Friends of the Friendless Marching Band

As I visited my Blog friends this evening,
I realized how many of the friendships formed in the FFMB
still exist and have developed.
Hats off to you all!
I am very proud.
What I set out to accomplish,
I accomplished
in you!

Friendly Friday Flashbacks

Welcome Friends of the Friendless Marching Band to our 1st Anniversary party...A mist overtakes the band as we are transported back to our humble beginnings where inspiration struck a tuba player during an I Love Lucy episode. On Lucy's Last Birthday, Lucy encountered the Friends of the Friendless Band. They mistook her for a friendless drunk and asked her to join the band. A weekly mission was born.

Friends of the Friendless Marching Band Statistics: (What is a party without statistics? Fellow band member and list-maker , *-R- nods and takes the minutes for the party.)

• There have been 47 Friendly Fridays.
  
• We have visited 117 friendless sites.
• There are currently 53 FFMB members.
• (Click on the *links for party participants! I'll try to keep them updated as they roll in)
  

The bloglist fades away and the band emerges onto the first Friendly Friday.*Mompoet was the first Featured site and has been a faithful kazoo player ever since.

The first blogger to join the band was Zeb. I love his enthusiastic all night guitar playing and music lessons.

Stephen of Edge to the Center was winner of the 2005 Friendless Site of the Year. He was the second featured friendless site visited. It sure has been an experience to play with this cool baritonist.

*Barbara, our flutist, has always been an enthusiastic band member. Remember the contests? Yep, Barb has always been on top of it. Is it her competitive edge that explains why she started the Blog Olympics.

Do you remember when Kathy was just Kathy and not the Humor Queen and blog reporter, *Lazy Daisy?

Who can forget * J. Andrew's heartwarming testimony for the FFMB? Conductor has to stop for a minute...excuse me for just a moment...

Sabrina, another featured friendless blogger, hands the Conductor a kleenex and her tuba. "Will you play us a song?" "Sure!"

The clanging of pots and pans, tambourine stops the Tuba Player from continuuing. (Okay, what was that remark, Jennifer?)*Sister Celtic arrives along with Emily.
"It is so good to see you all," the tuba player smiles.

Just that moment, Dave who plays the double bass, opens his bass cover and out jumps Lucy. Everyone screams at her arrival at the party.Okay, so this is a dream sequence...


























Lucy leads the band in a fun-filled rendition of Friends of the Friendless and other various tunes. Sorry Some Person, no Nickelback today.

*Imran, guitarist, and Su, the trumpeter, transcribe the lyrics.

We are Friends of the Friendless
yes we are
yes we are
We are Friends of the Friendless
be they near
be they far
We are here for the downtrodden
and we sober up the sodden
We are Friends of the Friendless
yes we are
yes we are

*Sarah clogs to the tunes while Pat Paulk plays along with his glass armonica.

Oh, look! Wandi is here and she has brought her Grand-daughter to the festivities. Yes, we can arrange to have face painting for all the young 'uns. Where is Art Puppy, anyways?

Chrixean,piano player, rouses the band to do on an impromptu march around the room. Kai
and Mar keep the rhythm.

Then DPTH International starts a game of "What Does My Blog Name Really Mean?" I jump in with an indepth analysis of my own. *David is trying to figure out what date he joined the band. "I dunno," and try to figure out the undercurrents to the names Sugarloaf Mountain and Bad Alice.

The auditorium is filled with music and laughter. Band members that we haven't seen in ages are present..., or is it another dream sequence?

Tuba player notices Kathy in the corner conversing with her invisible tiger sidekick. He never did join the band. Pity, I hoped he would be the mascot.

Anyways, there is reminiscing about past performances. Ah, yes...remember when we were the bronze medalist party hosts for the 2006 First Ever Blog Olympics. Many of us had participated in the events.

Who can forget Barbara's Birthday Bash. That was fun with so many participants.


Now Killired knows how to throw a party, even a pink one! The FFMB had a great time playing for that one.

The Conductor gets up to speak and there is a hush throughout the auditorium.

Dear Friends not only to the Friendless but to each other, I have been looking over the sites we have visited over the past year and am still impressed by the talent and creativity out there. It has been fun to discover these blogs. There are a lot more out there. The FFMB mission is not yet accomplished. It is up to you, FFMB, to be friendly bloggers to the unappreciated out there. Smile and look outwards for there are bloggers in need of this band. As a friend has told me countless times, "Its not all about you, y'know." Ouch!

