“Michael, Michael, Michael,” and with the third ever so polite calling of his name, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of ALL TIME) and the reason for mevsMJ.com, stopped his conversation with a gentleman mid stride as he walked right by me this past Saturday night.

In what seemed to me to be a super slow motion exchange, Michael turned back to me and I asked MJ, “Can I give you this?” as I extended my hand.

“This” being a mevsMJ.com card.  On one side Michael himself going up for a slam dunk and on the other, information about me and my goal of playing him 1-on-1. (click here to see front and back of card)

Void of hesitation, Mr. Jordan reached back, took the card from my hand, and said, “Thanks man!”

He then turned, looked down at the card now in his hand and proceeded to enter the elevator which was just steps away, checking out the card the entire time.

MICHAEL JORDAN KNOWS!!!!

Some 10 months ago when Jeff Jordan granted my wish and put out a retweet about this site, I always wondered, did he mention it to his dad?

A little after 7 pm on December 3rd (12/3), I no longer had to wonder if MJ knew.  I could say with certainty that there was absolutely NO DOUBT that MICHAEL JORDAN NOW KNOWS ABOUT ME and mevsMJ.com!!!

I can’t even begin to explain how surreal that feels!

I GAVE MICHAEL JORDAN…THE MICHAEL JORDAN…A mevsMJ.com CARD!!!!  WOW!!!!!

My Last Second Shot Attempt Goes In!

The whole night played out like a highly contested Game 6 of the NBA Finals (at least for me).

– First Quarter –

I arrived at UCF arena around 4:30 pm for the 5 pm game vs. Hartford (I recently purchased season tickets in the premium seating area at the arena).

Due to Marcus Jordan’s tweet around 3 pm stating that “Pops in town”, I had a strong feeling that my opportunity to come face to face with the legend may come later that night.  When I saw the message on my phone my heart immediately began racing.  I was probably as excited/nervous as I can ever remember being.

– Second Quarter –

Just after tipoff, I turned my head and there he was!  Walking a mere 10 to 15 feet from me, dressed in a pure white t-shirt, white ball cap, and jeans, MJ had arrived!  Accompanied by a few people and now already a little over a minute into the game, I decided I wouldn’t even try to stop him at that point, because I knew he was wanting to get to his seat and watch his sons play ball.  After all, that is why he was there!

– Third Quarter –

The way the premium seats are set up, there is a bar, seating and television monitors, directly behind the sections on each side of the arena for the seat holders in our areas.

At halftime I made my way across the arena, thinking I would grab a bottle of water from the bar and perhaps be able to talk with MJ about my journey.  Unfortunately, I was greeted by a security guard tasked to keep people out.  As I spoke to her, I looked over and there was Michael Jordan now facing my direction, just five feet away!

Now within earshot I could easily have called out to him and wished for the best, but that’s just not me.  Instead, I stood there for a moment, excited and a bit down that I was this close to my dream and yet so far away.

After a minute or two, I went back to my area, deflated but still hopeful.

– Fourth Quarter with just seconds on the clock –

With the game now over and UCF having won by 19, I sat in my seat for a moment and thought about the night before collecting my belongings.

As I began to leave, time slowed down.

With just seconds of opportunity still remaining, here came Michael Jordan!

With a group of friends including an on duty deputy sheriff, Michael and a gentleman were talking with one another as they walked some five to seven paces behind the others, as they all made their way to their exit.

Literally two seconds before he would have been gone, before opportunity had expired on this night, the exchange that began this post took place!

Much like MJ shaking free of Bryon Russell, I had taken a shot in the final seconds and scored!

Anything Really Is Possible!

Over two years ago I came up with the idea of mevsMJ.com.  It was to be a pure walk to play basketball with my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Just over 15 and a half months ago, this site was born.

On Saturday, after 117 posts, over 88,000 words, through training, injuries and unbelievable experiences, all of the hard work and unwavering faith paid off!!

I had come face to face with Michael Jordan!  Contact had been made!

