Writer's Commentary: Living Well is the Best Revenge

On Post: Living Well is the Best Revenge

Date: January 29

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Lee Newsome is a bit of a jerk then, isn’t he?

I kind of like it though.

A Primer on The January Project for Our New Guests

If all has gone according to plan, you have been lured here due to my powerful, inescapable recent ad blitz.

Writer's Commentary: Both Sides of the Story

On Post: Both Sides of the Story 

Date: January 28

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Connected to this story and this Writer’s Commentary

Welcome back to the strip club.

Writer's Commentary: Hands

On Post: Hands

Date: January 27

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Oof.

Can you tell I had no idea what to do with this song? Because I didn’t.

Writer's Commentary: Superstar

On Post: Superstar

Date: January 26

Find it here

This is another one of those posts that I completely forgot about until just re-reading it now.

It is also another one of those entries that I did not do a very good job with.

Writer's Commentary: Joe Rey

On Post: Joe Rey

Date: January 25

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I really like this song.

That said, as a song to inspire an original piece of writing, it was not very helpful.

Writer's Commentary: Not As We

On Post: Not As We

Date: January 22

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Well, I screwed up.

I mean, more so than usual.

Writer's Commentary: There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet

On Post: There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet

Date: January 243

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It should be noted that this and “But It’s Better If You Do” are the only two entries the entire Project that were inspired by songs off the same album. I haven’t calculated the probability of that, but I’m thinking it is pretty remote, given the sheer volume of music I own. It is also the proud owner of the longest title of the Project and probably second to Fiona Apple’s sophomore album as the longest title of all time.

Anyway, on to more important things.

This entry could’ve been very different. Be thankful that I am dedicated to 1.) keeping things fresh and b.) being a decent fella.

Writer's Commentary: We Don't Care

On Post: We Don’t Care

Date: January 23

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This song gave me absolute fits.

Writer's Commentary: Halloween

On Post: Halloween

Date: January 21

Find it here

It may surprise people to know that finding the sweet spot between avoiding plagiarizing Disney and avoiding being way creepy is fairly thin.

Writer's Commentary: Pieces of the Night

On Post: Pieces of the Night

Date: January 20

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When I was growing up, I went through a big Greek gods phase. I have no idea why.

I was 8, maybe 9? Still in elementary school, I know that. In any case, it was not like we were reading The Iliad or The Odyssey as our chapter books. Yet, there was young Tim Stevens, doing reports on the gods. Thankfully, for my social life, I eventually stopped being all about Greek deities. However, from that foundation, I always maintained a fondness for them.

Writer's Commentary: Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year

On Post: Sophomore Slump or Comeback of the Year

Date: January 19

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I haven’t talked much (at all) about the images I paired with my stories because, frankly, I was disappointed with most of them. I was trying to multiculturally sensitive and represent the story without giving it away and choose an aesthetically pleasing image and, sadly, my Google Image search skills were often not equal to the task. Especially when it came to finding pictures of something besides white folks. At a certain point, I just kind of gave up (as you can probably tell).

Writer's Commentary: Hide Away

On Post: Hide Away

Date: January 18

Find it here

It was bound to happen eventually.

Writer's Commentary: I Can Do it Without You

On Post: I Can Do It Without You

Date: January 17

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As noted previously, I’ll be a dad soon. (Fingers crossed) I blame that reality for this entry.

Writer's Commentary: Good

On Post: Good

Date: January 16

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Years ago, I worked in a bookstore. Of my various retail positions, it was easily my favorite. For one, I got to be around books, which I am a fan of, and had a decent enough to discount to purchase a great many of them. Additionally, the beauty of stripped paperbacks and magazines allowed me to bring stuff home for free that I would not otherwise be willing to pay cash for. The money (for a 16 year old) was good, the staff was generally fun...it was one of those jobs that made you wonder what the heck adults were complaining about.

But…

(There’s always a but, isn’t there…)

Writer's Commentary: I Met a Girl

On Post: I Met a Girl

Date: January 15

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For the life of me, I could not remember what this entry was by looking at the title. Or in reading the first snippet of dialogue.

Not exactly a great sign.

Writer's Commentary: Dead Man's Party

On Post: Dead Man’s Party

Date: January 14

Find it here

This entry owes a huge debt of gratitude to author Ellen Raskin. If not for her writing, I cannot begin to imagine what I would have done with this entry. Probably some sort of zombie thing or other such nonsense. So, I guess you could say all you readers out there owe her some gratitude too, for sparing you from that fate.

Writer's Commentary: Gasoline

On Post: Gasoline

Date: January 13

Find it here

Poor Dodge.

Writer's Commentary: Daisychain

On Post: Daisychain

Date: January 12

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With this kind of project, it can be easy to be literal with the songs. And at times, I certainly was. Probably more often than not. However, I tried to break from that at least occasionally and this is certainly one of those entries.

Not coincidentally, it is also a favorite of mine from the Project.

