#life | MidiMike

Posts Tagged ‘#life’

Full Circle Lessons

Posted: September 22, 2016 in family, Opinions and Observations
Tags: #diabetes, #family, #life, #needles, #personal, #story, #type1, #writer

20160919_205425 As a pre-teen and through much of my early adult life, I would experience asthma attacks. Some were very severe and lasted for days. I underwent allergy testing and countless blood samples to find out what was causing my allergic reactions. It turned out almost everything did, but that is not the subject of this story. I was quite used to needles and shots and was not bothered by the poking and prodding. As it turned out, I just needed to grow out of it.

Years later, my partner was pregnant with my daughter Teneca. She was in for testing and they were trying to take a blood sample. It didn’t go well and after a few unsuccessful tries, I needed to leave the room and stop watching the process. As I left the room I was feeling woozy – to say the least. As I was walking down the hospital corridor, I thought it would be a good idea to sit on the bench in the hallway. That is what I told myself anyway! There was no bench or seat and I gradually passed out and hit the floor rather softy. Waking up I realized what I had done and got up to go back in the office. This was the beginning of a long running reaction to needles and shots. I am not sure if I actually fainted from it again, but even at the dentist I would come close to passing out. I could not watch someone getting a shot on TV or movies and had to close my eyes during those scenes. Eventually even the thought of needles or injections would trigger this type of reaction. It was not the pain or fear of needles, it was the thought!

A little over a week ago my grandson Daniel Hopkins (as per my recent family article, he unfortunately does not carry the Kennedy name…..) was rushed to the hospital. He was unresponsive and his skin was dull grey. He was in ICU for a few days with dangerously high blood sugar levels and was lucky not to have gone into a diabetic coma. That is how he found out he had Type 1 diabetes. Teneca asked me to stay with them for a while and help out. I knew this meant more than just housekeeping and I admit I was a bit concerned and not really sure if I could even be around, let alone help with testing and injections needed for his new life style. The last thing they needed was to have to pick me up off the floor!

My grandson was great from the start. He realized he was in serious condition and took the disease head-on. Learning quickly what had to be done he dug right in. Before they got home from the hospital he was counting carbs, measuring insulin needed and testing his blood sugar levels. Now it was up to me! Just talking about the injection regiment with them the first night I got light headed.

Luckily I had a couple days to read about Type 1 diabetics and watch them take care of Daniel before I was to give him an injection. I am pleased to tell you that there was no issue. I gave him the injection and not only did he not get injured by me, I did fine. I did not pass out, get light headed or even a little woozy. It took my grandson’s health and needs to put things back in focus but I think I can get over the needle reaction I have lived with for years now. Full circle. Live, learn and helping each other as we go. Life is good.

Nothing Personal, Your Job Has Been Eliminated

Posted: February 8, 2016 in Opinions and Observations, Uncategorized
Tags: #life, #love, #music, #musician, #personal, #songwriter, #story, #unemployed, #writer

There are many times when there is no time. Projects get pushed back, things that are important to me get put off. The things that I love get thrown onto the back-burner or get turned off altogether. Last week was another one of those, but I would like to let you know why, as I have been off line for a lot longer than I wanted. I miss you guys.

Last Friday began as a great day. I go into work on Fridays and the first time I meet co-workers I say “happy Friday” with a big smile. After years of this it spread throughout the company and everyone greets others with a smiling “happy Friday”. Ten minutes into the day everything changed.

In the last fifteen years I have worked for the same company. However, the owners and president have changed many times in that period. On that Friday morning I was summoned by HR. Once in the conference room with senior staff I realized this would be my last day and that I was being terminated. Mergers and acquisitions – nothing personal – your job has been eliminated. I was escorted out of the building and sent home. In a weird coincidence, I got a winter cold that day and it got worse as the week went on. I am still not back to normal but feeling almost human, so I wanted to let you know why I have been out of the loop.