Remember that this thank you card was designed by *TNChick,in between twirls.

Mango stands up and raises her glass of lemonade hi in the air,

"Hi Carol,
My toast to you:
Here is a toast to our fearless leader- a madcap intellectual with
a penchant for showband tunes.
She has gallantly led her collection of travelling troubadors into
the true final frontier- blog space.
Under her nimble direction we have gone where no one (at least very
few) has gone before.

"Everyone has a story to tell." Carol has shown this to be true. In
a world where people want to
talk but very few listen, she and her marching band have listened.
Stay tuned.

To Carol, everyone say, "Hip hip hurrah! Hip hip hurrah! Hip hip
hurrah!"

Sincerely,
Mango Lane




*Friday's Child is hosting a feast for the occasion. Anybody hungry?

Friendly Friday

Hello Friends of the Friendless Marching Band.

I gotta tell you something...sob...your conductor is...pooped. I have been conducting the FFMB for almost a year now and I have decided...sob...to give my tuba (and baton) a rest.

But first there will be a huge party on August 19th to commemorate the FFMB's first anniversary. I'll need your help with this huge shindig. Anyone can contribute. Sign up now.

Then make a post about the FFMB on Saturday, August 19, 2006. I will link to that post on that Saturday.

Suggestions of contributions:

• find friendless sites and state why you like them
• write a FFMB poem
• find a picture of the band
• make your own illustration (I love those)
  
• say what the FFMB has meant to you
• etc
  
• ...sob

I am counting on you guys to keep marching...

Friendly Friday

At tuba camp

I'm back FFMB. I could not spend another Friday without the band. (You will have to come back another day for the details on my holidays)


Let's start today's march with:

Simon at Simon on Books. I like this blog because:

• I like books
  
• and he give honest, concise reviews.
• the simple layout works.
• of his other site (even though it is not friendless)
  

Then there is Patrick of The Point of Departure. I like this blog because:

• it is insightful and thought-provoking
• of his variety of posts ranging from poetry, fiction and journalling on different topics
• he is just out of high school
• and wants to be an archeologist
  

Granimore from And So Begins My New Life. I like this blog because:

• it is different because
  
• he is a funeral director.
• he likes parodies like Weird Al
• and he made me wonder who the Angry Beavers are...

So, do you wanna join?
Just leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique and creative. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Display the FFMB banner, to let others know that you are a friendly blogger.

Friendly Friday

Hi DDMV...uh, I mean FFMB. I am still recovering from the Birthday Bash we played for on Tuesday.
Mango is helping me on today's friendly march...

We like Harold Davis's Photoblog 2.0 because:

• the photos are fabulous.
• he tells the story behind the photos
• as well as technical tips on how to achieve that same effect in your photos.
  

You have to register at Harold's blog in order to leave a comment so you might want to leave a message for him here.

We like Danielle's Love the Sea because:

• of those gorgeous underwater shots.
• of the African safari pictures
• that don't require a trip to the zoo.
  
• of her conservation efforts.

We like Ginny and Jacqui's travel blog Shangerz because:

• of the beautiful photos they're collecting from around the world.
  
• Carol got to play with the handy currency converter
• and Mango with the clocks.
  

Thank you Mango for helping me with the tuba today!




Remember to submit the friendless gems you find this week.

To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique and creative. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

FFMB Banners are always available here.

Friendly Friday

Howdy FFMB. Are you ready for a rip roaring stomp around the corral?

Come on then, don't be shy. Shout it.
Yahoo!

I like Hasbon's blog because:

• of the colors and design of her blog.
• of her "About me" entry.
• she is going to take Molecular Biology at University
  
• and hopes to be a dentist.

I like Michelle's New Town, New Life because:

• she is blogging of her life in small town Saskatchewan, Canada.
• she has 3 adult daughters and...
  
• a 2 year old with a wonderful "smile for the camera."
• she is Wandi's Daughter-in-law's Mother! or her Son's Mother-in-law.
  

I liked UziCue's blog, Uzi's Musings because:

• she is on a Redhead webring. Cool.
• of her "Things I do too Much" list.
• she is not a quitter.
  
• of her Hubby's scary makeup artistry.