Writer's Commentary: Get Over You

On Post: Get Over You

Date: January 11

Find it here

I am fascinated by relationships that end, but not really. You know, people who dated who become or stay friends, that sort of thing. I think it is probably, in part, because I am so lousy at it myself. I don’t seem to have that “gear” if you will. I kind of wish I did because I’ve dated some generally great people, but there you go.

Writer's Commentary: Let Go

On Post: Let Go

Date: January 10

Find it here

Remember how I mentioned I was no good at poetry? If my earlier attempt was too whimsical to convince you of my assertion, this entry should certainly do the job. This is poetry in the aggressively obvious, aggressively mediocre mold.

Writer's Commentary: But It's Better If You Do

On Post: But It’s Better If You Do

Date: January 9

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The thing about this entry is I’ve never actually been into a gentlemen’s club, strip club, topless bar, whatever you’d like to call it. So, I didn’t really have an idea what one actually looks like inside.

Writer's Commentary: This Time

On Post: This Time

Date: January 8

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In contrast to Fall on Me, a post I initially hated but have since softened on (as revealed in the commentary), I was pretty okay with this one when I first finished. Now…I think it is just an ugly mess.

Writer's Commentary: The Thong Song

On Post: The Thong Song

Date: January 7

Find it here

I think I may have cheated with this entry.

To my recollection, it is one of two pieces that references the song that inspired it directly. Given the rules I laid out, I think I followed the letter of it here, but not necessarily the spirit.

Writer's Commentary: Fall on Me

On Post: Fall on Me

Date: January 6

Find it here

Did you know Chicken Little actually started out as Henny Penny? And was also referred to as Cockey Lockey, Ducky Lucky, Drakey Lakey, Goosey Loosey, Turkey Lurkey, and Foxy Loxy, depending on the country and the era?

All true.

Writer's Commentary: You Don't Know Me

On Post: You Don’t Know Me

Date: January 5

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“You Don’t Know Me” is one of the posts I got the most positive feedback on. People, for whatever reason, really dug it.

Writer's Commentary: Oh My God

On Post: Oh My God

Date: January 4

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Nothing is more panic inducing that achieving exactly what you want and quickly realizing you have no idea what to do with it. It was the first thing I thought of when I heard the song.

Writer's Commentary: Freedom

On Post: Freedom

Date: January 3

Find it here

I am not a poet. I mean, if you couldn’t tell from this entry, it bears pointing out. More to the point, not only am I not a poet, I am fairly terrible at writing poetry. I love it. I also love lyrics and particularly well written rap music. For whatever reason though, I’ve never had any ability to write that kind of thing myself. I just lack that kind of lyrical ability, I suppose. I don’t “hear” it, if you will.

Writer's Commentary: Resistance

On Post: Resistance

Date: January 2

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I don’t think anyone would be unfair in calling Muse’s work, and this song in particular, “overblown.” Nor do I think that that is a bad thing, especially in a song above, essentially, the power of love to triumph over all.

Writer's Commentary: No Sleep Til Brooklyn

On Post: No Sleep Til Brooklyn

Date: January 1

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Of all my posts during the January Project, I am pretty sure this is the one that ran farthest away from the song that inspired it. Not coincidentally, I expect, it would also make my “Greatest Hits of The January Project” if I was put together such a thing.

Writer's Commentary: Christmas at Ground Zero

On Post: Christmas at Ground Zero

Date: The Preview Post, The Proverbial Zero Issue

Find it here

For this sample post, I literally just chose the Christmas song that was playing at that moment in time. Because I make my own Christmas mixes every year and they can be… eclectic, I was lucky enough to have the fertile works of “Weird” Al Yankovich to inspire me.

The Future? Ahaha

First off, thanks to all who have followed The January Project throughout this month. It is appreciated. I hope you found a couple (or more) of pieces that you really enjoyed along the way.

Second, where does it go from here?

Well, for me, I do not just want to close up shop. I’ve really enjoyed it and I want to keep some measure of this magic going. But doing an entry every day? It was tough.

January 31: National Holidays

Letter: S

CD Number: 14

Track Number: 7

Song: “National Holiday” by Spymob off the album Sitting Around Keeping Score

Listen to it here

January 30: Into the Mystic

READER’S CHOICE

Suggested by: Noelle Bannister, The Most Powerful College Director of Development on the Planet

Song: “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison from his album Moondance

Listen to it here

January 29: Living Well is the Best Revenge

Letter: R

CD Number: 26

Track Number: 21

Song: “Living Well is the Best Revenge” by R.E.M. off Disc 1 of the album Live at The Olympia

Listen to it here

January 28: Both Sides of the Story

Letter: C

CD Number: 10

Track Number: 26

Song: “Both Sides of the Story” by Collins, Phil off the greatest hits collection

…Hits

Listen to it here

This is a companion piece to this one.

