LJ Idol Presents:

If you had asked me a few years ago if I would like a Pennywise song, I would have looked at you like you were crazy.

Chances are pretty good that I would have looked at you like you were crazy anyway, but I definitely would have done so if you had asked me that question.

I'm not really into the whole 90's California punk scene, or at least not the portion that seemed to go more metal than punk, and ended up all over the place as a result.

I'd heard of Pennywise, it would have been difficult not to, but I really didn't listen to them or factor them in as more than a musical footnote.

If you asked me about a song called "Bro Hymn" I definitely would have tuned out. The whole "Bro" thing doesn't do much for me.

A few months back though I watched a documentary called "The Other F Word". I was just looking up information on that movie, trying to recall the name of it, and found out that apparently it was inspired by a book that the lead singer of Pennywise wrote. So, I'll just cut and paste the description "The book explores the dichotomy of being a responsible husband and parent raising 3 daughters while fronting an anti-establishment punk rock band"

For obvious reasons, the idea of figuring out that balance that it takes to be a Dad is something that has been growing in importance to me over the last year. It's always a title that I've wanted, but one that I never thought was going to happen.

Sure, it's "Bonus Dad", so a lot of the responsbilities are off my shoulders, but there is still a lot of "Dad things", and figuring out how to meet that role, while still "being me" is a process. One that I know every single Dad - and Mom - out there can relate to, I'm just jumping in late into a game already in progress! :D

I really enjoyed the movie, and during it, that song was mentioned - as well as the reasons behind it. The original bassist wrote the song as a tribute to three friends who died in a car accident. It was about how much he missed them.

That bassist later killed himself, and the lyrics were changed slightly to be about him. The grief was passed from the bassist to the rest of the band, who apparently sing have that as their last song every night.

"To all our friends present past and beyond
Though you weren't with us too long
Your life is the most precious thing we could lose
While you were here the fun was never ending
Laugh a minute was only the beginning
Jason Mathew Thirsk this one's for you!
Ever get the feeling you can't go on
Just remember whose side it is that you're on
You've got friends with you 'til the end
If you're ever in a tough situation
We'll be there with no hesitation
Brotherhood's our rule we cannot bend
When you're feeling too close to the bottom
You know who it is you can count on
Someone will pick you up again
We can conquer anything together
All of us are bonded forever
If you die I die that's the way it is --
To all our friends present past and beyond
To all those who weren't with us too long
Life is the most precious thing you could lose
While you were here the fun was never ending
Laugh a minute was only the beginning
Jason, my brother, this one's just for you"

They ended up not being able to be there to save him, but use the song to encourage other people to be there for each other. Which, I really like. Still not a Pennywise fan, and I left out the whole "Bro..." part of the chorus, because it's kind of distracting from the main point of the song. (Although I'll admit, it's catchy)

Not really sure what the point of this was other to say "Be There For Each Other" and of course, to bury the lead/what I originally came here to say.

Which is that I've gotten disenchanted with the whole "waiting" period and trying to raise money - and if I've gotten disenchanted with it, I can only imagine what the rest of the world is thinking.

So here it is, in plain terms: I'm leaving the fundraiser open. I've even started a Go Fund Me for it, to make it easier to share: http://www.gofundme.com/LJ-Idol I included the money raised for the other causes. (Thank you for that)

If you want to give - great. If you can't - I get it.

But Season 9 will open for business on MONDAY MARCH 3RD.

I'm giving you time to get prepared. I've never done that before, and I'll never do it again, because this is definitely the last season. I might not even come back for "mini-seasons", and right now All Stars, a concept that's intrigued me for years, is highly questionable. If you ask me, right at this moment, I'm probably just walking away at the end of it and closing the doors. But I promised a Season 9, and I keep my word.

Will I change my mind 15,000 times before the end of it? Maybe. I can't want to Jack Paar it, but I also accept that there's a chance that I will.

Here's what I need from you: I want to go out with a bang!
IDOL deserves it.
You have from now until March 3rd to spread the word. Idol was built by word of mouth, and I think it's appropriate that people rally one last time in it's name, to warn that wolrd that LJ IDOL IS COMING BACK FOR ONE LAST HURRAH!!

I have been thinking about this for the last 24 hours, and feeling bad that I really don't have any resources to give to either of these truly worthly causes.

So I worked something out in my head - and this will probably end up biting me in the ass, because it's not like I don't need that money, I definitely do...

But here's a special for now until Sunday evening: IF YOU DONATE TO EITHER WHAT I MENTIONED YESTERDAY: http://www.gofundme.com/69tbls (helping an Idoler out of a really bad situation)

Or this one http://www.gofundme.com/654uxg dealing with the funeral costs of an Idoler's nephew

Two really important things, under the name "Idol" (I know they let you donate anonymously, and I see people with variations of their name, so I assume it can be done), I will count 50% of that money toward our total.

So if you donate $20 to one of them - $10 of that will show up on the total toward Season 9 starting.

