I’ve covered the U.S. Professional Battleship Tour since its beginning in February 2005. I know that’s not a lot of time for this sport, but believe you me, I can’t think of a more backbreaking or grueling sport to watch, cover or think about.
What is Professional Battleship? It’s making a living playing the classic Milton Bradley board game. Some of the best players include: James “The Fat Blacksmith” Sheppard III, Gadda Hagga-Hagga, Texas Slim, Texas Hank, Carl the Floridian, Scrupulous Kentucky Lou, Mad Oklahoma Johnson, The Idaho Shocker, Lou “Shoulders” Padowski, The Green Hornet, Infomercial James and El Presidente De Lo Ricardo Montalban Fan Club.
In order to be the best in Pro Battleship you have to be good, but you also have to be lucky. Sometimes you have to be real lucky.
“I was in a best-of-99 match and couldn’t finish my opponent until he made a series of F1-F15 blunders in round 77 that, frankly, I didn’t understand the logic behind,” said Mad Oklahoma Johnson. “But at that point I didn’t care. Ultimately, I ended up winning with little effort.”
Texas Slim graduated from the A1, A3/G1, G3 School of calling a game. Sometimes it’s served him well. Other times it has not.
“I’ve been humiliated as a man, sure,” Texas Slim said. “But that comes with the territory. Battleship teaches you how to be a better man.”
When you go “nothing but white” in Pro Battleship, which means you place nothing but white pegs on the opponents’ board for at least five rounds, it can become very frustrating.
“You feel like a sissy cream puff, maybe even a chicken-hearted fool or pessimistic imp,” said James “The Fat Blacksmith” Sheppard III. “Some guys never get over it. I’ve seen their tour careers ruined.”
Pro Battleship can be rough, but the rewards can be amazing. Scrupulous Kentucky Lou has won more than $10.45 in career earnings. Infomercial James averages about $1.10 every 6-8 weeks.
“Some people think we’re crazy,” Infomercial James said. “Well if that be so, then so be it.”
About the Author
Dusty Applegate has written about Professional Battleship for many, many, many weeks - perhaps a couple of months or so. He is the author of three books: “Why Am I So Fat? Oh, It’s Because I Eat a Lot of Crap and Sit Around All Day Long”, “Confessions of a Fatso Donut Lover of Fat Foods” and “Hey Fatty: Get Out of My Face.” You can read his Battleship stories at www.sportspulp.com.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people set-up a
website, without any type of plan or clue about how to
promote it, how to write a sales letter, how to write an ad–
nothing!
Even more amazing is how many people try to conduct business
online without any money.
The other day, I received an e-mail from a woman named Nadia
inquiring about my E-mail Consultation Service.
In her e-mail, she explained she had “empty pockets” and
couldn’t afford my subscription fee. However, since her
ancestors were gypsies, she had plenty of jewelry and she’d
be willing to pay me with a few “trinkets and lockets,” in
exchange for my help. I politely declined her offer.
I get my share of crazy e-mails, so I have no idea if that
one was a hoax or not. I’m assuming it was, since I never
heard back from Nadia. Besides, I get so many e-mails every
day from people asking me for free help and advice, I
generally skim over them quickly and delete them.
People, listen to me, please! You can’t conduct business
online or offline without any money. You just can’t do it!
Now I’m not saying you need thousands of dollars–although
that wouldn’t hurt.
However, you need to at least have two or three hundred
dollars in the bank to work with.
It’s a myth that you can make money without having any money-
-just a myth!
The number one reason why most businesses fail is because
they’re undercapitalized. They come online with just enough
money to buy one ad–hoping to make a killing!
If that ad happens to be a success–bingo, instant cash
flow! But if that one ad fails, just like that, they’re out
of business.
I know you’re excited about your new business, and you can’t
wait to get started. However, instead of rushing into
things, take a few more weeks or months to save up a little
more money, and then get started.
Doing it that way does require a little more patience. But
by having a little money to fall back on, you give yourself
a greater chance to succeed, and in the long run, you’ll be
a lot better off!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dean Phillips is an Internet marketing expert, writer,
publisher and entrepreneur. Questions? Comments? Dean can be
reached at mailto: dean@lets-make-money.net
Visit his website at: http://www.lets-make-money.net
Spider’s Night on the Boom
(An excerpt from the book Spider’s Night on the Boom)
by Gary E. Anderson
www.abciowa.com
I’ve never been what you’d call a wild child. When I was in grade school, the most negative thing teachers used to write on my report cards was “can’t keep hands off other students.”