Don't forget that I need your help to round up more lonely hearts.
Here's how:

1. Nominate someone you know who doesn't get the recognition they deserve.
2. Surf by clicking the "Next Blog" on the top of your blog. Surf until you find a really good blog that doesn't get enough comments (5 or less qualifies)
3. Or surf by clicking on the "Search all blogs" on whatever topic you like.
4. Are you on a blog ring? Look there.
5. Go to your blog profile and click on one of your interests. This will take you to other blogs that share that same interest.
6. Tell me some more ways and I will add it on here.



Do you want to join the Friends of the Friendless but are wary of commitments. Here's what is expected of you friendly cowpokes out on the range:

To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Lassoo yourself a banner.

Friendly Friday

Hi FFMB!
I love to march with such a talented group of musicians. The thing with being a musician is that your creativity is bound to show up in other ways too. Take for example, Emily the
tambourine player. She painted this gorgeous watercolor for the band.


Join with the band as we march to end friendlessness in the blogosphere.

I like Baron at ComixBlog because:

• he has a lot of talent and he is only 13 years old.
• my son who also draws comics and is 13 says, "Yeah, that Spiderman picture looks cool."
• those lab cartoons!
  
• of the comix of the week

I think Sheiko at Sheikoreto 52 is neat because:

• it's her birthday!
• she is an artist.
• she draws graffiti!
  
• of the photos

I like Linky too because:

• I prefer the (self-proclaimed) reclusive, dull types.
• he is an artist.
• of the "Too Much Blogging" illustration and others.
• of the cool blog design.

Thank you Emily for the illustration for today's march.
More of Emily's work can be found at Guinea Pig Art Store and More and The Edge Gallery.

Thank you FFMB for visiting the sites today.

****FFMB ALERT****

I am in desperate need of more friendless sites. My bookmarks are bare.
"How do I find friendless sites?" you may ask.
There are many ways:

1. Nominate someone you know who doesn't get the recognition they deserve.
2. Surf by clicking the "Next Blog" on the top of your blog. Surf until you find a really good blog that doesn't get enough comments (5 or less qualifies)
3. Or surf by clicking on the "Search all blogs" on whatever topic you like.
   
4. Are you on a blog ring? Look there.
5. Go to your blog profile and click on one of your interests. This will take you to other blogs that share that same interest.
6. Tell me some more ways and I will add it on here.

It would be nice and helpful if you could tell me why you nominated this blog. I would include your name and your reasons. Please send these to my email address at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca

Are you new and want to join in the band:

To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Don't forget the banner...

Friendly Friday

Two unknown masked members??

Welcome Friends of the Friendless

I am going to mix things up abit today, so hold onto your instrument and...

let's go....

Here are some excellent blogs that are in need of a friendly visit:

I like Asma at Have Fun because:

• of his jokes
• of his variety
• of the ABC's
• he laughs at himself
  

I like Brian and Tom in In Motion for the Missing because:

• they are blogging and riding for a good cause, Missing Children's Network and Child Find
• they have travelled 5562 km across Canada on their bikes
• they are retired teachers
  
• they are Canadian

I like Paul at Pilgrimage Journal because:

• he believes in Jesus
• of his sincerity
  
• his short stories
• his cartoon collection

Thank you FFMB for doing the march. I hope you had fun!

Wandi collects bears and she also collects cute pictures of bears for her blog. Thank you, Wandi, for finding Sundrop. He's a happy and friendly face for a Friday.




Sundrop
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that

you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your banners here!

Friendly Friday

Hello FFMB!
I thought we would do a simple march around the block today.
Choose a fellow band member randomly,
then let me know who you visited and one thing that you liked about their blog.

What do you like about the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band?
	The friendless sites I get to visit!
	The friends that I have made!
	That band members have an opportunity to contribute their talents to the Friendly Friday event.
	The photos of the band wearing a wide assortment of uniforms.
	Nominating friendless sites!
	I liked choosing my own instrument.
	It makes me feel good.
	The FFMB get-aquainted parties.
	The variety of musical selections.
	Any other reasons? Please leave in comment section...
Free polls from Pollhost.com

To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

You can get your band banner here.

Friendly Friday

Hello Friends of the Friendless Marching Band!

Yes, we march rain or shine. Thanks for showing up. You won't be disappointed..

...because today's march is kinda special. All of these blogs are by one person, Joyce Ripley. She is a Canadian, which is reason enough to like her, but she is also an artist and writer.


