Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Friday, April 1, 2011

A to Z Challenge

It's here at last the A to Z Challenge.
Come on, join the fun!

I did this last year (even though I started late) and had a blast, so I signed up to do it again. Thanks Arlee and all those helping to host.

I'm supposed to have a theme. Hmmmm. So, no matter how bizarre the word I define is, by the end of my post it will be related, some how, some way, to...what else? WRITING!

Are you ready?

Then let's begin.

A is for Albatross

The name albatross comes from the Portuguese or Spanish word for pelican, which is alcatraz (like the island prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay.) It is the largest of the earth's seabirds. Wingspans vary according to species but run anywhere between 5.7 feet to 11.2 feet. They are agile and fluid in the air and consummate soarers.

In the days of the great sailing ships, if an albatross followed, it was considered good luck. Likewise, to kill an albatross was bad luck. Then came Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It is from this that we get the imagery of having an albatross hung around the neck as it was the punishment given to a sailor for killing one. However the metaphor for its meaning having to do with being placed under a burden, or having a onus put upon you, didn't become popular until around 1960.

One of my all time favorite instrumentals is by the original Fleetwood Mac. Three lead guitarists! It is called, appropriately, Albatross.

Put in your earbuds, sit back, relax and listen to this lovely piece, which is a musical tribute to this magnificent soaring bird.
Now, go out and soar. Spread your wings on the wind and let your ideas take you were they will.
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58 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    They can be huge these birds. Very beautiful.

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  2. Sarah AllenApril 1, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    Beautiful post :) Thanks for the support and inspiration! I'm excited for this challenge too, we'll see how it goes.

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  3. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    Crazy free flying free wheeling bird looks like he's smiling....me too...as I head into this challenge.
    Here we go..................

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  4. RHYTHM AND RHYMEApril 1, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    A wonderful start and an excellent subject, oh and the music brings back many memories. Good luck with the challenge.

    Yvonne.

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  5. Rachael HarrieApril 1, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Great A-Z Challenge entry! It’s interesting to see how many different things people have come up with for the letter A :) I love that music!

    Hugs

    Rach

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  6. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Hi, it is nice to meet you. I just love Fleetwood Mac :) great job on the letter A, keep having fun!

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  7. Ellie GarrattApril 1, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Beautiful post! Thank you!

    Have fun with the rest of the challenge.

    Ellie Garratt

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  8. Sheila SilerApril 1, 2011 at 5:04 AM

    I went to Alcatraz this past summer, it was cool!

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  9. Jan MorrisonApril 1, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Very nice post and I love Fleetwood Mac - especially bare trees...
    I look forward to where you go from here. Visit me for a different look at the alphabet at Jan Morrison

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  10. ManzanitaApril 1, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    I like albatross. I just don't like them hanging round my neck.
    Manzanita
    Wanna buy a duck

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  11. alberta rossApril 1, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    my absulute favourite bird - not a single thing I would change about them from their clumsy landings to their gracious effotless float on the thermals - amazing creatures-

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  12. Misha GerrickApril 1, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I never did understand why sailers said they brought bad luck.

    They're so beautiful.

    :-)

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  13. L.A. ColvinApril 1, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Beautiful. I love seeing all the different A's. Can't wait to see what you have next.

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  14. baygirl32April 1, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    great entry! there's a song I haven't heard in a while

    http://baygirl32.blogspot.com

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  15. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    fun word.. I would not have thought of it....

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  16. Bev HankinsApril 1, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    That is a beautiful musical piece...and one that's new to me. Thanks for sharing!

    Stopping by on the A-Z Challenge
    Bev@My Reader's Block (#288 on the list)

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  17. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Don't recall seeing any of those flying around NYC. :)

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  18. S.A. LarsenッApril 1, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Totally agree about Fleetwood Mac. Yes! Great info. Thanks.

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  19. Trevor PeckApril 1, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Great post! Love that one by Fleetwood Mac. Stopped by thanks to A2Z - glad I did.

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  20. Talli RolandApril 1, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Interesting! I always love learning more about animals.

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  21. LarriApril 1, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Great 'A' post. Thanks for the aviary lesson. :o)

    Visiting from the A to Z Challenge. I look forward to reading your posts. Happy Friday! :o)

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  22. SherrieApril 1, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    Hi!
    Wonderful "A" post. Loved the music video. Have a great day!

    Sherrie
    Just Books
    http://sherriesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/04/to-z-blogging-challenge.html

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  23. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    He's beautiful. Didn't know an albatross was a pelican. I learned something.

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  24. Tricia J. O'BrienApril 1, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I never knew how one got an albatross around one's neck. Fascinating. I know you're A-to-Zs will be just that.

