The Power of Music

Have you ever listened to a song and be transported to a different time and a different place? You hear a song and remember an event when you were listening to the song or maybe the first time you heard the song.

Bluegrass does that for me. Not the newgrass but old Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, etc. I hear that stuff and I am 10 again. I am at one of two barber shops. I can smell the shaving cream and that blue stuff they use to disenfect combs. One of the barber shops is where my dad took me for most of my haircuts when I was young. The other is one that he grew up going to. It is in the middle of a field in rural Alabama. Sometimes when I hear Bluegrass I can almost smell the freshly plowed dirt mixed with the shaving cream and blue stuff at that country barber shop.

Last night was another one of those events where music was transporting me. I needed a break away with dealing with all of the logistics of my other mother's death. Several friends and their wives met me and wifey out for dinner and then we caught Drivin and Cryin's annual Thanksgiving show. DnC was huge here in the Atlanta area in the late 80's early 90's. I was in High School and College then and DnC was a huge part of the soundtrack of that era. Last night was their 20th Thanksgiving show. The proceeds went to Toys for Tots. They played at least one song from each of their albums and several cover songs. I could think of most of the times I have seen them and all of the times I have met them. I had flashbacks of good friends and good times over the last 20 years particularly high school and college. My only regret last night was that I started feeling funky around midnight and had to take the pumpkin home.

Their was other people there reliving their past. People in their late 30's early 40's that heard DNC when they were in school. Some were dressed nice but drunk 40 year olds showing they cant dance or play air guitar are funny to watch. There was one girl that poured herself in acid wash jeans she has probably had for 15 years and were about 2 sizes too small. She worked her way to the front and tried to get the attention of one of the guitarists. "Tim!!!" she would scream in between songs. Occasionally it was folloowed by, "remember me?" Tim either a) didnt remember her b) didnt hear her or c) both of the above. She finally left in disgust after about 30 minutes of hoping Tim would see her and remember her.

My Other Mother

About 12 years ago I met an amazing woman. She had been married earlier in her life but they had parted ways and never had any children. She had no family but claimed dozens of people as her own kids including me. She introduced me as her son so many times that there are several people that think we are related.

A little over a year ago she was diagnosed with the later stages of Lupus. This woman that was so full of life suddenly wasnt. She had good days and bad days. If she had bad days, she would sometimes have to go to the hospital and when she got home she would turn her phone off, not wanting to talk to anybody until she felt better.

Three weeks ago we went to lunch. She seemed to be doing very well and had been doing well for quite sometime. I thought that the worst had passed.

Yesterday, a coworker called me. Nobody had talked to her in about 10 days to 2 weeks. I went over to her condo. I knocked and knocked on the door to no avail. I could see through the peephole that the lights were out and I could see her cat sitting on the back of a chair. The cat looked well fed. I checked the parking lot and found her car in her assigned parking space. I came back up and couldnt find any neighbors at home nor could I find a maintenace man. I called her coworker and told her what I had found. The coworker had called the hospital that she went to and they said she wasnt there.

This morning, her office called the police and asked them to perform a welfare check. They forced their way into her condo and found her dead and lying in her bed.

Last year my grandmother died. I can tell you that losing my other mother has been harder on me than losing my grandmother. I'm gonna miss my mama D.

Johnny Cash

I have always been a Johnny Cash fan. Friday night we went to see the Cash movie, Walk the Line. It is a wonderful movie. Script, story line, and acting are all superb. Although it is mostly about the early life of Johnny it is also a love story. If you didnt know, Johnny Cash was always in love with June Carter. Even as a small boy he loved listening to her sing on the radio and looking at pictures of her in magazines. It was only natural that when he started playing music professionally that she would be touring with him. His first marriage ended and June forced him to get clean and sober before finally marrying him.

Whenever I see biographic movies I am always worried that they wont treat the person fairly. Johnny and June's son was a big part of this movie, making sure that the adaptation of Cash's autobiography was true to the original.

Long story short, go see this movie. You wont regret it.

Grandma

So for the few Hockey Games that wifey and I have went to, there is always an older lady (mid to late 60's) there. She sits behind the home bench, talks to the players, yells at the officials, and looks like she is having the time of her life. She also wears a personalized jersey that has the number 1 and "Grandma" across her shoulders.

