Calling it Quits

Well, this has been really fun, but I think it's time to end it.

I got my wisdom teeth out last week, and being on meds for a few days, found myself unable to focus on writing. Mostly I just sat in bed. That's why there were pretty much no new posts last week... it's also why I'm quitting Camp NaNoWriMo, and subsequently, the 30-days of novel-writing-music thing.

My reasons? Well, this whole episode really threw me off. I don't think I'll be able to catch up. Normally, I would keep going to see how much I can get, but I've already passed the customary 50,000 word mark, so I'd say I did my duty. That, and this thing called "life" keeps popping up and taking precedence over Camp. I need to re-prioritize my time.

So what does this mean for Musicalvinist? Not much, really! We'll be returning to our regularly scheduled programming, which means more "VERSES", Monday Music Challenges, a new thing I'm calling "Hymn History", and, of course, all the regular random music that I listen to from day to day. :)

I really enjoyed posting music almost every day this month, and I hope you enjoyed it too. But now it's time things went back to 'normal'. ;)

EDIT: the uploader is a meanie, so I can't embed the video. Link instead.

Here's a little something I found this morning. I really love the beginning! Let me know what you think of it...

Day 16: U.S. VERSES China!

So yesterday I posted the MEC lading theme from BF2, and in the process, I stumbled across the U.S. and Chinese loading themes. I think they are equally awesome!

In the Red corner (see what I did there?) we have the Chinese them that plays when you load a game while playing as the PLA faction:

And in the blue corner, the theme that plays for the good ol' Stars and Stripes:

Both have been very valuable during word-wars, what with their upbeat and energizing themes.
So which one do you like better? I'm having a really hard time deciding!

Day 15: MEC theme

This is the main theme for the "Middle Eastern Coalition" or "MEC" from Battlefield 2. That's their flag, too.

This has a sweet Middle-Eastern vibe to it. The theme is upbeat, exotic, cocky, and just plain cool.
Highly recommended for use during word-wars. ;D

EDIT: You know it's gotta be good when someone makes a ten-hour version. :D

Day 14: Convoy

Volume 2 of the Halo 4 soundtrack continues to be my bread and butter, as I continue to write several sci-fi stories. It just helps set the setting and mood so well, and the steady beat helps me keep writing at a good pace.

Convoy always makes me think of a convoy of spaceships plowing through the empty blackness of space, intent on their mission, determined not to fail.

Day 12: Ahsoka

Really happy today. :) I wrote from 9:00 to 5:00, and was able to get over 12,000 words written! :D

So... I listened to a lot of music today, but mostly I See You from yesterday. I really just want to re-post it because I love it so much, but instead Ill just take this chance to tell you that you absolutely MUST listen to I See You if you haven't listened to it already. But even if you have already heard it, hearing it again wouldn't hurt...

I did listen to this. I like it because it expresses a couple of different emotions, but all good ones. Triumph, love, determination, just to name a few. If I could go back and change the "Your Dream Come True" challenge from last month, I would change my entry under "Your true love" to this. And no, not because I like Ahsoka... Which I don't... I just think Ahsoka's theme, as heard near the beginning, is really romantic, even though IMO "Ahsoka" and "Romantic"don't belong in the same sentence. But whatever! I'm just really happy today. :3

Day 11: I See You VERSES Drift!

Gosh, this is one of my new favorite songs!

The lyrics and singing is really good. I love it. Love it, love it, love it. I find them to be very romantic, and can't help but to see Biblical themes hidden in them.

I haven't done much writing today, as I said before, I am suffering a severe case of the week 2 blues; but when I did write, I was listening to this. If I didn't say before, I love it.

EDIT: I'm turning this into a "VERSES" post, since we haven't had one of those in a while. I See You is in the blue corner, and in the red corner we have... Drift from Pacific Rim!

Drift and I See You each come from the end credits of movies (Pacific Rim and Avatar, respectively).

So which one do you like better?

