In the mid-1950s, music, like much of America, was quite segregated. A record company owner from Memphis, Sam Phillips, knew he couldn't reach the white teenagers directly with a black artist but knew there was no sound like the rhythm and blues. Seeking a white singer with a "black sound," he recruited a 19-year-old trucker who had recorded a demo as a present for his mother a year earlier. After several frustrating attempts failed to produce anything substantial, the trucker, Elvis Presley, casually jammed during a break with his two backing musicians, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. The result was his first regional hit: a version of the Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup classic "That's All Right." The rest was history.
Some ignorant folk like to accuse Elvis of pilfering a style for his own race. The best retort for this accusation came from black soul singer Jackie Wilson: ""A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis."
But Elvis was more than a uniter of race. He was a pioneer and a rebel. He taught American teens that they could express themselves through music without the constraints imposed on their parents' generation. He brought rock n' roll to the masses. And he redefined what it meant to not only be a musician but an entertainer. As a result, he inspired a whole generation of musicians, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and even Led Zeppelin -- all of whom credit Elvis's influence to their success.
Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977 -- 34 years ago tomorrow. Yet his influence, music and memory will last forever. He's still the King. And we honor him for Sticking it to The Man.
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Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Why I go to church
I don't fear hell. I've been there. I don't judge the "saved" and "unsaved." I don't judge other religions. My views are pretty much "one God, many paths." I've gotten plenty out of Buddhism, Judaism and other "isms." But when I'm in worship, I'm reminded of one very powerful fact: God is in charge. I've seen WAY too many miracles to believe otherwise. It's convinced me beyond any reasonable doubt that God not only exists but is ultimately plotting out a plan -- or at the very least, a short term one. That's a Christian interpretation and those of other faiths may feel otherwise. But few can dispute that those with faith can bring light and happiness to the darkest places. Life can still be very difficult sometimes, but imagine it without faith! What a black hole.
I don't pretend to think God wants me to be rich or professionally successful. Maybe he/she doesn't. But what I do know is that the ego of the rich and powerful is not the ultimate authority. Wealth is transient. God's glorious grace is forever.
Stick it to The Man,
Pete
I don't pretend to think God wants me to be rich or professionally successful. Maybe he/she doesn't. But what I do know is that the ego of the rich and powerful is not the ultimate authority. Wealth is transient. God's glorious grace is forever.
Stick it to The Man,
Pete
Friday, August 12, 2011
Death, taxes and Hugh Hefner?
As long as I'm avoiding going to bed, let me assure you of two things:
1. Hugh Hefner is not dead.
2. I don't know enough about video games to show you a proper Leona Build.
3. I just used two of the most popular search phrases on the Internet within the last 30 days ("Hugh Hefner dead" and "Leona Build"), thus this blog should get more traffic. Isn't SEO wonderful?
4. For more SEO and other revenue generation tips, visit the "Start Your Own Business" section of Stickit2Man.com!
Stick it to The Man! (I can't count, that was four things!)
Pete
1. Hugh Hefner is not dead.
2. I don't know enough about video games to show you a proper Leona Build.
3. I just used two of the most popular search phrases on the Internet within the last 30 days ("Hugh Hefner dead" and "Leona Build"), thus this blog should get more traffic. Isn't SEO wonderful?
4. For more SEO and other revenue generation tips, visit the "Start Your Own Business" section of Stickit2Man.com!
Stick it to The Man! (I can't count, that was four things!)
Pete
Grocery shopping
If there's one thing that's a wallet-vacuum, it's groceries. I hate grocery shopping. It's a rip-off. No offense, but I shop like a man. I get what I need and get out. My fiancee usually brings a list -- and we are pretty good at sticking to it.
You think supermarkets choose their layout by accident? No chance! It's laid out to maximize your spending. Particularly if you're the type to "stroll through and see what we need." Supermarkets are arranged a certain way -- to maximize THEIR profits. Why do you think the temperature is so cold in those places? Cold temperatures are scientifically proven to make you hungrier. And when you're hungry, you shop more impulsively.
In this economy, you're likely feeling the pain of grocery shopping. Perhaps you're on food stamps. No shame in that. But are you able to feed yourself healthy, nutritious meals? What about your family? Do you have to ruin your health because you're on a tight budget?
NO! You need to empower yourself and fight back. If you click here, you will be taken to the Stickit2Man.com "Save Thousands on Groceries" section. You can literally save over $200 a month! And remember, these books are cheap, but the knowledge they impart is PRICELESS!
Stick it to The Man!
Pete
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
You think supermarkets choose their layout by accident? No chance! It's laid out to maximize your spending. Particularly if you're the type to "stroll through and see what we need." Supermarkets are arranged a certain way -- to maximize THEIR profits. Why do you think the temperature is so cold in those places? Cold temperatures are scientifically proven to make you hungrier. And when you're hungry, you shop more impulsively.
In this economy, you're likely feeling the pain of grocery shopping. Perhaps you're on food stamps. No shame in that. But are you able to feed yourself healthy, nutritious meals? What about your family? Do you have to ruin your health because you're on a tight budget?
