Short Notice!

Well this is just the way life is ...... One moment I think I'm going to mow my lawn tomorrow, the next Im headed out on another trip.

Traveling isn't always as glorious as one might think. Tomorrow Ill be up at 4 headed for San Francisco.

I enjoy the bay area about as much as the next guy...... If that guy Hates Traffic, Hates Driving next to obnoxious taxi drivers who don't obey the rules of the road..... then yes I would say I like it as much as he does.

San Fran is a beautiful place and fun to visit and hopefully I can get home tomorrow night at a reasonable time,   Its about three and a half hours down (with no traffic) and another 4 back ( there is always traffic on the way back!)

I hope I see something neat along the way... Maybe bigfoot has moved into the sierras and will be streaking across I-80 tomorrow.

A readers response about Memphis and Nashville

I just got this good information from a reader who shared some valuable insights for my next trip. He was a fellow motorcycle buff and so I guess I value his opinion more than most.

HI MATT,

BATMAN HERE.  

   I SEE YOU ARE GOING TO NASHVILLE AND MEMPHIS.   IN NASHVILLE, ON THE MAIN STREET IS A BAR CALLED "TOOTSIE'S"    SOMETIME UP AND COMING STARS WILL PLAY THERE, BUT THE HOUSE BAND IT REALLY GOOD.  ABOUT 2 OR 3 BARS DOWN IS ANOTHER GREAT BAR.   WE WERE THERE LAST YEAR, AND THIS 17 YEAR OLD KID BLEW EVERYONE AWAY.    FIRST TIME HE EVER PLAYED WITH A BAND AND 1ST TIME ON STAGE.    HE IS GPOING PLACES, FOR SURE.

    IN MEMPHIS, A GREAT PLACE TO EAT, THAT IS CHEAP.   FORGET THE NAME, BUT IF YOU DRIVE PASSED GRACELAND, KEEP GOING TILL YOU COME TO A PLAZA.    THE RESTAURANT IS BY THE ROAD.   CAFETERIA STYLE.   EXCELLENT FOOD.    I'D TELL YOU OGF A GOOD PLACE FOR BREAKFAST, BUT I FORGET THE NAME.    IF I THINK OF IT I WILL LET YOU KNOW.   THEY USED TO BE ON A BACK STREET HEADING TOWARD GRACELAND, BUT MOVED CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAY INN BY THE AIRPORT.

     GRACELAND IS A MUST IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE.    WE PUT OUR SIGN ON ELVIS'S WALL, IT SAYS:   DEE & THE BATMAN, OHIO.   I THINK IT'S IN THE 2ND OR THIRD SECTION OF THE WALL, FROM THE GATE.    I WAS SURPRISED IT WAS STILL THERE, AFTER 5 YEARS.   I REDID IT A LITTLE, WAS FADING OUT.     HOW COOL IS THAT?

      WE WENT TO THE HARLEY SHOP IN MISSIPPI.   I THINK THAT WAS THE BORDERING STATE.    PRETTY BIG, AND THEY HAVE A BIG RESTAURANT BEHIND IT.    THERE WERE THREE OUTLAW GANGS THERE WHEN WE STOPPED.    REALLY GOOD FOOD THOUGH.    NICE LITTLE RIDE.    YOU CAN ASK ANYBODY WHERE THE HARLEY SHOP IS AND THEY WILL TELL YOU.    THE SAME SHOP HAS A STORE INFRONT OF WHERE THEY HAVE THE TENT SET UP FOR ELVIS IMPERSONATORS TO SING ALL DAY LONG.

    DOWNTOWN, THE PEABODY HOTEL IS COOL.   THEY HAVE DUCKS SWIMMING IN THE FOUNTAIN AND AT 5:00PM THEY MARCH TO THE ELEVATOR AND THEY TAKE THEM TO THE ROOF WHERE THEY LIVE.