It's not much, and I know that there are plenty of folks out there who *can't* give. Which is fine. As I said, I really can't either right now. But if you were wanting to give anyway, this is a really good chance to get a little extra out of it!!

i was going to have yesterday's post be the last for 2013, but today I felt compelled to let you know of a wonderful retreat we will be having.

it's near my house, I don't know quite where yet, but it's going to be somewhere nearby so that while you are basking in the creative elements, I can go home and sleep in my own bed.

oh, btw - apparently it's at a plantation. But we can talk about that. Just send $1,000 and we can have a dialogue about how you feel to be there.

you really don't like that idea? OK. No retreat. I'll also cancel events at other places you might not like, because really, right now I don't want to deal with you people...

why are you getting so upset that I called you "you people"... get a sense of humor and move on already...

what's with the pitchforks???

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On a serious "donation" front, we are *close* to the halfway point! Close enough that I figured that I should let you know and throw it out there in case there was someone looking to end 2013, or begin 2014 by doing that.

Why would you? I have no idea. But I'm not going to stop you! Heck, I'm going to encourage you!! Why? Because Ani DiFranco would want it that way. Exercise your white privilege by doing this! This is your chance to get some white privilege at a discounted rate! Don't delay!!! Heck, I might even throw in some "straight white MALE privilege", shipping and handling charges may apply.

Hello Idol.

Was Santa merciful to you this year?

Or did you get the coal that you rightly deserve?

If you aren’t watching this season of Survivor, you are missing out on some really good television!

Which is weird, because going into this, with the “Blood vs Water” twist, and Redemption Island, I thought this was going to be awful. I was on the fence about watching anymore. If you know me, you know how HUGE that would be for me to step away from the show even for a season!
Ultimately, I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad that I did! It’s just one of those times when the stars align just right and you get something really special, in spite of everything that should have killed it!

What are YOU watching that makes your heart go pitter-patter?

I’ve introduced Cynthia and Celena to Doctor Who, where David Tennant has gained a couple new converts to his cult. But we are in Season 4, so I expect that in the coming week there will be a lot of tears shed in my household! :D

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We’ve had this offer before, but it’s back on the table for the Holidays! Amy Levy is offering a copy of her book “Welcome to River Street” for $16 (plus s/h) directly from her. $5 of that will go directly to Idol! She also has a couple extra copies of Idol Musings, if anyone is interested. I don’t know how much those are off the top of my head, but a portion of those sales will be going directly to Idol as well! Contact her at amymlevy@gmail.com

If you have a book – or anything else, that you want to offer Idol a piece of the profits, let me know and I’ll advertise it here too! :D

Heck, even if you don’t offer a piece – I’ll put it on the Idol Amazon page for people to check out. Like Kristen Duvall’s book! I can’t recall if I’ve hyped this before – but if I haven’t, you really should check it out! http://astore.amazon.com/li0cd-20/detail/1490926879 or http://astore.amazon.com/li0cd-20/detail/B00G60U4MW for the Kindle version! EXTREMELY proud of her!

Fey Publishing also has a new(ish) anthology out that I can’t recall if I’ve mentioned or not – HORRORS OF HISTORY! http://astore.amazon.com/li0cd-20/detail/B00FUUDREQ I know there are a LOT of horror fans out there in Idol land. You should definitely check it out!

Books - especially "Idol related" books, make great gifts!

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For those who want to know where the Idol’raiser is at currently, perhaps Sunday postings were a bad idea, since not many people actually saw it! My own confidence issues coming to bite me on this one. There is less than a month until Jan though. So it’s looking like a Jan 1 date probably won’t happen. But that’s not to say that it still couldn’t start sometime later that month!

It's almost the end of November, which means for those doing NANOWRMIordie it's crunch time of "Oh my god, I need to finish this damn thing!" Are YOU doing it this year, and if so, how close are you to finishing?

If not, what else have you been writing?

If nothing, what has been chasing you down dark streets, hungry for blood?

Granted, I know the answer to that last one, since I was the one who trained them, and eventually let them loose upon the world. But I'm curious if you recognize what parts I used to create this particular hybrid!

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People have asked for an update on where we stand after week, so here it is:


In other words, about 1/10th of the way there! Good job, those who have chosen to participate in this! (and my continued thanks!) Anyone who wants to throw a testimonial for two my way, feel free! :D

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We are headed toward "'merican Thanksgiving", which of course is the only REAL Thanksgiving. What are YOU thankful for?

Some of you may have caught the announcement in various social media (including on the second page of the Finale results), but for those who did miss it (and because I hadn't made it "Idol official" yet): LJ Idol power couple copyright1983 and unmowngrass are ENGAGED http://unmowngrass.livejournal.com/181982.html

After two mini-seasons that were about engagement, and a finale where two people won - and now this!! It's a perfect cap on the Exhibits! Congratulations to both of you! (Well, let's face it - congratulations to copyright1983 for marrying up and "Well, it could have been worse!" to unmowngrass! ;) But isn't that usually the way? )

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To celebrate their engagement - the couple has asked that you check out the Idol Store for things they might enjoy: http://astore.amazon.com/li0cd-20 OK, maybe they didn't ACTUALLY ask that. But the voices in my head sounded like I'd imagine they would sound if they were saying that!


and, if you are so inclined, don't forget the Tip Jar!

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I hope the Off-season is being good to you, so far!