In high school, I deliberately skipped class once, but the next day, the teacher only said, “That’s OK. You must’ve had a good reason,” and when I tried skipping classes in college, no one even noticed.
My idea of a rousing Friday night was for Spider McGee, Digger Sanby and me to grab our poles and head for a night’s fishing on the log boom. One night, the three of us were sitting side by side in the dark, drinking cocoa and talking about life, when I suddenly felt a tug on my line. I jerked back to set the hook, and my pole hit Spider squarely across the face.
As he reached up, his hat flew offright into the river. It must have been one of his favorite hats, because a second later, Spider was in the water himself. I was now faced with a classic dilemma. My buddy was in the waterbut I had a fish on the line.
Without hesitation, I shouted, “Hey, Digger! Help the guy, will ya? I got a fish on here!”
When we’d hauled Spider back onto the boom, his drenched red hair and beard made him look like a large waterlogged orangutanand an angry orangutan. Seems he’d also dropped his pole in the water when he decided to go for a swim. I didn’t see how he could blame me for his carelessness, but he didn’t seem to be in the mood to discuss it.
By the time he’d finally stopped whimpering, I’d landed my fish. In true “make do” fashion, Spider tried to salvage the night by pulling a bunch of line out of his tackle box and tying the whole setup to his ankle. After he’d cast out his makeshift setup, everything was quiet for awhile, until I heard a distinct “OOOF!”
I looked to my left and saw Spider going into the river again. But this time, he was holding onto the boom, his legs pointed downstream. Wow! It looked like he’d hooked into the giant catfish we called “Old Granddad!” Strangely, he didn’t seem too happy about it.
I ran over to help.
“Play him!” I yelled, “Move you leg up and down to take up the slack!”
“Are you crazy? Help me outta here!” Spider shouted.
After a few minutes, Digger and I found that by tilting Spider’s huge torso at various angles, we could play Old Granddad fairly well. It was quite a fight, but pretty noisy, what with Spider filling the air with sputtering and cussing. And it got worse when I accidentally stepped on Spider’s fingers and he let go of the boomtaking off downstream.
I had to think fast. I took my pole and cast in Spider’s direction. As luck would have it, I snagged the big guy’s pant leg on the first cast. Spider let out a yelp when I yanked back to set the hook, but the hook stuck.
Spider did a set of ungainly splits in the water, with me pulling on one leg and a 40-pound catfish pulling on the other. I was impressed with the big guy’s agility, but it didn’t seem like the right time to bring it up at the moment.
After about 30 minutes, we heard a giant pop, and Spider’s legs suddenly sprang back into something resembling a normal position. But Digger and I both gasped, because Old Granddad had gotten away! Although we were totally disappointed, Spider didn’t even seem to notice.
We finally managed to reel Spider back onto the boomno mean feat, considering I was only using 10-pound test. His pant leg was shredded, and it seems that he’d lost a boot when Old Granddad made his escape. But our friend was safe, but the funny was, Spider never even bothered to thank me for saving his life.
Oh, well, some guys are like that, I guessungrateful.
© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He’s published more than 500 articles and four books. He’s also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary’s website at www.abciowa.com.
Though there was a bit of snow still left on the ground, it was a bright sunny day. Looking outside the window, the sun’s glow compelled me to draw closer to the window, to bask in its warmth. Oh, that was so neat! It felt like Spring had arrived!
So, I (this person who vowed to never experience the outdoors until winter had passed) decided to briefly enjoy the weather and took off for a quick shopping spree; dressed in apparent Spring apparel, as I like to plan ahead.
Of course, all was decently warm, as I got into my non-heated but sheltered car, parked inside the garage. Ok, so it was a little chilly. But, being brave as I am, I knew I could handle it.
Though I forget what the initial temperature read, I’m thinking it might have been in the upper thirties (on the inside of the garage). Still optimistic, upper 30’s wasn’t too bad; as long as I didn’t stay out doors for very long.
