"Mighty" Mike McGee's Electronic Place of Himself.
Typings of a well-traveled, talky, funny, hobo-poet.
Due to the craziness of my schedule from time to time, I think that on some days it will be difficult to post to this journal, but since I am also able to post from my mobile, it shouldn’t be an issue. Especially if they’re concise thoughts and reflections.
Derrick Brown, one of my best friends, sent me an email late in the autumn, after the Revival Tour. It spoke volumes to me. Just knowing someone was wishing the same positive things for me that I was wishing too… well, it made me happysad, joyful, and hopeful.
Here is part of it. Please put yourself in there as me. It could help. I have deleted some parts that just don’t apply:
great hanging with you buddy
i consider you one of my dearest friends
also
I have high hopes for the future of mike mcgee
I wish you would make a few lists
my wishlist for mike is this…
1. set a goal for losing weight. 30 pounds by april. then another goal for some more. shed pounds. youll shed loneliness. you might still be alone like me,
it just wont feel as bad.
2. just smoke less. dont even fully quit. just aim for 3 a day. for a month then
next month, 2 a day and some nicotene gum. reward yourself when you finish
something big with a smoke. sidenote: your favorite time to smake after you perform
is a sales and PR killer. you kill possible sales by splitting right after a performance for ten minutes.
Even ten minutes.
3. set a goal for completing a new book and a kids book.
4. do a few things to make a little extra scratch. part time job. write reviews.
5. make your site sweeter, use the money you made from the extra scratch. set a date when you want it done by.
6. no excuses. positive language when setting goals.
7. dont eat donuts and cream cheese.
i love you mikey.
And I love Derrick. I love sharing the most positive parts of people. I know we’re all flawed. I know we all have badness we wish to supress, but here we are sometimes, just so loving. And to put that love into the world with no expectations to get it back or to ever see any result is one of the most beautiful things we can do for each other while on this planet.
I need to make all these changes for myself. I need to be the best fucking person I can be. I don’t need to be famous or rich or all sexed up. I don’t need a big house. I just need to stay human and loving and smrat. 
I have found myself wondering about so many new things lately, so I immediately spend a little research on it and soon find how surprised I am in what I’ve retained. It seems that I learn things fast. It makes me dig the world so much sooner.
And with my recent fund raising effort, I am re-invigorated and renewed. I am in love with this community so hard. We are very fucking here.
So, if there is someone you love, but you’ve never told them you love them (not in love or infatuated love, just love full of care and respect) then you’ve got to tell them immediately. I know it’s hard for some to even say it, but if it’s real and present, then what have you got to lose? It’s not a gamble, it’s an investment. When I was a kid, I had always wished I could just go up to people and tell them I loved them. Anyone. Now I can. I don’t give a fuck how it looks or sounds. To know you’re loved, to know it, is to know you’re alive. I ain’t kidding. I am a lucky man. I feel the love.
I don’t wish for any utopia. I just wish for everyone to champion the cause of us.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
2010: Only do.
This entry was written by , posted on 11 January, 2010 at 2:43 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged derrick brown, letter, positivity, to-do list. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Derrick Brown and I will be having a sweet, intimate “End of The Road Show” in Bellingham, WA tomorrow night. There will be special guests, Stuh-RANGE ROAD stories, Q&A, and special performances of rare pieces by Brown & McGee.
7:30pm.
The Amadeus Project: 1209 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360+815+1825
This entry was written by , posted on 17 November, 2009 at 4:44 PM, filed under Travel and tagged amadeus project, bellingham, books, derrick, derrick brown, Independent-Publishing, live performance, mike mcgee, poetry, stories, washington, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Derrick Brown and I will be having a sweet, intimate “End of The Road Show” in Bellingham, WA tomorrow night. There will be special guests, Stuh-RANGE ROAD stories, Q&A, and special performances of rare pieces by Brown & McGee.
7:30pm.
The Amadeus Project: 1209 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, Washington 98225
360+815+1825
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 4:44 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged amadeus project, bellingham, books, derrick, derrick brown, events, mike mcgee, poetry, publishing, stories, tour/touring, Travel, washington, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Caught Amtrak yesterday morning from Boston to Newark International Airport. Waited for a few hours for my evening Air India flight. $280 one-way to Frankfurt.
