Born and Bread in M-Town

Hello people, my name is Josh Wiley, I was born January 22, 1986 at Baptist East Hospital on Walnut Grove Rd. Both of my parents were born and raised here along with my fathers side of the family. For the first six years of my life I lived in Whitehaven, both sets of my grandparents lived there as well. On my mother's side, my Grandfather worked for and retired from United Airlines and on my father's side, my Grandfather was a transplant from Dyersburg who studied Law at the University of Memphis and later became a prominent defense attorney here in the midsouth. Growing up, both my parents worked, so everyday until I was five our six I stayed with "Granmama" my Dad's mother our "Mimi" my Mom's mother. I enjoyed going to Grandmama's and Mimi's; everyday was something new and exciting. Grandmama kept my brother and me well fed and would take us all around town doing odds and ins. Mimi was my artistic inspiration, at a young age she taught me how to paint in acrylics and oils along with pencil sketching. As I grew up, everyday was an outdoor exploration, constantly roaming the woods, riding my bike everywhere, going fishing, and playing just about any game I could dream up with my friends. As I got a little older I became very emeresed into bmx racing and dirt jumping. My parents weren't to found of it considering by the time I was sixteen I had broken both ankles and wrist seperately two times, bruised my heart, broken my tail bone , shoulder, and had one concusion that broke a full faced helmet. However, the absolute best days of my life have been experienced on a bicycle. These days I do not ride as much as I used too do to work and school, but in the spring and summer time you will find me riding the trails on my mountain bike and hitting up some of the local hidden dirt jumping trails on my bmx bike. As for growing up here, I really have blocked out most of the negatives and ignored the ignorant. I have found Memphis to be full of very unique individuals that are intelligent and interesting. I do however dislike the racial tensions between blacks and whites. Living in both urban and suburban areas of Shelby county has exposed me to both sides of the tension and that sucks. But, I have noticed slow improvements over the years. Hopefully the people of Memphis will realize the opprtunities and possibilities of this great city and polish it into a premier city of America. Well, I could go on and on but I believe I have given you guys enough for now. If you are more intersted in me our my past adventures hit me up in class!

Peace,
Joshua Wiley