Wow! My kids would be so proud of me, venturing out like this. And hey, the roads weren’t too bad; another sign of it being a warmer day.
My first stop was at Menards, to make a return and to check out any new rebate offers.
As I got out of my car, it seemed a bit more chilly than expected. So, I walked a bit briskly to get inside … and the closest door was plenty good enough for me.
There were only a couple rebate opportunities worth considering. However, Christmas decorations were now 75% off. So, I ventured over to those isles and choose 3 rolls of Christmas wrapping paper that I had previously noticed, and sort of liked; only, I hadn’t liked the price before.
Then, while going through check out, the cashier discovered that the price of these rolls had already been reduced 75% and, after inquiry to be certain, the cashier took another 75% off. So, that made this nicer wrapping paper only 22 cents per roll! Oh, my stars! I had struck gold!
However, the manager on duty didn’t think it would be a good idea for me to return into the store, with my already purchased merchandise. And, brave as I was, only once was enough for having to go outdoors again.
So, with receipt in hand, I parked my cart and grabbed another one handy, then returned to Menards’ collection of ‘left over’ Christmas wrapping paper; no doubt ‘left over’ only because they had originally charged an arm and a leg for these babies. But, spendthrift as I am, I had kept my limbs perfectly in tact.
And of course, with a deal like this and me with nine grandchildren, I was quick to clean Menards out of all their nicer wrapping paper.
Altogether, it was only fifty-one rolls. Sure, some rolls only had 10 ft. of paper on them. Though, I’ll have some of the prettiest packages in town; ok, for maybe two, three, or four years. But, hey, who’s counting?
As for the remaining customers who suddenly left the check out lanes, “Too late, ladies, they’re all mine!”
But, as you might have guessed, being that Menards is quite frugal in bagging their merchandise, it was work getting the paper to not fall out of the cart. Fortunately, in my great wisdom and strategic planning, I had parked close to the exit door.
Now, to face the cold. (There is a reason why we call it ‘bitter. It actually hurts!) I hurried to get those rolls to the trunk and only dropped one as I skidded toward the car.
Do you know how many times it takes to put fifty-one rolls into a trunk while only picking up three rolls at a time, so not to also have to pick up others off the ground? Ok, so you have bigger hands. Well, good for you. I’ll let you help, next time.
The outside temperature registered to be 18 degrees. And, on top of that, if you haven’t experienced the Northern winds, you know nothing yet of cold. The inside of a refrigerator is warmer than here. What was I thinking?
Mustering all the common sense that remained within me, I made the conclusion it was time to put on my coat.
Being that it was only as far as the next corner and the fact that they carry some of my most favorite ‘no brand name’ junk food, the next stop was Aldi’s; where someone had left a cart in the parking lot. No doubt, they hadn’t worn a coat, either.
So, I saved another 25 cents and the nice part is that the cart was still warm! Therefore, it was with quick speed that I made it inside the store. (Awe, warmth! We should never be without it.)
Another shopper said, “This is much warmer than yesterday,” and all she wore extra were gloves. Isn’t that just like people, to rub it in?
As it worked out, I guessed and managed, and didn’t spend more than the unplanned cash in my billfold. And with that, now I know to only put half as much in your cart and you won’t run out of money.
However, with my mad dash for sunshine (which was now gone ‘only God knows where’), I had forgotten to bring grocery bags (or even to grab empty boxes in the store) and there was no way I was purchasing store bags and squander my savings; even if they are only 3 cents each.
Therefore, as you might have guessed, groceries were strewn, into the back seat of the car, the quickest way they would land. But hey, I got the quarter out of the cart before leaving. Sure, I had spent forty some dollars there. But, I came out a quarter richer. Now, you can’t beat that. Though, I sure am glad they didn’t require blood!
The next stop was to get gasoline, only because hubby said I needed to. If anyone had asked me, I’d rather have strolled into the garage on fumes.
And of course, this gas station just happened to be one of those with a nasty sign that says you actually have to remain outside of the car until the gas pump stops. The next time, I may just fill up the car when the gas tank is almost full ~ as I was the one shrunk behind the pump, hiding from the wind. For real, I could have peed faster than this!