For the first fifteen minutes or so driving home I was quite angry. By the time I was half way home I was happy to have a day off – made only better by the fact that I did not have to go back to work on Monday. I love the people I work with. I love doing what I do – did. The newest owners took all the joy out of that and it was stressful in so many ways that I came to hate going in. Problem solved. Just not the way I wanted to solve this particular problem.

I called my wife and let her know. I felt it was coming for a while now and we were preparing for this a little bit here and there, but it still caught me off guard. We have to make some dramatic decisions; income, insurance, bills, resume updates, and on and on. All when I was really not feeling healthy and energetic. Moving slow and needing lots of rest.

I am a logical person as I have tried to portray on this blog, but as you all know (great friends that you are) I am also very emotional. This is what helps drive some of my creative projects – seeing two sides of the same story. So;

Here I am

Unemployed

Too soon to retire and possibly too old to get another job in a similar position or pay.

Many of us are facing the same thing. I am not alone in that. These challenges are everywhere.

When my daughter Alisa came over that day she wanted to show me an older blog post she had discovered from one of my blog friends. I read the post slowly and so you understand how much of an impact it had.

http://mynameisjamie.net/tag/midimike/

This is one of the most precious and sincere posts I have read. It hit me hard not only because I truly needed to read this – on THIS day, but the beauty behind it is truly remarkable. I try every day to affect others as positively as I can. I want to think that the world is a tiny bit better because I am here. I don’t know any other way to say this, so I will stop there.

As I read the post and listened again to the attached musical performance I felt more and more. More of her pain. More of her wisdom, more of her gratitude. Each new emotion uniquely tied to a tear as I cried. A week later while writing this I am again brought to tears. Many of us have no idea how important our actions – good or bad – affect others around us. I never wrote a response as my list got longer and longer and less important things took my time and attention. I will try harder to focus on the important things. Not as an apology but as a promise.

I am not sure what the near future will throw at me. I cannot guarantee how much time I can steal for things I truly enjoy and appreciate, but I thank each of you, as you have no idea how important your thoughts, support and comments are to me (and maybe others as well). Thank you for sharing and allowing me to share with you. WE are not alone – we are a community. Family.

http://mynameisjamie.net/tag/midimike/

My First And Only Selfie!

Posted: November 12, 2015 in Photography
Tags: #daughter, #dreams, #family, #journey, #life, #love, #nature, #observation, #personal, #photo, #photography, #story, #wedding, #wife, #writer, #writing

Back before it was the thing to do, my wife and I took this picture. Literally. One of us aimed it and the other one snapped the photo. But this was a special occasion. This is one of the few photos of our wedding. We got married in the winter in a local park overlooking the city. It was an extremely small wedding, but we did have a few uninvited guests. There were a couple of reporters looking for something to write about on a day when there is nothing to write about. They saw my wife and myself, with our daughter Alisa in hand, as we were reading the wedding vows that we had written to each other and exchanging roses. We were standing under the small gazebo in the freezing cold; as calm as you please.

They came up and started a conversation, I figure they thought we were just a couple of crazy people that wanted to know what the heck we were doing. When they realized it was a wedding ceremony, they decided this was something to write about! They took our pictures – the only others taken of our wedding – and wrote an article that ended up on the 1st page of the People – Events section. The article was warm and friendly and captured the humor that you can see in our selfie. If it is true that the bigger and fancier the wedding, the shorter the marriage will be…. we got it made!

Simple Minds and Double Standards

Posted: September 25, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #creative, #inspiration, #life, #logical, #motivation, #observation, #personal, #story, #truth, #work, #writer, #writing

In another time long ago, I made my living in injected molded plastics. Long history but the memory I told a co-worker the other day was worth posting. As you probably guess, I am not a conformist. I have a hard time understanding why simple things are done wrong and I have a nasty habit of pointing it out sometimes.

