#story | MidiMike

Posts Tagged ‘#story’

Above The Clouds

Posted: October 5, 2015 in Photography
Tags: #beauty, #clouds, #personal, #photography, #picture, #story, #vacation

Although I did not take this picture, it is one my wife took that I think you will enjoy. If you have not had this perspective it is hard to fully appreciate the feeling of being above the clouds – while your feet are still on the ground! If you have been able to see this for yourself, you probably want to have that feeling and view back again and again.

We were on vacation in Maui, HI. There were so many beautiful and awesome areas I must have taken hundreds of pictures and my wife took many more. As we gawked at the beauty in front of us, invariably we would turn around and see something just as spectacular. That became the theme of our vacation; if you see something beautiful……. TURN AROUND!

Ridiculous Penalties for a Ridiculous Law

Posted: October 2, 2015 in Poetry
Tags: #creative, #criminal, #laws, #legal, #marijuana, #personal, #poem, #poetry, #pot, #story, #writer

“Criminal” © MSK 9-4-2013

Got some extra cash, future looks grand
Give my girl a call and make some plans.
Working hard and things are going great
Take her out on the town and celebrate.

After dinner we take in a show
Meet some old friends that wanna go.
Hangin out, talking a little shop
When all of a sudden we see the cop.

Busted for possession of a little pot
They threw us in jail and left us to rot.
Took pictures and prints and after one call
Each one of us became a criminal.

Cancer started early and spread so fast
Time is measured in pain, not weeks that have passed.
Morning to night alone and feeling ill
Insurance companies refused to help pay the bill.

Not born to money, fame or wealth
Struggling just to maintain her health.
No medications working at this point
But she finds relief by smoking a joint.

Busted for buying from an undercover cop
They threw her in a cell and left her to rot.
Ridiculous penalties for a ridiculous law
We just turned her into a criminal.

No addiction, violence or inability to think
Nothing compared to meth, coke or a few drinks.
I just find it bordering psychotic
To punish marijuana use like a narcotic.

Laws often made of bribes and cash
Make it illegal to keep a private stash.
Politicians, drug-lords and all of their friends
Hope this money making game never ends.

His Simon to My Garfunkel

Posted: September 28, 2015 in My Tunes
Tags: #acoustic, #audio, #create, #creativity, #guitar, #harmony, #music, #musician, #personal, #recording, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer, #writing

Years ago when I was still learning to play guitar; I know, we are always learning! In this piece, my great friend and musical soul mate Tom Robinson is playing guitar and singing. I play around with the harmony, not knowing exactly where this song is going as we play off each other’s ideas as the song ends. This is another very basic living room recording but I simply love the song and the textures we created around the basic outline of the song. I hope you enjoy it as well. There are a number of inside jokes and references people might not totally understand, but I don’t think that will interfere too much.When I contacted them recently for correct song credits the answers were definite with options available for future adjustments. Tom Gorman and Tom Robinson [for all intents and purposes…] wrote the lyrics. Music by Tom Robinson. For a little more history I will include a portion of the conversation for historic kicks and giggles.

(Co-authors) Tom Gorman to Tom Robinson:

It was I July or Aug of 77 at your apartment. ….. Your stereo wasn’t working, and you were tinkering with it. You began to make progress and said “We got the capability . . .” For whatever reason, that inspired me, and I wrote most of the words to the song, including most of the refrain. ….. You came up with the lines about (mutual friends). I had written “We’ve got to feed our habits now” but couldn’t think of anything else. You changed “habits” to “rabbits” and added the line about rounding up the steer. At a later point, you put it to music and added “Thinkin’ about our doodely doom” and “weekend in the womb.” You also gave it the title “The Round-up.” The illegal beer was the Millers that (we) managed to score on a Sunday when it was illegal to sell it on Sunday.

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.

Only Left-Hand Turns!

Posted: September 14, 2015 in Opinions and Observations
Tags: #drinking, #experience, #learn, #left, #lessons, #musician, #personal, #story, #turn

Most of us learn as we grow older. We learn to read and write and all the social things we need to know in order to survive day to day life. We also learn how to avoid doing really stupid things that might hurt others, embarrass us for the rest of our lives …. or possibly; get us killed.

In my past life I worked in the plastics injection molding business. Probably because I had the musicians ability to stay up late, I was never really bothered by working late or evening shifts. (prospective employers please note: musicians get things done at night! Hire the musician – another tip for the wise) My mind refuses to turn off if there is something going on. My apologies to my daughter Teneca, for she has inherited more than her share of odd traits or habits from me. There is a long line of them in articles to come! As can happen, you get off work at 8 AM and you are wide awake. It is like your evening, getting out of work. Sometimes it was a drive to a park or scenic area, and enjoy the sunrise and watching the world wake up slowly; at first.

One time co-workers wanted to get a drink at a local bar that opened early. There are more than you might think. Things are different now-a-days. It’s not like they have a happy hour, but we go in and have a few drinks after work. I work about 30 miles from home at this point. The rest of the story I will make short:

I head home but I am in no condition to drive. Being much younger I was not prepared. I took a turn a little too wide. It was out in the country and no traffic, but I went off the pavement a little and scraped the post of the guardrail. Being stupid, I kept driving. I quickly learned that I could not turn the steering wheel to the right because I had pushed in the corner of the bumper into the wheel well. In spite of that I some how managed – in my not thinking straight frame of mind – to get home making all left-hand turns! I did get home and I did not cause any real damage but I also learned a number of important lessons that otherwise could have likely killed me or someone else.
Hopefully, this is one of those lessons you can learn from some one else’s experience and not have to do yourself to learn!

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.

Peddle Down, Let’s Burn This Town

Posted: September 1, 2015 in My Tunes
Tags: #atari, #audio, #creativity, #digital, #lyrics, #music, #musician, #personal, #poetry, #recording, #retro, #singer, #song, #songwriter, #sound, #story, #studio, #synthesizer, #tech, #vocalist, #vocals, #writer

“Rainy Day”

Cruisin’ down the avenue

Raining in the lightning.

Listening to the radio

Cruisin’ in the darkness.

Peddle down, let’s burn this town

Fire from my tires.

Reflections in my rear view mirror,

I will find tomorrow.

Comin’ down the avenue

Raining and the lightning.

Reflections in my rear view mirror

I will find tomorrow.

Go for ride real late at night

Rain comin’ down like it usually does.

So I turn the radio to the right

Playin’ the same songs as the other night.

So I slammed the door and I left for good

Now you find me driving in your neighborhood.

Don’t explain it to me, it’s well understood

Everything you do for me is for my own good.

Turn ‘round the corner I’m still losing my mind

So I punched it down and left it all behind.

Tryin’ not to cry I push it all back

Racing fast to nowhere on a one way track.

No colors at all, just the burning headlights

And the crackling of lightning tearing into the night.

People ask me what I do at night

I tell them only one thing makes me feel all right.

It makes me feel all right.

Lyrics by Michael & Ellen Kennedy

Music by Michael Kennedy

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.

MidiMike

Available on iTunes and CD Baby

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MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#story’

Above The Clouds

Ridiculous Penalties for a Ridiculous Law

His Simon to My Garfunkel

Simple Minds and Double Standards

Save the Moment!

Only Left-Hand Turns!

Port Hole

Peddle Down, Let’s Burn This Town

100th Post – Reflection

A Small Token…

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Available on iTunes and CD Baby

Social Media

MSK original Songs

Posts Tagged ‘#story’

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