The flight was quite rickety, a bit Greyhound-y in odor and decor, but I anticipated that much. I did not anticipate the complimentary and quite satisfying chicken dinner with steamed veggies. Air India: Not Great… Not Horrible… Cheap Enough To Go Again.
Blazed through German customs and baggage claim to meet my father and step-mother on the outside. Immediately picked up a German pay-as-you-go mobile phone. $10 for the phone. $20 in minutes. Should last throughout the Germany portion of this trip.
Ate lunch with my family at home. Looked up train schedules. Connected by text with Derrick Brown. Smoked too much with my dad. Talked un-enough. Joked around with everyone. Relearned some German history and language. Then ate delicious schnitzel and fried potatoes for dinner.
Must get some sleep in order to meet up with Derrick in Bern, Switzerland tomorrow. Today was restful. I made it here with a hitch, bump or serious delay.
So far, so awesome.
Here’s where we’ll be:
Cafe Kairo
June 11th
9pm
address: cafe kairo, dammweg 43, 3013 bern, switzerland
web: www.cafe-kairo.ch
KO’s Event
June 12th
7PM
(Landsberg Germany, more info to come)
Poetry Dead or Alive Show
June 13th
Theater am Schwanhof: Am Schwanhof 68-72, 35037 Marburg
Door Cover: 6 EURO
Age: 17+
Time: 20.00 o clock (24 hour clock)
June 14
Substanz poetry slam with ko and rayl, munich
Munich SUBSTANZ (Ruppertstr. 28, U3/U6 Poccistr.)
June 14
8PM
studio der schaubuhne
kurfurstendamm 153 10709 berlin
eintritt 13 euro, erm 8 euro
karten 030.890023
www.schabuehne.de
June 17
Poetry Slam Mainz
Venue: KUZ, Dagobertstraße 20b | 55116 Mainz
7:30pm
all ages
June 18
Late Night Special
VENUE: LOMO, Ballplatz 2, Mainz
COVER: 5-7 EUROS
18+
Paul Hoffman’s Show
June 19th
7:00pm
VENUE: Schulterblatt 73, 20357 Hamburg, Germany
18+
June 20th
Word Life
8PM
Cafe Euro, 72 John Street, Sheffield
18+
Cover: £5 on the door
The Waiting Room
June 21
7:30pm
Station Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, (TS16 0BU)
UK
6 euros
June 22nd
AMSTERDAM SHOW
House show (TBA)
all ages
Glastonbury Festival
June 24th-26th
Glastonbury Festival
Worthy Farm, Nr. Pilton, Southwest
Cost: £175 (Festival ticket price)
“Glastonbury Festival is the largest greenfield music and
performing arts festival in the world and a template for all
the festivals that have come after it. The difference is
that Glastonbury has all the best aspects of being at a
Festival in one astonishing bundle.” (Glastonbury Festivals
Website). One of those aspects that sets Glastonbury apart
from other festivals is Poetry&Words. We will be there on
all three days, bringing you some absolutely fantabulous
poets – rappers, comic poets, spoken word artists .. the
weird, the wise and the wonderful … all will be here. Come
along and see us in the Theatre and Circus fields if you
want to be moved, entertained or just find a cool spot to
chill out in for a while!
http://www.myspace.com/glastonburypoetry
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 10 June, 2009 at 2:20 PM, filed under Travel, Writing and tagged derrick brown, germany, tour, train, Travel. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Caught Amtrak yesterday morning from Boston to Newark International Airport. Waited for a few hours for my evening Air India flight. $280 one-way to Frankfurt.
The flight was quite rickety, a bit Greyhound-y in odor and decor, but I anticipated that much. I did not anticipate the complimentary and quite satisfying chicken dinner with steamed veggies. Air India: Not Great… Not Horrible… Cheap Enough To Go Again.
