SHOW: University of Central Florida/Summertime!

FLORIDA GIG
I have been booked for the University of Central Florida in Orlando on July 22, 2009.

I will share the stage with the lovely Shanelle Gabriel. Show time is 7:00pm, and it will be held in the UCF Cape Florida Ballroom. Our show will last about 90 minutes.

SUMMER PLANS
Aside from the above mentioned gig, I am taking most of the summer off to relax in Worcester. I hope to hold a couple of “kitchen readings” at my house, focusing on one poet. I want poets to have an opportunity to perform for up to an hour in a very intimate setting. I’d also like to record the sets and post them on my site, maybe even stream them live from my house.

More information to follow once I have a show in the works.

I know that I have no intention of attend the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, Florida in August. Considering the fact that even blinking and sitting make me sweat, I have very little interest in spending a week in a place that is surely to make me sweat from sweating. I hope people have fun and enjoy NPS. I hope there’s no hurricane this year, although, it would be the ultimate “Storm Poet.”

David Perez is coming to visit Wormtown after NPS. That makes me very pleased.
———
Word to the nerd.

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on 8 July, 2009 at 8:02 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged college, poetry, shanelle gabriel, spoken word, tour, ucf, university of central florida. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

SHOW: University of Central Florida/Summertime!

FLORIDA GIG
I have been booked for the University of Central Florida in Orlando on July 22, 2009.

I will share the stage with the lovely Shanelle Gabriel. Show time is 7:00pm, and it will be held in the UCF Cape Florida Ballroom. Our show will last about 90 minutes.

SUMMER PLANS
Aside from the above mentioned gig, I am taking most of the summer off to relax in Worcester. I hope to hold a couple of “kitchen readings” at my house, focusing on one poet. I want poets to have an opportunity to perform for up to an hour in a very intimate setting. I’d also like to record the sets and post them on my site, maybe even stream them live from my house.

More information to follow once I have a show in the works.

I know that I have no intention of attend the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, Florida in August. Considering the fact that even blinking and sitting make me sweat, I have very little interest in spending a week in a place that is surely to make me sweat from sweating. I hope people have fun and enjoy NPS. I hope there’s no hurricane this year, although, it would be the ultimate “Storm Poet.”

David Perez is coming to visit Wormtown after NPS. That makes me very pleased.
———
Word to the nerd.

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on at 8:02 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged college, personal updates, poetry, shanelle gabriel, spoken word, tour, ucf, university of central florida. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Back To School

The title of this post is a relative misnomer considering my lack of true post high school education. I “attended” West Valley Junior College and “studied” photography and screenwriting for a semester each, along with some theater and such. I have no clue what I was left with in terms of units. In two solid years of community college, I only recall actually sticking with and passing my screenwriting class.

I rebelled. I despised formal education. It felt like hoops I to jump through, and fat people don’t jump through hopps. I figured, “fuck school…I have a café to sit in front of while I shuffle through menial wage jobs and socialize.”

I learned everything I do now in my “Slacker Years” – 1996 through 2000 was the era responsible for making my lifelong friends, while putting me on track to become a talking poet and see some of the world.

Since high school, I had always followed the notion that anything above a diploma was just hoop-jumping-proof that one could do a lot of work, while staying within the lines. College just seemed like an excuse to force kids to grow up, then collate them into society in a speedy, reasonable fashion.

I certainly wasn’t ready to grow up yet, and I know I will not learn shit if I’m not ready for it. I must be prepared and now I believe I just might be.

Inspired by the hundreds of universities and colleges I’ve performed at in the last five years, I’ve found myself longing to begin a regimented course of learning that could lead me to teaching. Until recently, the idea that I could teach was foreign and far-off. Now, I realize that what I do in front of audiences is not much different from what a proffesor would do in front of a class or lab. I think I couls put a very McGee-tyoe-twist on education, as long as it is a subject I adore and have the mental capacity to really explore with a classroom and beyond.

I love anthropology, sociology, history, English and art. I explore the first three the most. People have recommended that I look into teaching English and so far, the idea is not very appealing. I cannot imagine putting all of my focus on teaching others how to write when I have so much vested in my own works. I would despise myself and my students if I had to focus on guiding them into the writing I want to achieve. Call it sellfish; I call it honest. I have the passion it takes to teach, now I need the credentials. These qualities should help me guide any room of people toward comprehensible learning and a quality of life I appreciate.