At last Friday's game, I told wifey that the next game we go to it is my goal to meet Grandma and have my picture made with her. Wifey laughed but knew I was serious so she encouraged me to go on over and introduce myself but I didnt because I didnt have my camera with me.

Saturday night was an away game and we watched it on the telly. Grandma had made the 5 hour drive and had alot of tv time. It was great to see her on television cheering on her Thrashers.

TodayI had some business to take care of on the NE side of town. I looked it up and found out that the Atlanta Thrashers' practice facility was nearby, there was a practice today and that it was open to the public (as all of their practices are). How could I resist?

I show up at the facility and find about a dozen people watching the team doing drills and stretching. I looked in the stands and saw Grandma so of course I had to sit next to her. She is an awesome lady. After the practice was over, the players would stop and sign things on the way to the locker room and the majority of them came over to say hello to Grandma. They all knew she had traveled to see them in Carolina and thanked her for her support.

I cant imagine being able to be that close to professional athletes as often as you can at Thrasher practices (like 3 or 4 a week). Or that they would know one specific fan and feel it neccessary to say hello to her.

I had the pleasure of shaking hands with and getting the autograph of Ilya Kovalchuk who was named the NHL offensive player of the week after scoring 4 goals last Friday and 2 on Saturday. Last season he was the leading scorer in the NHL and I (as well as the other fans that show up at practice) are able to watch him practice and then get his autograph. Not too many professional athletes can you say that about. Not too many professional sports have a "Grandma" either.

Nothing much

Went to a Hockey game last night. Refs didnt call many penalties unless it was very obvious. I liked that refs were making sure the game kept going and didnt nitpick penalties. Atlanta and Tampa (our opponent last night) are both big, quick skating teams. Atlanta player scored 4 goals. When he got the hat trick the ice was filled with hats that people were throwing. When he got his 4th goal the place went nuts. Tampa is the defending NHL champs so it was good for the hometown Thrashers to win.

Took a client last night. He was curious how someone born and raised in the South would like Hockey so much. I told him I just liked the speed and skill.

You Dont See That Every Day

We had a friend in from Seattle the last couple of days. She was in town for a work related conference starting Wednesday and then Friday through today she stayed with us. Yesterday we drove up to the mountains to get some apples and to look at the foliage. Very pretty day.

On the way home our friend asked "was that a parrot on that man's shoulder?" I immediately started looking for a pirate ship with men wearing patches and a peg leg. We slowed down and let a truck catch up with us and sure enough there was a parrot on his left arm while he (the man, not the bird) drove with his right arm. The man was talking to the bird as they rode on down the road. The parrot kept looking at the traffic and scenery they passed.

Trick or Treat

Last night was our first Halloween to be at home since we got married and bought this house. I was surprised at how many trick or treaters came to our house. Tons and tons of kids came by.

The first was probably the cutest. She was barely old enough to walk and was dressed as a candy striper, with a tiara. She was just precious and left with a ton of candy from me.

As the night wore on, we had kids that were not dressed up (mostly in their late teens) who wouldnt say trick or treat but instead demand "give us some candy" and then no thank you for giving them candy. Some of them I asked what they were dressed as but after a while I gave up on that. Of course the teenagers only got one pack of candy. If you were in costume you got multiple candy packs. A thank you got you more candy. I had also bought two different kinds of candy, one kind was for kids in costume and who said thank you, teens in jeans and t-shirts got the other.

Six Degrees of Seperation

There are rumors that you are only seperated from anybody in the world by only 6 people. The most famous version of this little game is that you can connect Kevin Bacon through actors he has worked with to any other actor.

Anyway I have been doing my own version of this game lately. I am helping the Kidney Foundation raise some money. I have called some friends to help find items to use at a silent auction at an upcoming event. I dont wanna go into too much detail yet, but I have been surprised who some of my friends know. Names that I could drop that would definitely get your attention. After I get some items that are promised I will go into a few more details on some of these people.