But, as they say, “All is well that ends well,” and I finally made it home. However, by the time I got all the groceries drug from out of the car, on both sides, I was beginning to have visions of grandeur.
The computer chair looked like such a cozy retreat, it was calling my name. Only, wouldn’t you know, groceries still needed putting away. I declare, a woman’s work is never done. I think I heard that somewhere before. But, as luck would have it, I, somehow, survived.
As for the rolls of Christmas wrapping paper still in the trunk, who cares?
The following day, I opened the trunk of the car and showed hubby my great find; and got crowned Queen Shopper for a Day. He was so pleased at the savings that he took care of putting away the rolls of paper.
It’s a good thing that we actually have places to store these special finds. So, be forewarned, Wal-Mart, on the next sun shining day, I’ll be headed your way!
Though, in the event you haven’t guessed, the moral of this story is … even if the sun is shining, as long as there is still snow on the ground, it’s just a mirage.
© 2005 by Joyce C. Lock
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/
About the Author
Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries “Heavenly Inspirations” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and “Share a Smile” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce’s writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
Keywords aren’t just some words that allow search engines,
like Google, to find your web site. They are also key
elements for creating attractive language to use in your
marketing or advertising material. For instance places such
as: brochures, business cards, flyers, and ads. Keywords
can also fit well into speaking engagements scripts or
audiotapes scripts as well as audience handouts.
It is important to create a keyword list for each product or
service you have. The keyword list might even change
slightly if there are various groups or audiences for that
product or service.
For simplicity, I have omitted the word service and for the
word product to reflect both.
Creating your keyword list can begin after you have clearly
identified the buyer or audience for a particular product or
service. You will need to know as much about the buyer’s
demographic and charactertics as possible. I also recommend
including their descriptive qualities and personalities.
Here is a list to kick start your brainstorming process:
Communicative
Competent
Dedicated
Enthusiastic
Expert
Hardworking
Improved
Positive
Negative
Professional
Relationship-driven
Self-confident
Successful
Tranquil
Spiritual
Understanding
Socially conscious
Early adaptor
Later buyer
Has to see it to believe it
Guarantee a must.
The list of keywords will describe the product and target
the specific quality you have isolated as most important to
those buyers. No grabbing out of midair. Take the time and
research, this will help you save money and reduce costly
marketing experiences.
You can complete your research with any combination of
methods. Here are eight methods to help you build from:
Brainstorming
Yellow Pages or other indexes for services or products.
Reviewing your company literature already created
Checking out the competitor’s literature
Surveying key customers
Searching through trade publications (articles and ads),
and contacting them or visiting their web site looking for
their buyer statistics/demographics.
Use a general dictionary and thesaurus
Use a specialized dictionary like the, Flip Dictionary.
You can use resources like the yellow pages or other
catalogue-type indexes listing grouping to discover keywords
your product or service would be listed under.
Let’s move through an example. If you were selling a
professional development product - you could be in any one
of the following professions: professional speaker, life,
business, or executive coach, consultant or trainer. Your
buyer or audience is somewhat successful you’re your product
will help them add additional success. Here is a list of
keywords that could describe their characteristics or
qualities:
Able to motivate others
Clearheaded
Clear-sighted
Committed to achieving excellence
Demands excellence
Full of character
Has good judgment
Has a wonderful stress-free life already
Highly perceptive
Lives up to her or her potential
Life-long learner
Sts high standards for themselves
Stays on track
Strives for perfection
Strives to excel
Takes the initiative
Motivated to achieve
Okay, good start. Now, let’s begin to put all this
together. Let’s zoom in on one of these: strives to excel.
Let’s narrow down further to one word: excel.
Look up the word excel in a synonym finder, thesaurus or my
preference, the Flip Dictionary and you find the following
keywords that you can add to your keyword list: best,
better, exceed, outclass, outdo, out rival, outstrip, shine,
star, superior, surpass, take the cake, transcend, dominate,
tower above, be head and shoulders above, stand out in the
crowd, hold sway, lead, take the lead, lead the pack.
The list can go on, however, will stop here because the
point is made.
After this, you could let your fingers travel through the
thesaurus and then add those words.
