a2jk

Work In Progress

2007-04-15T18:48:00.000-04:00

I've been to a couple of concerts in my day. Some I'm quite proud of (especially recently) and some not so. I've been meaning to make a list of everyone I've ever seen. Well. Here I go.

Iggy and The Stooges
The Pogues
Flogging Molly
John Prine
Aerosmith
Gov't Mule
New Earth Mud
Robert Randolph and The Family Band
The Jayhawks
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Wilco
The Wallflowers
ZZ Top
The Black Crowes
Johnny Lang
Lenny Kravitz
Ziggy Marley
The Replacements
Jeff Healey
Blues Traveler
Billy Joel
Georgia Satellites
Beastie Boys
Run DMC
The Allman Brothers Band
Howling Diablos
Jackyl
Kid Rock
Taj Mahal
Steppenwolf
Procol Harum
The Marshall Tucker Band
Guy Davis
Arlo Guthrie
Fiji Mariners
Sass Jordan
The Arc Angels
Ray Charles
Chuck Berry
Aretha Franklin
BB King
Buckwheat Zydeco
Jimmy Johnson
Dr. John
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Wilson Pickett
The Meters
Sonny Rollins
Harry Connick Jr.
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Pete Seeger
Peter Paul and Mary
Collective Soul
Bob Dylan
Hot Tuna
James Cotton
Koko Taylor
Natalie Merchant
Bruce Hornsby
Jeff Beck
Santana
Grateful Dead
Aquarium Rescue Unit
Street Dogs
Widespread Panic
North Mississippi Allstars

Wow. I'm already getting a headache. I'll add much much more later.

Long time, no see!

2005-12-19T06:25:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a while since I've posted. I've either been busy, depressed, or a wicked combination of the two. It's obvious that losing your job 4 days before you have a child will have a negative effect on you, but you really can't appreciate it unless it happens to you. The past 6 months of my life seems like something out of a Richard Lewis routine. My wife and I worked for the same company. A week after informing them that she was pregnant, she was laid off. The very same day, our financing company informed us that our mortgage would go up $480/mo, as our homeowners insurance went up, and our taxes were mis-assessed. Three days later, my wife was in an accident, and our jeep was damaged. We filed for reassessment regarding our city taxes, and the city forgot to do it! They only do these in July and December, so we will have to wait. To lower our monthly payment, we decided to refinance our home. We found a company that could reduce our payments to $860, and would approve me with my "less than perfect" credit. We had all but signed the papers to finalize it, and a hurricane knocks out their building! Two days following the hurricane, I get a phone call from the new owner of the company I was working for, and he tells me that they can't afford to pay me anymore, so I, and the other night dispatcher, will be laid off. The new owner's son takes my job, and since the other night dispatcher was friends with the owner's son, he is rehired, and continues to work there to this day. I still keep in contact with some people there, and they tell me that the owner's son and his buddy don't do anything. They'll leave for hours, and neglect their responsibilities. I have been told how much I am missed. Four days after that, my 2nd daughter is born.

There are plenty of people who make much less money than I was making, although I wasn't making an incredible amount, who vehemently oppose social programs sponsored by our government. They have been led to believe that there are people leeching off of their tax dollars, and this money would be better off remaining in their own pockets. The sad truth is that taxes are never reduced, only reallocated. The money that is earmarked for social programs is only diverted into something REALLY important, like the military or corporate welfare. I have never been in a position where I required any assistance before, and I am grateful that it was available to me and my family this time. Sometimes, hard working people get the shaft, and there are legitimate circumstances that warrant these social programs. I would not have been able to buy the formula my daughter needed! Luckily, my wife and two kids were able to get on WIC. We lost our health insurance, and the kids are covered by the State of Michigan. We also get $70/mo in food assistance. This is a help, but still isn't quite enough to feed a family of three (formula is covered under WIC) for a month! I have been diligently looking for work both nearby, and in various cities throughout the country, and have had little or no luck. The job market isn't very good right now, in case you haven't noticed. I do have a follow-up interview today in Kalamazoo, so hopefully that goes well. I have been collecting unemployment, but that is less than half of what I was making on my salary. The costs of our home when you factor in mortgage, taxes, city services, and utilities cost approximately 30% more than my unemployment benefits, which are the maximum allowable. If it were not for the generosity and kindness of our family, friends, and neighbors, we would have been out of this house months ago. My point is, bad things happen to good people. I did my job very well, and did not deserve to lose it. Neither did my wife. But we're going to survive, and we will do well. The job I applied for requires me to work 12 hour shifts M-F, a short 6 hour shift on Saturdays, an occasional Sunday, and on call 24/7. Add an hour drive each way to and from work, and that leaves little or no time for me to spend with my family. But I'll do what I can to make sure that they have what they need. I just hope they realize what they are asking of me, and compensate me accordingly. If they offer me a $300/wk salary, and I decline, I lose my unemployment benefits. I hope it works out.

