Of Bonfires and Guy Fawkes

Of Bonfires and Guy Fawkes

Current mood:satisfied

Well, the time came again for another bonfire. This one was not on the large attendance scale like the last one, as I was having it as a party for my friend Nilsson and his son Aaron, who are visiting here from England. The weather was a concern, as it rained the day before, and the day after, but for the day of the party, I could not have asked for a nicer day. We had about 25 people over, close friends and family who knew Nilsson. THAT is why the signal did not go out for everyone to come over. THAT will be next time, LOL!

BEFORE SHOT:

As we were having some Brits in attendance, they suggested burning a "Guy" for Guy Fawkes day. I wont go into the whole explanation, but if you are curious, I would just google Guy Fawkes, and look at the Wikipedia entry for all details on him, and Guy Fawkes day, which is observed in England and Rhode Island. In short, it is customary to have bonfires, fireworks and destroy an effigy of Guy Fawkes by firework or fire. As fireworks are banned here, the bonfire worked well.

The birth of Guy...created by Nilsson, Dennis and Aaron...

And, the death of Guy....

Guy gave off a nice glow, LOL.

Of course, if there is a fire, and Randy and I are there, what kind of fire is it without first some fire jumping, and fire walking? Keep in mind, the flash erases some of the flames in the pictures, but the heat is on, LOL!!

Aaron and Foster share a drink after playing "chase the ball"

All in all, a great evening. We sat out in the yard with the music and fire until about 1/4 to 3, but the time change bought us an extra hour of sleep. Woke up and cleared the back yard just in time for the rain to come, LOL!

See you all at the next bonfire! Hopefully it will be before it gets hot again.

Bad News To Hear On Christmas Eve

Bad news to get on Christmas Eve...

Current mood:angsty

Well, on Christmas Eve, I made a point of calling some family members that I am out of contact with on a regular basis...it is a long story, but suffice to say, our family, while large, does not really communicate well. There is a lot of history from before I was born, and a VERY large age gap. I have sisters who have kids older than me. My Dad ruffled a lot of feathers back in the day.

While making my Christmas Eve calls, I checked in with my favorite uncle in San Diego, and found his phone had been disconnected. I called his daughter, who he lived with, to get the scoop. She informed me that he had gotten ill, gotten worse, was in a convalescent home and had died several months ago, and no one had thought to contact me. I was immediately saddened, shocked and pissed at the same time. He was my favorite relative, and the only one outside of my immediate family whom I stayed in contact with. He always recognized my birthdays and holidays. He was my Mothers brother, and he was the person in my family I most associated with on a family level. I could easily see myself in him...we shared the same attitudes, outlooks and values. My visits with him will always be memorable. Even hanging out in Vegas with him when he was in his 80s was a blast. Eating with me at buffets, drinking coffee and having fun. He was the only one in my family, outside of the immediate family, who ever thanked me, and my brother, for taking care of his sister until her passing. I took care of my mom out of obligation, but it was nice to be thanked.

I really kept meaning to go to San Diego this year to visit with him one more time, in case something were to happen. I compiled a bunch of family photos onto my PC and wanted to ask him questions about them. I wish I had some warning that he was not doing well, so I could have visited before he took ill. I am not even sure of how or why he passed...not even sure I want to know. He lived a full and rich life, and I choose to remember him based on my time spent with him, in person or on the phone.

I am not sure how I should feel about not being told...that is bugging me, but on the other hand...we are not a close family, and maybe that is just a symptom of that fact. I really do try to be a conduit of contact to my relatives, but apparently there was a lot of damage done before I came along. I have all these relatives spread all over, and none of them really communicate...and all have taken vastly different paths. I think a lot has to do with hatred of or disagreements with my father, who could be an unreasonable asshole at times. He passed away in 97 I believe. I have a sister in Vegas who is out of touch, and is not well and is not expected to live another year...a sister in Minnesota who I talk to on the phone now and again and is ALWAYS glad to hear from me...a sister who was always in the Miami area but who has recently moved about 2 hours south of me. I visited her recently. I have a sister in Tampa who estranged herself from the family, then returned but she and I shared a volatile relationship. When my mother passed away, we found common ground and put the past behind us and get along quite well now. I have a brother near Orlando who estranged himself from the family, and only recently have we been spending time together again. He visits frequently now, and thanks to a job that puts him close to my house now and again, we do lunch a lot. I have another brother living locally who retired from the Air Force and bought a house near mine to be close to me, and my Mother. He and I are the only family living closely who actually talk regularly. I have actually gotten my brothers to lunch together with me, which I never thought I would see in my lifetime.

