HERO - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

HERO

Heroes come in all forms. Today, I want to recognize some of my true heroes.

Rusty Webb at The Blutonian Death Egg
He may have been the inspiration behind the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, but writing is the last thing Rusty should feel insecure about. He knows how to draw one into a story and keep the pages turning at a rapid pace. The only bummer is in reaching the end, because I want more. He’s also a guitarist, and I’m sure a thousand times better than me. Rusty is my hero. Maybe one day my writing (and guitar playing) will rock half as good. Until that time, I will bow to the most talented person I know. Honored to call you my friend, Rusty!

Of course, when I also think of hero (after my Lord and Savior), I think of my guitar heroes:

John Petrucci
The guitarist for Dream Theater never ceases to amaze. A perfect example of technical wizardry married with musical brilliance.

Alex Leifson
The guitar hero of my youth from Rush. Alex has such great riffs and musicianship and has inspired my own playing. (Not that THIS Alex plays on any level near Leifson’s!)

Dave Mustane
The shred master and genius behind Megadeth. Just listen to the “Rust In Peace” disc and you’ll see that Dave is a shredding genius.

NINJA NEWS

The Hunger Games once again dominated the box office, and has now made over $362 million dollars worldwide.
However, this Friday there are two big releases: Lockout and The Cabin in the Woods. At the moment, Joss Whedon’s Cabin is as 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and the reviewers are saying it redefines the horror genre. Yes, I am very stoked!

The Challenge posts have been amazing and some feature really original themes. I’d like to point out one of my favorite so far at The Waiting is the Hardest Part. Heather has brought back Stormy the Gnome and is photographing his adventures throughout the month. Last week we had Indiana Gnome and a round of 'Find the Gnome.' For a good laugh from a wonderful blogger, check out Heather’s site.

And don’t forget the First Loves Blogfest on May 14 – First loves of movies, music, books, and person.

Are you following the talented Rusty? Any musicians who’ve influenced you or that you really admire? Have you contributed to The Hunger Games’ box office take? Following Heather and Stormy? And who is the hero in your life?

If I Could Be Anyone...

Today we are celebrating Talli Roland’s new release, Watching Willow Watts!

Talli is a super awesome blogger buddy and the cutest Canadian English girl you will ever meet.

Watching Willow Watts is available as an eBook at Amazon and at Amazon UK - paperback coming in November.

She asked if we’d help her celebrate by answering the question, “If I could be anyone, I would be…”

I’d be John Petrucci, guitarist for Dream Theater!

I play guitar, but next to this man, I suck.

Petrucci has created his own unique style, coupled with technical expertise.

In my opinion, he’s one of the most talented musicians in rock history.

I’ve seen Petrucci play live, and it was both inspiring and depressing. (Yes, I really do suck as a guitarist!)

I’d love to know what it’s like to play with such effortless precision and musicality.

I have good days and bad days on my guitar, but even on perfect days, I can’t hold a candle to this man’s musical genius!

And...

Dream Theater’s new album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, came out Tuesday.

Time to crank the music to eleven!


Now, if you could be anyone, who would you want to be? Anyone else want to be a rock star? We’ll form a band! We’ll suck, but it will be fun…

Photo credits of Petrucci - #1 #2