In Art Musings, Joyce's skill in watercolor, acrylic and oil painting is displayed. Her work includes old farm buildings, landscapes and still lifes. A few of my favorites are a still life of a paint tube cap, a Birch Tree and Coulter's Farmhouse and Outbuildings.

Information is a commentary of her art from Art Musings.

It was tough as you can tell to choose just one site to feature but I have kept her best until last.
Blood is Thicker Than Water is the featured Site of the Week. I chose this of Joyce's blogs because:

• it is the story of a daughter's desire to care for her dying mother.
• it is the story of treasured conversations.
  
• it is a story of the real conflicts that arise during stressful times.
  
• it is in telling the story that healing occurs.

Congratulations, Joyce!






If you would like to join the FFMB, listen to what Sarah, band member has to say:
Hi all,
This is Sarah, theremin player and clogger with the FFMB. As fellow
cloggers
know, if a clogger clogs and there's nobody there to hear it, it's as
if it
never happened. Such is the case with blogging. When Carol's marching
band
marched through my neighborhood, it made me realize that once in awhile
people actually read my blog, and it's made me want to be better at it.
Ever
since I've joined the band, I've met other bloggers -- some a lot like
me,
others completely different -- but the one thing we all have in common
is
our desire to make our little contribution out there in cyberspace. And
we're all lighthearted and fun, and you can never have too much of
that.
Clogging. Blogging. Not so different after all.


Thank you Sarah for your commendation!







To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

To get the FFMB banner to display on your blog, go here!

Friendly Friday

Hello fellow Band Members. It feels really good to see you on this beautiful day. A Happy and Friendly Friday to you all.

Art Puppy, FFMB pianist, is an avid collector of quotes and found these for us. They are very applicable to the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band.

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for
yourself. It’s what you do for others." Danny Thomas

"Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other." Euripides

"Side by side or miles apart, dear friends are always close to the
heart." Unknown

I asked band buddy and flagbearer, Mango, to help again this week with choosing some interesting sites for us to visit. Here is what she has to say...

I`m so honoured to be asked once again to pick today`s sites. But you
should be warned that I am becoming drunk with power! Well anyhoo...



Today`s featured blog is Insanity and Banality- a receptionist`s
tale.
Billylou is a receptionist
from the land down under. Although she finds her job a bit unchallenging she
writes about it with an unusual sense of humour: she has a love/hate
relationship with a plastic plant for example. Oh and accountants need not
apply. She also has a poetry blog.




The first honourable mention goes to the blog Pomegranate District.
The author is a newly wed attorney, who works in the Capital -as in
Washington. She is very spiritual and has great photos of her holidays and
flowers.

The second honourable mention goes to Tararossstudios.
This blog features interesting works of art from Tara Ross. She is from
Seattle. There are links to art co-operative blogs.
So I hope the band will enjoy these sites as much as I have. Til next
Friday...
Your blogless flag bearer,
Mango Lane

A big thanks to Art Puppy for finding these inspiring words for us today.

Please join me in giving Mango a round of applause for her enthusiasm in reviewing these excellent sites.

Thanks to everyone for participating in the Friendly Friday march!

For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your banners here.

Friendly Friday

Hey Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, you look mighty fine in your bearskin caps. I knew you would...but what is all that grumbling about? It is not very becoming for a friendly marching band...oh, it is 25 degrees celsius (where is that Farenheit converter?) and those caps are...okay, take them off. At least we got today's picture!







You all know Pat Paulk, the glass armonica player. He is also an amazing poet who has been published in numerous ezines. He composed a poem just for us! Listen up...

Friend Of The Friendless

The band marches on Fridays,
a friend of the friendless
that circles the globe.
“I Love Lucy’s” the conductor,
uniforms are whatever you dare.

Selections are played
with licks of keyboard clicks,
there’s no cacophony of scales.
Rev up the mice that run the bus,
we’ll burn this gig
in 4/4 comment time.

Alright, Pat!

Now for today's march...
the featured site is Poem-A-Day. I like Eric's blog because:

• of his attempt to write a poem a day!
• he knows to take a break.
• of his poetry.
• of his links.

Then visit A Fish to be Mongered. Isn't that a cute little guinea pig and how about her idea to post her blogfriends' recent posts. (Y'know, I'm starting to doubt her friendless status!)