1:41:04 and 116

I awoke early Sunday, tired from lack of sleep but with a rather large smile having put up camp on my face, I was still amazed as I reflected on the previous night’s happenings.

I made a cup of coffee and figured I would do something I don’t typically do and check Google Analytics to see if there had been any out of the ordinary activity on my site.

What I found in the silence of the morning absolutely blew me away!

On Saturday night, someone from a town in Illinois, that had never before been to my site in its existence, on one visit, spent 1 hour, 41 minutes and 4 seconds on mevsMJ.com and viewed 116 different pages!

Oh and yes, I looked it up, Mr. Jordan does own a home there!

In HIS Hands

I’ve said before that God has a plan for me.

There really is not a better way to describe what is happening on this journey than to give credit where credit is due.

Saturday didn’t happen because of me, it happened because of HIM.

I’ve always felt that if the journey was pure, that when stripped away at the essence of it all was a walk towards something far larger than basketball, that me vs. Michael Jordan would happen…in HIS time.

I’ve written before that sure, playing basketball with Michael Jordan is my dream, but that the journey can speak to anyone.  I’ve always wanted to inspire others to pursue their passion, whatever it may be, even if they stand alone in belief that it is possible.  I will tell you that I can count on one hand and not use all of my fingers when allotting for the number of people that truly believed in this walk when it began.  I heard the negativity and doubt laying all over the words coming my way from others, but I always smiled and pushed forward because I BELIEVED!

Having faith and the belief that anything is possible is a powerful thing.  It’s something that I hope those reading this will try to find again.

The journey here of course is not complete.  I don’t know if I will hear from Michael Jordan today, tomorrow, or 16 months from now.

What I do believe and what I’ve always believed is that me vs. MJ, WILL HAPPEN!

It has too!

The ball is in your court now Mr. Jordan!  I hope to hear from you soon!

me vs. MJ…the very real journey continues!  As always, thank you so very much for your support and for following along!

Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

31,536,000

That’s how many seconds are in each calendar year.

Now, now, now, now, now…a few more gone, sprayed like they’ve been released from an automatic weapon, past your life never to be captured again.

You’ll probably chew up over 240 just reading this post.

If you don’t mind me asking, exactly how old are you right now?

How many seconds or moments have you already spent?

Do you feel time is of the essence?  Or is that just another empty saying, like the powerful four letter word love, that people regurgitate because they think it’s the thing to say.

Do YOU mean it?  Seriously? Do you?

This isn’t a feel good post.  This one isn’t going to make ya feel warm and fuzzy.  It’s time to get down deep and search.

It’s time to lose that BIG BUT.

The BIG BUT

I would but I just don’t have the time these days.

I really wish I could but I’ve got too many responsibilities now to be doing that.

I would but I just don’t make enough money.

I’d run, I’d blog, I’d write, I’d sing, I’d dance, I’d travel, I’d play, I’d do this and I’d do that, BUT I’ve told myself I’m limited.  I’ve told myself it’s too much.  I’ve told myself it’s not for me anymore.

You’ve told yourself a LIE.

The LIE is Hungry

Are you mad at me for calling you out?

Do you want to stop reading now?

Do I just not understand YOUR situation?

Do you want to share your EXCUSE with me?

The lie is so hungry.  It wants to eat your dreams.  It wants to keep you right where you are.   The lie doesn’t want to see you progress.  It doesn’t want you to shine.  The lie doesn’t want people emulating your success.  The lie wants to be spread.

You must not continue to feed the lie.

An Overwhelming Response

Life can be so overwhelming.   Maybe you work hard at a job you don’t feel passionate about, to make money to support yourself and your family.  A family that by the time you get home, you’re almost too tired to really cherish.   You do this over and over again, year after year.

Now, now, now, now, now…more time is gone.

You used to dream big things for yourself.  HUGE, INSPRING THINGS!

BUT how can you possibly still even attempt to follow your passion when you can barely get through what you’re doing now?