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  25. Emily WhiteApril 1, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Very nice post! I wonder if it was considered especially good luck if an albatross pooped on you while following your ship. :)

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  26. Sangu MandannaApril 1, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Ah, I love the albatross. I love the symbolism and the versatility of the bird as a writing device/trope in books I've read.

    Good luck for the rest of the challenge, Bish!

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  27. Jessica BellApril 1, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Rime of the Ancient Mariner was a fave of mine in school :o)

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  28. Corinne OApril 1, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Awesome! Learned something new about the Albatross today, 11 foot wing span? ADORE Fleetwood Mac's piece. I'll hang here for 3:05 to listen. Don't mind me...

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  29. Anne SpollenApril 1, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Why have I never heard that Fleetwood Mac piece? It's great.

    All sea birds are gorgeous -- 11 foot wing span. Wow.

    Great post.

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  30. Marie AnneApril 1, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    I've experienced an albatross around my neck a time or two. Visiting from the challenge!

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  31. Donea LeeApril 1, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I learned a little something new today. :) Thanks! I think it's a lovely bird.

    Happy A-Z!

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  32. Susan KaneApril 1, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Albatross--great idea!
    Nat'l Geographic had an article on the albatross a few years ago, and the info + photos were amazing.

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  33. http://athursdayschild.wordpress.comApril 1, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Very interesting and a unique "a" word. I chose the obvious - apple.

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  34. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I LOVE this song! I only discovered it about three years ago, but it's gorgeous!

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  35. JoanneApril 1, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Great song! I think I have heard it before. really pretty. great post. Blessings, Joanne

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  36. MyneApril 1, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Nice post, and topped off with an introduction to new music for me. I enjoyed it.

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  37. AngelaApril 1, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Albatross, that one is unique. Good pick. And you gotta love Fleetwood Mac.

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  38. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Great post and nice way to start the A to Z Challenge! Seabirds are fun to learn about.

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  39. Robyn CampbellApril 1, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Love this post, Bish! I loves me some Fleetwood Mac. You rock, girlfriend.

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  40. C R WardApril 1, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    This has been my favourite first day post so far. Loved it!

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  41. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Largest seabird? Didn't know. I am loving this music by the Albatross. Really, really nice.

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  42. L. Diane WolfeApril 1, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I learned something today! And I think there's a rock band with a song called Albatross, too.

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  43. nutschellApril 1, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    How informative! Thanks for this, Bish. and good luck on our A-Z challenge!

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  44. Laura M. CampbellApril 1, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    It's bad luck for a sailor to kill an albatross. Here's to keeping things alive and surviving this challenge.

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  45. TaleiApril 1, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Albatross' are amazing creatures, soaring above us all. ;-) Good to see you on the challenge Bish!

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  46. Tyrean MartinsonApril 1, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Thanks for the awesome inspiration!

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  47. LindsayApril 1, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Great post. I always loved that Coleridge poem. The imagery in it is beautiful.

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  48. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Fleetwood Mac rocks my world, for reals. Loved reading about albatrosses. Great start to the A-Z Blogfest!

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  49. The Words CrafterApril 1, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Oh, I'm so glad someone did albatross!!! I love these birds, they're so lovely! Thanks :)

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  50. jkraus8464April 1, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Great post and one of interest to me. Love the picture and now I am going to listen to the song. I am following you.

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  51. Jennifer HoffineApril 1, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Great info. I had the imagery from the poem come to mind first, before the bird. Now I know where that came from.

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  52. Why Not? Because I Said So!April 1, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Enjoyed the video! Very inspirational post!


    ~~Sheila
    Reviewer & Writer
    Book reviews and Author Interviews at my blog at http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot.com/

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  53. UnknownApril 1, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    hooray for insightful and great posts. You provided me some information I did not know and some that I did know.

    Im glad I found you and cant wait to see what else you have to offer.

    Teresa
    http://icecoldpenguin.blogspot.com

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  54. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyApril 1, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Whenever I think of albatrosses I think of the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. :)

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  55. Susan FieldsApril 1, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    11.2 foot wingspan? Wow!

    Have fun with the challenge!

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  56. Bish DenhamApril 1, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Wow! Everyone, I'm a bit overwhelmed, honored, flabbergasted. Thanks for ALL YOUR comments! And thank you to those who have decided to follow me!

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  57. L. Diane WolfeApril 2, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Sorry, Corrosion of Conformity is the band! Totally different song though.

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  58. Linda FischerApril 2, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I'm always reminded of the scene in C S Lewis' book, The Dawn Treader when the albatross (which was actually Aslan) leads them out of the dark island....

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