For those of you that are not aware, I recently started a group on Active Rain called Inspired By Song! This group was co-founded with Paul Slaybaugh and Jason Crouch. The focus of the group is to write posts based on songs or music that inspires you. There are some songs that don't have a title that would make sense as a post title, but there are parts of the song (hence the title bits and pieces) that are inspirational. This inspiration usually comes from more than one part of the song, so these will be a sort of mini-series of posts.
The first "Bits & Pieces" song that I've chosen is one that I've had on my mind for a while now. In fact, it was one of the reasons that I wanted to start the group in the first place. Rather than overwhelm people with a post like this at the group's inception, I decided to wait a few weeks to let everyone get used to the group dynamic first. This timing seemed perfect, as we are finished with the November contest, and getting ready for the December contest.
Another reason that I hesitated in putting this out was because I was trying to figure out the best way to do a four-part series and keep people coming back for more. They say that timing is everything, and I think that I may have lucked into some good timing by waiting until now to do this post.
Many of us have been following Jessica Horton's blog drama entitled "What RE/MAX Means To Me" as if it were a continuing television series. This series ended today, and the response was incredible. Jessica left us wanting more with each post because of the continuing storyline. The series ended a bit abruptly, but there will be an open letter tomorrow explaining why that happened. The followers of this series are all on the edge of their seats, which is how we've felt as this story unfolded.
Jessica proved that people will come back to read each part of a series as long as the story is a compelling continuation that leaves the reader wanting more. Coincidentally, Sarah Cooper just put out a post entitled "Why Doing a Series Can Be Good For Your Blog" which touts the merits of doing a series of related posts. So the timing really seems to be right for this series to launch.
This four-part series is inspired by the song "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" by Billy Joel. There are some truly inspirational lyrics in this song, but the title would not make any sense as a post title, at least not for the message that I'm trying to convey. The titles to this four-part series will each be a line from this song. These four lines have always stuck out in my mind because so many people used various combinations of them as their quotes in my high school yearbook. Over twenty years later, I still remember some of the people that used these lines, so I know that they have staying power and meaning.
Please look for the following series this week. The titles will be as follows:
So Many Faces In And Out Of My Life
Some Will Last, Some Will Just Be Now And Then
Life Is A Series Of Hellos And Goodbyes
I'm Afraid It's Time For Goodbye Again
In the meantime, please enjoy the song...
About The Author
Adam Waldman is a Long Island Residential Real Estate and Relocation Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate on Long Island or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Many Long Islanders have chosen to relocate to other parts of the country, but often times they don't have anyone to turn to for assistance. Realizing that this was an underserved market, Adam Waldman has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that relocating Long Islanders enjoy a smooth transition to their new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. Please visit www.TheLIReloGuy.com for your relocation needs and www.AdamWaldman.com for your local needs.
50 Comments on Bits & Pieces (An Inspired By Song! Series)
NOV
25
2007
Adam - an interesting song choice. I am curious as to what prompted you to choose it? I'll be following the series this week as I'm sure you'll be answering that question.
Adam, only you could write a post to tell us about not one, but four, posts that you will be writing :) Was it Jason or Paul who said you be blogging our thoughts before we think them? LOL...Have a great week and good luck on the series.
Adam, you are truely amazing. I leave for awhile and come back to see you are still overflowing with great posts. Thanks for being so inspiring. Got to go.....have to finish reading Jessica's continuing saga.
I apologize about the miscommunication earlier with you not getting the e-mail. I am going to send it to you in just a minute.
It stinks when I can't talk on the phone. Well...I could talk but I WILL NOT have you making fun of how I sound right now and reporting it back to Paul to have him do a post on where to find chloroseptic (sp?) in AZ. I don't need to encourage him....
One real life AR friend has told me not to post the "Open Letter" and she gave many, many valid reasons. I want to post it because I want to send a great big *FINGER* to a few people there (not anyone on AR) but I am going to put the brakes on....and think this one over.
I just posted to my Blog about continuing the series but it will be taking a new name. It would be rude to post a link in your Post....
Adam - This sounds very intriguing. I will be watching for your take to these lyrics. I can think of many things and now you have me curious! Have a great week.
CHRISSY: The idea for this song choice has been in my head for a while. Some of it has to do with Active Rain, but most of it has to do with life in general. It is going to be different than anything else that I've done here, but hopefully people will enjoy reading it and get some value from it. Thanks for commenting, Chrissy.