I am envious of people who have large close families with limited dysfunction. My family is largely F'd up, LOL! Those who know me well understand that comment. My brother always asks my how I got out of it and remained normal. I suppose my coping mechanism is just to move on and not dwell. Dwelling on the stupid stuff is what breaks down the family.

I sure wish I would have known about my uncle. BUT, you don't get second chances, do you? I think I am going to make a concerted effort to stay in better touch with my relatives, regardless of whether they like it or not, LOL. I loved my uncle, and finding out about his passing as an afterthought really kind of broke my heart a little.

I have not told anyone about this yet...so I know a couple of my family members will read about it here first. Guess that makes me just as bad as the rest, but alas, they were not as close with my uncle as I was. I have been sitting on this news because I didnt want to spoil anyones day...so blogging it now is just my way of releasing...

RIP Mr. Charles Mayes. You will be missed.

Wedding "Expert" Retracts Advice and Apologizes

Wedding "Expert" Retracts Advice and Apologizes

Current mood:betrayed

I sent my previous blog to the company that Jenny Lefcourt represented. This is the response that I, and the others who balked at her advice, got from the company:

Dear Harryoke, Thank you for contacting us about Jenny's recent TV appearance. I'm sorry that you were upset by her tips. In response to feedback about her appearance from the wedding community, Jenny prepared an apology which is available online at: http://www.bellapictures.com/pr/Bella_Pictures_Statement_6-30-08.pdf

Regards,

JOANNA TAGERT

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSULTANT

joannat@bellapictures.com

Direct: 888-556-7590 x 5146

Wedding Experts Suggest "Dumping the DJ"

Wedding Experts Suggest "Dumping the DJ"

Current mood:angsty

There appears to be an apparent trend lately for wedding planners and other "experts" to suggest that brides eliminate DJ's at their receptions in an effort to save money. In this economy, everyone seems to be interested in saving a buck here and there, and I would agree one should shop carefully for their DJ to avoid overpaying for someone under qualified...but to suggest a complete elimination is discounting what it is a professional wedding DJ actually brings to the table.

For example, here is an interview with one Jenny Lefcourt, who suggests dumping a DJ completely in favor of IPODs...:

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=6836578&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

Now, when they get to the reception...what are they going to play this IPOD on...a home stereo? What will they use to make announcements or other public address related needs? Who will coordinate the itinerary with the caterers and photographers and videographers to ensure that all are on the same page and no snags happen...or if the snags do occur, who will make things transition smoothly so the bride and groom are not bothered? Who will watch the flow of the room and keep the energy maintained? Leaving the IPOD on shuffle is going to do this? Who will coordinate the dedicated dances, and the requests and dedications throughout the night?

A good DJ is not someone who just shows up and plays music like an over paid boom box. A professional wedding DJ (or DJ for any event for that matter) is bringing a quality pro grade sound system, thousands of songs and the knowledge to play the appropriate songs at the appropriate time. He is bringing the organizational skills to coordinate the event. He is leaving his ego at home and working for the bride and groom, and has the interests of all the vendors at heart to bridge the needs of everyone in the room. He is working with the caterer to balance their needs, and working with the photographer to ensure they are aware of when the magic moments are going to occur. The DJ, if used properly, is an important cog in the machinery of a finely honed event. What is that worth to the success of the event?

I like to calculate wedding/party expense values by factoring the number of guests at a wedding, then dividing what you pay for services by the number of guests. For example, if a bride has 100 guests, and the cake is $100...that is a dollar a guest. If the bride pays $500 for flowers, that is $5 per guest. When you are paying 30-50 dollars a plate or more for catered food per person, why would you balk at paying a fair rate for the entertainment? At the end of the reception, what do people remember more, the veal marsala or the entertainment? I have done consultations where the brides balked at my price, but then I point out they are paying more for their seat covers in the reception hall than they are for my services. I like to think I bring more to the table than the seat covers.