Blazed through German customs and baggage claim to meet my father and step-mother on the outside. Immediately picked up a German pay-as-you-go mobile phone. $10 for the phone. $20 in minutes. Should last throughout the Germany portion of this trip.
Ate lunch with my family at home. Looked up train schedules. Connected by text with Derrick Brown. Smoked too much with my dad. Talked un-enough. Joked around with everyone. Relearned some German history and language. Then ate delicious schnitzel and fried potatoes for dinner.
Must get some sleep in order to meet up with Derrick in Bern, Switzerland tomorrow. Today was restful. I made it here with a hitch, bump or serious delay.
So far, so awesome.
Here’s where we’ll be:
Cafe Kairo
June 11th
9pm
address: cafe kairo, dammweg 43, 3013 bern, switzerland
web: www.cafe-kairo.ch
KO’s Event
June 12th
7PM
(Landsberg Germany, more info to come)
Poetry Dead or Alive Show
June 13th
Theater am Schwanhof: Am Schwanhof 68-72, 35037 Marburg
Door Cover: 6 EURO
Age: 17+
Time: 20.00 o clock (24 hour clock)
June 14
Substanz poetry slam with ko and rayl, munich
Munich SUBSTANZ (Ruppertstr. 28, U3/U6 Poccistr.)
June 14
8PM
studio der schaubuhne
kurfurstendamm 153 10709 berlin
eintritt 13 euro, erm 8 euro
karten 030.890023
www.schabuehne.de
June 17
Poetry Slam Mainz
Venue: KUZ, Dagobertstraße 20b | 55116 Mainz
7:30pm
all ages
June 18
Late Night Special
VENUE: LOMO, Ballplatz 2, Mainz
COVER: 5-7 EUROS
18+
Paul Hoffman’s Show
June 19th
7:00pm
VENUE: Schulterblatt 73, 20357 Hamburg, Germany
18+
June 20th
Word Life
8PM
Cafe Euro, 72 John Street, Sheffield
18+
Cover: £5 on the door
The Waiting Room
June 21
7:30pm
Station Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, (TS16 0BU)
UK
6 euros
June 22nd
AMSTERDAM SHOW
House show (TBA)
all ages
Glastonbury Festival
June 24th-26th
Glastonbury Festival
Worthy Farm, Nr. Pilton, Southwest
Cost: £175 (Festival ticket price)
“Glastonbury Festival is the largest greenfield music and
performing arts festival in the world and a template for all
the festivals that have come after it. The difference is
that Glastonbury has all the best aspects of being at a
Festival in one astonishing bundle.” (Glastonbury Festivals
Website). One of those aspects that sets Glastonbury apart
from other festivals is Poetry&Words. We will be there on
all three days, bringing you some absolutely fantabulous
poets – rappers, comic poets, spoken word artists .. the
weird, the wise and the wonderful … all will be here. Come
along and see us in the Theatre and Circus fields if you
want to be moved, entertained or just find a cool spot to
chill out in for a while!
http://www.myspace.com/glastonburypoetry
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 2:20 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged derrick brown, germany, tour, tour/touring, train, Travel, writing. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
About to pack for my short flight from Los Angeles to San José. I will be in Silicon Valley for a few days, involving two shows.
Have had an amazing few weeks on the road. A lot of it filled with Derrick Brown, Vancouver, B.C. and Honolulu. Not too shabby.
Derrick and I held a bookparty (“book release” sounds lame, like I’m putting my books back out into the wilderness, which, technically, I am–but no) in Honolulu on May 11, and in Long Beach on May 16. They were both jammed in with sweet nugget-y peeps of all sorts and walks. It was good to see Dante, Lindsey and Bobby who came to the show at {open}, a fantastic book shop run by Shea & Sé.
TANGENT: Totally listening to all of the Arcade Fire I have on my Mac.
My buddy Dante, whom I lived with in San José in 2005, whom also supplied the sweet comicbook sketch of Spherical Man and Feedbag in my book, has also written a nice review of “In Search of Midnight” at craveonline.com. Good articles there. Lots to read. His review ismore a general state of what he thinks of me, which is also good. Says a lot for spoken word.