January 27: Hands

Letter: Mix

CD Number: 25

Track Number: 1

Song: “Hands” by The Ting Tings off the homemade mix Time to Mix and Mingle

Listen to it here

January 26: Superstar

Letter: L

CD Number: 6

Track Number: 5

Song: “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco from the album Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool

Listen to it here

January 25: Joe Rey

Letter: F

CD Number: 20

Track Number: 15

Song: “Joe Rey” by Fountains of Wayne from the album Fountains of Wayne

Listen to it here

January 24: There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet

Letter: P

CD Number: 1

Track Number: 24

Song: “There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet” by Panic! At the Disco (without the “!” what’s the point?) off the album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out

Listen to it here

January 23: We Don't Care

Letter: W

CD Number: 22

Track Number: 2

Song: “We Don’t Care” by West, Kanye off the album The College Dropout

Listen to it here

January 22- Not As We

READER’S CHOICE

Suggested by: Scott Wool, Local Comic Shop Impresario

Song: “Not As We” by Alanis Morissette from her album Flavors of Entanglement

Listen to it here

January 21: Halloween

Letter: D

CD Number: 3

Track Number: 28

Song: “Halloween” by Dave Matthews Band off the album Before These Crowded Streets

Listen to it here

January 20: Pieces of the Night

Letter: G

CD Number: 23

Track Number: 11

Song: “Pieces of the Night” by Gin Blossoms off the album New Miserable Experience

Listen to it here

January 19: Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year

Letter: F

CD Number: 2

Track Number: 26

Song: “Sophomore Slump Or Comeback Of The Year” by Fall Out Boy from the album Under the Cork Tree

Listen to it here

January 18: Hide Away

Letter: J

CD Number: 15

Track Number: 17

Song: “Hide Away” by Jagger, Mick off the album Goddess In the Doorway

Listen to it here

January 17: I Can Do It Without You

Letter: K

CD Number: 30

Track Number: 20

Song: “I Can Do It Without You” by Kaiser Chiefs off the album Yours Truly, Angry Mob

Listen to it here

January 16: Good

READER’S CHOICE

Suggested by: Ron Chance (calling for “Anything by Better Than Ezra”)

Song: “Good” by Better Than Ezra on their album Deluxe

Listen to it here

January 15: I Met a Girl

Letter: Mix

CD Number: 11

Track Number: 20

Song: “I Met a Girl” by Wheat off the homemade mix Plan: DIEGO

Listen to it here

January 14: Dead Man's Party

Letter: O

CD Number: 4

Track Number: 1

Song: “Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boing off the double album Boingo Alive (Disc 1)

Listen to it here
 

January 13: Gasoline

Letter: A

CD Number: 18

Track Number: 3

Song: “Gasoline” by Airborne Toxic Event off the album Airborne Toxic Event

Listen to it here

January 12: Daisychain

Letter: B

CD Number: 24

Track Number: 8

Song: “Daisychain” by Buckner, Richard off the album Bloomed

Listen to a snippet of it here

January 11: Get Over You

Letter: Soundtrack

CD Number:

Track Number: 18

Song: “(I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever) Get Over You” by Colin Hay off the Garden State soundtrack

Listen to it here

January 10: Let Go

Letter: Mix

CD Number: 3

Track Number: 13

Song: “Let Go” by Frou Frou off the homemade mix (given to my wife, The Thunder, as a gift back in the day) Ms. Sagness Goes to Washington (Again)

Listen to it here

January 9: But It's Better If You Do

Letter: P

CD Number: 10

Track Number: 22

Song: “But It’s Better If You Do” by Panic! At the Disco (The “!” is essential) off the album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out

Listen to it here

January 8: This Time

Letter: C

CD Number: 9

Track Number: 26

Song: “This Time” by Colton, Graham off the album Graham Colton

Listen to it here

January 7: The Thong Song

READER’S CHOICE

Suggested by: RedRocketDawg (Who, apparently, wishes to remain pseudonystic)

Song: “The Thong Song” by Sisqo

Listen to it here (as performed by Tracy Bonham)

January 6: Fall on Me

Letter: R

CD Number: 5

Track Number 15

Song: “Fall on Me” by R.E.M. from Life’s Rich Pageant

Listen to it here

January 5: You Don't Know Me

Letter: Mix

CD Number: 23

Track Number 15

Song: “You Don’t Know Me” by Ben Folds ft. Regina Spektor found on my self-made mix Dual Speed Mixer

Listen to it here

January 4: Oh My God

Letter: K

CD Number: 16

Track Number 18

Song: “Oh My God” by Kaiser Chiefs off the album Employment
Here it hear

January 3: Freedom

Letter: G

CD Number: 11

Track Number: 28

Song: “Freedom” by David Gray off the album A New Day at Midnight

Hear it here

January 2: Resistance

Letter: M

CD Number: 15

Track Number 13

Song: “Resistance” by Muse off the album Resistance
Hear it here

January 1: No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Letter: B

CD Number: 6

Track Number: 4

Song: “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” by Beastie Boys off the album Solid Gold Hits
Hear it here