The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

I enjoy writing. I always have. In high school, whenever there was a writing assignment, I'd usually have it finished before the bell rang. Unlike most folks, I can usually write something coherent and entertaining on demand. I've written stories, poetry, copy for brochures, catalogues, and web sites, music reviews, feature articles, you name it, I've probably written it. The only thing I enjoy even more is writing music. I find that term to be a misnomer though...I never actually write anything down. I have my reasons for this...but more about them in a minute. I love creating music that, mere minutes before, didn't exist anywhere but in my head. It's been said that all music is already written and floating around the cosmos...and only a lucky few have the internal receiver to pick up these frequencies. If this is the case, I'm one of the ones with a few crossed wires. I can't write music on demand. Lord knows I've tried. I can usually come up wit...

Don't get me wrong. I like the UK. I've spent a lot of time there. I have a lot of friends there. It's a fun place (if you can afford it).  The people there are, for the most part, pretty darn cool! Sure, they have some idiots...but we all have idiots, so one can't fault them for it. I live in the US. A couple hundred years ago, we fought for our independence from the UK. It's not that we don't like the people there...we just wanted to do things our own way...and I'd have to say we've done OK, in general. At least we don't have an official King (except maybe Elvis) or Queen (Latifah? Possibly Oprah....or maybe Martha Stewart, the Evil Queen). Royalty ain't what this country is about! All of this said, I'm hoping someone can explain this to me: As our drummer and I were heading to rehearsal tonight, we turned onto the 40th Street Bridge and I looked over at the giant, annoying, ever changing, light up billboard and see CONGRATULATIONS WILL...

When I was a teen, I was heavily into punk rock (and speed). I had spikey hair, often dyed different colors, ripped up jeans, the whole "uniform". We didn't see it as such back then...but it is what it is. A couple of years ago, I had to go to the mall. Ross Park Mall, to be precise. I hate going to the mall...any mall...for any reason. But, it was the holidays and I had to pick something up for dear ol' dad...so off to the mall I went. Luckily, dad will usually tell me, well in advance, what he wants, so it makes it simpler. So, I'm at the mall, have found dad's gift, and was in the checkout line waiting to get the hell out of there to go home. Behind me was a kid of about 16, dressed almost identically to how I used to dress in my teens! Same hair, many of the same buttons/pins on his jacket, and wearing the same style jacket I wore! (Mind you, my jacket was originally my dad's from the 50's. It was still cool in the 80s, it fit well, and was mul...

Catchy title for this piece, dontcha think? If you're expecting to read about my self-loathing and deep-rooted negative emotions, you're likely to be disappointed. But...since you're here, why not finish reading the rest of this and see if it makes any sense to you. I Hate Me . I've been thinking a lot about these words lately. I read an article last week about record producer Rick Rubin. It seems that when he first started working with the late Johnny Cash (let's face it, Rubin resurrected the man's career!), Rubin suggested that Cash use the words "I" & "Me" less. As a writer myself, it can be tough to omit those words! We all tend to see the world only through our own eyes. Most of us, regardless of what we think, feel, or believe, lack any true sense of empathy. It would probably be safe to say that even Mother Theresa had her own reasons for doing everything she did. Her actions were noble and positive and helpful to many others....

Let's call this post a two-for-one special! I quit my job today. I know...sounds crazy...but I gave it long and serious thought. It was a matter of weighing the pros and cons. The cons definitely outweighed the pros. The job kept me in near crippling pain every day. I'm no stranger to pain. I've been in near contant pain for 40 years. I also have a higher than average pain tolerance, which has long been a source of concern for my doctors. Seems I'm prone to hurting myself without knowing it. To some, this may seem like a blessing...until you factor in the long term damage. I've had back problems for years. I had my 1st spinal surgery in 1998, after 3 years of misdiagnoses (there's that high pain tolerance. Most people would've known something was wrong much earlier. All I got was a headache that wouldn't go away). Since my surgery, I've had nerve damage and pain in my left leg. After many tests and various failed treatments, I simply learned to l...