Next in the line-up is Frazzled LaShawn. She is a happily married blogger with 3 boys. I think this explains the frazzled part.

Have fun discovering new friends!


Thank you Pat for writing us a poem this week.





For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of others so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which are listed anew each Friday. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Display your FFMB banner today!

Friendly Friday

Hello Friends of the Friendless! How ya doing?
I have a feeling that you are really going to enjoy today's march...

What are people saying about the FFMB?

"What a great idea."
" It's good to be a part of this group. I love all the blogs listed in FFMB."
"I'm honoured to be in the band with all of you"
"I really like you are doing here. There are so many in the blog world who don't get read hardly at all."
"What a wonderful idea!"
"I was just delighted to learn that I had been selected to receive such an honor as this! And I'm still looking for someone to pinch me"
" Keep up the good work, you are finding very interesting blogs."
"Political correctness is a sham. Next thing we know is those elitist idiots would want to ban English as the mandated spoken language for all international flights among pilots and control towers across the globe."
"i am friendless by choice. beat it carol."

"ok ok ok ... i will join..."

Oh, this brings back memories...

This week, I invited Mango, FFMB's flag bearer and best friend of the conductor, to visit some friendless sites and put the band through the paces with her keen blog appreciation skills. Wow, check these out...

Dear fearless leader:
Thank you once again for bestowing upon me the honour of presenting
today`s featured sites.
It pays to have friends in high places.
Okay, band members listen up. The FFMB is a great marching band but
we have stiff
competition at the "Texas Bands Network". This blog celebrates the "...many
concepts and
philosophies of sound and marching in Texas." There are a lot of places to
visit here. My
favourite are the video clips of band performances. Oh and the shopping. I
really should get
that pink t-shirt with the logo- "Winner in LIFE"- or maybe the trucker hat.
Decisions,
decisions.

So you wanna be a rock star? Then check out Clayton Smith`s "Rock Star
Journal". He`s
a struggling musician letting people in on his daily life. He updates on a
more
regular basis at his other blog. You can check out music samples of his work
as well.

At "Psychotic Philosophy" one will find the musical musings of Dan
( who bears a resemblance
to Anne of Green Gables, oddly enough). If a person is not up to date on
heavy/thrash/doom/
death/extreme/metalcore metal music then this is the place to be. He is
currently focusing on
religious heavy metal music.

That`s it for this edition of Friendly Friday.
Yours truly,
Mango Lane

Now that was a workout!
I was unable to leave a comment for the Texas Band, so this site is probably for your viewing pleasure only.


Thank you, Mango, for helping me co-host this week. You did a sensational job, too!




For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Banners are still available, but only one per band member.
Nah, I'm joking. Take as many as you like!

Friendly Friday

Dear Friends of the Friendless,
I am so proud of you band members that show up each Friday, rain or shine. You are the bloggers with a heart. You make the band! Sigh.

Now, are you ready...hup two three...oh just a minute. I want us to stop at Barbara's blog first. When I first met Barbara, she did not have the huge following she has today. See her post from October 2005, "I'm a Miserable Blogging Failure, Are You?" Well, she really never was a blogging failure, but today her blog "Catch Me If You Can" is a popular spot to visit. She also, is a friendly and helpful blogger which explains why she is in the FFMB.

The featured site this week is Lil Curlz of Curlz Speaks. I like her blog because:

• her list of rules
  
• she has been blogging for over a year, February 2005
  
• of the variety in her blog
  
• she knows to enjoy silence

I also enjoyed Paige's blog, Cracked Nuts. She is a new blogger and I especially liked her fair story.

Visit Sarah's blog My Confessions; it helps her cope with the loss of her first love.


First, I want to thank TNChick for designing the official FFMB Thank You card. You did a fantastic job! (TNChick has a collection of glitter tags.)
Thank you for always making the march.

Thank you, Barbara, for letting me use your post in today's Friendly Friday's march. Thank you, also, for being an active band member.

For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Band banners are available here.

Friendly Friday

Hello Friends of the Friendless!
I think it is time for a special march to one another's sites! We have a lot of new members too.
So pick, I don't know...uh, say three, from the band roster on the left that you don't know very well and go check their blog out! Feel free to visit more if you want. Of course, leave comments!



What did you like about the blogs you visited:

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

Always remember that the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band is inspired by the beautiful and zany Lucille Ball and episode #60!