LARRY: Thanks for your support and your anticipation. I came from the music industry myself, and I also played in bands and wrote songs a while ago. I actually have an old post called Roll With The Changes that mentions REO Speedwagon. Thanks for commenting, Larry.
LISA H: It's a good thing that these were the only 4 lines that seemed to make sense, otherwise this would have been longer. Can you imagine the mileage that I could get out of doing "We Didn't Start The Fire" if I did it line by line. (LOL) It was Paul that said that I'd be recapping your blogs before they were posted, as I would just read your thoughts. Jason, on the other hand, is planning on recapping my recapping of the recaps. Got it? (LOL) Thanks for your support, Lisa. I hope that you enjoy this series.
KAY: Thank you for your words of encouragement and support. This will be a lot different than Jessica's, but hopefully people will find it compelling enough to read all four parts. Thanks for commenting, Kay.
JASON: The funny part is that is actually has very little to do with Billy Joel, even though I've always loved this song. I've always wanted to write about these 4 lines, but never knew exactly what I wanted to do, until now. I know that you'll be there for all of the parts of the series. Thanks for commenting, Jason.
JESSICA: No apologies necessary. I just wanted to make sure that I was still on the team. ;-). I have to say that I find it a bit ironic that you go ratting me out to Paul, and then you come on here and mock him. You've become quite the little puppet master my friend. I don't mind you linking to any post that you'd like. You have carte blanche. I understand you through your Nyquil haze. I don't want to hurt your throat, but if you can talk, I'd like to speak to you. If not, I'll just do my impression of what I think that you sound like to Paul, and he'll go to town anyway. Aren't you glad that you got involved with us?
CANDI: I'm glad that I've piqued your interest and curiosity. I know that you'll be around for all 4 parts to see where I take this. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing where I take this as well. I've had ideas in my head, but the segments were not written before I posted this. Thanks for commenting, Candi. I'll speak to you later.
LISA R: Thank you for your complimentary words about my weaving of the song bits into the posts. It's something that I'm passionate about, and one of the reasons that I started this group. I figured if I was going to do it anyway, that I might as well create a forum to post it in. Thanks for your comment, Lisa.
JESSICA: Ah youth! Either you're breaking chops, which wouldn't be at all surprising, or you're showing your age. I'm guessing the former, but who knows what a Nyquil haze will cause you to say. There will be no recap of this one from me, with the exception of a small blurb about the post in Sunday Bloggy Sunday. I imagine that my friends Jason and Paul would be happy to create a recap of the series though. There will however be a fifth part to the series that will be members only. The other four parts are for the world to see. Thanks for commenting, Jess. I'll speak to you later.
BRIGITA: Thanks for your support. The story about "Allentown" sounds interesting. I've only been there once, and it was for a very silly reason. My wife was pregnant with our little one, and we decided to take one last family trip with just the three of us (my wife and son) before the baby came. We were headed to Easton to go to the Crayola Factory and then to Shawnee for a few days to go to the Crossings outlets. On our way there, we took the scenic route through Allentown so that my wife could go to Denny's. There are none around here, and she kept seeing these breakfast bowls that they had, and couldn't wait to try them. Who was I to stand in the way of a craving pregnant woman? So, we went there, after sitting a quite a bit of traffic due to construction. The breakfast was good, but not worth sitting in all of that traffic. Anyway, besides the song, that is my memory of Allentown. Probably a little more than you were expecting in this response, huh? Thanks for commenting, Brigita.
TOM: I'm a huge Journey fan. In fact, they will be the focus of an upcoming installment of Bits & Pieces. It's nice to see your enthusiasm for this new project. I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for commenting, Tom.
You must have gone through Allentown during the time they have construction on Route 22. Construction usually started in spring and didn't end until Thanksgiving. We had a saying out here: "If there's construction starting on Route 22, it must be spring!" You should stop by historic Bethlehem this time of year. It is really beautiful and Christkindlmarkt is a great place to visit and do some shopping.
I was so picking! I've been to a Billy Joel concert before! He came to Atlanta with Elton John awhile back and I took both of my mom's to it.
It was very..........interesting. At least the parts that I witnessed were. My cell phone kept going off and I had to step out and handle a few things (Tim and Wu won't let me be) =]
I will wait for JC & Paul to do the recap. I will then recap their recap. And then come in and do my anti-recap....paceR on it. <EVIL LAUGH>
BRIGITA: I wish that I knew that information before I took the trip. (LOL) Oh well, it was a fun trip anyway. Thanks for the tips on visiting PA. I will take your advice the next time that I go. Thanks Brigita.
