Just to let everyone know, I'm ok. I'm still living without electricity, and out of an ice chest or on army food; but myself, and my family are safe, so that's what I was worried about. My internet is down(of course), but I'll get back with you guys as soon as possible. Our apartment complex took alot of damage, but the damage to my apartment was minimal. I look forward to talking to you all again ASAP. Life in the dark ages is boring, and we have a 10pm curfew! That really sucks.

Ok. My birthday was las tuesday, and we celebrated last night to promote my rock promotion at the club. By far the funnest birthday I've had that I can remember(and I know that I don't remember alot of this one!). I was hyped to book on of my favorite local bands SATURATE, for the party, along with SEPSIS, and RAGING APATHY. Unfortunately, SATURATE had to cancel because one of the members had a death in the family, and would be out of town for the show. I was disappointed, and tried to book another band, but didn't have much luck on such short notice. The morning (ok MY morning) around noon or 1pm, one of the guys from RAGING APATHY called me up, and said that they had another band they wanted to bring called COME SEE MY DEAD PERSON, I've heard of them, and listened to a couple of tracks on myspace, and liked them, but they were not rock. That ended up being one of the best shows I've seen! Live they were sort of like The Nekromatix meet Flogging Molly, a helluva lot of fun. 8 members, 3 guitars, a mandolin, a fiddle player, bassist,and drummer. Kinda dark, gothy Gypsy folk music, a nd kinda not. We got in a bottle of Maker's Mark(we don't usually carry it), but being that myself and Monica(a bartender who was also celebrating her birthday) both drink it, they allowed us the exception and got us a bottle. I got stupid drunk, and had a great time, and apparently 2 stepped my way around the dancefloor with cute girl. Don't remember alot after that, but I know there was some head banging involved. I'll post up some pics as soon as I can. All that and no hangover!
Though sadly, STILL no friggin' sharks with laser beams attached to their foreheads!

I guess an update for my last inbittered blog is in order. Things seem to have straighted out for the most part. Some tension is still around, but after suspending my project to book some other groups, the owner asked me to go back to what I was doing on Thursdays. We'll see how it works out this time, I guess. Things seem back to normal for the most part, though now I know that I can walk away if I feel the need to. I don't know which way things will go at the moment, even though they seem to be going more my way at the moment. Either way, sometimes the ant hill needs to be kicked over.

I am giving serious serious SERIOUS though to quitting my job. Things that made this job fun seem to be put on the back burner just as I'm making heady progress, just so the GM can have some extra time off, and he's trying to feed me some line of bullshit that it's from the owner. I'm working alot of extra hours, for basically nothing. I have no qualms with taking up some slack, even if it's for his own selfish reasons(we all need our own personal things, and ways to make those things happen), but DO NOT replace/erase what I"m trying to do to make this job better for everyone just so you can have your "me time", and tell me it comes from up high. I'm trying to keep an open mind, and not take things too personally, and take everything that is pissing me off as a personal attack, but over the past 2 weeks, things have changed ALOT here, and none of it for the better. alot of these things were out of everyone's control, but so many people are about to bite themselves in the ass. I'm trying not to be one of them, but I don't know if I want to keep working here if it's going to be like this. We'll see how these next few weeks play out.

Ok, so last night was my first attempt at establishing a "rock night" at the nightclub I work at.(which is a primarliy country and hip-hop ONLY venue). It went really well. Not a huge turn out, but we managed to pull in over 100 people, and for a first try, that's not too bad. One of my bands had to cancel, and the replacement also cancelled(apparently it was a bad week for drummers), but the two that played were awesome. Both bands were happy, and and seem eager to come back. Helluva party, helluva lotta fun. I had so many people chasing me down to talk to me, I started feeling like a claustrophobic rock star. Makes me sympathize for those poor souls that actually have talent. I"ll try to post some pics up soon. For anyone who's interested, you can check out the club's website and see some pics there, and a video clip of each band. http://www.rockin-rodeo.net/rock.html. It was alot of work, but I'm already looking forward to putting on the next one.

Things keep moving right along. I've been really busy at work lately, and a friend of mine died a few weeks ago; so my head hasn't been completely on straight as of late. On the brighter side of things, my job has let me have my way, and given me full reign over booking rock/metal/industrial bands(whatever I want/choose), to establish us as a live rock venue on Thursday nights. My first show is confirmed, and all set for Thursday, Jan. 24th. I can't wait.