As a supervisor of a night shift crew, we manufactured large panels of plastic for assembly in auto plants. The machine operators were opening huge metal doors, pulling out heavy molded plastic panels and would trim excess plastic with blades and pack the parts in boxes, to be taken away by other busy bees.

When I started working there, I watched what they were doing for a long time. I had time and motion training from the old days and I was really curious. One night, I went to the machine operator with a tall stool. I suggested he do a few changes in the layout and process and suggested he sit on the stool to be more comfortable. He responded well to my suggestions but told me he could not sit down. I stopped for a second and asked why. He was told the could not sit down at his station. When I asked the long of it – the owner/manager did not think you could work hard if you were sitting down. I pondered this for a few days.

Then the following week on the evening shift I went into the offices and took out all the chairs and put them in the warehouse. When asked about the incident I replied that I thought I was doing as instructed and making the company more efficient since I was informed that you cannot work hard sitting down.

In retrospect, I should have been fired and should have thought of that possibility, I did not. But the next day there were tall stools by each of the molding machines.

Save the Moment!

Posted: September 16, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #acoustic, #creative, #creativity, #father, #guitar, #life, #love, #lyrics, #music, #musician, #observation, #personal, #poem, #poetry, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #story, #writer

Still Turning (c)

I keep looking through the blinds
Not knowing what I’ll find.
I keep looking
I keep looking.

I start walking out the door
Can’t remember what for.
I start walking
I keep walking.

I turn left then I turn right
Just trying to get it right.
I’m still turning
Still turning.

Spending much more than I make
Never have what it takes.
Spending my time
Spend all my time.

Think about it day and night
See it all in black and white.
Better think again
Think again.

I turn left then I turn right
Just trying to get it right.
I’m still turning
Still turning.

Looks good but sounds all wrong
Like words to a different song.
Doesn’t feel right
Feel alright.

Never know what the future brings
Tell Daddy everything.
You never know
You never know.

Once upon a time, maybe two
You love someone who loves you.
Save the moment
Save the moment.

Port Hole

Posted: September 8, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #create, #creative, #creativity, #inspiration, #inspire, #life, #love, #lyrics, #observation, #personal, #poem, #poetry, #story, #writer

Sitting on the edge of a rainbow

Waiting for the storm to appear.

Thunder rolls toward vast blue skies

The rain follows soon: it is here.

Thick dark clouds swallowing the sun

Icy winds twist your thoughts each day.

Boundless distance: forgotten time

Watch as the stars begin to play.

I got hit by lightning

Just the other day.

The Port Hole opened,

And I couldn’t look away.

It called my name.

Every now and then

We see eye to eye.

The Port Hole opens

With no chance to say goodbye.

You called my name.

100th Post – Reflection

Posted: August 31, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #creativity, #inspiration, #inspire, #journey, #life, #love, #lyrics, #motivation, #musician, #observation, #opportunity, #personal, #poetry, #songwriter, #story, #thanks, #truth, #writer

Here is the thing; IT happens. LIFE happens. Doors open. Doors lock. Time is too short. Reinforcements too late. People are nice. People are mean. Nature Is beautiful. Nature is deadly. You can look at this post as poetry or preaching. A waste of time or a gold mine. These events WILL happen. They will happen to you. They will happen to someone you know. Each will occur during good times and terrible ones. The optimist and the others have their answers and their advice. Here is mine; These events will happen – prepare for them. That means back up plans for the back up plans in some situations but also taking advantage of the opportunity. I am an opportunist.

To follow our past conversation, we all want those that have succeeded to reach out and help struggling artists. I am suggesting here that we are helped all the time, but too often we are not prepared to actually hear or understand the message. We need to be prepared and look for the opening door, because it will happen. It happens all the time. As I read great articles and poems, learn of projects and accomplishments and all the comments from this blogging community I KNOW people are encouraging others all the time. We share struggles and that helps others prepare, because it will happen. I just wanted to give you some idea of how impressed I am with so many intelligent and caring people I hear from every day in comments and your posts. I count my blessings. Cheers!

