THE SHOE-SHINE BOYS

Reminiscences. Have you ever wondered why in every graduation exercises and programs of like, you always find the closing remarks boring? The same reason I have this part at the bottom. My work this past thirty-five years has brought me to four countries, and in the US alone, to twenty-four cities in fourteen states. I get to fly every week from my home-base to the client site and back. After a while, I raked tones of perks from flights, car rentals and hotel stay. In one of these flights, I was sitting next to Isaiah Thomas, or he was sitting next to me. Did we talk? No, this guy doesn't talk There was a time when I memorized the codes of all the major airports that I fly in and out of, and some regional ones. One fine day, at IAH (George Bush Intercontinental Airport) in Houston, TX, while waiting for my flight home, I saw a familiar face across where I was having a beer. Kenny Roger was reading the day's papers while an older gentleman was shining his shoes. I was curious as to how they do it. I went across, shook Kenny's hand and told him, I am a big fan. I wasn't lying. One of many things common in these airports is a tiny corner where you sit and have your shoes shined. I do not know why, it never really crossed my mind to have my shoes done in any of these places. That is a shame. MEM (Memphis International Airport in Memphis, TN) is one airport many flyers do not mind being stranded-at. The famous Memphis BBQ, believe-it-or-not is from Memphis. Listen to blues, jazz and rock-and-roll while having barbeque with Jack Daniel sauce and beer. And if you are not a beer-drinker, there is always Jack Daniels single barrel whisky. Cheers!