You don't need a @me.com address to use iCloud. You can use your iTunes ID for that. But you need a @me.com address to get iCloud email access. I make one to move from Gmail to iCloud.
I got [first][dot][last]@me.com
[first name].[last name]@me.com I honestly didnt even realize we were getting me.com emails with iCloud until I read this thread
I did, but then I've been a member since apple unveiled iTools, so I had better odds in finding my name which is wicked common