A lot of this came out of a heavy autumn depression and then the 2008 election compounded my views. I began to feel that no matter how much I tour (100,000 miles a year), I had no end zone…no finish line. I was touring to tour and meet people. To spread “the” word. As much as I love touring and seeing people and places, I began to question why I wasn’t settling down. Turns out when you set out on a journey with no real direction, you remain direction-less.

Around 2002, I decided I might run for mayor of San José, but I buffered it to the year 2018.I figured by then I’d be wiser and more mature. More focused and organized. Lame. This past election was a key factor in reminding me that I get too irritated with politicians to become one. It occurred to me that I could be a lot more effective locally if I were to teach, question authority, and become member of the checks and balances local politicos need to stay focused. I could always join a city council or local committee. I’d rather stand, teach and learn in front of a classroom of students than beg in front of boardroom of suits.

Admittedly, when it comes to my own education, I feel a little n00b-ish. I am starting all over. Friends who’ve acquired various degrees have pointed me in certain directions, but the path is mine and only I can be content with my choices. I harbor no resentment for getting this late-blooming spark at 32 years old. I am quite confident that if I want a Ph.D, I will get a Ph.D. Luckily, while I may feel a little lost when it comes to my oncoming education, I have a few thousand acquaintances who have opinions and advice I will gladly consider.

Right now, I feel like a degree in sociology makes sense. I thoroughly enjoy debating humanity’s relationships, existence and connections. I feel I can bring a lot to the focus of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. It makes sense that I’ve become a sissy poet over the last ten years. Thanks a lot, Trenchard! Well done, Litvak! You warned me, Aahz, but I never listened. You were right, BB.

I am so glad I do what I do for a living. It’s a good life. Ups and downs…side to side.

In conclusion, I am feeling UC Berkeley and I want to shoot for a bit of English and a lot of Sociology. Berkeley keeps me in the Bay Area/California, they have satellite programs in Silicon Valley and are one of the top schools in my fields interest.

I finally feel like that mature guy I wished I would be back in 1995, the one who said school was lame and didn’t need it. I do not regret the time I missed in school because I was still learning, I just regret the attitude. I know where I want to be and where I want to go. I will always be a poet, I will always perform poetry, and I will tour every chance I get, but I think I just figured out how to settle down and focus.

I’m down for anyones thoughts on all of this. Anyone else thinking of going back to school or in their first year? Tell me your experience.

–––––––––

Word to the nerd.

“Slow down, ’08, you just got here!”

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on 29 November, 2008 at 1:58 PM, filed under Personal Updates, Writing and tagged college, degree, education, politics, returning to school, sociology, teaching, touring, uc berkeley. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Back To School

The title of this post is a relative misnomer considering my lack of true post high school education. I “attended” West Valley Junior College and “studied” photography and screenwriting for a semester each, along with some theater and such. I have no clue what I was left with in terms of units. In two solid years of community college, I only recall actually sticking with and passing my screenwriting class.

I rebelled. I despised formal education. It felt like hoops I to jump through, and fat people don’t jump through hopps. I figured, “fuck school…I have a café to sit in front of while I shuffle through menial wage jobs and socialize.”

I learned everything I do now in my “Slacker Years” – 1996 through 2000 was the era responsible for making my lifelong friends, while putting me on track to become a talking poet and see some of the world.

Since high school, I had always followed the notion that anything above a diploma was just hoop-jumping-proof that one could do a lot of work, while staying within the lines. College just seemed like an excuse to force kids to grow up, then collate them into society in a speedy, reasonable fashion.

I certainly wasn’t ready to grow up yet, and I know I will not learn shit if I’m not ready for it. I must be prepared and now I believe I just might be.

Inspired by the hundreds of universities and colleges I’ve performed at in the last five years, I’ve found myself longing to begin a regimented course of learning that could lead me to teaching. Until recently, the idea that I could teach was foreign and far-off. Now, I realize that what I do in front of audiences is not much different from what a proffesor would do in front of a class or lab. I think I couls put a very McGee-tyoe-twist on education, as long as it is a subject I adore and have the mental capacity to really explore with a classroom and beyond.

