u/Dangerous-You3789

I've read a lot about how people spend hours or weeks working on their songs, and that sounds like way too much effort for me. I don't know if I'm lazy when it comes to songwriting or it's just the AD/HD kicking in, but that's a lot of work.

Don't get me wrong; I'm a prolific songwriter (or song starter - I'm usually good for a first verse and chorus at best), but don't mean to do it. It just happens.

But I've been toying with the idea of intentionally writing songs. I mean actually deciding to sit down and write a song. But I have no idea where to start with that kind of thing. I know about 20 chords on a guitar, but other than that, I know nothing about music. I can't read music and I wouldn't know music theory if it came up and bit me on the leg. I've heard of a thing called chord progressions and circle of 5ths, but I have no idea what those things really are.

Do you have any advice of how to start writing a song intentionally for the musically illiterate?

I'd be interested to hear others thoughts on this.

Within this songwriting community, it seems there are two camps on this topic. Some believe there is no such thing as talent; others bank on it. I’m one who depends upon it to write songs (well, START writing songs).

In responses to a previous post, I found the disbelief in talent surprising among many for a couple of reasons. First, because I have always regarded songwriting as a very talent-dependent ability and second, there’s an actual word for it, a concept, which is defined as a “natural ability.”

What’s your thoughts on this?

I love my Lincoln Town Car, but as we age together, I know that both of us will come to an eventual end. I really like it's comfort, roominess, smooth & quiet ride, and of course, the V8 engine.

But since these wonderful cars are, sadly, no longer in production, has any car manufacturers come up with anything close to the standard that I know of as the Lincoln Town Car?

I'm not expecting anything to exceed it; I'm just seeing if there's anything even near it.

Thanks.

ASP batons

The baton on the right (26") is more like the modern ASP baton, but the baton on the left is more of a vintage ASP (21"). I bought it when I was attending an ASP baton instructor training in the mid-90s, but oddly enough, I don't know much about it except for the manufacturer. Searches online have netted nothing, so I thought I'd inquire here.

As you can see, the more vintage ASP has no textured grip, but is completely metal on the outside, and considerably thinner.

Does anyone know about these batons (history, model, worth, etc.)?

Any information or available resources would be appreciated. Thanks!