JESSICA: I figured as much. What did you witness at the concert that was so interesting? You should learn to take some time for yourself. I can't imagine what emergencies would be happening during the time of a concert. You're too dedicated to Tim and Wu, and not focused enough on you. Enjoy the many layers of recapping. I'll talk to you later.
Adam, I'm looking forward to reading your series. I am finding this type of post moving and motivating. I especially loved the last contest and am looking forward to the next one.
JUDY: The next contest is going to be a lot of fun. It will be much different than the first one. I'm glad that you're looking forward to this series, and that you find it moving and motivating. I realize that these series require more commitment from the readers, so I really appreciate anyone that is willing to stick around for the whole thing. Thanks for your comment, Judy.
Adam - Since you are doing this in advance of your four-post series, I would like to coin a new term for use here on Active Rain - PRECAP. What do you think?
I am really looking forward to this series - it sounds interesting! And the next time you are in PA, you should stop by Lancaster as well. Tons for the kids to do! (and we don't have as much traffic as Allentown!)
I'm looking forward to seeing what lyrics have struck a chord <groan> with you. Music has been a huge part of my life and lyrics can be incredibly affecting. Sounds like your yearbook was interesting, a lot more imaginative signings than, "Stay Cool!"
P.S. "Stay cool" was from someone else's yearbook.. I never was "high school cool" and therefore could not stay that way.
JASON: I love that term. Wait until Slaybaugh gets a hold of this one. I can just see it now. Precapping the Precap posts are sure to follow soon. Between Bribal and Precap, we are quickly starting our own dictionary.
JEANNIE: Thank you for your enthusiam about this upcoming series. I can't wait to write the whole thing. Parts of it are completed already. Lancaster is definitely a place that I'd like to visit in PA. My in-laws once went to Amish country and brought us back some of the best food. Thanks for commenting, Jeannie.
ELAINE: Thanks for your continued support of my blog. I really appreciate it. I wouldn't say that it's an overly negative post, so you don't need to worry. It's more like a reflective look on the reality that many of us live. As far as our yearbook is concerned, we had some good ones, but some really bad ones too. I'll save mine for later on because it will be the title of a post in the future. I remember one that still has me scratching my head to this day. "The window is always open except when it's closed." It's either really deep, or kind of ridiculous. Anyway, thanks for your comment, Elaine. I hope that you enjoy the series.
Think about it -- The window is always open ---- except when it is closed. A statement of fact. You can find comfort in the statement by realizing that some things just are the way they are. There is no gray area. I'm sure your friend wanted you to realize that life lesson. Or, the friend succeeded in some sick plot to cause you to scratch your head for 21 years.
By now, you must be getting the idea that my children call me weird for a reason. I hope that someday, they reach this level of weird, because life is so much more fun here! If I can ever GET IT TOGETHER enough to post on my own blog, you'll come to know my sensibilities (hopefully not any lack of sense)
ELAINE: I don't want to put it into the comments section, but I have a funny story to share about the author of that prophetic quote. As far as your weirdness...if this is weird, then I say that this community is not doing nearly a good enough job of filling the weird quota. I'll take as many like you as there are out there in a NY minute. If your kids can't see how much fun you are, then have them call me. I'll be happy to tell them how lucky they are. I can tell your sensibilities from your comments. Your blog will just be icing on the cake.
I know just what you mean when you say that you've found inspiration in a song lyric. I was going through a blue funk period in my life and couldn't figure out what it was that was bumming me out until one day I was driving down the road and a "new" song came on the radio called, "Forgiveness" by Don Henley.
I pulled over to the side of the road and listened to the words and they nailed my situation exactly. I went to the mall, bought the cd, canceled my appointments for the day and went home and listened to that song over and over. It put everything into perspective for me and I'll forget it!
Long Island Real Estate and Relocation Specialist. Please read my blog for tips on how to sell your home for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time, general real estate advice and consultation on out-of-state relocations.
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The first "Bits & Pieces" song that I've chosen is one that I've had on my mind for a while now. In fact, it was one of the reasons that I wanted to start the group in the first place. Rather than overwhelm people with a post like this at the group's inception, I decided to wait a few weeks to let everyone get used to the group dynamic first. This timing seemed perfect, as we are finished with the November contest, and getting ready for the December contest.
Many of us have been following 
This four-part series is inspired by the song 
;)
;)