Today I received a package in the mail. It was from an actor that you may not know the name but you would probably know the face. He is currently on the multi-Emmy winning TV show "The Shield" (which I am a huge fan of). He grew up near where I live and I was able to find a friend that knows him fairly well. The actor got a script of the show signed by the cast and that is what was in the package I received today. The funny part is that the return address is one of those stickers that you get in the mail with a letter asking you to donate to some organization but few people send in a donation. I just find it hillarious that 1) a big celebrity would get those stickers in the mail and 2) would use it on a package he mailed to someone he doesnt really know. I wonder if the Pope gets those stickers in the mail?

More Poker

So I watched part 5 of the WSOP last night. The guy I was discussing a couple of days ago that was playing with no hands is named William Rockwell. They had a feature story on him about 15 to 20 minutes into the show. Check your local listings and see the next time they are showing part 5 of 12 of the World Series of Poker from this year on ESPN or ESPN2. You can read more about him here (a photo of him playing and a press release of his sponsorship by GoldenPalace.com) and I have a link to the foundation he started here.

Dreams

Have you ever had a dream that will coincide with something happening in the real world while you are asleep? Like you are dreaming that a phone rings while in the real world your phone rings?

A couple of nights ago, I was dreaming that I had just had my transplant surgery. I was wheeled back to my room but was still under the anesthesia. I could see me lying on the bed and my family and friends around me. The doctor said he had a new safe way to wake me back up. I could feel something weird and I started to wake up. I woke up in the real world and found my wife's dog licking my fingers.

Another night I dreamed that a truck was bumping me while I was crossing the street. I kept feeling the bumping even after I had awakened. I looked down and found wifey's dog bumping me as she was trying to get comfortable and get back to sleep. Weird.

WSOP

Last night I watched part of the main event of this year's World Series of Poker. ESPN took the 7 days of action from back in July and edited it into 12 - 1 hour episodes that they are now showing. This year over 5600 people plopped down $10,000 a piece to have the chance to win $7.5 million. It was ultimately won by an Australian who if I remember correctly this was his first big tournament.

I watched episode 3 last night and got to do one of my favorite things to do with televised poker; watch Phil Hellmuth lose. Hellmuth is the world's greatest poker player in his own mind but hasnt really won any tournaments in a couple of years (NBC's heads up tourney this year doesnt count) but every year at the WSOP he says he is playing the best poker of his career and guarantees a win, only to lose.

Phil lost the majority of his chips against a guy that probably shouldnt have been involved in the hand but he was and ultimately won against Phil on the river. If you are unfamiliar with No Limit Hold-em look here for the rules. It was great! He gets up and walks away from the table ranting and raving the whole time, goes talks to his psychiatrist wife for a while, and then walks around before finally going back to the table only to lose the rest of his chips the next hand he plays.

The other neat thing they showed last night was a guy in the tourney that was playing with no hands! He had a ramp like device on the table that he would pull his cards up with his toes so that he could see what he had been dealt. It was amazing to watch but they only showed him for 2 quick segments, maybe 30 seconds a piece. He had a guy that would help him stack his chips when he won but otherwise he was on his on. I really wished they had done a feature on him and showed him playing more. I think it would have been very inspirational.

Al Green cant clap

Last night I stayed up to watch Rev Al Green perform on the Dave Letterman show. First of all, I love Al Green. I own at least 4 albums including his last 2. I have seen him live. I had an Al Green song played at our wedding reception. One day, I want to go to Memphis and go to Al's church. But last night, he started to clap... on the offbeat. He got the audience clapping along at the end of the song and then he couldnt clap along with them. It was weird but it was Al Green singing so it was still great.

A few weeks ago I went to see David Ryan Harris, one of my favorites, perform with a band (first time he has toured with a band in several years). His opening act, at least for the Atlanta show, also had rhythm problems. The drummer would lay down the beat and then the singer/guitarist and bass player would play a different groove and then the drummer would have to speed up or slow down so they would be playing together. Throughout each song and throughout the entire show the drummer would have to constantly adjust his tempo to that of the rest of his band.

And the bad part... as white and rhythmless as I am for me to notice these things you know it had to be bad.