A Small Token…

Posted: August 25, 2015 in My Tunes
Tags: #12string, #acoustic, #appreciation, #audio, #create, #creative, #creativity, #guitar, #inspiration, #inspire, #life, #love, #lyrics, #motivation, #music, #musician, #performer, #personal, #poetry, #recording, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #thank you, #thanks, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer

Thank you, thank you, thank you! For the next few days I’ll be offering all of my blog friends a free download of my song “Miracles In Your Hand“ off of my upcoming EP, “Before The Chase.” I have been struggling to find a proper way to thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past year. I was very close to throwing in the towel, but I started this blog and thanks to all of you and your kind words, I’ve been motivated to keep pushing forward. As I watch this year’s calendar fill with major events and milestones, there are usually small celebrations here and there. At each one I am not only surprised at the positive response and friendships created, but also by the amazing amount of talent and creativity this community produces. Please stop by and add this original song (Click here – Miracles in Your Hand) to your personal libraries as part of my continued appreciation for all you have done to support and spread my works.

After a break-up some of these lyrics just poured out. Seeing the same thing and coming to opposite conclusions. Having an early exposure to poetry first, I try to keep those ideas reflected in many of the songs I write. The chorus was an idea I had been playing with lyrically for a while and it seemed to immediately fit with the loss described in the verses. What would you do if you held a miracle in YOUR hand? What if that couldn’t save you?

“Miracles In Your Hand” (c) MSK

A reason is such a small thing,

Can’t you give me one?

Seems to me you were holding out,

Were you really just holding on?

The things we did won’t mean a thing,

The memories drift away.

The things you said hang in the air,

Like a light that will not fade.

CH: You’re alive one day with miracles in your hand,

Then you’re heading for a wall, drivin’ fast as you can.

I settled down uneasy, I’m just waiting for tomorrow to come.

When the answers seem so distant,

Questions lose their fun.

You thought that I was shutting up,

I was really just shutting down.

It’s time we found the meaning,

In the games we have made.

And a reason makes the difference,

When the last trick must be played.

CH: You’re alive one day with miracles in your hand,

Then you’re heading for a wall, drivin’ fast as you can.

I settled down uneasy, I’m just waiting for tomorrow to come.

I Hear Her Say, “Don’t Forget Me”

Posted: August 12, 2015 in MUSIC, My Tunes
Tags: #12string, #acoustic, #audio, #creativity, #dreams, #guitar, #inspiration, #itunes, #life, #lyrics, #memory, #music, #musician, #past, #personal, #poetry, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #train, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-energy/id962943592

I wrote this song as a plea from the past. A message in a time capsule planted in you memories. It is in remembering that we learn.

Maybe it is because I have worked in the service area in one form or another for years, but I see a lot of people that do not want to wait their turn. They think they have a better reason to be first than anyone else already in line. The bass player with The Merchants Of Death (equal part original / cover band I played in) had a fascination with trains so I added the part about the train being on time after using some of his images while talking excitedly about their beauty and how powerful they are. It seemed to fit. You don’t have to wait, but neither will the rest of the world if you are not here to get on board. It exposes a point in time where too many things seem to push you the wrong way, and very little anyone can do about it. Life stacked against you.

It is also a reminder that somethings are better understood when looking at them in the distant past. As we remember events – especially through our dreams – our part in those events can become clearer. Often, I am not the saint or righteous person I thought I was when it happened. We can all be fools. Sometimes our dreams and the path to paradise is right in front of us and we do not realize it; or worse we refuse it for mysterious reasons. This is one of my older songs that I really love even after all these years.

This is another song recorded on my 12 string Ovation guitar I have. For this song you can tell I have two vocal tracks and I am singing all the way through the song. Using slight panning separation I try to add distance in the vocal parts. The guitar is open-tuned to G, which makes the chords seem full and spacious at the same time. I like it, anyway! To me this is a gorgeous sound all on its own.

