"Be a Man Jeffy": Social Justice Warrior Parenting by Michael Bama Katt A girlfriend I had years ago gave me a heads up about her sister the day I was going to meet her. "She got out of a long term abusive relationship a few years ago, my sis," Nadine told me, "and she can't stand men." The way she said it, I think she expected me to roll my eyes at it, like "oh, she's one … [Read more...]
There are Rules for a Reason
There are Rules for a Reason by Michael Bama Katt We did a show where an outlaw gets shot clean off his horse, but gets hung up in his rope and drug off the set. First time I did that one I played one of the posse cowboys chasing hard after that little bunch. I get blown out of the saddle too, but that's it; I just hit the ground dead. While getting into costume, one … [Read more...]
Sometimes the Best Thing to Do is Just Walk Away
Sometimes the Best Thing to Do is Just Walk Away by Michael Bama Katt Summer of 2003. A couple of unexpected downturns and one unmitigated disaster left me poor as a church mouse for about 6 months. Not broke, destitute. As in if it wasn't for my little sister taking care of the cell phone bill... I probably shouldn't finish that sentence. It was a very ugly summer. I … [Read more...]
Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints
Wisdom is Where You Find It, Even at Biker Bars and Redneck Rat Cage Juke Joints by Michael Bama Katt This is somewhere in the late '80s. I was on the back patio of this skeezy redneck rat cage juke joint where I was Head of Security, trying to figure out what's up with this guy who couldn't take two steps without crashing into the furniture but showed no other signs of … [Read more...]
Knowing the Truth is Its Own Reward
Knowing the Truth is Its Own Reward by Michael Bama Katt I made Buddy Ebsen laugh once, y'know. A personal highlight. I was running Security at an early "Con" type deal in the Tuscaloosa in the '80s. Not a Sci-Fi Con, possibly a Comic Con, something like that. First time I'd ever heard "con" used as a suffix for a convention like that. Buddy led one of the Q&A … [Read more...]
You Cannot Stomp the Light into Anyone
You Cannot Stomp the Light into Anyone by Michael Bama Katt You'll never bully anyone into changing. You cannot stomp The Light into anyone. They have to want it. You know the phrase, "be the change you want to see in the world"? That one's not just another sanctimonious hit of holier than thou slactivist armchair do goodery. That one's actual guidance and I picked up on it … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Play Practical Jokes Anymore
Why I Don't Play Practical Jokes Anymore by Michael Bama Katt A kid who worked for me when I was a warehouse foreman for a saw mill and hardwood staircase parts manufacturer back home in Tuscaloosa, Jamey, was a good guy, just an ideal employee. And he was pretty sharp for the most part, but boy oh boy was he gullible. Good natured about it though, which really freed me … [Read more...]
A Shepherd’s Head is Always Clear, Because the “Clouded Mind Sees Nothing”
A Shepherd's Head is Always Clear, Because the "Clouded Mind Sees Nothing" by Michael Bama Katt I needed to run a guy off from a dance club I was working, and he was just flat not going to agree to that. My go to move at the time was to hold my 4 D cell Maglite vertically, put it between his legs from behind, turn it horizontal, and pull up very slightly, holding his collar … [Read more...]
A Patient Warrior Can Transform Fear into Friendship, Hatred into Harmony
A Patient Warrior Can Transform Fear into Friendship, Hatred into Harmony by Michael Bama Katt When I first started getting lunch at the deli in the IGA several years ago, the counter guy was a small, very well-groomed, nattily dressed, sincerely flamboyant middle-aged guy. He was pleasant and polite, a naturally friendly guy. To other people. Me... he was absolutely … [Read more...]
My Acting Was So Good I Thought I Might Actually Lose My Arm
My Acting Was So Good I Thought I Might Actually Lose My Arm by Michael Bama Katt That's me in buckskin, back when I was a professional stuntman. It was a whole different America in 1983. We were doing a live wild west show here, staging gunfights, firing off full load Hollywood blank rounds and all, in a shopping mall. This particular show was me and 2 … [Read more...]
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