YOU'RE FIRED!!!

2005-10-21T18:07:00.000-04:00

Ok. Let's compare two employees here.

Employee A does his job well, has never missed a day of work.

Employee B has not only spent approximately 70% of his tenure either on vacation, but did not report to work when he was needed most

Employee A is of slightly higher than average intelligence.

Employee B has displayed the intelligence equal to that of a 6th grade child more often than not.

Employee A has made his workplace a better place to work, as he is helpful to those working around him, even when he seems to be overwhelmed with his workload.

Employee B has pitted one side of the office against the other.

Employee A works very well under pressure.

Employee B mumbles and stutters when he's confused.

Employee A is good for his company.

Employee B has already driven many other businesses into the red, and now he's doing the same to your company.

Employee A has a brilliant daugher and wife, and is expecting another baby in a week.

Employee B, as well as his wife, children, neices and nephews, have a history of legal and criminal problems.

Employee A is reliable, responsible, and driven.

Employee B has a history of going AWOL, diverting blame, and never held accountable for his (in)actions.

Which of these employees deserve to be fired?

Why does Bu$h have a job, and I don't?

Can't We Just All Get Along?

2005-10-15T22:29:00.000-04:00

This is one of the two most offensive, disgusting icons I can think of at the moment. The Swastika and whatever they call that encircled cross that the Klan uses. It stands for hatred, closed-mindedness, intolerance, and ignorance. That being said, I support their right to assemble, and to voice their opinions. We had a similar problem with a Klan Rally in Ann Arbor that made national headlines. There were those of us who argued, after that incident, that if nobody showed up, the Klan would stop marching. They got exactly what they wanted out of Toledo today. National press coverage. Something they can use as a recruiting tool. A chance to play the victim. Let them dress up in their costumes and march around playing soldier for a day. Who cares? Don't go! Without an audience, they aren't shit.

Bush-it Politics

2005-10-15T22:07:00.000-04:00

Hopefully, I am not simply being overly optimistic here (optimism is not a typical trait of mine). But could Rove really be held responsible? Just look at how Bush struggles when Unca Karl isn't around! The story of the rehearsed, unscripted Q&A with the soldiers would never have been news at all. Georgie doesn't stand a chance without his puppetmaster. If Rove and DeLay both go down, I think Bush's days as President are numbered. I've always pointed out the similarities between the Bush and Nixon Administrations. I never thought that the possibility of Bush ending his Presidency just as Nixon did, even as awfully as he has "done his job". Here's where the optimism comes in. It does seen highly likely, though if Rove and DeLay are found guilty.

Son Of A Bush

2005-10-10T04:40:00.000-04:00

Oh no
Struck by greased lightning
F'd by the same last name

You know what?
China ain't never givin' back that goddamn plane
Must got this ol' nation trained
On some kennel ration
Refrain
The same train
Full of cocaine
Froze the brain
Have you forgotten?
I been through the first term of Rotten
The father, the son
And the holy Bush-it we all in
Don't look at me
I ain't callin' for no assassination
I'm just sayin' who voted for this asshole of the nation

Deja Bush
Crushed by the head rush
15 years back
When I wrote the first Bum Rush
Saw you salute
To the then
Vice Prez

Who did what Raygun said

And then became Prez

Himself went for Delf

Knee deep in his damn self

Stuck in a 3 headed bucket

Of Trilateral Bush-it

Sorry ain't no better way of puttin' it

No you cannot freestyle this

Cause yo ass still ain't free

If I fight for y'all

And they get me

How many of y'all

Is comin' to get me?

