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Higher ground

I’ve been taking some time off from posting here as I have another related project I need to finish.

The past few weeks have been memorable and miserable. Our basement took on water during the massive rainfall deluge one day recently. That was bad but then — possibly related although days apart — one of my shelfs collapsed. sending hundreds of albums crashing to the ground, which was covered by wet carpet from the aforementioned flood.

Miraculously, the other records landed on top of other records. And many had plastic over-sleeves.

The good news: minor water damage on three or four albums, nothing special was lost and it’s forcing me re-organize and make decisions about what to do with my slightly out of control collection, which I estimate is close to 750 now.

The culprit? Too many records, too much weight. So be careful now when you’re rearranging your storage system or display system. Records are heavy.

Meanwhile, keep checking this blog, read some of the older pieces. I’ll be back!!

Heard on the street. after two (or three?) years on COVID hiatus, Mike Madness the Lewy body fight for a cure fundraising 3-on- 3 tournament MAY be coming back. Still firming things up but this year, we are aiming for a mid August time slot. Location likely UAB.

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Mike Madness: Best one yet

The T-shirts were turned up to Purple.

Myself JD Crowe, John Archibald, and others who did not deserve such treatment, got dunked in a giant container of water — and that was after the main event.

At least 20 teams clashed on the basketball courts at UAB Rec Center fSaturday for the annual Mike Madnss basketball tournament to raise awareness — and money — for the little known and misunderstood disease Lewy body dementia. And we had a raucous crew at Trim Tab Brewing where I made a foolish attempt to moonwalk in my socks on a concrete floor while Karaoke-eying to MJ.

WIthout a doubt, it was the best Madness yet. The first year we raked in $13,000; last year, $12,000 — and we are still tallying but expect to pass each of those years. My ambitious moonshot goal of doublingup at $25,000,however, is likely out of the realm. Money will go to research at UAB and the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Stay tuned for more numbers, team winners and more in social media, ALcom and this website: www.myvinylcountdown.com

So many thank yous to all who helped and contributed — which you can still do at www.mikemadness.org

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BREAKING: Third annual Mike Madness charity tournament set for July 20

See AL.com version for updated version.

I just got word that we have agreed on a date with UAB which is donating the use of the UAB Recreation Center for 3-on-3 basketball games (and other hijinx) for charity.

We are raising money to fight this brain disorder that I have, along with more than 1 million other people.

It has no cure, no known cause and is fatal. It is the second leading cause of dementia behind Alzheimer’s disease. But few people are aware of Lewy, which physiologically is a cousin to Parkinson’s disease with symptoms similar to both PD and AD.

Trent Richardson drives like the football player he is at Mike Madness charity basketball tournament last year. The tournament is back again for its third year on July 20. More details to come. Photo — Trish Crain

In two years we have raised a total of more than $25,000 for research and awareness of Lewy body dementia. We started humbly with a $5,000 goal the first year and took in about $13,000. Last year we raised $12,000. (These numbers are coming from my math memory department in my brain which is currently under siege from rogue proteins, but I think they are about right.) I would love to raise $25,000 this year to push our total to $50,000.

I think we can do it. I think this will be the most successful one yet.

Details of the tournament will be coming but mark the date: July 20, UAB Recreation Center. We have the gym all day and will start pretty early in the morning. Again stay tuned.

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Last year we had surprise visitors. Former NBA and UA basketball star Buck Johnson and former UA running back Trent Richardson joined us and even participated in a game or two

So stay tuned. Many more details to come.