NO! You need to empower yourself and fight back. If you click here, you will be taken to the Stickit2Man.com "Save Thousands on Groceries" section. You can literally save over $200 a month! And remember, these books are cheap, but the knowledge they impart is PRICELESS!
Stick it to The Man!
Pete
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Thursday, August 11, 2011
I have a job interview
I haven't blogged for awhile. Truth be told, I've been scrambling. Ever since we lost a major client for our courier business, I've been trying to scrape up cash wherever I can. eBay, little bits of freelance, other courier work, etc. When we lost our medical client late last month, I was at an impasse. Almost two years ago, I told myself I would never work for anyone else again. I've gone to great lengths to keep my word to myself. I've sold on eBay and Amazon, done some freelance writing, worked roadside assistance, delivered flowers, delivered medical supplies, built and started Stickit2Man.com and cut my lifestyle expenses to necessities -- and sometimes, I've even cut those out. I don't have health insurance right now -- even though my kids do. My personal life is relatively happy, but I'm stressed constantly. And I'm worried about providing for my kids.
There are few companies for which I would commute to New York City at this time. Four hours of traveling a day is not for me -- and fortunately, I'm not in a miserable marriage anymore that forces me into that predicament (in the name of providing with one income). But if I can work in Connecticut, I've decided that providing a little security to my fiancee and kids can be important -- and that I won't truly sell out all that is dear to me if I play my cards right. Of course, no job is truly secure these days, but the volatility of sinking or swimming isn't as extreme as in self-employment. For this reason, I've sent out a few resumes and I have a very promising job interview next week. That doesn't mean I have the job. The position is not even in PR -- although it does play to my strengths.
Stickit2Man.com will continue. We have over 620 likes on Facebook now. I did my first press interview earlier this week. Eventually, I will move the blog to the site domain and redesign the site. My principles haven't changed, but I'm going to be a good husband and father. And that means keeping a steady income flow, while I slowly build my fortune on the side.
My ultimate fate will always rest in my hands -- and God's. I won't be a victim of this economy.
Kick ass and take names,
Pete
Back to Stickit2Man.com
There are few companies for which I would commute to New York City at this time. Four hours of traveling a day is not for me -- and fortunately, I'm not in a miserable marriage anymore that forces me into that predicament (in the name of providing with one income). But if I can work in Connecticut, I've decided that providing a little security to my fiancee and kids can be important -- and that I won't truly sell out all that is dear to me if I play my cards right. Of course, no job is truly secure these days, but the volatility of sinking or swimming isn't as extreme as in self-employment. For this reason, I've sent out a few resumes and I have a very promising job interview next week. That doesn't mean I have the job. The position is not even in PR -- although it does play to my strengths.
Stickit2Man.com will continue. We have over 620 likes on Facebook now. I did my first press interview earlier this week. Eventually, I will move the blog to the site domain and redesign the site. My principles haven't changed, but I'm going to be a good husband and father. And that means keeping a steady income flow, while I slowly build my fortune on the side.
My ultimate fate will always rest in my hands -- and God's. I won't be a victim of this economy.
Kick ass and take names,
Pete
Back to Stickit2Man.com
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Give us some press, will ya? ;)
Stickit2Man.com Launches with Eye on Empowerment
Stick2Man.com, an e-book portal dedicated to helping individuals to overcome life’s problems and save time, money and sanity, announced its public launch today.
Unlike e-books featured on regular bookselling sites, the e-books featured on Stickit2Man.com teach little-known information and insider secrets to their respective industries, not just common sense.
“We will show you how to do everything possible – short of breaking the law – to improve your life’s situation or achieve your goal,” Moore said. “A corporate publishing house would likely shy away from making these secrets public. But we won’t!”
Moore, a longtime business publicist and former editor of the Greenwich (Conn.) Post, who has written for several daily and weekly newspapers and, through his PR work, has placed stories in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Advertising Age, among other media outlets.
Moore’s inspiration for the site came from various bumps in the road he has taken in his own life and his ability to persevere.
“In 2009, I lost my job, my marriage and any semblance of normalcy in my life,” Moore said. “One thing I never lost, however, is my tenacity and determination. I decided I would never be a victim. I was going to make things happen. I deserve better and so do you!”
Authors featured on Stickit2Man.com include licensed therapists, attorneys, former police officers and business gurus. Many of the authors carry first-person, “been-there, done-that” experiences that aid their expertise in writing their manuals.
“We want to empower individuals to lives of a better quality, not just ‘beat The Man,’” Moore said.
The site will feature regular updates and new categories; a featured “E-Book of the Day,” announced via Twitter and Facebook and a frequently updated blog. The site’s newest category, “Save Thousands on Groceries!” was launched on Aug. 1 and can be accessed at http://www.stickit2man.com/
# # #
Stickit2Man.com is an online e-book retailer dedicated to spreading society's 'forbidden knowledge' in order to help individuals conquer life's roadblocks and become informed, empowered and happy. Stickit2Man.com encourages its customers to question authority, challenge presumptions and never believe 'The Man' can keep them down. In other words, it's more than a Web site -- it's a way of life. For more information, please visit http://www.stickit2man.com.
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