None

'Cause it's easier to forget me

Ain't that a A Bush

Son of a Bush is here

All up in your zone

You ain't never heard so much soul to the bone

I told y'all when the first Bush was tappin' my telephone

Spy vs. Spy

Can't trust 'em

As your salute to the illuminati

Take your ass to your 1 millionth party

He's the son of a baaaaad

He's the Son of a Bad Man

Now here's the pitch

High and inside

Certified Genocide

Ain't That a Bush - Repeat, Ain't that a Bush

Out of Nowhere

Headed to the hothouse?

Killed 135 at the last count.... Texas bounce

Cats in the cage

Got a ghost of a chance

Of comin' back

From your whack ass killin' machine

Son of a Bush ain't that a Son of a Bush

Cats doin' bids

For doin' the same Bush-it that you did

Serial killer kid, uh seriel killer kid

He's the son of a baaaad

He's the Son of a Bad Man

Coke it's the real thing

Used to make you swing

Used to be your thing

Daddy had you under his wing

Son of a Bush

Bringin' kilos to fill up the silos

You probably sniffed piles

Got inmates in Texas scrubbin' tiles

That shit is wild

CIA child

He's the son of a baaaaad

He's the Son of a Bad Man

The Monkey Thing

2005-10-10T02:18:00.000-04:00

Every so often, you find a piece of music that just blows your freakin' mind. Lately, I've been sifting through different jazz musicians looking for something new (to me) and interesting. I came across Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Kirk in Copenhagen". Track 3, The Monkey Thing, has Sonny Boy Williamson sitting in. Unfreakin'believable!!! Although I had never actually heard any of his material, I had heard OF him. This guy just blows my mind. I've never heard such versatility, technique, and intensity from one musician. A true genius. Hearing that track made me feel like I did the first time I heard Kashmir, Around The Plynth, How High The Moon, and The Wizard. I was in complete awe, and had never heard anything quite like it before. Too bad I noticed him 28 years too late.

What worked in 1963 works today

2005-09-26T02:59:00.000-04:00

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring childrenInto the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would neverForgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

-Bob Dylan 1963

Punk-Ass!!

2005-09-21T02:47:00.000-04:00

I just saw a documentary on IFC about the evolution of punk. I know it's trivial, but it's always pissed me off that The Ramones get credit for originating punk. The Ramones' first album was released in 1976. The Stooges first album was released in 1969. Maybe it's because I'm from Ann Arbor, and I personally know people who have played with the Ashetons, and Iggy for that matter. I'm way too young to have noticed it while it was happening, but I'm a HUGE fan of the Stooges. And that has nothing to do with my girth. The stuff that was coming out of NYC in the mid to late 70s was good, no doubt, but pales in comparison to The Stooges and MC5. Ann Arbor, not NYC, was the birthplace of punk. Thanks to Iggy, the Ashetons, and John Sinclair.

Death of a Nation

2005-09-14T00:42:00.000-04:00

Racism. Such an ap- propriately nasty word. There are many who belive that racism was a factor in the Federal Gov- ernment's (Bush's) delay in taking action. Now, I despise that crook just as much as the next lefty liberal. But I don't see that racism was a factor at all. What I DO believe the factors to be were...

a) he was on vacation, and couldn't be bothered.
b) This was a "Blue" region of Louisiana. Who gives a shit about "those people" anyway?
c) It wasn't so much a racial issue, but a social one.

Barack Obama cited the "passive indifference on the part of our government towards the least of these". I think he summed it up well. It doesn't matter if they are African, European, Hispanic, or Asian. They were poor, disadvantaged inner city people who had no way to evacuate. The choice was not theirs. They HAD to stay. There was nowhere for them to go, and no way for them to get there.

There is going to be a LOT of racial backlash about this, too. For decades and centuries, there was a legitimate gripe about discrimination, neglect, and persecution regarding race. This is a fact. It is hard to convince a large number of African-Americans that this is not the case... this time.

Have you got anything without spam in it?

2005-09-08T02:10:00.000-04:00

This is ridiculous! I've deleted the spam comments on this page, although it seems they're the only comments I get here. I didn't want to, but I turned on word verification so I no longer have this problem. Spammers suck. Now, go away or I shall taunt you a second time!

