This Week's "Cool Sh!t" List
This Week’s “Cool Sh!t” list;
1. Waiting around for something to happen is almost a guarantee that it won’t happen. Move forward, make it a reality, and don’t wait for anyone. Shall we begin?
2. I feel as if I blinked and January flew by. That’s a good thing, I guess, but slow down, so I can enjoy the view.
3. So… about the eye. And Nashville… And Southwest. And the need to re-boot, re-imagine, and re-invest.
4. A couple of months ago, I took advantage of a certain airline’s sale, and I booked a trip to Nashville. I found a Hilton to my liking and I was set. I planned to visit the Grand Ol’ Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, a couple of restaurants I’ve wanted to try, and my 2023 travel schedule would have kicked off in a grand way. But, a certain airline had so many issues in late December that I started having misgivings about my getaway. I guess it wasn’t meant for me to go. More to follow.
5. It was a pea soup fog and I stared into it for hours, trying to discern taillights, mile markers, and exit signs. My right eye kept watering but I figured it was due to the conditions I faced. When I got home the next morning, Whats-her-name asked me “What happened to your eye?”
I looked in the mirror and my eye resembled that of Damon’s from ‘Cooley High.’ It was swollen and leaking and bye-bye Nashville, see ya’ later to my job, and I spent a week in the house, taking eye drops, amoxicillin, and watching television out of my one good eye.
6. A lot of folks have TV suggestions, but I don’t trust everyone’s recommendations. I watched ‘1883,’ ‘1923,’ ‘Yellowstone,’ and ‘Will Trent.’ Thanks William Pope and others for ‘Yellowstone.’ I’m a fan now.
7. For years we’ve been touting ‘The Wire’ as the greatest television show ever made. And for that same amount of time my mother was skeptical about watching it. “I don’t like that kind of stuff.” Okay, Ma, no worries.
Imagine to our surprise when my mother made the announcement in the family group text that her and Dad had started watching it and were hooked. You’re welcome, Ma. Ditto to my cousin Bryon White, who reminded us of when he finally took our advice and watched it. Lol. It’s the most quoted show ever, and as usual, it’s all about the writers. Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, Ed Burns, etc.
“Y’all sound like a forty-degree day.”
“Money be green.”
“You gotta stop giving a fu@k when it ain’t your turn to give a fu@k.”
“When you come at the king, you best not miss.”
“Omar coming.”
8. Other than television, I stayed busy writing and planning. As I mentioned in my newsletter, I’ve dusted off ‘Sippin Life at Lucky’s Bar and Grill’ and added more stories, re-wrote others, and I’m getting it ready for a re-release. I made the decision to blog more, as well as planning more releases. ‘The Grifter’s Handbook’ is at more than 20k words, and I’ve also pulled my Western series out in order to finish it this year. Three of the books are finished and only two more to go.
9. I’m giving my subscribers early access to releases, as well as free giveaways, etc. I sent them the link to ‘The Last Haircut’ seventy-two hours before I made it available to the public and they came through like gangbusters. Thank you all for making it a number one new release! Um, ’11:59’ was a number one release too, so that makes it two in a row, right? Can we make it three in February? Fingers crossed.
10. Wait, why haven’t you subscribed? marlonshayes.com. It’s worth it, trust me, and it’s appreciated.
11. Wait. You haven’t bought ‘11:59’ yet, either? Why not? I wonder if it’s apathy, or is it dislike, or is it disinterest? My circle tells me not to sweat it, but if I have more than 2k friends on Facebook, then shouldn’t I have corresponding sales? And it worried me for a day or two.
12. Until I remembered the reasons why I write. Then my smile returned and I shrugged it off. I have thoughts and ideas and visions which I turn into poems, essays, short stories, novellas, and novels. I write in most genres and I have a lot of fun doing my thing. I’ll keep aiming for my goals and having a blast making something out of nothing… as I’ve done time and time again.
13. Thanks to my oldest daughter Amari for reminding me of the important stuff. Shout-out to other folks close to me for their support, understanding, and their constant love.
