Top 10 Things I Miss From the '80s
Or...The Dragon admits insanity now

I'll go ahead and tell you this was prompted by listening to Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits of the '80s. If you've read this blog before, you know I'm a wee bit obsessed with the musician. And if you know me, you know that I long for the days when musicians remembered the all-important saxophone solo. Oh, yes. So let's begin.

The Top 10 Things Sandy Misses From the '80s
10. Believe it or not, marching band practice makes the list -- I do believe this is where I not only heard the "no pain, no gain" and "reach down inside and give a little more" phrases, but LEARNED them; I now apply them to my life somewhat daily (jeepers)
9. Leg warmers (I know...I live in Florida...but we've been having cold fronts lately)
8. Having someone else pay all the bills (I was a teen)
7. Ronald Reagan's optimism, sense of humor, leadership, smile, attitude, etc.
6. Playing Nertz on a somewhat regular basis with the gang
5. The gang
4. Duran Duran releasing albums on a somewhat regular basis
3. Playing my violin with actual skill so that it didn't suck and frighten small children
2. Going to grandmothers' houses where there was nothing "deep" or "heavy" expected of you
1. The saxophone solo

See, many bands employed the sax solo (including Duran Duran -- Andy Hamilton, I miss you) and the lovely Barry Manilow has included it in his rendition of George Michael's Careless Whisper on his new album. Oh, man, does it sound good. It certainly takes me back. Now, of course, I have to break out the Wham and George Michael collection and breeze through that over the next week...

But the point is, those are the pieces that I used to write to. The early incarnations of Amanda Chariss and Nigel and Hrazon started their adventures and started telling the story that became the Choices trilogy that ArcheBooks is publishing for me (slowly but surely) back in the '80s when I was listening to those songs that Barry is reminding me of with his new album. It makes me want to work on the prequel this evening. :)

So while I'm typing away, why don't you all weigh in with your memories. Anything you miss from the past? Anything you wish you could have back for a day or two?

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Top 10, Barry Manilow, Duran Duran, '80s, Choices trilogy, memories, leg warmers, saxophone

Tuesday's Inspirational Quote of the Day
"Conran's Law of Housework: It expands to fill the time available plus half an hour."
— Shirley Conran

Fantasy Author Sandy Lender wishes you a fun day!
I don't know if today's quote was very inspirational, but I found it humorous. Keep reading for today's installment in the pen name discussion: Happy birthday to Barry Manilow!
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: inspirational quote, quote of the day, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, dragon, fun, Shirely Conran

Exploring the Pen Name
Birthday Examples Include the Fabulous Barry Manilow...and ME!
(During the month of June, here at Today the Dragon Wins we explore the use of pseudonyms. Don't forget to participate in the discussion in the comment field to enter the contest for a copy of the eBook versions of Choices Meant for Gods and Apparitions. Details were posted June 1.)

I get the fabulous honor of sharing a birthday (June 17) with one of my idols: the incomparable Barry Manilow. If you've read this blog before, you may have stumbled across my obsession with the man. I think he's just grand. I've adored him since I was about five years old when I first heard Mandy. It's been my favorite song for...oh...33 years now. (I'll pause while you do the math.) How do you think my main character in Choices Meant for Gods got her nickname? I can't believe it was by accident that she whispered "Amanda" in my ear and one day Nigel started calling her "Mandy."

How does this fit into the pseudonym discussion we've been holding during the month of June? Well, let's just say that Mr. Manilow adopted a pseudonym of his own. Does anyone out there know his given name? I do. Bwuahahahaha. But, because I have an evil streak in me, I'm not going to post it here. I'm going to let one of his other fans weigh in on that. I mean, it's only fair to keep the discussion part of the pseudonym game going, right?

Personally, I think Barry Manilow has done quite well with his moniker. It flows nicely. It's well-known now because he's built that name into an empire. He OWNS Las Vegas. His Music and Passion show at the Hilton, which I had the good fortune to experience back in March, is exquisite. The man will be an outstanding performer forever. He's just got it in his blood.