I love anthropology, sociology, history, English and art. I explore the first three the most. People have recommended that I look into teaching English and so far, the idea is not very appealing. I cannot imagine putting all of my focus on teaching others how to write when I have so much vested in my own works. I would despise myself and my students if I had to focus on guiding them into the writing I want to achieve. Call it sellfish; I call it honest. I have the passion it takes to teach, now I need the credentials. These qualities should help me guide any room of people toward comprehensible learning and a quality of life I appreciate.

A lot of this came out of a heavy autumn depression and then the 2008 election compounded my views. I began to feel that no matter how much I tour (100,000 miles a year), I had no end zone…no finish line. I was touring to tour and meet people. To spread “the” word. As much as I love touring and seeing people and places, I began to question why I wasn’t settling down. Turns out when you set out on a journey with no real direction, you remain direction-less.

Around 2002, I decided I might run for mayor of San José, but I buffered it to the year 2018.I figured by then I’d be wiser and more mature. More focused and organized. Lame. This past election was a key factor in reminding me that I get too irritated with politicians to become one. It occurred to me that I could be a lot more effective locally if I were to teach, question authority, and become member of the checks and balances local politicos need to stay focused. I could always join a city council or local committee. I’d rather stand, teach and learn in front of a classroom of students than beg in front of boardroom of suits.

Admittedly, when it comes to my own education, I feel a little n00b-ish. I am starting all over. Friends who’ve acquired various degrees have pointed me in certain directions, but the path is mine and only I can be content with my choices. I harbor no resentment for getting this late-blooming spark at 32 years old. I am quite confident that if I want a Ph.D, I will get a Ph.D. Luckily, while I may feel a little lost when it comes to my oncoming education, I have a few thousand acquaintances who have opinions and advice I will gladly consider.

Right now, I feel like a degree in sociology makes sense. I thoroughly enjoy debating humanity’s relationships, existence and connections. I feel I can bring a lot to the focus of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. It makes sense that I’ve become a sissy poet over the last ten years. Thanks a lot, Trenchard! Well done, Litvak! You warned me, Aahz, but I never listened. You were right, BB.

I am so glad I do what I do for a living. It’s a good life. Ups and downs…side to side.

In conclusion, I am feeling UC Berkeley and I want to shoot for a bit of English and a lot of Sociology. Berkeley keeps me in the Bay Area/California, they have satellite programs in Silicon Valley and are one of the top schools in my fields interest.

I finally feel like that mature guy I wished I would be back in 1995, the one who said school was lame and didn’t need it. I do not regret the time I missed in school because I was still learning, I just regret the attitude. I know where I want to be and where I want to go. I will always be a poet, I will always perform poetry, and I will tour every chance I get, but I think I just figured out how to settle down and focus.

I’m down for anyones thoughts on all of this. Anyone else thinking of going back to school or in their first year? Tell me your experience.

–––––––––

Word to the nerd.

“Slow down, ‘08, you just got here!”

Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on at 1:58 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged college, degree, education, personal updates, politics, returning to school, San-Jose-California, sociology, teaching, tour/touring, touring, uc berkeley, writing. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Groundhog Day, Arkansas, and IWPS

This week has been intense. Not having a laptop sucks for me. I am so addicted to computers, it is not humorous.

Good luck to all slammers this week in Vancouver. No matter the results, soak in that city because it’s awesome, and that’s probably where I’ll be living in the next few years.
———
Word to the nerd.
2007: Go for it!

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on 2 February, 2007 at 4:24 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged arkansas, college, individual world poetry slam, iwps, rc weslowski, tour, Vancouver. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Summary of VT and MA

The response I got from my post, in regard to the low turnout at some of my college gigs, was very kind, but I didn’t want to give any readers the impression that I was bummed out or that I hadn’t expected it. I’ve done enough of these shows to expect small crowds. I’ve always said, “one or one billion, I’m here to perform.” Six and a half billion for that matter. It’s no mystery or secret that I enjoy being on stage. I was in no way bummed out or sad, and I cannot be too harsh with the students because for them it becomes an issue of how to promote a guy like me. They’re students, not promoters.

