Music Monday - Melissa from i swim for oceans

Music Monday is brought to you by Book Crazy (AKA. Me), we work on show casing other bloggers! Our goal is to help you get to know them, though there blog and music. If you would like to be apart of Music Monday please email me, or visit our Music Monday page for more information.



This week we are lucky to have Melissa (add three middle names, and that's me!)from i swim for oaceans. Thank you so much Melissa for taking some time to tell us about yourself!

What is your blog about:
My blog is a melting pot of...stuff. I guess you could say, very generally of course, it's about the wonderful world of words. I write book reviews, read like it's going out of style, and post little snippets of my own work because my greatest dream is to one day be a published author - a lofty goal, yes, but a goal nonetheless! Oh, I also do one movie review per week now on Mondays. It's a little funny reviewing performances, rather than just literature, but I enjoy it.

Interesting things about your blog we might not know:
There actually is a reason behind the name. I compete in US Open Water Swimming, and I escaped from Alcatraz in 2008. It's a mile and half long race, and the ferry drops you off at the side of the island. It's a mass start, and then 800 people race to shore. There's something poetic about the icy water (seriously...it was 52 degrees), thrashing and beating up people getting in your way, and somehow attempting to see in the black water so you can swim in a straight line. After I did that race, I was hooked, and I decided that the name i swim for oceans had a ring to it. So, I started a blog just to have the name...but I blogged forever without actually knowing what to blog about. It didn't hit me until November...colour me a late bloomer ;)

What, if any, influence has music had on your blog:
Oh gosh, everything. Music is my life. When I write, music is what inspires me. I wrote my finished MS based on a song. My current WIP is based on a song, as well. The music inspires what I read, and therefore inspires what I write and review on my blog.

What about on your life:
I'm a firm believer that music can heal your soul. If I didn't have music, I wouldn't feel complete, or happy, or even be able to fully understand what I am feeling. Sometimes I think listening to the heart of the song allows you to actually know what you feel, and it says it in a way far better than you ever could. I love music, I love the bands I love, and I know that music can change lives.

How often do you listen to music during your average day:
Nonstop, for the most part. I usually have at least one headphone in. I like to think of music like a soundtrack to my days. It keeps me focused and alert.

What is the one song that, if your life was a song would define you:
There are so many songs that I love and connect with, but if I had to pick just one song, I would have to say The Gift by Angels & Airwaves. It's stunning, and it got me through some of the most difficult times in my life. Whenever I'm down, if I turn that song on, I remember that every single day on this Earth is a gift, and it's worth every second.

What's your favorite song ever?
See, now that's just cruel. I don't know that I can pick just one! If you'll allow me five, then we'll proceed. Oh, and they're consistently changing, but my top five songs right now are:
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
The Gift - Angels & Airwaves
Running - Evermore
Flight of Apollo - Angels & Airwaves
Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

Thanks so much!!! :)

WOW Melissa, you really do swim for oceans - that's amazing...I never even thought about doing something like that...Kudos! Oh and your music selections are awesome *Thumbs up*

Leaving you with - The Gift...