This wonderful recyclable Lucy replica was made by Jon Cox. She is made out of a plastic milk container, water bottles, cardboard, yogurt containers and paper. Visit his blog to see more of his unique folk art.

Quiz alert:

Which I Love Lucy character are you most like?

Guess what else I found for the FFMB to be a part of? We are now officially in the fanlist for the Friends of the Friendless! (See the the pink banner next to the FFMB's in the sideblog)
Everyone cheer!

For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Please help yourself to a FFMB banner for your blog!

Friendly Friday

Hey FFMB! Before we start today's march,I want you to hear a couple of lurkers as recorded by Kathy, our flutist.



"Hey Buzz," I said to the ringing in Carol's ears, "meet Mr. Tiger, the ringing in my ears."

After I made the introduction and both Tiger and Buzz said their proper hellos I listened in on their conversation.

Mr. Tiger was first to speak. He whispered while looking nervously from right to left, 'Do you think they're catching on? Is there any chance that those two bloggers are getting too close to the truth?'

"Heck no," buzzed Buzz much too loudly.

'Keep it down!' interrupted Tiger with a soft growl.

Buzz finished his sentence without the least bit of uneasiness. "...there's no way that either one has a clue that the constant noise in their heads is what feeds us."

'That's what concerns me,' responded Tiger, trying unsuccessfully to sound tough. 'I'm afraid. I'm afraid that if they discover our schtick - well, well,' he stuttered, 'we won't remain in control.'

"It's not going to happen," Buzz promised. "All we have to do is cause them to assume that they are not immune to the opinion of others. It's that simple. Let them imagine they're not as good as
they are, and then BINGO - we have them as victims."

'But Buzz,' said Tiger still not convinced, 'we can't let them know that it's you and me and every other befuddled ego common to man, that keeps them from living in the ever present NOW. If they knew,' Mr. Tiger repeated, 'I'm afraid that would be the end of us. How would we survive if they shut us up?'

"Not to worry," said Buzz confidently. "I assure you - there's enough pain in this world to go around. If they catch on to our game we can always get someone else to unconsciously identify with our kind of energy. Just think, " he added, "anger, destructiveness, misunderstandings, hatred,
grief, emotional drama, violence, and even illness gives us what we need."

'But it's getting harder and harder for me to feel triumph over at A Particularly Persistent Point of View. I'm trying my darnest to communicate disappear, but, but, but, I'm not always listened to. I think the other side is beginning to shine through.'

"Then try another approach," Buzz suggested. "You can always work on the emotions and make them go haywire. Or you could bring doubt or shame into the picture. Or perhaps a pity party would do the trick."

Tiger perked up. 'A pitty party? Hmmm. Yeah, that might do it. I will insist that the blog stinks. I'll mention how there's hardly any comments, which proves that no one is really reading it. It'll cause puzzlement and that will certainly upset the apple cart. And yes, I'll be fed. Thanks Buzz. Good idea.'

"No problem," Buzz hummed happily.

Moments later Buzz's buzzing grew to a high pitch. Something was bothering him too. His pitch grew higher when he said, "Whatever you do Mr. Tiger, DO NOT bring attention to Carol's Friendly Fridays."

'Oh,' said Mr. Tiger, his chest ready to burst as he boasted, 'I have a good way to handle that problem. I use the too busy routine. Works every time. If you're too busy, you can't march, right?'

"Right. But that's not the case here at A Revison," Buzz admitted. "Carol's always thinking up ways to get others involved, and to be honest, ' he chocked, "this is a tough one for me to crack. How do I get around it?"

'Just keep buzzing,' said Mr. Tiger as he buzzed off to A Particularly Persistent Point of View.


Wow, Kathy. Thanks for letting us know the talk going on from the balcony seats.



And...the featured friendless site is Bemmie at Who Knows, Who Cares. I like her blog because:

• she is studying English literature
• of her library section
• she has a humbleness about herself despite her achievements
  
• she has been blogging since Oct 2003
  

Make sure to visit Gidget Graham at Our Journey to Becoming a Family. She is a believer that is looking to overcome.

Then check out Ohok's blog,which offers her unique Step-Mom's Point of View. She is a good friend of Killired, FFMB flutist, who is also contributing to her blog.



Thanks to Kathy for writing about Buzz and Tiger. Beware fellow bloggers!