There are plenty of ways to save money on a wedding reception, but I cant imagine, if you envision music at your soiree, and you are considering the music to be entertaining, that you would ever overlook the value of the DJ. Shop all of your vendors carefully, check references and be penny wise, but not dollar foolish!

I had the luxury of seeing the video linked above, just as I was leaving to perform at a wedding...and I was really paying attention to just how effective I was at what I do, and very much wondering who would have taken my place were there to just have been a boom box in the room. Hmmm...

Just a PAWN in the system...

Just a PAWN in the system...

Current mood:aggravated

My brother came home from work last Wednesday to find his home had been burglarized. They attempted to enter thru the back porch, but could not get thru the sliding glass door, so they decided to go thru the bedroom window. My brother came home to find the window broken open with the air running full blast and the house full of mosquitoes. When he realized he had been burgled, he called the police and took stock of what was missing. They had amazingly left a lot of good stuff, but obviously were grabbing what they could sell quickly...the mark of a tweaking druggie. They took one of his pillow cases to put his cameras and other small items into, took his laptop but left the desktop PC, and took his guitar.

He is insured, but the only thing that held any sentimental attachment was the Stratocaster.

Now my brother is very anal about keeping records. I sometimes made fun of him for that, but it paid off this time as each item that was stolen had an empty box being stored for it...and while the police were there, my brother produced serial numbers for every item, much to the amazement of the sheriff. The sheriff put everything in the computer and by Saturday, the guitar showed up at a local pawn shop. Again, this was great news as this was the only thing that he really did not want to replace with insurance money.

He went in and the pawn shop informed him that because they paid out on it, they now owned it. They had taken the proper info on the pawner, and the pawner turned out to be a career criminal, and had already been arrested for something else over the weekend and was in custody. My brother really wanted the guitar back, so the pawn shop actually sold him his guitar back for the $150 they paid the druggie for it. He could have gone thru legal channels to demand them to return it, according to this Florida statute:

F.S. 539.001(15) discusses "Claims against purchased goods or pledged goods held by pawnbrokers." Specifically, to obtain possession of purchased or pledged goods held by a pawnbroker which a claimant claims to be misappropriated, the claimant must notify the pawnbroker by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in person evidenced by signed receipt, of the claimant's claim to the purchased or pledged goods. The notice must contain a complete and accurate description of the purchased or pledged goods and must be accompanied by a legible copy of the applicable law enforcement agency's report on the misappropriation of such property. If the claimant and the pawnbroker do not resolve the matter within 10 days after the pawnbroker's receipt of the notice, the claimant may petition the court to order the return of the property, naming the pawnbroker as a defendant, and must serve the pawnbroker with a copy of the petition.

It was easier to pay for the guitar again and claim the payment on the insurance, but what a load of crap! Suppose he had no documentation, or serial number? For that he was lucky. While he was at the pawn shop with a city cop and a sheriff, there were SOOOO many customers coming to the door and turning around without coming in, out of fear. The pawn shop manager then asked them to hurry and complete their transaction as they were losing business because the police were there!!

Absolutely amazing! I did a lot of research on pawn shops since then and found they claim a moral high ground, but there actions belie their words, and the laws are written to protect their ability to fence stolen goods. Only those citizens who are anal record keepers have any hope of seeing their merchandise, and have to face a legal fight to get their goods returned.

Just a heads up to you all.

The guitar was pawned just hours after the burglary, and the timeline shows it was a broad daylight burglary. On a humorous note, when they took the pillow case, they removed the tag from the pillow which said not to remove under penalty of law, and left the tag on the night stand. I guess you have to giggle about that.

Starting My 10th Year - A Review

Starting My 10th Year - A Review

Current mood:accomplished

Well, this week marks 10th year as a full time karaoke host and DJ. I started at Finnegan's and Mothers back then, working 2 nights a week. I quit my full time sales position at that time, and switched to the warehouse. As I picked up more nights, I had to cut my hours during the day back more and more, until I eventually had to give up my day job. I have not looked back since then!