14. One of my goals for 2023 is to gradually move most of my stuff away from Facebook. The specter of their oversight and interference is upsetting, and I wanna try new/old ways of communicating. My websites, blogs, and emails are going to be my tools with which to ease on down the road to something better. Subscribe, follow me on Amazon, jot down my email marlonshayes@gmail.com, and let’s interact on another medium.
15. I have another campaign which me and What’s-her-name are both embarking on in separate ways. I won’t go into detail about how the conversation started, but I’ll give a glimpse and a heads-up about our plan. It’s called the “Come Have a Drink With Me” program, where we invite someone into our worlds for one-on-one conversations… and a drink, or maybe Harold’s with mild sauce.
I looked at my friends list on Facebook, contacts in my phone, and I want to holler at interesting people doing amazing, creative things. I want to discuss happenings, ideas, achievements, plans, and I hope these interactions will forge bonds, inspire excellence, and add gasoline to the motivating fires within. I sent an inbox message in December for a January meeting… and I crossed my fingers.
16. I ordered Harold’s and met with a fascinating brother, Antwan ‘Twizzle’ Taylor. We sat in my office and discussed writing, photography, art, podcasts, audiobooks, film, new plans, current projects, and a myriad of other topics. I did give a disclaimer before we started conversing.
“Yes, Brian Hayes is my brother, and while we have some similarities, we are very, very different,” I said confidently.
He nodded in understanding, and we began. Four hours or so later, as we were wrapping up, he grinned at me.
“I know what you said earlier,” he said. “But you and Brian have a lot of the same mannerisms. I can tell y’all are brothers.”
Sigh. And I owe you a Remy.
17. Check out Twizz at www.TRUEStoriesMedia.com and at www.MyTruephoto.com. And subscribe to his YouTube channel SoCHiology. It’ll be one of those things one day that you’ll say “I knew he was gonna do great things.” Trust me.
18. Um, I’m sending out my invite for February tomorrow.
19. I’m itching for a vacation. Soon. My luggage is complaining again.
20. Make that phone call and send that message. Life is too short not to reach out and just say “Hey, you were on my mind.” It’s easy, and there will be no regrets.
21. On Sundays, I prepare myself for the upcoming week’s phone call schedule, because I talk to someone different every night. Gonna be a productive few days and I’ll send texts. Let’s get it.
22. If I have things pressing, then recognize that. It’s not meant to be offensive or as if I’m ignoring requests, but my schedule is pretty full and if I give you a slot, and you miss the appointment, it’ll be a while before you’re on my schedule again.
My job at XPO takes up approximately seventy hours a week, give or take. Then let’s add about forty hours of sleep for a seven-day cycle. I write, answer emails, and my business and personal calls probably add up to another twenty hours. Social and family obligations are important and necessary, and how much time does that leave? Not much. Just saying I can’t drop everything for anyone.
23. Saturday’s STAR book club meeting was a reminder of why I’m still a member, and it was refreshing to have guests. I wonder if we’re accepting new members? It’s up for discussion.
24. It’s good to be here. Thanks to Him for everything.
25. I tried in vain to explain to someone the beauty and freedom of traveling alone, but they didn’t get it. On a solo adventure, there’s no one to compromise with, mollify, or entertain, just one’s self. It’s recommended. Also, if we wait on others, there’s a strong possibility a vacation will never happen. Quit wasting time. Go see for yourselves.
26. The hats I bought as Christmas gifts were specific and thanks for sending the photos. I’m missing a couple, but it’s cool. Wait til next Christmas. I already have ideas.
27. The newsletters are practice for something bigger.
28. Keep dreaming in color and don’t worry about those who can’t see life with the same kaleidoscopic vision.
29. My condolences and prayers to those who mourn. Also, send up prayers for those facing medical challenges and mental stress.
30. Delicious Escape Publications will be launching our website soon, be on the lookout. Also, ‘The Delicious Escape’ by Marlon S. Hayes will be released in the next two weeks. It’s a steamy, adventurous tale, and yeah, it’s good. Thanks to my partners, editor, and teammates for their help. Let’s go.
31. 11:59
Remix in any order. Thank you to those who help me see the silver linings in my life. Especially to Him, who is the provider of all.