So, Sunday was our charity fundraiser for B.A.C.A.(Bikers Against Child Abuse), and it was great seeing alot of hard work turn into something positive. I was running around like crazy all day, and half the night, but it was a definately worth while experience. The meat market who offerered to donate some meat for us to grill backed out, as well as some other vendors, so that left us grilling cheap chili dogs and nachos on the sidewalk. The carwash seemed to be a success, we had 6 bands lined up, two of them backed out(and then our 2 subsequent replacements also backed out), thank God they were the country bands. The remaining bands were awesome. Chris Elliot and the Bodacious Ta Tas, were great. Chris is a blind guitarist and singer, and a very talented musician. The other guys in the group are great too, Sal the base player was great, and the reason they signed up for the gig, even though they had a paying one later that same afternoon! Bryan (from Faceplant) was the only other guy in the band that I was familiar with, but the whole band was great. From Guts to Glory put on an amazing performance, and seemed to earn themselves alot of new fans. Jeremy is just an awesome human being(as is the rest of the band), and I will be forever grateful for him setting up their appearance for me. Then after some sound guy/equipment change and debacle Tommy Bones put on a great show as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing them play again too. Tommy and Mike were cool as hell, and I also can't thank them enough for coming out and throwing some metal into the mix for us. The owner of the bar seemed happy (and a little impressed), and bought me some beer when I got off; and the bikers seemed rather impressed with how much we were able to get done for their cause, especially considering what we had to work with. Although it came close to taking turns curling into a fetal position, Monica(one of my bartenders, and the girl who helped put this thing together) will forever be my inspiration of event coordination, and the ability to pull anything out of her ass at the last second. Amazing person. I'm glad that we were able to pull this off, and it would'nt have happened without so much help from selfless people(like Trish, and Anthony) who just helped with anything and everything for no incentive whatsoever. I feel very lucky to have the employees and friends that I do.
Went out last night and had a blast with my friend Trish and a newly acquired acquaintance Alex(both hot girls, not that that matters here), and had a blast! Got a little buzzed on some Maker's Mark at my place before we left, on some Southern Comfort on the ride up, on some more Maker's Mark, and then a little Shiner at the Meridian. Great party was had by all( I remember everything this time, I swear!) Met up with another girl I work with Dez, who is just a walking party machine. We got to the show in time to catch the Octanes' set(I think they went on a little early), they're local, and fantastic! I'll definitely be catching more of their shows. The Chop Tops were amazing, I was an instant fan, and Sinner(the drummer/singer) is just an awesome guy. He singled me out a few times just to bullshit, and was just fun to be around. On a brief interlude I got recognized from this site by Progarita, and got to make a new friend The Koffin Kats put on a damned good show, but still counldn't compare to the Chop Tops(IMO), but I'm so glad that I got to see them. Finally the show's headliners The Nekromantix were just plain AWESOME, and lived up to every bit of their hype. Then I went to Mai's to meet up with my best friend(and enjoy some more Southern Comfort on the ride there), and enjoy some late night Vietnamese food with my best friend and two hot girls. Long crazy fun filled weekend. I'm just bummed that it's over.

I've been insanely busy recently trying to help get this put together, so anyone who bothers to read my blog for any reason, I am hoping to see there(I know that this will not be realistic for those who live out of the state/country). Also if any of you can think of anyway that you would like to help out, or any ideas that you think might be beneficial, please send me a message, and let me know. Thanks.

BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE fund raiser:

Sunday Dec. 9th, 2007 at Rockin' Rodeo/Ocean Club 3150 Burke rd. Pasadena, Tx. 77504

We will open up at 12 noon, and keep the party going all night until 2am.

We will be having bbq in the parking lot, as well as a car wash. Inside we will be showing the Texans vs. Tampa Bay game. There will be a free poker game for anyone interested in our poker suite.

There will be a $5 cover, all of these proceeds will go to the B.A.C.A. charity.
We will also be having drink specials all day/night long.
$1.50 well drinks and domestic longnecks, as well as $2.50 Jack Daniels and Crown Royal all night long.

There will be a silent auction, and a breakdancing demonstration by S.O.T.E.(formerly Space City Dance Squad).

There will also be live music throughout the day, including performances by:

4pm Chris Elliot and the Bodacious Ta-Tas(classic, southern, and modern rock, as well as country music with a rock and roll twist)

6pm Guts To Glory (hard rock/alternative)

8pm Tommy Bones(hard rock/metal)

10pm Josh Fuller & The Pride of Texas(country)

There in all likelyhood will be more bands booked over the next week, and I'll post more updates as I get them. Please come out and have a good time, and support a worthy cause.

The owner of the club asked to talk to me before I started work last night. It seems that they want me to be the new assistant manager. I took it, because I want to do a little more, but now I'm having some second thoughts. I think that taking it was a good decision, but I know that it won't pay me enough. It'll be more than I'm making now, but alot more hours, and I don't know when I can squeeze more money out of them. I guess if nothing else, it'll be good on my resume.

kung_fu_tattoo strikes again!


So pretty much another day at the office, I had to work the door/security on saturday night, instead of my usual bartending; because my job is short staffed at the moment. Long story short I had to break up a fight(ok, this actually happens every now and then), but the guy I got ahold of decided that he wanted to fight me at this point. I had his elbow and chin locked up, and was escorting him outside the club, when he slipped the chin lock and tried to spin on me. I adjusted, and pressed the side of his wind pipe, with the inside edge of my palm, and just kept going. By the time I get him to the foyer area, I can feel him choking(and drooling) against my hand. I'm trying to work outside, but keep him controlled since we're moving by customers, and alot of glass(mirrors, and beveled glass inserts in the doors) without anyone getting hurt. One of my managers is trying to get ahold of him at this point and is yelling at me to let him go, right as he drops unconcious. This happens right as we are halfway out the door, and amidst a crowd of people(mostly employees at this point). Since there is nowhere for me to go, I guide him down, as best I could. I had to wait for some of them to take a step back to "get off of him" as I am repeatedly being instructed. So now there's cops(off duty officers that are there for security purposes)they and both of my managers are on the guy. I decide that I really want to wash this guy's choke spit off of my hands, and get a glass of water. I come back out, and my GM is kind of bitching at me about choking a guy out, but I can tell he is'nt mad at me. Then not 5 minutes later, the club owner is telling me the same shit, but cuts me off when I try to explain my motives. Oddly enough, he's not angry either, he is dismissive of my defense because it's not needed it seems. He then collapses against me giggling at the whole debacle. At this point I honestly have no idea how many fights I've been in anymore, but this is my 5th official knockout(although there is probably at least one more from the time I was jumped). Ok, I'm finished with my rant of quasi-self glorification. Just felt like going on a hyper rant for a bit.