The Big Not-So-Easy

2005-09-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

It's been over a week since my last post. I've been trying to come up with the words to accurately express my sadness, outrage, and disgust. There are none. Every time I began an entry, I would simply come up blank. Thousands upon thousands of people have lost absolutely everything, including loved ones. People have been stranded, and forced to do things they would not otherwise do simply to survive. There are always those who take things way too far, and do what they can to take advantage of a bad situation. These people should be dealt with appropriately. Police have abused their power, and opened fire upon innocent victims. FEMA has completely mismanaged the relief effort. Bush had initially declined any foreign aid, as we are a nation that provides aid, not recieves it. Thankfully, Bush has changed his mind on this matter, and is allowing foreign aid to supplement our efforts. While my way in to work tonight, I heard a report on NPR that Bush has asked Congress for $50B for aid. Hopefully he won't misappropriate those funds to Iraq. Hopefully, this money will be put to good use.

In the shadows of the media's constant, relentless coverage of the Gulf State's battering, Bush is using this cover to slip John Roberts in to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. How nice would it be to make sure that your buddy presides over your inevitable impeachment hearings?

What A Katty Bitch!

2005-08-30T01:40:00.000-04:00

I spent way too much time this morning watching CNN and The Weather Channel when I should have been sleeping. I have been to New Orleans three times now, and I'm absolutely in love with that town. I've been for Jazz Fest, New Year's Eve, and went once with my wife just to spend a week blowing our wad dining in the best restaurants in which we've ever had the pleasure of dining (I highly recommend Latrobe's on Royal for brunch and The Port of Call for an excellent hamburger and a monsoon or four). I hope Lafitte's (pictured above) made it. At over 230 years old, it's the oldest structure in New Orleans. I've stumbled out of there a few times.

More importantly, I hope the casualties aren't as high in number as the wreckage seems to indicate. They are strong willed, perseverant people. I'm sure they will do well. New Orleans is such a beautiful town with an eclectic mix of diverse people. I would love to call it home, except for the relentless heat and humidity.

Four Years Later...

2005-08-23T02:11:00.000-04:00

We are nearing the four year mark since the attacks on the WTC and The Pentagon. What have we done in these four years? The UK has already made arrests in connection to the London Subway Bombings that happened on 07.07.05. Why are we still (not) after those responsible in our attacks? We are still wholly committed to a war that we have no chance of winning. And even if "we" do, what have we won? What have we accomplished?

Two days following the attacks Bush said, "The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him." On 03.13.02, Bush says "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority." Which is it? Some people argue that Hussein was an evil man who needed to be removed. I don't disagree with that statement whatsoever. But the timing is all wrong, and it was not our responsibility to do so. We have a responsibility to those who lost their lives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and friends on 09.11.01 to bring those responsible to justice. The surviving family members and friends of those victims should be absolutely outraged that Bush has exploited their loss to fuel his own personal vendetta. We, as Americans, have allowed ourselves to be distracted. The old bait and switch. On 09.12.01, we were thoroughly searching the caves in Afghanistan for Osama bin Laden. Instead of finding him, we found Hussein in an underground structure in Iraq. How did this happen? How can the American People just stand by idly, and not only allow, but encourage such behavior? The "election" in 2003 should not have even been close. I find it disgusting, appalling, astounding, frightening, horrid, awful, hideous... well... you get the idea.

The Armed Forces are having a hard time filling their recruiting quota. Not enough recruits are signing up. Hmmmm I wonder why that may be? Those who ARE serving, are staying longer than they were told. This will cause fatigue, then accidents and inefficiency, and when (and if) they get home, more emotional stress and mental illness. We are over-committing our "resources" to a lost cause. You tell ME who gives a shit about our troops! If we had gone after those responsible, and maintained our commitment, the trials would have already taken place, and our soldiers would be home by now. But this has instead turned into a four year embarassment.

Are we safer today than we were four years ago? No. What about our liberties? Are we a truly free people? No. They hate us for our freedom, you know. Why aren't we doing anything with Saudi Arabia? That's where the majority of the hijackers were from. Oh, right. They're our ALLIES. Not to mention, we buy a LOT of oil from them. And, as Mike Malloy would call them, The Bush Crime Family is friends with The Saudi Royal Family. And we are surprised that the price in oil keeps reaching record marks? Come on! This is really about one thing, when you really put it in simplest terms. The depletion of the middle class.

There is one point that does bring me some optimism. Historically, dynasties last about 200 years. I suppose that puts us in our "golden years."