Driving Down Memory Lane

Yesterday I decided to go see a football game at the college I graduated from. I had emailed a few friends that still live in the area and before you know it we had a decent group getting together including one classmate who flew in from NYC. My old roommate lives near me so we rode together and talked on the way to the game. We havent really had a good talking in quite some time.

Our first stop (well second if you count the stop for $2.65 gas while it is $2.90 next to my house) was to a little sports bar that opened up I think my Senior year. It was there that I had my first buffalo wings and they were as good yesterday as they were the first time. The rest of the crew had originally planned to grill and tailgate but most joined us for wings instead. We left the group and went driving around. My former roomie wanted a chocolate-bananna milkshake and then we were off to go see his fraternity little brother but he wasnt home. We called another friend who is a high school principal in the area but he and his family already had plans for the day (sorry for the last minute call Shaky). We drove around the campus and stopped to say hello to a couple of former teachers. One has a significant other near my house and he promised to stop by on his way to or from.

The campus has changed. When I was there, the buildings were a hodge podge mix of architectural styles but now they all look the same except for one of the girls' dorms (the one where the sororities reside). The dorm I stayed in my Freshman and Sophmore years has been demolished. That was kinda sad. I guess that is what I get for not coming back to visit that often (I think it is at least 7 years since I was there).

Next stop was the game. We decided to sit in the student section but there wasnt that many students. The band has been moved from the endzone to the 50 yard line so that it looks like people are at the game when the games are televised. Gone are the Fraternity and Sorority seating sections and as a result, gone also are most of their members at the games. And speaking of sororities, when I was in school there was one sorority that all of their members were stick thin blondes with long hair. They definitely are not that sterotype today. The other big change at the game is the pyrotechnics: sparklers and fireworks as the team takes the field and then more explosions when we score (I thought they were going to run out of fireworks yesterday as we kept scoring and scoring and scoring).

After the game, most of the group went to a new restaurant (there are a lot of new places that werent there when I was in college) but me and my former roomie wanted to head home... after a stop at our favorite BBQ place. We asked for a side of Brunswick Stew and the waitress said she didnt know what that was. Can you imagine a BBQ place that doesnt know what Brunswick Stew is? I was dumbfounded.

We ate quick and then drove back home while having lots more conversations. He plans to go back in a couple of weeks for homecoming but I have other plans for that weekend. Who knows, maybe I will change them.

Cojocaru Gets Second Kidney Transplant

Fashion Commentator Steven Cojocaru Receives Second Kidney Transplant, Donated by His Mother

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Oct 12, 2005 — Steven Cojocaru received a second kidney transplant this one donated by his mother after the first one in January had to be removed due to infection.

Cojocaru, a correspondent for the syndicated TV shows "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider," had the transplant Tuesday and was resting comfortably, according to a joint statement released by the television shows.

"I'm immensely grateful for the precious gift my mother has given me," said the 40-something fashion commentator. "Thank you to all for your prayers and good wishes it gave me the strength to persevere and warmed my heart."

Cojocaru suffers from polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary disorder that causes the growth of cysts on the kidney. He received a kidney from a friend in January, but it was removed in June after it became infected with a virus that can afflict transplant recipients and lead to eventual loss of the organ.

"Both operations went smoothly and the doctors are very pleased with their progress," said Janet Annino, co-executive producer of "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider." "We are thankful they're both doing well and we look forward to seeing Cojo back on the red carpet soon."

Cojocaru also is the author of "Red Carpet Diaries: Confessions of a Glamour Boy."

Strong Beliefs

Last night, wifey and I went to opening home game for Atlanta Thrashers. The owners of the team believe so strongly that they will have a good year that they are giving away a one year lease on a volvo for EVERY home game that they win! Of course I would assume that the Volvo dealer is paying for most of that but how many teams (or companies for that matter) would stand that strongly behind their product that they would risk giving away around 45 volvos this year?

Also last night they gave away a goodie bag to every fan (even those in the nosebleed seats) that had a tshirt, some "thunder sticks" and other stuff in it. On the way out every fan received a mini Stanley Cup. Usually when teams give away something it is usually to the first 5000 or so fans to show up but last night, all 18000+ (sold out game) received the goodies. I was amazed.