I'd like to have that kind of success for my characters with my name, even if I've elected not to use a pen name. I'm going with what I got: Sandy Lender. I stick the words Fantasy Author in front of it as often as I can and then hope for the best. What I find fabulous is that you can also stick the words "Barry Manilow Fan" in front of my name. If you're also a fan, you might find today's Word of the Day (in the next post) fun. Play along!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Barry Manilow, birthday, pseudonym, pen names, Music and Passion, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, Choices Meant for Gods

Cadbury Tomorrow, Barry Today
Or...The Dragon is summarizing the situation

Ugh, it's already Wednesday? People, there is too much to do!

Side note: If you're looking for the meme, it was posted yesterday...just scroll past the four posts today.

First, as promised, I have the Barry Manilow Music and Passion show review below. It's not really so much a review as me waxing melodramatic about how much of a freak I am. :) Well, okay, there's a review thrown in there, too. (It was a great show.)

Next, for those of you who have heard the rumors of the Cadbury Eggsperiment, I'll be posting the results tomorrow. I want to post photographic evidence, you see, and that will involve lining up technology without being thwarted by technology demons. :)

Third, if you're entering the contest for the Spa Kit from Arcana's Bathing Rooms, this is the place to do it! The rules are posted on the contest page at http://www.authorisland.com/, but, since Arcana is the estate in my fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, I'm the droid you're looking for...

Fourth, if you're looking for a fantasy novel with an empowered heroine who doesn't sleep with every man she encounters, but who kicks the asses of all things evil and bad (let me get a WOO-HOO!!), I've got your fantasy novel right here! (I think Nigel just rolled his eyes...) In all seriousness, I'm pushing the fact that Choices Meant for Gods is still available in hard cover, but is also available as a less-expensive eBook at my publisher's site. You can download it at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. (There's also a free sample you can read there.)

I think that's all! Welcome to the site and enjoy the Music and Passion show "review".
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, eBook, fantasy novel

Drunk Old People Can't Mar the Barry Manilow Experience
Or…The Dragon had a fabulous time at the Music and Passion show in Vegas

The reason I went to Las Vegas for five days was to attend an equipment tradeshow as the editor of a construction magazine. Now, consider for a moment that group of people. No one in that group is going to admit to being interested in attending a Barry Manilow concert*. EXCEPT ME! I was stoked beyond words.

I've been a Barry Manilow fan for…oh…32 years? And that's kinda bizarre when you consider I'm 37. He he he. I have a Barry Manilow highballer; a Barry Manilow corkscrew; a Barry Manilow hat; of course the music on cassette, CD and vinyl; Music and Passionfruit lip balm for pity's sake…I'm mildly obsessed. One of my girlfriends got me the Barry Manilow bobble-head doll (which is actually a little evil-looking so I keep it in its box where it can't hurt anyone). He has inspired me to market and promote on days when I felt like curling up in the fetal position and telling the world to go screw itself rather than explain to one more old person what on earth "fantasy" is and why on earth Choices Meant for Gods is NOT the same as Harry Potter. There was no way I was going to Vegas and NOT going to see the man.

I had a ticket for Row G, Seat 10. That, my friends, translated to the 7th row, stage left, in line with Barry's eyes every time he sat down at the piano. FABULOUS! You couldn't ask for a better seat.

Well…you couldn't ask for a better seat unless maybe the seat wasn't directly in front of a party of drunk girls who enjoyed saying the F word really loudly. That was bizarre. I think the poor elderly couple to my immediate left was about to collapse in some sort of coronary event shortly after the "ladies" behind us sat down. The good news is that the music gets pretty loud in a concert hall and you can't hear the people behind you so much. Well…you can't hear them unless the person somewhere behind you is an obnoxious old man screaming "sit down" at the top of his lungs. That was also bizarre. He was so loud and obnoxious that the lady in front of me turned around looking confused and bewildered at one point during the opening song when everyone was standing. I shrugged and continued clapping like a trained monkey because I was just so happy to be there.

Now! Enough of the crazy people!

Everything Barry played was great. Holy cow. I've been to several of his shows over the years and I'm just constantly amazed by how that man can shake it. How old is he now? Depending on whether you believe he was born in 1943 or 1946, he's in his early 60s. (Either way, I share his birth date of June 17!) Yet he's up there dancing around and belting out these tunes and running (literally running) around the piano trading off playing with three other keyboardists onstage as if he was a spry young 20-year-old. Geez Louise. I wanna move like that when I'm in my early 60s.