I guess I am just trying to figure out how to push the awesomicity of spoken word and get it to a level that is a bit more above ground, yet, not so high that it becomes excessive. I’ve just created a new community. Maybe it’ll be an experiment in poetry career building: thetalkingpoet
That is where I plan to delve a bit more finitely and meticulously into this topic, and any other topic that involves being a perfomer and trying to make a living at it. I know there are quite a few people out there that probably have something to say, add, or ask.
———
Summing up the rest of my trip to the New England:

I headed back to Vermont, this time to a small town called Poultney for a gig at the reasonable tiny Green Mountain College. 760 students enrolled, 60 of them turned out. Fantastic! Best percentage yet. They really showed me a good time. Met and hung out with Jenna and Casey. Got some food.

[As some of you in the northeast may know, it was below zero degrees outside throughout the week -- an issue I have issues with. Some say, "How can you live in an earthquake zone?" I say, "Because it comes every ten years or so, and it's not cold or a tornado." The cold has a tendency to make like suck.]

As students filled up the place, I hung out by the snack table and chatted with a few of the students. I will admit here that young college girls make it hard … [I love you, Maiya!] The school definitely had a communal, small town of hippies vibe and I really liked it. Can I be a chubby hippie? I almost cried at the plethora of cookies and sugary snacks. I’ve been very good about my sugar intake.

The show got started and I busted into a few poems, and then right into the live-for-yourself-and-the-moment thing, which made everyone smile and slouch down like they were getting really comfy. “Funcle™ Mike’s about to tell us some stories!”

[Who's your Funcle™?]

My set went on for about two hours and everybody seemed to get their fill. I memorized the names of the front row through out the set and played with that throughout the night. It was fun.

–Front Row (L-R me facing them): Alex > Oz > Paula > Jessica > Melissa > Cliff > Nic > Ashley– One of the best front rows ever!

I think remembering people is the most important thing one can do just after first impression. Sometimes recalling a name and face in person can be salvation/redemption in the form of a second impression.

I sold most of the rest of the products I brought, which was about 18 times what I sold the two nights before combined. I don’t care much for selling stuff to students at schools because most of them are broke and I really don’t want to take away their ramen noodle fund. The kids, and especially the front row, were so good to me. They hung out and I signed stuff and we all joked around and got to know each other a bit. The best school I’ve been to in a long time. I mean, come on! Most of the students there have a major or a minor in Recreation! That’s my kind of school. Then two students named Clint and Tom joined me at a bar for a beer.

The next morning I Greydogged myself back to Boston. Got to my hotel for a spell and then took the T toward Suffolk University. This was where I’d hoped to meet up with my friend Petey from NH, and this girl named Alex that Robbie Q and I met at the Boston Cantab Slam a few weeks ago. [Wow, it has been a few weeks, Robb...]

Courtney and Mike (easy!) meet me at the station after we stared at each other for a minute in the cold. They had looked like they wanted directions. We walked to the venue and on the way I saw my first ever frozen-dead rat in the street. A bittersweet moment for all of us. I do still really dig Boston. It’s surprisingly small, like the sense East Coasters might get visiting San Francisco for the first time. Although, I’d say Boston is more easily navigable.

[TANGENT: OBCT could be a personalized license plate for a fat person. You read it here!]

I was stoked because a few people showed up that said they would. That’s three for three. Nicole, who saw Robbie and I at the Cantab, her first poetry slam ever, came by with her friend Maggie. They were both awesome. Alex came with her stunning eyeballs and sat addorably in the front row. Petey came from UMass-Amherst with a friend. Petey and I go back. He discovered my work when Taylor Mali covered a poem of mine at a poetry workshop in New Hampshire. That was a few years ago. Thanks, Taylor!

The show was low in turnout, but the students who stayed all seemed to really enjoy themselves. Meeting Katie and Alice (Chi-town, what?!) was awesome. There seemed to be more student organizers there than actual non-NACA-affiliated students. After the show, Maggie, Nicole, Alex, Petey and I sat for Chinese food around the corner. I then caught the T to my hotel and vegged out a bit with Adult Swim and CNN.

The next morning I went back to the airport in Burlington, VT by way of one last Greydog. My flight to Chicago was delayed, so I had lunch, made friends with a couple of my fellow passengers, and had a few cigarettes over some cell phone catch-up with friends.

Robbie Q picked me up at O’Hare with his lovely love, and then he took me for food before dropping me back off at

citizenwind

‘s place.