I hear ya…it can be overwhelming.

How to eat away at the But one bite at a time (Something My Dad Taught Me)

I bought my first home right after I turned 24 years old.   I wanted to invest in the market, but my Dad advised, no he made me, buy a house.  (Note:  Had I invested at that time (pre 9/11), I would still be living at home…haha.  Thanks Dad!)

For the first few years of my banking career I also had a second job writing the sports section for a local newspaper.

I had a girlfriend as well, and all what comes with a relationship.

I was busy.

I worked 40-45 hours a week at the bank, nights and all weekend on the paper, and the rest of the time I would squeeze in some hoops, time with friends and family and time with the girlfriend.

I wasn’t making a whole heck of a lot of money at the time either.  That coupled with the fact that I have two of the hardest working people ever as parents, meant I took care of the yard work and everything else that goes along with being a homeowner.

When I bought my first home, two retirees had owned it prior.  They had flowers growing in places I didn’t even know you could grow flowers.  It was immaculate.  The curb appeal was sky high.

That appeal lasted for awhile, but then I was overwhelmed.   I just didn’t have the time needed to maintain the lawns pristine appearance, rather it wasn’t my priority.  So the weeds started growing.   The bushes went months without trimming.  My grass wasn’t edged along the sidewalks and driveway.   About the only thing I did keep up with was the mowing of the grass.

My parents would pass by, call me and drop hints, but I just couldn’t see how I would ever be able to maintain it all.  It stressed me.  You have to understand I have two parents who plant things for fun, who landscape and mow and enjoy it.

I told my Dad one evening, I just couldn’t do it.  It was too much.  I didn’t care.  I was beyond frustrated!

He listened and then he taught.

He said, if you look at every single thing you have to do and clump it all together, it will seem overwhelming.   It will appear to be too much.

He went on with, but if you break it down in to bite size pieces.   If you take one section at a time and put a little time in each evening, you’ll slowly start chipping away at it.

He continued, don’t try and kill yourself with doing it all in one day.   Spread it out, because it’s not going anywhere, but get out there and start.  Before you know it, you’ll have it done!  I’d be more than willing to come help!

I have used that life lesson over and over again in my life.

Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed and stressed, I try and take a step back and figure out how to chip away one bite at a time.

I’m no Judge

I wear no black robe.  I own not one gavel.  I’m not here to judge.

I’m here to inspire as others, like my Dad, have inspired me.

Life will always present you with an obstacle.  The lie will forever be hungry.

Though, no matter your individual situation, there is always another pushing through.   Another who cut ties with the lie long ago and instead chose to LIVE!

What you do with your life is your choice.

Now, now, now, now, now…more time is slipping by.

Are you ready to lose your BIG BUT???

Get Out There and Start!

I hope that my story in some way helps you to get back on track.   To realize that nothing is impossible, impossible just take a bit longer.

As cliché as it sounds, it really does all begin with one step.  There is so much to be had in life.   All the things you dreamt about.  The things you still keep deep inside for no one else to see anymore, can be had.

I know your situation may seem like it’s too much, but please try bite size pieces.  I think you’ll be amazed at how quickly YOUR curb appeal returns.

Now, now, now, now, now…the seconds keep flowing.

It’s time to say goodbye forever to that BIG BUT!

I know the feeling a woman has when a new bag comes out.  I know the feeling when she walks in the department store “just to look” and must have that dress.

I know the feeling a man has when that new car he’s been reading about for months comes out.   I know the feeling when he walks into the Apple store “just to look” and must have that iPad.

I know the feeling a boy has when a certain pair of “special” basketball shoes are released.   I know how he feels as he approaches the shoe store, heart rate increasing, just hoping that they still have his size.

I know all of this because I was that boy.

Air Jordans

I got my first pair of Air Jordans in 1991.   I was 13 years old.

I was in the infantile stages of my basketball life, but those shoes made me feel like a pro!