Derrick Downtown Brown and I are embarking on a Euro Tour together (“European, I’m A Peein’ 2009″) in June-July. I have many dates coming up, and no-dates-on-purpose from July 14 through mid-August. Then I’ll close out August with some Chicago time.
Saw Star Trek twice this month. Whoa. Dang. Son-of-a-Yes! The best action-adventure I’ve seen in years. Such quality entertainment. When they make prequels to this one in 20 years, people will complain that they don’t compare to the original 2009 version.
(From Slammaster, Kat Dietrich) Ladies and Gentlemen, the time to crown a new hero is upon us. For months we have watched poets grab awe inspiring victories and ego crushing defeats. Now that the dust has settled, now that the casualties have been cleared, 10 poets remain standing to face off in the ultimate showdown known as the San Jose Grand Slam! That’s right folks, San Jose Poetry Slam finals are here! This TUESDAY, May 19th, our top scoring poets will come together, battling it out not only to crown our Grand Slam Champion, but also to select San Jose ‘s 2009 Slam Team. The team will go on to represent San Jose at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach , Florida . These Poets (selected by you) will go up against teams of poets from 80 other cities across the US and abroad, slugging it out for the title of National Poetry Slam Champions! But that’s not all; the Grand Slam will be hosted by San Jose’s own Mighty Mike McGee!!! Don’t miss out on this blockbuster poetry event! In fact, bring every one you know! As always, we will have poets, poetry, and beer (brought to you by our illustrious sponsor, Faultline Brewery)! We look forward to seeing you again.
~Kat Dietrich & Chris Bundy
San Jose Poetry Slam @ MACLA 510 S. 1st Street San Jose , CA . 7:30 PM Doors Open
8 PM Show Starts (the magic begins!) Tuesday, May 19th $6 at the door
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SENDING THE TEAM TO NATIONALS!
San José Team Finalists: Clay Courchain, Kat Dietrich, Kristina Roberston, Patrick, Danny D., Dave Perez, Chris Bundy, Kevin Sparks, Jen G, Scorpiana X, Wes Moots
Want to buy a book from me in person? I will be performing at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara (5137 Stevens Creek Blvd. at Lawrence Expwy)
Friday, MAY 22. FREE SHOW. 7:30pm. Books are $15.00. Barefoot Coffee is the deliciousest.
Can’t make it to Barefoot? Well, I just noticed this: http://www.amazon.com/Search-Midnight-McGee-Handbook-Awesome/dp/0982148828 Whoa.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 19 May, 2009 at 5:36 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged barefoot coffee roasters, bookparty, derrick brown, macla, mike mcgee, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, San-Jose-California, spoken word, star trek, sweetness, tour, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
About to pack for my short flight from Los Angeles to San José. I will be in Silicon Valley for a few days, involving two shows.
Have had an amazing few weeks on the road. A lot of it filled with Derrick Brown, Vancouver, B.C. and Honolulu. Not too shabby.
Derrick and I held a bookparty (”book release” sounds lame, like I’m putting my books back out into the wilderness, which, technically, I am–but no) in Honolulu on May 11, and in Long Beach on May 16. They were both jammed in with sweet nugget-y peeps of all sorts and walks. It was good to see Dante, Lindsey and Bobby who came to the show at {open}, a fantastic book shop run by Shea & Sé.
TANGENT: Totally listening to all of the Arcade Fire I have on my Mac.
My buddy Dante, whom I lived with in San José in 2005, whom also supplied the sweet comicbook sketch of Spherical Man and Feedbag in my book, has also written a nice review of “In Search of Midnight” at craveonline.com. Good articles there. Lots to read. His review ismore a general state of what he thinks of me, which is also good. Says a lot for spoken word.
Derrick Downtown Brown and I are embarking on a Euro Tour together (”European, I’m A Peein’ 2009″) in June-July. I have many dates coming up, and no-dates-on-purpose from July 14 through mid-August. Then I’ll close out August with some Chicago time.
Saw Star Trek twice this month. Whoa. Dang. Son-of-a-Yes! The best action-adventure I’ve seen in years. Such quality entertainment. When they make prequels to this one in 20 years, people will complain that they don’t compare to the original 2009 version.