I’ve holed myself up in his house all weekend, catching up online, by phone and internally. Life is good.
———
On Tuesday, I head to Little Rock, AR, then head straight to Memphis for a gig at the University of Memphis. I’ll be spending the week driving around with Russ Ritter. If you know Russ, you should have me greet him for you.
———
If things go right, I should have a new MacBook this week! Man oh man oh man oh man!
———
Word to the nerd.
2007: Go for it!

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on 28 January, 2007 at 9:51 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged boston, college, community, green mountain, massachusetts, poultney, suffolk, the talking poet, tour, university, vermont. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Mike McGee’s Updated Performance Schedule

If you are near any of these upcoming events, come hang out with me.

Email mightymikemcgee at GMAIL for more info, or call my mobile if you have the number.
———
Updated September 3, 2007

Friday, September 7, 2007
Univ. Maine – Presque Isle
PI, Maine

Saturday, September 8, 2007
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo
SLO, California

PAST DATES BELOW

Monday, January 22, 2007
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT, 05753-6004

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Salem State College-Ellison
Salem, MA 01970

Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Green Mountain College
Poultney, VT, 05764

Thursday, January 25, 2007
Suffolk University
Boston, MA, 02114-4241

Tuesday, January 30, 2007
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN, 38152

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Hendrix College
Conway, AR, 72032-4115

Thursday, February 1, 2007
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Beebe, AR, 72012

Friday, February 2, 2007
Lyon College
Batesville, AR, 72501-3629

Monday, February 5, 2007
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR, 71999

Tuesday, February 6, 2007
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO, 64110-2481

Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH 03102

Thursday, February 8, 2007
Johnson & Wales University
Denver, CO 80220-1866

Friday, February 9, 2007
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-8

Tuesday, Februry 18, 2007 – 8:30pm
New England College
Henniker, NH, 03242-3202

Wednesday, February 14, 2007 – 8:00pm
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA 01854-3097

Thursday, February 15, 2007 – 9:30pm
Thomas More College – CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER
333 Thomas More Parkway Crestview Hills, KY 41017

Friday, February 16, 2007 – 8:00pm
The University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405

Saturday, February 17 – Tuesday, February 20
NACA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Nashville, TN       

Wednesday, February 21, 2007
U of Conn-Avery Point  
Groton, CT 06340-6048

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Colby-Sawyer College
New London, NH 03257

Friday, February 23, 2007 – 8:00pm
Plymouth State University      
Union Building, Plymouth, NH 03264-1595

Saturday, February 24, 2007 – 7:00pm
Saint Joseph College
McGovern Lounge
West Hartford, CT, 06117-2764

Wednesday, February 28, 2007 – 8:00pm
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

TONS OF FUN UNIVERSITY
Friday, March 1, 2007 – 8:00pm
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Wednesday, March 6, 2007 – 8:00pm
Saint Mary’s College
Moraga, California

Friday, March 23, 2007 – 9:00pm
Roger Williams University
Bristol, Rhode Island

Monday, March 26, 2007 – 8:00pm
Bridgewater University
Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 – 8:00pm
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, Massachusetts

Friday, March 30, 2007 – 7:00pm
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

Tuesday, April 3, 2007 – 7:00pm
The Blue Monkey (http://www.pcsj.org)
San Jose, California
(May attend San Jose Poetry Slam after show.)

NOT FEATURED…BUT:
Attending Berkeley Slam on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 – Derrick Brown is Featured
Attending Tourettes Without Regrets on Thursday, April 5, 2007

Friday, April 6, 2007 – TBA
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Sunday, April 8, 2007 – 7:30pm
City Slam & Experimental Mic – Poleng Lounge
San Francisco, California

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 – 7:00pm
Western New England College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Friday, April 13, 2007 – 7:00pm
University of New Hampshire
Not in Manchester!

WAITING FOR INFORMATION:
4/17 @ Linfield College – Oregon
4/21 @ Quinnipiac University – Connecticut
4/27 @ East Connecticut State University

This entry was written by Mike McGee, posted on 19 January, 2007 at 3:20 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged college, event, gig, mcgee, mighty, mike, mike mcgee, performance, poet, poetry, show, slam, tour, Travel, university. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.