Stillwater, OK and getting to hear a Chris LeDoux concert for free. He always performed at the annual Calf Fry at the outdoor arena. Being so close, we could hear the whole concert sitting in our driveway. (No calf fry eating required.)

Hate
Johnny Cash - I know I'm stepping on some toes with this one. After all, he's the "Man in Black". He's a country music legend. He was cool before country was cool. So what? I still don't like his voice. If anyone sounded like him today, they would never get a recording contract. Sometimes, the music has to rank higher than the "cool".

Love to Hate
Anyone named Cyrus - I don't care if it's Billy Ray or Miley. If they come on, the radio goes off. I'll admit I kinda liked Achy Breaky Heart when it first came out. Mainly because it was fun to dance to and only got better after a few drinks. Now? Not enough vodka in all of Russia. Or Ukraine. Do they still have vodka in Ukraine or did Putin annex it all?

That's all for today. What songs or bands do you like for the letter C? Leave me suggestions below. I might even respond and let you know why your opinion is wrong different from mine.

IWSG: Procrastination

Welcome to my first monthly post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. The first Wednesday of each month writers all over the world band together to support each other and commiserate over those things that make us all insecure at one time or another.

This month I will be discussing one of my biggest problems as a writer: procrastination. I've spoken with enough other writers to know that I am not alone. I have come to believe that procrastination is a leading cause of stillborn novels, short-stories, novellas, blog posts, etc. Just about any type of writing can be stopped before it starts simply because the writer puts it off until "tomorrow". Unfortunately, if you're like me, "tomorrow" never comes. That's the main reason I have one book in first draft form, two started but never finished, and another that is simply an idea in my head. I won't even mention the short story and flash fiction ideas that keep bouncing around my skull.

I can't count the number of times I have told myself I have to write - anything, just get some words down - but I have talked myself out of it because "I'm too busy, I'll get to it later." Guess what? It's later. Sit down and write! That's why I joined IWSG. Accountability and support are great ways to kill procrastination. Or at least to injure it enough to make it back off once in a while. There are plenty of ways to force yourself to write if that's what it takes. NaNoWriMo has been the biggest blessing for me. Without it, I wouldn't even have the first draft and unfinished novels. The Blogging From A to Z Challenge is another great motivator. What helps you to fight back against procrastination and, just maybe, score the death blow? Let me know in the comments.

B - Bolton Back with a Bang?

It's B time! So let's get going with today's music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love).

Love
Bang (Gorky Park) - The first song release in America by Russian rockers Gorky Park. The production quality was second rate, the lyrics have no subtlety, and the music sounded like a Russian Bon Jovi. You gotta love it! If I remember correctly, their album was even produced by Jon Bon Jovi. Russian hair metal? Da, comrade. Da!

Hate
Backstreet Boys - Backstreet's Back? Not if I can help it. Granted, they were very popular and very good at what they do. This isn't anything against the guys in the "band" personally. I'm sure they are all very nice people. But I just can't stand their music. It makes me want to stuff live kittens in my ears to cover up the noise. (Disclaimer of brutal honesty: I may have one of their songs on my iPod. It was a moment of weakness years ago. I promise, it won't happen again.)

Love to Hate
Michael Bolton - Do I personally hate Michael Bolton? Not really. But as a fan of Office Space, it's just mandatory.

Why should I change my name? He's the one who sucks. - Michael Bolton

Two down, twenty-four to go. Will your favorite band, artist, or song show up on the list? Will they be loved or hated? Stay tuned and find out.

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!