(From Slammaster, Kat Dietrich) Ladies and Gentlemen, the time to crown a new hero is upon us. For months we have watched poets grab awe inspiring victories and ego crushing defeats. Now that the dust has settled, now that the casualties have been cleared, 10 poets remain standing to face off in the ultimate showdown known as the San Jose Grand Slam! That’s right folks, San Jose Poetry Slam finals are here! This TUESDAY, May 19th, our top scoring poets will come together, battling it out not only to crown our Grand Slam Champion, but also to select San Jose ’s 2009 Slam Team. The team will go on to represent San Jose at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach , Florida . These Poets (selected by you) will go up against teams of poets from 80 other cities across the US and abroad, slugging it out for the title of National Poetry Slam Champions! But that’s not all; the Grand Slam will be hosted by San Jose’s own Mighty Mike McGee!!! Don’t miss out on this blockbuster poetry event! In fact, bring every one you know! As always, we will have poets, poetry, and beer (brought to you by our illustrious sponsor, Faultline Brewery)! We look forward to seeing you again.
~Kat Dietrich & Chris Bundy
San Jose Poetry Slam @ MACLA 510 S. 1st Street San Jose , CA . 7:30 PM Doors Open
8 PM Show Starts (the magic begins!) Tuesday, May 19th $6 at the door
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SENDING THE TEAM TO NATIONALS!
San José Team Finalists: Clay Courchain, Kat Dietrich, Kristina Roberston, Patrick, Danny D., Dave Perez, Chris Bundy, Kevin Sparks, Jen G, Scorpiana X, Wes Moots
Want to buy a book from me in person? I will be performing at Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara (5137 Stevens Creek Blvd. at Lawrence Expwy)
Friday, MAY 22. FREE SHOW. 7:30pm. Books are $15.00. Barefoot Coffee is the deliciousest.
Can’t make it to Barefoot? Well, I just noticed this: http://www.amazon.com/Search-Midnight-McGee-Handbook-Awesome/dp/0982148828 Whoa.
–––––––––
Word to the nerd.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 5:36 AM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged bookparty, derrick brown, events, macla, mike mcgee, Performance Poetry and Spoken Word, personal updates, San-Jose-California, spoken word, star trek, sweetness, tour, tour/touring, Vancouver, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
This is the cover of my upcoming collection of poetry from Write Bloody Publishing.
IN SEARCH OF MIDNIGHT: The Mike McGee Handbook of Awesome
Mike McGee's collection from Write Bloody Publishing
Just finishing up my edits on the manuscript this week. Sending it back to Derrick Brown, then layout, then loose ends, then print. Hopefully by my birthday.
–––––––––
Written word to the nerd.
This entry was written by , posted on 22 December, 2008 at 3:50 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged cover art, derrick brown, handbook of awesome, in search of midnight, Independent-Publishing, poetry collection, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
This is the cover of my upcoming collection of poetry from Write Bloody Publishing.
IN SEARCH OF MIDNIGHT: The Mike McGee Handbook of Awesome
Mike McGee's collection from Write Bloody Publishing
Just finishing up my edits on the manuscript this week. Sending it back to Derrick Brown, then layout, then loose ends, then print. Hopefully by my birthday.
–––––––––
Written word to the nerd.
Originally published at Mike McGee Town. You can comment here or there.
This entry was written by , posted on at 3:50 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged cover art, derrick brown, handbook of awesome, in search of midnight, personal updates, poetry collection, publishing, write bloody. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.
Ken Arkind and I have discussed touring TX, AZ, NM and Colorado. We could easily add UT and stuff east of there depending on time.
But for those states, if you know of any, please send me as much info on venues, slams, open mics, and organizers you can. This would be around the first half of March.
–––––––––
Working on my manuscript edits from Write Bloody Publishing. Looks like the title of my first collection is going to be:
This entry was written by , posted on 29 November, 2008 at 6:28 PM, filed under Personal Updates and tagged derrick brown, events, ken arkind, southwest tour, venues, write bloody publishing. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.