04_25_09_Big_Mike_Griffin-Gips_Juke_Joint-Bessemer_AL

Plus: 04_25-26_09_Magic_City_Art_Connection-Birmingham, AL

          Well, This Has Been A Great Spring Weekend, if you’re into Profoundly Depressed Suicidal Despondency & Emotional Desolation! This Birmingham, AL adventures' inception occurred when I heard that Big Mike Griffin scored a gig @ Gip’s Juke Joint after I turned him on to my happy Blues History discovery! It soon grew into a trip with the two most important women in my life, a Ménage-a-TriPolar, if you will, but quickly deteriorated before fruition into the sound of one hand clapping. One is/was my best friend of nearly 10 years & the light of my life, but I’ve tired of her cruel & rude, unpredictable, off her meds behavior. Strangely, even though she has stated emphatically many, many times that we would never be anything more than friends, she seemed to be progressively jealous or competitive, of my attention to another? The other, a troubled, much used & abused young woman of generally low self-esteem, who in my eyes is the brightest, warmest, sweetest, most extraordinarily beautiful woman I have ever fallen in love with, one who needs & deserves to be loved, just perhaps not by me?! I have tried my best to raise her awareness of her value & the level of her self-esteem, only to fail miserably & be sapped of my own self-esteem. Sadly, she seems terrified of anyone who actually gives a damn about her heart & soul, as well as her welfare, & not just her coochie! I only wish she could see what I see, & see herself thru my eyes. On top of all this, I constantly have to deal with my blood-sucking leech of an ex-girlfriend who will not go away & has a penchant for inserting herself into my life & circle of friends! I sometimes have to wonder where I really fit, in the scheme of things? And quite frankly, I don't really care anymore, as they can all kiss my MF'ing ass! Destiny is always reluctant, yet exactingly sure!

          So here I sit alone in a roomy, expensive suite in the coolest, happening-est part of town, spending money I don’t really have, just waiting to die, if I’m lucky. I’ve included some photos of the hotel, so they can see what they missed. They also missed dining @ the fabulous seafood restaurant “Ocean”, one of my favorite restaurants from coast to coast, which I never miss visiting whenever I’m in town. I’d also like to thank Jan, Mike & the rest of the Highland/Pickwick Hotel Staff for their wonderful service & putting up with my occasional emotional meltdowns.
          Sadly, I couldn’t seem to locate my friend “Redwood” who lives in B’ham, & had contacted me just a couple of months ago & was looking forward to seeing me again. We had met & had a lovely 8 hour Mimosa Brunch & Sushi Picnic on my first trip & I visited with her again on my second trip. The third time is definitely not the charm, as I just can’t seem to buy a break now, so why the “F***” bother???
     On the plus side, I’m goin’ Jukein’ @ Mr. Gip's Juke Joint again, a living slice of history that’s not to be missed, plus I got to surprise my lovely & exceptional friend Emilie, (Big Mikes squeeze & sometime singer) with my unexpected presence & hang out with her most of the evening. Sadly, I forgot a key piece of camera equipment, which only added to my shitty, why bother attitude, so I apologize to you personally Emilie, if I was a total bummer!! You were the highlight of my weekend, sorry the favor wasn’t returned in full with interest, but my heart, perhaps foolishly, was & is still broke in two places!!
          I also stumbled into the annual Magic City Art Connection Festival @ Linn Park, which was kind of sad & lonely too, as things just don’t seem as cool when you can’t turn to someone & say “Isn’t that cool?” But there was some pretty cool art, (of which I’ve included a couple of links to my favorites), some very pretty girls in summer attire, the most awesome of which & a reminder of what makes life worth while, was an incredible, ethereal vision of style, grace & beauty wading in the reflection pond named Stephanie, If my memory serves me well, (who I hope takes my advice & pays a model/talent agency a visit) & some pretty good music including the lovely & talented Abram & Sarah who were well worth the visit! I’ve included some photos from the fest for your perusal. So, however cathartic, enough of my pathetic BS..........

Let’s Go Jukein’, Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulet!!

Previous Visit: Willie King @ Gip's 9/27/08

www.albinarts.com

www.bodyscapes.com

www.thehotelhighland.com

www.birminghammenus.com/ocean/