For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

*I am in urgent need of more friendless sites.*

FFMB banners here!

Friendly Friday

The mission of the FFMB is to be friendly.
We
seek the friendless
visit the friendless
invite the friendless to join us in our mission

So dear Friends of the Friendless Marching Band! We march again...

I asked Pearl of Humanyms for help with today's Friendly Friday. Pearl is one fine poet. She loves words so I asked her if she would do one of her "word chains" from the word, friend. Here it is:

friend, rend, rear-ender, rendered friendless, reindeer
friendly, more or less surrendered, entered white flag,
kerchief rag, wave haloooo, echoing canyon, chasm, ricola
folk tuba, long distance relationships spidering out to
tangental fruit, sinking willow root, boughs tangled,
detangled ooout, dark dread spot, guilt blot, invisible
clots of ought to, not, to and fro, spoken bubbles blown
over rooftiptops, small eave window, circle of face, waves
from streetside, inside the guest, block party dense,
condensed, trance music, smoke, tote, toke, jokes,
exploding laughter, far, near corners, quiet spots to talk,
walk, spilling downstairs, different stereo blares hip hop,
classical, clatteration of clarinet, mixed with jubilant
soliloquy, panoply of players, golden band of merry men,
makers of yahsayers on staff, epitaph, epithet, tete a
tetes, testing, testy, tasty connections, surprise drama
art improv everywhere, improving, approving, reproving,
removing, behooving motion, lotion for emotion, closer
folded oceans, text flotsam plucked from the sea.

I love the progression and variation in this word association, Pearl.


The featured friendless site is Raju Bathija at Anything Goes. I like this blog because:

• I always find it interesting to read a blog from a different culture. Raju lives in India.
• he writes gently and honestly with a quiet sense of humor
• of his commentaries on the books he has read, news articles or cartoons he has found.
  
• because of this quote, " I miss being myself. When I am at home, I am dutiful father to my children, good husband to my wife, at office an honest and sincere worker, in train reading newspapers/books and adopting other people's thoughts and thinkings. I do miss being myself. While I blog, I am being myself."

I also enjoyed Chris at Chris-Seas Corner. She is fun and also comes from a family of bloggers. Check her out.

Then visit Angel at Life is Good. In the beginning of her blogging, she wondered what she would be writing about, "I suppose as time goes on, it will become clearer what I am to write about...how this is to play out. I think several issues will come up again and again just because of who I am. Parenting, educating, blessings, all come to mind quickly."

If anyone has problems leaving comments for one of the friendless sites, please leave them on my blog.





Thank you Pearl for helping me today. What a great job!









For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your FFMB banners here.

Friendly Friday

Hello FFMB. Now that I have your attention, well, I really just wanted to say hi and thank you for your dedication to making these marches a success. Keep up with all those friendly comments.









Before you head out, I want to share this poem with you that Friday's Child was inspired to write about the band.

FFMB MARCH

FFMB is the group to be,
Because you will always see,
Friends and lots of them you'll know,
As they greet you a Hi or Hello.

Time is gold, don't waste it,
Come now and join it,
You'll surely love and enjoy it,
And you'll never regret it.

So come now and roll over,
to CAROL'S site and holler,
Your name, I'm here to make things better,
To sites who needs friends altogether.

I also want to point out this banner that Chrixean made for the band. I will be using it every week to announce the featured site.

So, drummers please...the featured friendless site is Kathryn at Midnight to 4 am. I like her blog because:

• of her interesting life.
  
• She has lived in California, Dublin and currently resides in London.
• she plays guitar in a band.
• of her reason to start blogging, "I have started writing because of the clutter."
  

Visit Annette from Show Them Through Me . She is a blogger whose corner banner proudly states, "as for me and my blog, we will serve the Lord.

Check Kai out at Kai's Poetry as well. She gives herself this excellent introduction:

"new lady on the blog
she's a poet
dark brown eyes
light brown skin
disability a motorize wheelchair
big flirt
hopeless romantic
heart & soul
extention braids
sweet
lovable
adorable
also write poems
yeah
this is a new lady on the blog
my name is kai "

Thank you Friday's Child for submitting your poem. You have a sweet heart.

Thanks to Chrixean for sharing her talents as a graphic designer with the band. The banner adds a warm visual touch to the Friendly Friday post.


For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your FFMB banners here.