Alternatively, you could continue your list by visiting a
few of your competitor’s web sites and see what keywords
they use. You do this by visiting their home page, right
clicking the mouse on the page, and select “view source.”
In the HTML code look for “keywords.” These are the
keywords they use for the search engines to find them.
You will want to specifically focus on the competitor web
sites that appear in first ten spots on one or two major
search engines, like Google.
Next, select another method from your list of resources and
continue until you feel you have enough right words.
After completing your list, you will want to review and
place the keywords in priority order as best possible and
eliminate any words that might be misleading. If you market
globally, make sure none of the keywords mean something
offensive in their language.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Franz, a Business Coach, specialized in writing,
marketing and product development. Newsletters and
additional articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com
Copyright © Bill Vannot - All Rights Reserved
http://www.successful-marketing.com
===================
Are your prices set for success? If you study consumer
psychology, you might run across suggestions that prices
ending with the number “7″ can possibly sell more often than
prices ending in other numbers,
One example would be to try pricing something at $4.97 to
possibly make more of an impact, than pricing it at $4.99.
Have you tried this pricing technique? Set up a test and see
if it works better for you. Can a difference of only 2 cents
really make a difference in the sales you stack up?
If you sell higher quality products or services, this could
cheapen your product or service’s image, so you should avoid
this pricing strategy for expensive items. If your brand is
solid, your offers can absolutely command and get higher
prices.
You can also try lowering your prices. It could work for
you if your customers buy more than one item from you. It
appears to be more of a bargain if you say $35.00 for one
or $97 for 3 items. It isn’t a big saving but it is a bit
more eye appealing. Sometimes, bundling items is a good
idea, at a slightly reduced price.
Creative psychological pricing strategies also include using
a technique that seems to lower the value of your product
or service. Here’s an example, if you charge a $400 annual
fee for your service, try offering the same service for
$7.50 a week. It’s almost the same price but the weekly
cost of $7.50 seems to look cheaper than hundreds of
dollars.
Test your products and services with psychological pricing.
If it works for you, your sales just might increase!
————–
This article may be reprinted freely as long as the
reference box remains intact.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Vannot specializes in branding Businesses with
articles, even if you can’t write! Find out what a Ghost
Writer can do to help you brand your e-business identity!
http://www.flashyads.com/boohoo.html
Public relations is all about credibility and
trustworthiness. If you don’t practice PR, then you are
likely to be incredible.
Some of the elements of a PR program include research, media
relations, publicity, special events, employee relations,
client relationship management, crisis communication, trade
shows/conferences, community and government relations, and
corporate identity. PR helps you shape internal and external
opinion about your organization with an eye toward building
support among your key “publics.”
What can you expect from PR if it is done correctly?
- Boost Credibility. Media coverage or word-of-mouth from the
right people heightens your credibility much more than an ad
ever could.
- Build Trust. People trust what they are familiar with. A
proactive PR program that gets and keeps your name in front
of people can be the first step in building that trust.
- Generate Leads. Positive publicity for your products and
services can generate sales leads for you to follow up.
- Word-of-Mouth. By increasing awareness of your company,
people and products, media coverage provides fodder for the
word-of-mouth machine.
- Shape Attitudes. From employee communication to publicity,
PR tactics can be used to tell your story convincingly to key
publics.
-Refine Customer Service. Those who believe PR is about
one-way, top-down spin doctoring - I hope - are relics of the
past. Two-way PR, in which the company actually solicits and
listens to customer feedback, can provide the kind of edge
companies need today in this age of commoditization.
So, don’t be incredible. Make PR an integral part of your
business strategy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX and Verbatim.
By following the simple advice heard on The Dr. Phil show, I have finally found inner peace.
Dr.Phil proclaimed the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things that you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I started and hadn’t finished; and, before leaving the house this morning I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a Bottle of Bailey’s, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of both Prozac and Valium prescriptions, the rest of the Cheesecake, some Saltines and a box of Chocolates.
You have no idea how freaking good I feel. Please pass this advice on to those you feel are in need of inner peace.
About the Author
The person who posted this article has a website called Drunk In The Desert. www.drunkinthedesert.com. Visit for drinking games, fun, supplies, and random acts of intoxication.