I had given thought to becoming a host at the encouragement of my coworkers. We used to go visit the Stormin Norman show at the Ocean Deck and had befriended Norman. Norman was going thru some exceptional life circumstances, and I offered to host his show for him if he needed to take some days off. He didn't take me up on my offer, but, this planted the seed to my friends that I should be doing this for a living anyway. I looked into the cost of start up, and the high cost of startup, combined with the inability to clearly comprehend how to make money at karaoke to pay for the upstart, dissuaded me from perusing the venture. It always seemed to me to be a part time venture that would have to be associated with a day job. I informed my co workers that this venture was too cost prohibitive, and the very same day I opened the paper and the universe placed a classified ad under my nose...karaoke show for sale. The call put me in touch with Beth and Oliver, who were doing shows in Flagler. I knew nothing about the biz, so I absorbed every word they offered, and watched Beth at work, and then began a study of visiting every karaoke show I could get to as a customer...making note of what I liked and what I did not like, to hone my eventual show style and policies. I was soooo naive back then. I talked to Beth about buying the show in March of 99 and told her if she would hold it for me , I would pay her in cash, no haggling, in May, after I made my Mothers Day money (I was in the flower business then). She reluctantly agreed, on good faith, with frequent nervous calls to me to make sure we were still good. Beth then realized that her good friend and neighbor was a VERY close friend of mine, Anna, who assured her that I was trustworthy and a man of my word. Anna was having a party in May, so we made the plan...I would do Anna's party for free, in exchange she would not bitch about me not being professional, LOL...and Beth and Oliver would accompany me to the party...across the street. They would bring the gear, I would set it up and they would train me at the party, and after the party, if everything worked, after all was packed, I would pay them cash. That is how it went down, and 5 hours later I was a professional host, LOL. My final day as a full time sales person at FCI was May 14, 1999. I worked part time at FCI until around August of 2000 I think.

I started out as CenterStage Entertainment. I then realized that John was doing karaoke as Center Stage Karaoke in the Flagler/Ormond area, so I started billing myself as Harry's CenterStage Karaoke. This naturally shortened to Harryoke. As everyone enthusiastically began using this name, I added the exclamation point to become Harryoke! LOL.

A lot of my progress and success at the start involved a lot of serendipity. After getting all the KJ gear, it never dawned on me to DJ as well, even though I had a good CD collection, but when my horse trading neighbor came over with a complete DJ set in binders and asked if I could use it, I assured him I could, and my DJ life was born. I would literally go borrow it from him each time I got a job. He said he would sell it to me but never gave me a price. Then he just told me to hang onto it since I used it more than he looked at it... He then passed away in an untimely manner. I still think of him when I pull that binder out. He would be proud to see me today, he was a big cheerleader for me at the start.

Looking over the dates, it is incredible to think of all the people I have met, the business alliances I have made and the friends I have made. I could write a book about all of the characters I have met, and experiences I have had...I should have kept a journal, LOL.

Milestone Dates:

May 17 1999 - First Show at Mothers

May 18 1999 - First Show at Finnegan's

June 6 1999 - First Orlando show at Red Baron. Was thinking I wanted to work in Orlando, so I was learning in Flagler, but looking for venues in Orlando. Just played there for the month of June, they changed management, and the building was eventually sold and torn down in the name of progress.

June 12 1999 - Started at Holly Hill Eagles. Was a twice a month show, which does not catch on, so it did not last long.

June 18 1999 - Started working for Jack Vedder at Glen Abbey in DeBary. Never really picked up there, and that is where I met Ed who owned Peggy's Place, soo.....

July 9 1999 - Started at Peggy's Place. Some of the best memories there ever. Reluctant to start, but hated to leave...stayed until it closed. It is now JTs Seafood in the Hammock.

Nov 18 1999 - Started working for George at what was then the Damn Yankee (Now Fisherman's Net). When it was just the bar and restaurant, they used to stay open till 2 with entertainment, and I played there on Thursdays. After the remodeling in May of 2000, they stopped having entertainment. I still work for George doing his employee and private parties.

Dec 30 1999 - My first wedding!