At one point during the show, some geek in the front row LEFT to get alcohol, and Barry, who had just started up New York City Rhythm, says into the microphone, "Wait! I get better!", and then continues singing. I thought I would die laughing. The geek didn't seem to notice. Rar.

At another point in the show, when he sang Moonlight Serenade, Barry went over to the VIP section and held out his hand to one of the ladies in the front row there…and asked her to dance. Hello! He opened this little gate that separated the front row from the stage and led her onto the stage, pulled her into his arms and danced with her. Lucky lady! He asked her her name. "Jane." (I was so proud of her for getting that out.) Then he asked a complex question. He asked why she had come to Vegas. I'm sure most of us in the audience were telepathically sending her the answer, "to see you to see you to see you to see you to see you," because the poor lady, standing there in Barry's arms, hesitated, gulped, and said, so sweetly, "I'm here to see you." Good girl, Jane. We applaud you. And we're all green with envy. Now, Barry had to let her go, right? So he hands her off to a security guy who had snuck up out of nowhere. And thank goodness, too! The poor thing. She sort of did this weak-kneed stutter-step toward her seat, which, bless her heart, is better than I would have done. I probably would have collapsed in the security guard's arms. "You'll have to carry me…"

So he played Weekend in New England, Looks Like We Made It (which actually made me tear up just a bit, for some reason), I Made it Through the Rain (which also made me tear up, for obvious reasons), Copa Cabana, American Bandstand, Boogie Woogie Blues, Can't Take my Eyes off of You, When They Dance (and let me just say that I LOVE his Mayflower album), Daybreak, Can't Smile Without You, I am Your Child, and, the killer, Mandy. Ugh. There were more, but, geez. Every time a new song started up, I was thrilled that I was going to hear it. It was just a fantastic show. I'm stunned by how much energy he can pack into the performance.

Side note: I thought I was going to make it through Mandy without sobbing like an idiot this time. They play a video on a huge curtain-like screen in front of the stage to introduce the song; it's Clive Davis being interviewed about Barry and the new #1 hit song. And then Barry starts playing it on this white grand, right? You've all seen it on TV. Well, the video clip on the curtain-like screen goes all the way through the first verse and I'm holding it together really really well. I figure I don't need my little tissue after all. I've become immune to this version of the song. And then of course the curtain goes up because Barry is behind it (and we all knew this) playing a white grand piano and singing along and the clip fades out so it's just him and I weep like a fool. Sigh. I don't understand what it is. I wonder if something traumatic happened when I was 5 and that song was playing in the background…and I've repressed it…I'll have to check with my parents.

Summation: I highly recommend Barry Manilow's Music and Passion show in Vegas. Get thee to the Hilton and see the show if at all possible. It's worth every penny. Even if you end up in front of a party of drunk girls or obnoxious old men who want everyone to sit down. Those folks are easily ignored when the fabulous Barry Manilow takes the stage (or maybe I'm just used to ignoring obnoxious things because I was married for 14 years). His band is dead-on. His backup singers are full of energy and spunk. His stage is magnificent. His voice is incredible (as always). His show is well-balanced with moments for him to slow down and connect with the audience (and I'm sure everyone knows he has a stellar sense of humor) and then the moments for the show to race into a frenzy when everyone is up "dancing in the streets". It's worth flying out to Vegas just to see the man...