In those days, I had two real opportunities each year to capture a pair of my very own Jordans.   Those being before the school year began and Christmas time.  Jordans were then and still are today, expensive athletic shoes.   I’m almost positive that the first +$100 pair of shoes my parents ever bought, were those Air Jordans in ’91.

From then until I was capable of buying my own, J’s were #1 on my wish list each and every year.

The Air Jordan craze was in full effect and I was a happy and thankful participant!

Mars, Mike and Nike (“It’s Gotta Be The Shoes!”)

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abr_LU822rQ

[If you’re reading this via e-mail or RSS the video might not show up, so click here to view it.]

Nike released a superb marketing campaign in 1988.   The spots were directed by Spike Lee, who also starred in the commercials as Mars Blackmon.   Mars was a Jordan fan and a guy just trying to figure out why Michael Jordan was so good.   In the initial television spot, following a series of questions on what made Mike the best, Mars surmised, “It’s gotta be the shoes!”

It was brilliant!

“It’s Gotta Be the Shoes,”captured every dreamer in America and beyond.   Anyone wanting to be anything in the game of basketball wanted those shoes.  People who didn’t even play ball wanted those shoes.

Thought provoking for sure.  Maybe it was the shoes.  Could it be the shoes?  Could Air Jordans make me a better player?   I wanna be like Mike.  I want Air Jordans too!

Whenever I put on a pair of Jordans then, I would always feel I was capable of doing something I wouldn’t be able to do in another “normal” pair of shoes.  Maybe my fadeaway was a bit better.   Perhaps I got a little bit higher on my jump shot or when I grabbed a rebound.

Air Jordans helped me to dream!

The Value of a Dream (Why Jordans MAY Be Underpriced)

What is the price tag for a breath of hope into a child’s wildest dream?   How much should one charge if they can drive someone to dream greater and bigger than they would do on their own?

Jordans are pricey, but in the big scheme of things really a great value.

A great value when you consider that motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to adults to do the same.   A great value when people everywhere charge for “how to get rich” or “how to do something better” books, instructional videos, and on and on and on.

Everyone is selling something and all capitalizing on the same thing…a person’s want to be more.

So if +$100 pair of shoes can do that.  If they can make someone young or old think they can jump higher or play better, as they did for me as a youth.  If they can help someone to imagine life’s possibilities, I say that’s a good deal.  After all, if you can’t envision it, you can’t achieve it.

Still Kicking The J’s

Twenty years later, I’m still sporting Jordans.  While I know they don’t make me jump higher or help me make more shots, they do still help me to dream.

me vs. MJ…the journey and the dream are still very much alive!

Thanks for following along!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5bzfybIVr4&feature=related

[If you’re reading this via e-mail or RSS the video might not show up, so click here to view it.]

I wrote the poem, The Walk of Life, shown below on December 28, 2008, exactly two years ago.  It was a series of thoughts running through my head then, that I feel is applicable to all.  I hope you enjoy.

The Walk of Life

Life will twist you like a warm pretzel if you’re lucky.

The bends in the road become the story.

The story becomes your life.

As you grow, every opportunity gains weight.

I suppose it’s because you finally realize how big each great moment really is.

If the prayers line up, you’ll realize the dream.

In doing so, you come to find that it’s always been within grasp.

Always been reaching right back, but optimism coupled with youth keeps you blind.

The gentle second hand of time has a funny way of caressing your memories.

You appreciate the sounds…the subtleties that made you who you are.

Heartache and joy amaze the senses and remind you that you’re alive.

Hopefully joy gets a little more time in your story.

Hopefully you can add a little joy to someone else’s book too.

When wrinkles become your friend you’ll say everything you mean, because you have nothing to lose.

Time is ready to hold some other person’s hand and take a long walk.

So make the most of each chapter now.

Don’t let the joy pass without pausing to let the symphony play.

And please don’t let the darkness of heartache keep you from placing caution to the side, for a few moments at least.

No love was ever found without taking a step.

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHASE YOUR DREAM!