     LANSKY, ELVIS'S CLOTHIER HAS A STORE IN THE PEABODY LOBBY, AS WELL AS HIS GRANDAUGHTER.   HER STORE IS ACROSS THE HALL.   BERNARD LANSKY DIED LAST YEAR AND HIS SON, HAL IS RUNNING IT NOW.   LIZ, A SALESLADY IS GOOD .   TELL HER YOU WERE TALKING TO "BATMAN".     AND HIS GRANDAUGHTER "JULIE", KNOW ME TOO.   WONDERFUL PEOPLE.   I BOUGHT SOME BLUE SWEDE SHOES THERE LAST YEAR.    THE STORES THERE WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.   BRING A LOT OF MONEY.   CHECK OUT THE JAPANENSE ART DOWN THE HALL.

    IF YOU WALK DOWN THE HALL PASSED THE JAPANESE SHOP AND WALK OUTSIDE, THURN LEFT AND GO TO THE CORNER.   CROSS THE STREET AND THERE IS A UNIQUE RESTAURANT ON THAT CORNER.   SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

     BEALE STREET IS COOL.   THEY HAVE THESE BLACK KIDS RUNNING DOWN THE STREET DOING SOMERSALES, THEN ASK FOR TIPS. AT LEAST THEY HAVE A GOOD WAY TO MAKE A FEW BUCKS AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.

     WE WENT TO THE ELVIS SHOW, 2ND TIME.   THEY HAVE A HUGE SCREEN WITH ELVIS SINGING, AND THE ORIGINAL BAND AND BACKUP SINGERS ON STAGE.    THE ONLY REASON WE WENT LAST YEAR WAS, THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE ELVIS AS A HOLOAGRAM.    COST $70,000 TO PRODUCE.   NEVER HAPPENED.    IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT I WOULD HAVE WAITED TILL THEY HAVEIT.   MORE MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN.    IT WAS THE SAME AS THE 1ST TIME.     LAST TIME, THEY HAD LISA MARIE SING A DUET WITH HER FATHER.   THAT WAS COOL!

    I WAS GOING TO GET VIP TICKETS, WHERE YOU GET TO MET LISA MARIE, HER MOTHER AND THE BAND, BUT THE SEATS WERE NOT IN A GOOD SPOT.   PAID HALF THAT FOR SEAT RIGHT IN FRON OF THE STAGE, BUT FURTHER BACK FROM THE FLOOR.

      STILL A GOOD SHOW THOUGH.    THE PLACE WAS SOLD OUT.

   HEY!   HAVE A GOOD TIME IF YOU GO, AND BRING A LOT OF MONEY.   LOTS OF BANDS, SINGERS, ETC ON BEAL STREET.

    MY DREAM RIDE IS TO SEE MONUMENT VALLEY!   ROUTE 66 WAS THE BEST, THAT HARLEY DID IN 2001.   THEY DID IT AGAIN, BUT COULDN'T AFFORD IT.   THEY HAD A RIDE THIS YEAR, STARTING FROM LA TO MONUMENT VALLEY AND OTHER PLACES, THAT I WOULD KILL FOR (JUST AN EXPRESSION, YOU KNOW ).   

BUT; I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO LA TO START.   TOO MUCH MONEY, JUST TO GET THERE, THEN IT WAS $500. FOR THE HARLEY RIDE.

    I SURE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PEOPLE GET ALL THE MONEY.   I SURE CAN'T DO IT.   TIRED OF JACKING UP MY CREDIT CARDS AND PAYING HIGH INTEREST RATES.

    YOU MUST DO PRETTY WELL TO TO GO ALL OVER, EH?

KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN.   NICE TALKING TO YOU!

BATMAN

AKA:  CHUCK CAVANAUGH

Im just amazed at this article. I think it raises some meaningful questions.

Read it here! Click Here!
The article is about women in the workplace. Its a touchy subject for some, and for others its a life choice but societally I think its extremely important.

How does this affect our opinion of the glass ceiling.

How have gender roles in the traditional family changed over time?

What does it mean when only 8% think dads should stay at home, but 51% think moms should go to work.... What results can we expect for rearing children..... Is that important anymore?

http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/29/news/economy/breadwinner-moms/?hpt=hp_t2

As a male in our modern society I am afraid to voice my opinion on the matter because I know half the people I associate with would love my opinion and the other half would vehemetly disagree and defend their own life choice, when in my opinion the invisible and utterly unvoiced opinion is that of the Kids who all this either does or doesn't affect. Perhaps some children do better being raised by a Dad, a Nanny, A dog or even the old Boob Tube!