August 3 2000 - Finnegan's Ladies Night Thursday is Born!

Jan 30, 2000 - Took Super Bowl Sunday off...driving my 66 Galaxie blew a tire on the Broadway bridge and wiped it out, and put my head thru the windshield. First example of other KJs coming out to help me until I got better...but I did not miss a day of work, although I did come to work with my head wrapped for a few days!

Sept 16 2000 - Working for Jack Vedder again at the hotel on Old Kings and 95 across from Plantation Bay...called the Duffers Lounge. Bar closed in Dec.

March 11 2001 - Last show at Peggys..closed.

April 13 2001 - Started long run at Ocean Deck Café, now known as Iron Boot. Went thru 3 or 4 owners and numerous remodels, and infinite personnel changes, but I was there every Fri at 8, rain or shine, LOL. I quit on Jan 16 2004.

June 14 2003 - First ballroom show at Halifax Plantation. Got into the habit of working there about every other month, selling advance tickets and serving appetizers the first hour...did this until the bar was built.

Jan 27 2004 - Started working Finnegan's Daytona.

Sept 9 2004 - Started at Harborside - Henrys at Palm Coast Golf Resort

Sept 23/24 2004 - Life changing accident...broke my neck and unable to work for the rest of the year. Lucky to be alive

July 22 2005 - Harborside closes to begin it's new future as a construction site. LOL.

Sept 11 2005 - Started at Smiles...nuff said...only stayed till Jan 29.

Dec 23 2005 - Halifax Plantation converts the pro shop into sports bar, and I begin my Friday nights there!

Jan 5 2006 - New owners of Finnegan's wonder why Ladies Nights have been sucking, attendees say because I am not there, and I return to reawaken my creation, LOL.

Feb 12 2006 - Hello Shark House Sundays!!

Dec 11 2006 - Shark House Burns to ground

Feb 2007 - Black Cloud - First show Super Bowl Sunday.

Proud to say I was never fired from a job...either left because the business closed, or changed direction or sold. I have been at Finney's and Mothers since day one! So off I go to start the 10th year...tonight will be show 2507! Thanks to you all for the years of support, and friendship. Here's to all of you...and here's to the new friends I will meet in the next 10 years!

ALL THE BEST, and keep getting your sing on!

Rex In Effect

Rex in Effect

Sunday morning, I was dragging myself out of bed, getting ready to take the dogs for a walk. Lori had been babysitting Ashton overnight, so she was loading him into the van to take him home. She called me from the cell and told me not to let the dogs out as there was a stray dog in the front yard. I went out in the yard to see a wonderful tan colored dog at the van. He was friendly and personable, OBVIOUSLY someone's dog, but obviously not being taken care up...very skinny and skeletal. He was jumping in the van and sitting down with Ash, much to his delight, and very happy to be seeing us. Not being able to do anything about it at the time, and not sure if the pound was open on a Sunday, I suggested we go about our business and see if he finds his way back home. Tying him up or taking him away may defeat that.

Well, he found his way to my neighbor, who cannot have dogs. I came home late that night and heard him bark, so I knew he was around, but he did not approach. Next morning I looked and found him still around, so I figured, given the chance to leave he did not, so I began befriending him. He is the sweetest dog, but very undernourished. I gave him food which he devoured. He is so very obedient, and understands territory really well. He needs to get some meat on his bones.

I checked with my brothers, and neither could take him...checked with Lori's sister and she did not seem interested. I could not figure his breed out, then it dawned on me that he may be a Catahoula, just like Foster, only a different variety. He has the same lines, and some crazy beautiful eyes. His age I am unsure of, but his pink gums and nose and balls high and tight show his youth. I actually considered keeping him, but reality is, my house is full enough and I don't know if I am up to committing to a third child.

Thankfully, Jacky, Lori's daughter, and her boyfriend Steve came by and fell in love with him. They went and got Steve's kids and when they loved him, he found a new home. This makes me very happy. Jacky was walking him and someone commented that she got herself a Catahoula, so that confirms my suspicions were on target. They are naming him Rex, and if he is half the dog Foster is, they are going to be just fine. Found dogs are the best, especially when they find you.