Flogging Molly

2005-08-22T01:23:00.000-04:00

Ok... Time for some fun, amidst all my political angst, frustrations, and anxiety. I took my wife and six year old daughter to Chicago last week to see a band called Flogging Molly. It was just as energetic and precise as I could have hoped. Maggie had a wonderful time. She was familiar with a good portion of their matierial, and has loved them since I first played them for her. We stood in the aisle as close to the stage as we could, with her on my shoulders so she could get a decent view. She was mesmerized. I was delighted. It was really cool to be standing there with her on my shoulders, while 6'2" 300# guys with tattooed faces, piercings, and leather collars made their way up to the bar for another whisky. As they passed, they all smiled when they saw her, and a good many of them stopped to say that it was "really fucking cool that you brought her." Then, they'd turn to Maggie, and ask if she's having fun. She couldn't be bothered, but they all understood. That made me very happy. Maggie even got a Flogging Molly T-shirt. Thus far, she's seen Ray Charles (she was only a few weeks old, so it really doesn't count), Utah Phillips, and Flogging Molly. I'd say she's well on her way to appreciating excellent music.

Ok. I promise not to get happy again. Vacation's over, and it's time to go back to work.

Fuck.

I Had A Dream....

2005-07-29T03:50:00.000-04:00

Ahh, yes. Times are good. We have a wonderful President, the economy is good... spending on social programs has been reduced dramatically... not because they have been butchered, but because people are able to care for their own. Everybody has health care, prescription drugs, and all they need to use preventative medicine for their benefit. Prisons are being closed down across the country, as non-violent "criminals" have been freed, and people who are incarcerated for mental issues are in hospitals recieving the medical care they need. Corporations are held accountable for their actions, and the government is no longer on "Morality Patrol". Good times, indeed. Who, might you ask is President? Who consists of his Cabinet? Why, I'll tell you...

President: Kucinich
VP: Cynthia McKinney
Secretary of Agriculture: Willie Nelson
Secretary of Defense: Wesley Clark
Secretary of Education: Noam Chomsky
Secretary of Energy: Bill Maher
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Jocelyn Elders
Secretary of Homeland Security: POSITION ELIMINATED
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: Rev. Al Sharpton
Secretary of the Interior: Nancy Pelosi
Secretary of Justice: Carl Levin, Sr.
Secretary of Labor: Michael Moore
Secretary of State: Barack Obama
Secretary of Transportation: Ralph Nader
Secretary of Treasury: Howard Dean
Secretary of Veteran's Affairs: John McCain

...and I think to myself.... What a wonderful world.
Huh? What? Oh, shit! I woke up!

Political Prediction (aka We're Fu**ed)

2005-07-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

From what I've gathered, I would like to take my shot at predicting where our country is going. Although I would like to be a little more specific than the crapper, that would be equally precise, I'm sure.

A woman in the White House would be an excellent idea. There are a few women that I would choose before Hillary, but it appears as though that is where the Democrats are going. I would like to see Cynthia McKinney there instead... hell, even Jocelyn Elders... but it looks like Hillary is going to get the nomination. I would much rather see Dennis Kucinich on the ballot with Barack Obama.

Now... if you're a Republican, you are salivating as we speak. Probably pitchin' a tent, too. All the dirt and BS that you've concocted in the 90s about the Clintons only needs to be regurgitated. Your homework is done. It won't be a problem crushing her... again. SO, now you can put just about anyone up against her. At first, I thought that it would be Jeb Bush. But I think the Republican party has something much bigger on tap. I shudder to think that Rick Santorum is in the batter's box. But it makes perfect sense. If you're a RepubliCON Political Strategist, you recognize this, and move to (s)elect, install, whatever... the most homophobic, business-friendly, reich wing, neo-con, bible thumpin', gun totin' bass turd you can find. Looks like he's your man.

Hey... I never claimed to be optimistic. Considering that Hannity, Rush, and all the other right wing blowhards have already trained their audience to to discredit anything the Clintons ever did with blowjobs and possible real estate issues. I, unfortunately, see a Hillary nomination as a resignation. Things only get worse from here on out.

Welcome

2005-05-25T01:13:00.000-04:00

This, like my lawn, garage, and the dilapidated window blinds in my living room, will most likely become neglected in the near future, but I will do my best to update and maintain my blog.