Living Donor Registry Needed

From Reuters

Oct 5, 2005 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - A trading scheme among patients with access to live kidney donors is needed to more readily match recipients and organs because differing blood types are blocking transplants, said the authors of a study published on Tuesday.

A trial program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine that used a trading strategy among patients with access to live kidney donors resulted in successful transplants

in 21 out of 22 cases over a three-year period, the report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association said.

Existing transplant programs match deceased donors with patients on the waiting list for kidneys — which currently numbers more than 63,000 patients in the United States alone.

"A similar system now needs to be in place for living donors," lead author Dr. Robert Montgomery of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, said in a statement.

Between 2,000 and 3,500 U.S. patients suffering from renal failure have willing live donors, but more than one-third are blocked from receiving the organs by incompatible blood types or a condition where the recipient is especially sensitive to foreign tissue and must be matched carefully, he said.

Montgomery estimated a trading system could successfully pair off half the patients with access to live donors.

There are several good reasons for creating such a living donor kidney registry, but ethical dilemmas could arise, an accompanying editorial in the journal said.

"For example, what if one kidney fails early but the other functions well?" wrote Arthur Matas and David Sutherland of the

University of Minnesota.

"Kidney transplantation remains a success story, but its promise and future continue to be threatened by the ongoing lack of suitable organ donors. While new methods to overcome this problem are welcome, the transplant community must face up

to the new ethical issues that surround every advance," the editorial said.

Good Call

Friday wifey and I (along with a couple of friends) went to a hockey game. By the third period I was predicting (quite accurately) who was going to be involved in some fisticuffs. I was like Carnac (who knows if that is spelled correctly).

I like hockey. Growing up in the south I dont understand all of the rules but I still enjoy watching it. We bought tickets to several games so hopefully I can learn more of the details this season. I like the speed and the strategy involved with it.

Last night we went to see the Allman Brothers. Lynard Skynard was supposed to have co-headlined the show but canceled due to pollyps on the singer's vocal cords. The show was winding down and wifey asked what I thought would be the encore. "Well they havent done Sweet Melissa," I said. "But that is kinda slow for an encore. My money is on Whipping Post." Sure enough they came back and played Melissa and then Whipping Post. I wish I had this kind of luck picking lottery numbers...

One thing you see at a lot of shows nowdays is live CD's of the show you are at. Black Crowes had this option when we saw them early this summer and the Brothers had it last night. You pay $25 or so before the show and by the time you are walking out, they are handing you a cd (2 in the case of the Crowes, 3 for last night) to enjoy. How cool is that?

Blog-iversary

Yesterday marked the anniversary of my blog. I journals growing up, sometimes as a requirement for school and sometimes because I felt like it. Now here I am in the 1st century writing my thoughts down for all to see on the internet. It is a good form of release and interesting to say the least to go back and read my past thoughts from time to time. Thanks for being a part of this.

Disappointment

Last week I was supposed to go to Savannah on business but the trip was delayed indefinitely. Savannah is one of my favorite cities. Will have to definitely reschedule the trip.

I am a big fan of BBQ. I have eaten from several Q-joints considered among the best. I make my own sauce and rub. I used to have a smoker, too when I was single. This weekend is the Big Pig Jig down in Vienna, GA. One of the biggest BBQ cookoffs. I have never been and keep saying I am going to go but due to previous committments I am unable to go this weekend. Dang! There is always next year...

Tonight I had some Asian food for dinner. The fortune cookie was "Your mind is like a parachute. It only works when it is open." When did they quit putting fortunes in fortune cookies? I remember years ago I had chinese with a good friend. My fortune said "You will soon travel and come into some money." Two days later, I went to Biloxi for my first time and won some money.

Not all change is good

Sitting here watching some college football. Commercial came on for Burger King. Does anybody else find the new Burger King mascot scary?That large paper mache head. It cant blink. He doesnt talk. Just really creepy.

Somebody told me the other day that the Cookie Monster on Sesame Street no longer eats cookies. Trying to be more politically correct, I guess, Cookie Monster eats fruits and veggies. How can you be the Cookie Monster and not eat cookies? I just dont get it.