“Get Out Of Line”

Just after my dream fades,

I hear her say,

“There will be many days,

For Fool Parades.

CHORUS:

If you don’t want to stand,

Then get outta line.

But don’t be surprised,

If the train is on time.

Still, it seems funny how,

Lost track of now.

Things that might have helped out,

They won’t allow.

CHORUS:

If you don’t want to stand,

Then get outta line.

But don’t be surprised,

If the train is on time.

“Don’t forget what I said”,

And I shake my head.

Feel the sweat on my bed,

Or tears instead.

CHORUS:

If you don’t want to stand,

Then get outta line.

But don’t be surprised,

If the train is on time.

Just after my dream fades,

I hear her say…..

“Don’t forget me”.

Sharing is Caring – Creative Blogger Award

Posted: August 1, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #acoustic, #band, #cars, #create, #creative, #creativity, #demo, #dreams, #guitar, #inspiration, #inspire, #journey, #life, #love, #Martial Arts, #music, #musician, #observation, #performance, #performer, #performers, #personal, #random, #share, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #Tae Kwon Do, #writer

I was nominated for the Creative Blogger Award by https://toniumbarger.wordpress.com (Thanks so much for the kind words)

Here are the 5 Random Facts About Me:

1) Before working at the music store, I worked for a Toyota dealership and sold – wait for it —– Used Cars!!!! I even sold a used car to my future wife. I knew and still know nothing about cars other than how to drive them. I was quite successful and my strategy was not to overwhelm customers with specs and technical jargon. I just found out what they needed and suggested a couple cars they would like. I loved the work but hated the tactics and methods used by the managers, finance department and just about everything except the money. It was not worth it to me so I quit selling used cars and started working at the music store for a lot less money. I also sold a car to my future wife.

2) In my last count including technical schools and college I have attended eighteen schools. I did this count so long ago I can’t remember all the schools now! This is why I’m bad at names and good at getting to know someone very quickly. I have a difficulties remembering names and places. I knew family, but unless you were around for a long time, I simply didn’t try to remember names of kids at school, or teachers, or buildings, or neighbors. But I was good at making friends and connecting with customers. I can tell you every piece of equipment my music store customers owned, where they played (not by name… but location), and know what style of music they were into but could not remember their names. It is a real challenge in the sales and music industries! If I could remember names and network, I would be dangerous!

3) I have studied Martial Arts for years. My choice to pursue Tae Kwon Do came from the name (I was told it loosely translated to open hand – open fist, meaning no weapons). The other thing that I liked is they start teaching defense postures rather than attack moves. If you were challenged and the ‘attacker did not play fair’ we were also trained how to incapacitate them or simply take them out if needed. One of my songs has a line – ‘I am a pacifist that just loves a good fight’! I have never had to use it against an attacker but the training and philosophy have lasted a very long time.

4) In reality, with all my posts on musical theory, I do not read sheet music! I know how it works and if I had to I could, but I learn and play by ear. (I have to work at it but I get there) If I need to use the sheet music to learn a piece, once I have learned it enough to play, I never use the sheet notation again.

5) Speaking of cars, I guarantee I can teach any licensed driver how to drive a car with a standard transmission in less than ten minutes……..

Instead of tagging a few of you, because I really do enjoy so many of your blogs on a daily basis, I’m encouraging you to share a few random facts about yourself with me – Anything you want to share is welcome. I love getting to know you all and I’m thankful every day to be a part of such an open, welcoming and diverse community.

MidiMike

Available on iTunes and CD Baby

Social Media

MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#life’

Full Circle Lessons

Nothing Personal, Your Job Has Been Eliminated

My First And Only Selfie!

Simple Minds and Double Standards

Save the Moment!

Port Hole

100th Post – Reflection

A Small Token…

I Hear Her Say, “Don’t Forget Me”

Archives

Available on iTunes and CD Baby

Social Media

MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#life’

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