*footnote: I have discovered that many people from surprising backgrounds are closet Barry fans. When in college, I had a greatest hits album of his that I popped into my cassette player/boombox one day, much to my roommate's chagrin (No, not you, Kim, this was my freshman year) and heard much complaining about it for about one or two songs. Then someone walking by the room (first floor; open door) peeked in to say something along the lines of, "omigosh, is that Barry Manilow? I love this song." Pretty soon, someone else stopped with something akin to, "omigosh, I used to love this song! Who is this?" The comments went on for the whole album. The roommate even had a few she liked! So, it has been my contention, since college, that EVERYONE is a closet Barry Manilow fan, even if he or she doesn't realize it. Folks just have to be reminded of it from time to time.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Barry Manilow, Vegas, Music and Passion, closet Barry Manilow fan, Clive Davis, Choices Meant for Gods, Harry Potter

Barry Manilow Rocks the Inspirational House
Or...The Dragon offers you these powerful words from The Man

Folks come out of the woodwork when I mention how Barry Manilow has influenced my outlook and my writing-and not just my novel Choices Meant for Gods, but all kinds of writing that I do. When I post about Barry, I get a few e-mails, a few comments, a few phone calls...and that's just in one day. The phenomenon will continue during the next few days, and I LOVE hearing from fellow Barry Manilow International Fan Club members, and from random folks who like the words and the melodies together...

In honor of one commenter whom I can relate to quite well right now, and in honor of all my friends who are "goin' through it" right now, here's one that can lift us up any day of the week.

I Made it Through the Rain
as sung by Mr. Barry Manilow

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive
We keep the feelings warm
Protect them from the storm
Until our time arrives
Then one day the sun appears
And we come shining through those lonely years
I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it through the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through

When friends are hard to find
And life seems so unkind
Sometimes you feel so afraid
Just aim beyond the clouds
And rise above the crowds
And start your own parade
'Cause when I chased my fears away
That's when I knew that I could finally say
I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it through the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through


Believe me, I have just come through 14 lonely years. And from where I'm standing, there are some bizarre trials to go through yet, but the sun still shines. If it's shining down on me, it's shining down on you, too.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Barry Manilow, inspiration, I Made It Through The Rain, Choices Meant for Gods

Barry Manilow! Here I Come!
Or...The Dragon is goin' to see a source of inspiration! And I'm excited about it!

Anyone who is familiar with this blog knows that Barry Manilow (yow!) is one of my sources of inspiration. His song God Bless the Other 99 is one that helped me see light at the end of the tunnel during some of those obnoxious query letter days on my road to getting Choices Meant for Gods published. (All you writers know what I mean... )

And consider for a moment that in my fantasy novel, Nigel calls the heroine, Amanda Chariss, by the name Mandy half the time and, well, you can see the Barry influence CLEARLY.

So when my employer confirmed my flights for Vegas for a huge equipment show and conference that I'll be covering next week, I thought, "I'm not going to Vegas without spending one evening in front of Barry Manilow's Music and Passion Show." Duh. So I got my little self online and ordered a fancy ticket in Row G. That's the seventh row. I'm going to be so close I can see Barry's tonsils when he belts out "how happy you made me, Oooooooooooh, Mandy."

I'm very tickled. My bank account is gasping for breath, of course, but I don't care. You only live once! And I love the motto that you shouldn't live with the goal of ending up in a well-preserved body, but racing to the grave, skidding in sideways with a martini in one hand and something chocolate and decadent in the other screaming "yahoo, what a ride!" I actually had an employee once tell me that quote sounded irresponsible to him and that he and his wife had given up living that way. You know, I respect his right to go home and sit on the couch, but, dude, I'll "waste" $198 to see Barry Manilow from the seventh row when an opportunity like this presents itself.

And now, for some mid-day inspiration:

God Bless the Other 99
by Barry Manilow
I learned more from failure than I learned from success
I learned from "no thank you" so much more than from "yes"
I learned to be willing to lead with my chin
And if I were willing to lose I could win
I learned from the losers who got right back in line
The dimmer their future then the brighter they’d shine
Three cheers for the one, the one in a hundred
But God bless the other ninety nine
Those courageous people changed my life
They taught me
You can give in, you can give out, but you don’t give up

And that, my friends, is good advice that I've taken to heart.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, Barry Manilow, Vegas, Mandy

Valentine's Day Aftermath
Or…The Dragon wants to know what you regret most from Feb. 14, 2008

'Fess up. Someone out there ate the entire box of chocolates in the oversized chocolate heart from Russell Stover or the gold box from Godiva after your date went home. (Or someone let the date "stay" longer than you should have and woke up next to a frog instead of a prince, if you catch my drift.) I'm ready to share my embarrassing moment if you'll share yours! The comment field is wide open.