What is your opinion? Drop me a note at matt.g.gardner@gmail.com or leave a comment on the blog.

Guess where gullible is going next?

So today while at the office I sat down to figure out where I would be going next.

As it turn out I am finally getting to visit a few places I have wanted to visit for quite a while.

For any one who knows me well and has ever seen me do an Elvis impression would understand why my next trip is such a big opportunity for me.

I'm going to Graceland baby!!!!!!

Well I'm headed to Memphis anyways, and then on to Nashville Tennessee. I'm very excited to visit the Elvis Capitol of the world. This year I already visited Kauai and saw the beaches on the north shore where the king did his thing on the silver screen. But now it's like I'm headed to Mecca. I'm going first of all to meet with some great clients and see their facilities.... Yady yada! But one of the many perks of business travel are the things you get to so along the way.

So for me so far this means a chance to see Graceland, see a country concert tour a recording studio I've only heard read about magazines. Luckily I think my wife will be flying out to meet me for the weekend ( thank you frequent flyer miles and buddy passes!)

Ill be leaving next week sometime! So ask all your friend and uncle google what's cool to see.

So if any of you veteran travelers have hints for a newbie in the city of county music please please please get in touch with me on Facebook or leave a comment on the blog.

Email me matt.g.gardner@gmail.com

Mamma dove!

This morning I was playing my guitar in the front courtyard thoroughly enjoying my two year old daughters laughs and dancing giggles when I noticed a bird sitting there listening to my music. 

At first I was flattered thinking that my melodious voice and string tingling was sweet enough to tame a wild animal, I envisioned something out of dr. Doolittle or Snow White, and although doves don't sing I was hoping this one would make an exception and join in on my music...... 

Then I realized it was a mother who had laid her nest in my freshly bloomed roses. She was there because of her fearless drive to protect. Her eggs from any and all predators and or horrible singing guitar wielding prancing and dancing humans. 

I was impressed to think of my own mom and mothers everywhere who stand in the face of fear for their children. I pointed her out to my daughter and we sat there watching for a few minutes and then went back in side. I grabbed my camera and snapped a quick pic of her sitting there filling her calling as a mother and protector. 

Thank you to all you mothers out there especially mamma dove!

- Matt

The warrior!

Finally a day at home and away from the road. so tonight I did what I do best.... watch movies.

I just watched what in my opinion was the best movie in 5 years. No joke it was inspirational and better than any of the rocky films.

The warrior was totally awesome. It made me want to both beat up my brother and then call him to tell him I love him.

It's on Netflix so I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Standed! Outcast.

Alas I have been castaway, stranded alone lost on a desert island.....eghh... Airport.

My flight from Dallas to Phoenix was delayed 4 hours and now at 2:17 am I have no way to get home..... Until 10:00 am anyhow. I hope my wife will wait for me.... Or perhaps when I get home tomorrow she will have married another man? I know exactly how Tom Hanks felt.

I found a companion to keep me company. A lowly dime left on the seat next to me at hate b-5 at sky harbor will
Keeper company until I have time to build an escape raft. I will call him Franklin.

FRANKLIIIIIINNNNN!!!!!!!!!

If anyone knows of a good way to fall asleep in an airport ..... Please let me know.

It's times like this that I'm glad I don't check my toothbrush and deodorant in my luggage below the plane.

Stuck at the airport !

Don't you love it when you get stuck at the airport ! Tonight my flight was delayed from 9:25pm to after 11:30 and more than likely I'm going to miss my connections and so getting home tonight from Texas seems like an impossibility.

Texas for the police fleet show in Fort Worth.

This week I'm in Dallas Fort Worth for the police expo.

I brought our intern Laurel along with me this week, She is researching for a new project to Harley windshield.

It was good to have a companion
Cause normally I'm all alone. Whilst here in Texas we visited the stock yards. Which was the place where cattle driving in Texas was born! It was here where the cattlemen would load there beef up onto trains headed for the east coast and elsewhere.

We went to the white elephant where we saw many famous country musicians had played over the years. It was fun to listen to some up and coming music. We also found little boots for my daughter I the oldest cowboy outfitter store still in existence called the white front store. I apart bought some new boots for myself but couldn't bring myself to pay 300 dollars for a new pair of shoes!