Monthly Archives: February 2008
The Luciann
Here’s another Memphis landmark. Another old movie theatre building which I mentioned in my first book, the beloved Luciann. The outside architecture of the building is amazing. Luciann (It was named for the architect’s daughter) is carved in the concrete over the marquee.
But it’s now the Paris Adult Movie Theater.
Ahhh…memories….oh wait, I’ve never been here before. Seriously. Never. Not once. 
Bookstar
Remember my post a while back about searching for a picture online of the bookstore I worked in while I lived in Memphis? Remember all I could find was a pic of the toilet? Well, thanks to a really cool website I came across called Cinema Treasures all about old movie theatres, I finally found some cool pics. I was so excited to find these. Back in the day, it was called The Plaza Theatre.
This photo was taken on the last night it was a movie theatre. Since Dirty Dancing was playing, it had to be 1987.
Here is a link to it today as a bookstore.
Ahhhh….the memories…
I’ve been plotting a book already about the year that I worked there! Yeah, that’s all I need…another book to write!
Leap Year! A Random Post
Woo! Hoo! How fun is this to be posting on a day that I can’t post on for another 4 years? Pretty exciting stuff. If my birthday was today, I’d be 8. I’m more excited about this being the end of February, and we are one day closer to spring. Oh, and I only have one more week of work before I go on vacation, but more about that later.
Happy Leap Year Everyone!
We Have a Winner!
Congratulations to Michael Van Kerckhove! He’s the winner of a copy of my free book. Hey, Michael, send me your address and how/if you’d like the book personalized.
Thanks to all who entered!
For those who didn’t win, or for anyone else who didn’t enter, click on the book’s picture to go to my online bookstore. You can buy a 2nd edition copy for $9.99 or download it for just .99 cents!
Maybe It Was Memphis
Here’s a cool website called The Haunted Bluffs of Memphis. It inspired the short story I mentioned that I was writing last week. I’m in search of a cool Southern fiction lit mag or zine to submit it too now. Know any? Check out the site for the spooky pics alone.
Bravo to Steve Cox for putting it together!
Dinner in the Sky
Mama’s in the sky with Elvis….
And now you can be too if you have eleven thousand dollars.
Here’s a dining concept that’ll make your head — if not your stomach — spin: It’s dinner at a table suspended 165 feet in the air with chairs that swivel 180 degrees.
Dubbed Dinner in the Sky, the attraction is making its U.S. debut Monday in Orlando at the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention. About 25,000 attendees are expected at the one-stop-shopping event, where the amusement industry rolls out new thrill rides and related products.
The high-flying dining venue was introduced in Europe last year and consists of a platform suspended from a crane. Guests are harnessed into 22 seats, with space in the center for a chef and two helpers. With local officials’ blessings, the platform can be transported to just about anywhere the crane can maneuver. One recent spot: in front of the Amiens Cathedral in France, with dinner prepared by a three-star Michelin chef.
I can’t say I’d do it. But I would have a martini over at the piano!
Free Book Contest…last chance drawing near!
Don’t forget my Free Book Contest is drawing to a close. I’m giving away a signed first edition paperback copy of my book, The Other Side of What.
The winner will be drawn this Saturday and notified via email. You can reply with your shipping address and how you would like the book personalized.
Pulling My Hair Out
Although the hair is slowly going anyway, I’ve really wanted to pull some more out this week. I’m going on almost 2 weeks now without a reply from an agent. And there’s always that lil demon on my shoulder saying, “Remember, some of them just won’t reply anyway.” Geez…
Also, last week I spent some time going back and rereading what I’m now calling The Piano Maker. As much as I wanted them to, those characters just weren’t speaking to me so I could work on their story. It’s been too long for them and I don’t know where they’ve gone right now, but I lack motivation to continue on it while I’m waiting.
Instead, I’m preparing for vacation in two weeks. More about that later but it involves the beach, a funny straw hat, some good books, and a blank notebook. That’s about it.
There’s another project on the back burner which I may have mentioned somewhere around here by now. It would probably consume me if I got back into it, but I think I’m ready. It requires lots of research. Some of which I’ve already done. But for some reason, a lil “monkey” has been talking to me about it and I think it’s the story that’s wanting to be told right now.
I’ve always considered myself to be a “character medium” of sorts, so forgive me for sounding all crazy. But hey, I’m a writer. They pop into my head and then I just tell their story. That’s it.
Starbucks Coffee is Closing!
That’s right folks. Starbucks Coffee is closing….for 3 hours tonight to retrain their employees. Over 7,000 stores nationwide will close at 5:30pm and remain closed for 3 hours to “retrain” employees on improving the espresso experience. Read all about it here!
So, CEO Howard Schultz thinks Starbucks has lost some of its stardom because of competition like McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts and because their hot breakfast sandwiches are smelly. Ummmm….is that it? I don’t know about you, Howard, but I bet it has something to do with rude employees serving me a five dollar latte. Shanaynay at the McDonald’s drive through window at least hands me my coffee with a smile on her face (her gold teeth are quite blinding, but hey, at least she’s nice). Oh, and coffee there costs like a buck.
And since when did Starbucks feel the need to start selling CD’s? Isn’t that why you teamed up with B&N? If I want music and books and coffee, I’ll got to a bookstore with a cafe. Get back to the basics and stop trying to upsell me on products you’ve partnered with.
So of course, what else did Starbucks do? They cut 600 positions. Those people were either directly responsible for sales, or maybe they spoke out against Howard in a big board meeting. Sadly, when retail and food places aren’t turning a profit, who are the first people to get hit? The workers! Instead of improving morale, let’s close some stores and hope we can show the stock holders an increase next time!
So, tonight, while your local Starbucks is closed, go find a local independent cafe or coffee shop and give them your business. Take the receipt from there back to the Starbucks and tape it to the door. Show Starbucks how much money they really missed out on! Or I should say, show them how much business they missed out on, because face it….I guarantee that indie cafe is a lot more affordable! And nicer! And they will remember you next time.
While you are closed, Starbucks, could you also teach your employees how to fill the cup up to the top? Filling your made-up elaborate drinks only halfway and then topping the rest off with foam is not nice. You think I don’t know what the heck I ordered, but what I do know is that your employees just really don’t know how to make it.
“Mmm…I love me some Starbucks!”