Day 10: Obi-Wan to the Rescue!

Not my favorite type of music (John Williams would've never allowed such a thing if he was in charge of the Clone Wars soundtrack), but it has helped me get through some productive word wars. I really like how upbeat it is.

Day 9: Push Through

Volume 2 of the Halo 4 soundtrack has been helping me all too well. It's militaristic, alien themes match my sci-fi almost perfectly, and their upbeat pace keeps me writing fast and steady. The title o this song is very appropriate for NaNo, as well, especially to me, since I'm starting to fall behind... (Been busy lately... that's why I didn't post music yesterday, I didn't get any writing done!)

I also like that this specific one is kind of long, which makes it good for looping during word-wars. Which 'm doing right now, if anyone wants to join me!

Day 7: Rocket Race!

 

Had two great word wars this morning, and I used this upbeat theme to keep me going through both of them. :D

Day 5: Aliens

From the Halo 4 soundtrack, volume 2. I'm currently writing about a very odd and creepy alien culture, and this music (along with a few other Halo 4 volume 2 soundtracks) really helps set the mood.

It's kept me motivated and inspired while writing about the strange natives of the planet Ybarra, and the humans attempting to forge an alliance with them. Heck, this could be the theme song for my entire story...

I'll admit, some of the vocals are really weird and creepy, but they add to the feel I suppose. I really love that deep "Vuzzzzzummmmmm" that plays every 20-30 seconds or so.

Day 4: Man of Steel: Battle for Krypton

I cannot, for the life of me, find this soundtrack anywhere on youtube. Which is a huge disappointment, as it is very epic. You'll see what I mean when you watch the clip.

Anyway, this goes really good with what I'm writing for NaNo (sci-fi and historical fiction, both featuring large-scale battles with high stakes), and really gives me a feel for the subject. It sets the mood perfectly.

I'm almost glad that I can't find a soundtrack-only version of this clip... I'm not sure it'd be as good without all the epic spaceship pew-pew. X3

Day 3: Mcleach Sings!

Umm... Yeeeaaaah. XD

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies as a kid.

I am writing about a mentally insane character, so I guess this helps? I don't know. To be honest, this has very little to do with my novel writing... I just think it's funny and worth a share. Enjoy. ;)

Day 2: This is Not Repeat!

No, this is not the same as yesterday's soundtrack. That was the Pacific Rim Main Theme, this is Go Big or Go Extinct, the music that plays when the Jaeger Gipsy Danger comes to Striker Eureka's rescue after Cherno Alpha and Crimson Typhoon have been destroyed. The Leatherback kaiju didn't stand a chance...

ANYWAY. It really gets me revved up for writing, and that's exactly what I needed today, as I was EXHAUSTED earlier. Not anymore! :3

Day 1: Pacific Rim Main Theme

Yeah, yeah, I've posted it before... but only because I love it so darn much!

This is my go-to soundtrack. Whether I'm doing dishes, cleaning the house, or doing NaNoWriMo, this soundtrack keeps me motivated ad energized. I've said before that it's an elixir. It is. It totally pumps me every time I hear it! And that's exactly what I want, going into Camp NaNoWriMo. :)

April Insanity: 30 Days of Novel-Writing Music!

Camp NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow! As if the month wasn't crazy enough, I have resolved to post one piece of music every day for the entire month!

Here's how it works. I listen to music whenever I write. Sometimes I listen to different music depending on what or how I'm writing, because it helps set the mood or it helps keep me going. So each day I will be posting a different piece of music that I listened to during that day's writing, with a brief explanation of why I was listening to it and how it helped me write, etc.

And now, a challenge for you: Join me! Post one piece of music per day for the entire month of April! If you have a blog, do it there (just remember to link us to it)! If not, share in the comments! Not doing NaNo? No problem! You can join in anyway, only instead of explaining how or why your music helps you through your writing process, you can explain how it helps you through your day (or whatever)!

Brace yourselves... this is going to be epic! See you tomorrow!