Women can be sports widows when husbands take to the tube, but what’s a man to do when his lady love is a hang-glider? Cyril May and Jack McDonald explore this question in their playful tune, Macho Mountain Mama on their CD, “Off The Beaten Track.”
‘When warm winds from the valleys
Sweep on up the mountain side
When the thermals are a pumping all around
When the birds are all grounded
‘Cause the wind’s too rough to fly
Then Macho Mountain Mama’s up there flyin’ high.’
In the song, Cyril’s lyrics show a real appreciation for the adventurous woman obsessed with a pastime that leaves her man far below. But a twinge of jealousy for her high-flying freedom comes through as well. The lilting instrumentals add bounce to the piece, and keep our feet tapping along in time. Jack McDonald adds his special arrangements to the mix, and the result is a musical romp.
‘She’s my Macho Mountain Mama
Like a bird, her spirit’s free
She flies a big hang-glider through the skies
And I feel up there she’s closer
To her real true love than me
And I envy how my Macho Mountain Mama flies’
For more commentary of everyday life, check out sample tracks of “Off the Beaten Track’ at www.cyrilmay.com or contact him at by phone: 562/433-0734, email: divingds@juno.com or snail-mail: 266 Orizaba, Long Beach, CA 90803.
About the Author
Freelance Writer in Ashland, Oregon
I’m growing older but not up
My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck
Let those winds of time blow over my head
I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead (Jimmy Buffett)
Buffett was playing as I headed down the road at seventy miles per hour. I was on my middle age road trip, somewhere between the North Carolina line and Nashville. The last time I had taken this route was in 2001, just before I went to live in Japan. Now it’s four years later, and I realize I have not grown up that much.
My kid has. He’s nearly twice his age. He’s nearly twice the size. Me, I am a middle age guy who still likes cheap hotels, country music, and riding the road with my radio blasting. It may not be head-banger music, but it has rhythm, and soul, and a touch of southern twang.
The last time I took this trip, I called my old friend Brent in Nashville, and we met up for some bluegrass at The Station Inn like we always have. Brent is one of those guys who went to Nashville after college, and hasn’t left. He has even managed to make a few bucks, and has continued to make his living off of the music business. When you think about the number of talented folks that come and go in Nashville every year, he is a living miracle. A middle-aged guy who makes his living in the music business. Dang.
This time, I didn’t call Brent. I didn’t have his number and I had a full schedule, and wasn’t sure that he would have the time. Then, lo and behold, while buying some Elvis postcards at the Ryman Auditorium during intermission of the Bela Fleck concert, who comes up and pinches me on the butt, none other than my old friend Brent.
We have known each other so long (over 30 years now) that I was not the least bit surprised by a pinch on my rear (though saddened that it was not some hot Nashville singer with a penchant for middle-aged guys). We hadn’t seen each other in nearly four years, then we were back to old times.
He is one of my only friends that I still keep in contact with that has been to Coffee County, Alabama. He is one of the few people I know that I can still speak of FFA string band contests and land judging competitions, and knows exactly of what I speak. He is one of those guys who has grown older with me, but not necessarily up.
Brent and I did what we normally do when we get together. We ate; we talked of old times, and new times, and even the future. Then we went our separate directions for another long spell. Note to self: keep in touch this time.
The other part of this road trip that was meaningful was my trip to Graceland. Every southerner ought to make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime just to get in touch with their roots. (Some of us have been a second time for good measure.)
Doesn’t matter whether one likes Elvis or not, he is a part of us. If we grew listening to rock and roll, we have Elvis to thank. If we ever shed a tear at a gospel song, Elvis contributed to that. If we danced silly in public and did not feel self-conscious, Elvis went before us.
A few facts I learned from this road trip:
1) I am a southerner, and will always be different because of it.
2) Music goes to the core of my being, and my core is just a little bit more low-down than others are willing to admit.
3) There’s nothing like the wide-open road to clear your head (and with $2.25 a gallon gasclear your wallet too)
About the Author: Mike Stanton-Rich is “The Leisure Guy.” Armed with a Ph.D. in Leisure Studies and years studying stress and burnout, he writes regular articles and features about enhancing work and leisure. Catch his latest at: http://www.theleisureguy.com
Source: www.isnare.com