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

The title of this blog is an old BB King song...absoultely BAD ASS stuff! OK, I'm writing this for 2 reasons: 1) I find it extremely cathartic 2) People often come to me with their problems. Everyone thinks that they're the only ones to have a rough time...and I feel for them. That said, I too have known some extremely rough times. Its called "life". You can live it and enjoy it or you can wallow in your own self-perpetuating misery. Here is a list of some of the "highlights" of my own dysfunctional life: *1st suicide attempt @ age 4 *sickly childhood *numerous episodes of family violence *haven't been painfree since age 8 (rheumatoid arthritis) *parents split at age 12 *found mom dead at age 13 *started smoking at 13 *started drugs at 14 *started drinking regularly at 15 *arrested at 15 for carrying a concealed weapon *expelled from school *3 years of court ordered psych treatment 15-18 *many bad relationships starting at age 19 *in/out of college from ...

I'm proud to be an American. I love my country and at different points in my life have had to prove that love and pride. No, not as an armed member of the military but as just a man, and I had to use my wits and a few times, my fists. I've been singled out in other countries, whether it be in a bar, waiting for a train, or standing in the checkout line buying groceries; I am an American! I've listened patiently while people in these other countries take their hatred of the USA out on me. I then respond either with carefully thought out words or perhaps a single finger gesture (hey, I have bad days too!). America is #1...to us. It seems all countries have their nationalistic tendencies and none are waving banners that read "WE'RE #2!" Why do they hate us? Basicially, its not a jealousy issue. Its basically because we're a nation of crybabies...and no one likes a crybaby. Look at the latest mess: we somehow managed to pass some watered down version of healt...

Yes folks. I'm still sober. A lot of people seem to forget this. I haven't. While it was relatively easy to give up booze for me, I'd like to take a minute to explain just why I did it. Do I think I'm an alcoholic? In short, no. That said, problems were starting to arise. I attribute some of them to just getting older but some may be rooted a bit deeper. My cousin nearly drank himself to death not long after my heart attack. That scared me. Basically, I just no longer saw the use of drinking. I no longer enjoy the company of drunks. (snobby SOB ain't I? lol) Hear me out, I can't nor will I ever condemn anyone for having a drink...Lord knows I drank enough! LOL But after 30 years in the music biz, 30 years of playing in bars, nightclubs, afterhours joints, etc...I grew tired of it. I've never 'craved' alcohol. I've never felt dependent upon it. Sure, I had my pre-show ritual (2 beers) for years...but I've done quite a few shows stone cold so...

I was conversing with a friend of 20 or so years this eve & she I both commented on how difficult its becoming to have a serious talk with people in their 20s (or younger). If I've learned nothing else in my nearly 44 years on this chunk O dirt, I've learned to listen to my elders and their experiences and to bare them in mind when making my own decisions. I've learned to temper my impulses with some good old fashioned common sense. I attribute much of the success that I've enjoyed to the words of those who came before me. I listened to every word. Sure, I often went my own way but not without remembering the words of my elders. I've also learned that many of my failures could have been averted had I followed the advice of these same elders. So, to all the 20-somethings out there who think they know it all, know what they're doing and have it all planned and figured out...GOOD FOR YOU! I hope that your vast knowledge lasts your entire life and that all the b...

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be going to the funeral home to pay my last respects to a former client; a most interesting guy, to be sure! I was lucky enough to know and work with this man for over a dozen years. He could be moody, a bully, a sweetheart, a clown...in short, he was a regular guy. He had his good and bad days just like everyone else. He also happened to have Downs Syndrome. His name was David. David was just a few years older than me and our birthdays were just weeks apart, so that gave us some similar points of reference. He had an infectious laugh and his own unique sense of humor and style. For a large man, he loved to dance! He would literally spin himself in time with the music and few people have ever enjoyed music quite the way he did. David's appetites in life were voracious. He loved food, he loved his friends and most of all, he loved his Super Powers. His "super powers" were large markers that he would occasionally talk to. While this may sound od...

It's time for more of my whacky numbers...numbers that you might not have given much thought to. The average member of the US House of Representatives & Senate "earns" an annual salary of $174,00. The Majority and Minority leaders "earn" $193,00. The Speaker of the House "earns" $223,500. Add up these numbers. Then there are pensions: Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. They are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80 percent of his or her final salary. As of October 1, 2000, the average annual pension for members of Congress who have retired is between $52,464, and $46,932. I haven't been able to a...

Nothing really new here...but sometimes we all need a reminder. One is only insignificent if one refuses to live the life they have been given. Change is as constant as time. One must be willing to make change. One must be willing to be effected by change. If life isn't going the way you want it to, change it. Hate your job? Go find a new one. If your environment disagrees with you, move. Let no one rule you but yourself and your own judgement. Don't accept second place. If you fail, assess the failure and fix what needs fixed. It's better to try and fail than to not even bother. The smallest stone can cause a ripple. A microscopic germ can wipe out a nation. Drops of water can erode a mountain. Smiles, like yawns, are contagious. Known when enough is enough. Stand up for something. Treat your enemies well. You created them. Do right because it IS right. There is humor to all things. Find it. More to come.....