Here's mine. I was waiting for my date to get off work (And can you believe they made him work late?!? On Valentine's Day?!?) and scooting around on the Internet (because that's what I do when I'm ignoring my muse) when a message came through from The Great Barry Manilow PR Machine. Yes, I'm a member of the Barry Manilow International Fan Club. I adore the man. The message said to click on a special little site and I could stream Valentine's Day music from him.

Fabulous.

So I scoot to that site, click on the appropriate links, see one for Mandy (my favorite song of all time; please see the name of my main character in my fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods), and click on it. Up pops this little video of Barry at a white grand piano. "Uh-oh," think I. "This looks like a recording of a live performance."

Now, to anyone else in the world, this shouldn't be "an event." But for me, an obsessed moron, it's psychological mayhem. Sure enough, he hits the first six notes, that up-and-down melody, and I burst into tears.

It's happened to me since the first time I saw him in concert and he played Mandy at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Tears. I bawl when he plays it on TV shows. I bawl when it's been recorded and I'm watching the play-back of TV shows. I have been known to sob when it's played on the radio if I'm not expecting it.

Why? I have no idea. I've loved this song since I was 5 years old. It makes no sense to me, but it has the power to just wrench my heart out when Barry sings it.

Sigh.

And that's my embarrassing moment from Valentine's Day. I adjusted my makeup and patted my face with a cool cloth to get the splotchiness away before my date arrived so no one would suspect anything was out of the ordinary. Of course, now it's out here on the Internet for him and everyone else to read. But, you know, everyone has to figure out sooner or later that I'm a little off.

Now I've shared. It's your turn! Anything embarrassing or crazy happen on your Valentine's Day? Any overturned wine bottles? Flaming baked Alaska's get too close to your hair? Melted chocolates stick to your clothes? Anything good?

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, Barry Manilow, Valentine's Day

Greatest Songs of the Seventies
Meme me, baby

No mocking me, now, but I’m a member of the Barry Manilow International Fan Club (hey, I love the man) and his PR machine (which works overtime, let me tell you) sent me a message late last week inviting me to vote for my favorite thirteen songs of the two-hundred he’d narrowed down from the canon of seventies tunes he could include on his upcoming covers album. Fantastic! I got to weigh in!

I carefully considered which ones I would ABSOLUTELY DIE to hear Mr. Manilow sing, which ones I thought he could market in 2007/2008, and which ones I thought he’d sound great singing, and came up with the list I’ll post below.

But here’s the meme I’m sending out! List your top five songs of the seventies. Yes, I said seventies. What five songs moved you then to such heights that you can still listen to them now if they come on on the Old Fuddy Duddy Station when you’re in the car? This might be easier after I stir your memory banks with my top thirteen list (in no particular order) that I want Mr. Manilow to perform…

Cecilia
Hooked on a Feeling
I’m Not in Love
Imagine
Lady (hopefully the one by LRB)
Pina Colada Song
Silly Love Songs
You Light Up My Life
You’ve Got a Friend
Take a Chance on Me
She Believes in Me
Maybe I’m Amazed
Everything I Own

And here are the folks I tag to answer the meme challenge!
Michelle (M.B. Weston, author of A Prophecy Forgotten, www.elysianchronicles.com)
Tina Murray (author of A Chance to Say Yes, http://achancetosayyes.blogspot.com)
The Author Mike (author of Jessie Remembers, www.freewebs.com/justsaywhat)
Dorothy Thompson (co-author of The Search for the Million $$$ Ghost, www.overthehillchick.blogspot.com)
Jamieson Wolf (author of Garden City, http://www.jamiesonwolf.blogspot.com)
Thingfish23 (http://tamingoftheband-aid.blogspot.com)

Now, this isn’t to say you visitors can’t participate, too. If you’re just stoppin’ by and this tickles your fancy, there’s a comment link just beneath my tagline about dragons winning the day. And you don’t have to come up with five if you don’t want to. No rules for you to adhere to! You can just list one that’s your favorite… And yes, anything off the ’73 release of Houses of the Holy is fair game! Rock on!


“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”

Tags: music, Barry Manilow, meme